Daily writing prompt

How do you handle fear and self-doubt?

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It’s time for Christians to “do the stuff” “Having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.” (2 Timothy 3:5) Instead, go and make disciples (Matthew 28:19) and train them to daily do the stuff that Christians did in the book of Acts and throughout the New Testament. (John 14:12)

Powerless religion:

* Pampers people,
* Programs people,
* Makes people passive,
* Makes people pastor dependent,
* Controls people
* Creates hearers, not doers,
* Gives a false sense of security,
* Often bores people,
* Quenches the Spirit,
* Doesn’t disciple people,
* Manipulates people,
* Neglects to personally empower people,
* Is ineffective at spreading lifestyle Christianity.
* Relies on political power and hierarchal power.
* Doesn’t train people to daily follow and obey the risen Jesus.
* Leaves people stuck in sinful thoughts, feelings, desires, opinions., attitudes, habits, and addictions.
* Trains people to see the Bible as a mere textbook to be lectured about instead of as a love letter of mighty living words to be continually absorbed and lived out in daily life.

The Bible says to turn away from such powerless religion! (2 Timoth 3:5) So, how should Christians meet?

“Ekklesia” is a Greek word that literally means “called out ones.” It was also the proper name of the interactive town hall meeting in ancient Greek cities where any person present could speak in the meeting. In the Septuagint translation of the OT from Hebrew to Greek “ekklesia” is used to refer to gatherings of God’s people.

Jesus was familiar with the term and participatory concept of “ekklesia” because there were Greek cities in the area of His ministry. He chose to use “ekklesia” in Matthew 16 to describe what He is going to build — a body of believers based on direct personal revelations from God.

Paul in 1 Corinthians 14:26 tells Christians what to do “when you come together.” He says that each person is free to speak in the meeting. That matches how the Greek “ekklesia” met. I believe that is how God wants His people to meet together in the twenty-first century. For more google my book: Beyond Church Ekklesia.