It’s okay to sit in an audience and hear a talk about God. It’s better to have a direct audience with God. Sure, God can use a one-man sermon, but He would have more options if everybody present could share as led by the Spirit.
Perhaps God wants more than an audience hearing doctrine. I believe that He wants an army that sets the captives free! The old hymn is called, “Onward Christian Soldiers,” not “On, Bored Christian Audience.”
What you hear a preacher say matters very little, compared to what you choose to say and do. Christ-followers were never called to be mere spectators in a audience; but an army united in mutual support and spiritual combat.
Trying to be a Christian, based on one experience with Christ; is like trying to stay alive, based on one experience of breathing. We need a fresh, continual, interactive relationship with the risen Jesus.
What’s going on inside your mind and heart has a much bigger impact on your life than what’s going on around you does. In spite of that, so many people work hard to try to control their circumstances, while few try really hard to control their feelings and desires.
To successfully control our feelings and desires, we have to have the on going presence and the help of the risen Jesus. Trying to control yourself without the risen Jesus helping you, is like trying to swim without the water. Christians are called to obey Jesus, even when they don’t want to. Will you?
We have to go beyond doctrine. Doctrine is not 100% clear. (“We know in part.”) Doctrinal pride divides the body of Christ. The risen Jesus guides us together. Unless the risen Jesus is the doctor in your life, your doctrine will be based on your own wisdom. (Get it? Doctor in, doctrine.)
If all Christ-followers have Jesus living in them, then we are united in Him. Have you ever met another Christian and immediately felt a heart-connection with her/him? That’s because we share the life of Christ with all people who have Jesus living inside of them.
If Jesus lives in both you and me; then regardless of any other factors, we need to show love, kindness, and compassion to each other. We are part of one body under Christ, indivisible, offering God’s liberty and mercy to all! God’s Math: 1 Christ-follower x 1 Christ-follower x 1 Christ-follower
x 1 Christ-follower . . . = One Body Life.
Get in the God’s game. In ekklesia we’re the town council for the city of God. (Ekklesia is God’s Spirit-led assembly; an open forum for Christ; a biblical alternative to traditional church.) And even when we’re alone, we’re ambassadors for Christ.
