Support Your Local Church By Supporting the Body of Christ (avoid divisions)

• ⁴For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, ⁵ so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. ⁶ Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; ⁷ if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; ⁸ the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:4-8) [also see 1 Cor 12:14-30]

It is natural and good for finite saints like us to be invested in a local body of believers.  Whether that is a church or even group of partner churches.  Just as it is likewise natural and good for us to be invested in the care of our own single physical body God has given us to feed and maintain.

It is of great consideration and concern, however, when our fellowship with the global body (those outside of our local churches) is seen as a threat such that we smother, truncated, or cut it off because of our zeal for that local church.

It is not the local body that is "one body".  That view is far, far too narrow.  The one body spoken of in Scripture, we absolutely must not forget, is in fact not local but global.  The body of Christ is the global body of Christ outside your district, city, state, country, and all around the word.  And, it includes the local church we are able to be a part of.

To cut off our fellowship among those not considered part of our local church (those who are in fact a part of the global body), for threat of them stealing us away from the local body... is a cancerous thought, which itself needs cut off.

This kind of non-Biblical thinking will only isolate us from the actual body of Christ. We need to love the entire body.

What if I say, "I alone am the body of Christ."?  This most offensive statement is easily rejected when I have excluded everyone but myself from the body.  On an individual level it is clear, but is more subtly accepted on the level of the local church we become invested in.  How else have we become so divided as a body in this present age, with so many denominations, groups, programs of various churches within a few blocks of one another?

The idea that fellowship outside of our local church is a divisive threat to our local church, is itself a divisive thought.

Do we often feel as though we cannot associate with others outside our local church for very long?  Do we move on quickly and push on by others of another church, for fear we will sway allegiance or would be disloyal to our local church?--it shouldn't be so.  Do we end relationships with those outside our local church (or within) because we fear someone is walking a contrary path by fellowshipping outside of our local church?  Do we shun or raise concern when someone in our local church we may know--having not shown any concern for anything anti-Gospel--is often involved with another church body's members?  Do we fear if they continue on their current path that we might lose them?  Then we ourselves are in danger of being the ones who are alienating the Body of Christ--not them.

In our zeal for our local church we may be the ones isolating ourselves outside of functioning in the Body of Christ (if we have not already).

Do we want to support our local church?  Good!  Do not seek to isolate yourself from the Body of Christ.  In the name of supporting that local church, do not neglect the body of Christ, which is beyond your neighborhood, city, state, or zip.  It is global.  Let's not feel odd when associating with those outside our local church.  Do not consider ourselves (or others) as subverting authority or the calling of God.  If it is the body of Christ then it is the body of Christ.  Support your local church by supporting the global body of Christ.

• But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. ² I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, ³ for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way? ⁴ For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not being merely human? ⁵ What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. ⁶ I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. ⁷ So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. ⁸ He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. ⁹ For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building. (1 Cor 3:1-9)

Is God a Tyrant for Commanding Worship?

I am the Lord; that is my name;

my glory I give to no other,

nor my praise to carved idols

(Isaiah 42:8)

Why is God so unwilling to share glory with another?  Why would God many times and places, instruct man to worship Him alone? Look up at the heavens, and consider the work of His fingers.

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? (Psalm 8:3-4 ESV)

Consider that there are trillions of stars in the known universe.  These stars are light years apart and spread throughout the universe.  Some stars known as "Hypergiants", are 3,600 times the diameter of our Sun.  To reiterate--there are trillions of stars, light years apart, and many of them dwarf the Sun or Earth.  God placed them all with His fingers.

We understand also that the stars are relatively young.  That is, the stars were created along with man.  So the command to worship Him alone is very old--before the stars and before mankind--before we were, God was.  So consider this command to worship Him, as an intervention in our futility.  Long before mankind understood anything about the vastness of the stars beyond a pretty twinkle in the sky, the command went out before mankind to worship Him and no other.

When we observe honestly the work of His fingers, what we find in this command to worship Him alone, is MERCY.

This command was not just the shouting of a worship hungry God, or the tirades of a glory hound drunk with power--He is the God who predates such foolish thoughts about Him.  He is the God Who places the trillions of stars in all of their vastness and massiveness, with His fingers; His fingers!  And, in His mercy, He has passed along the instruction and information--this command--"Worship Me alone."

He is mindful of you.

Understand the unwavering position of God to not share glory with another, is GENEROSITY.

In this command, God is no glory hound.  There is simply nothing else worthy in all of the universe, or without.  God knows this, and He wants us to know it.  God has been mindful of us in telling us this.  In our utter feebleness He has intervened in our hopeless state and darkened futile minds, telling us, "Here I am!  Worship Me alone!  I alone am worthy of all of your worship!  I will share glory with no other!"

Obey this command... receive His mercy...

Boring Bible?

In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, by descent a Mede, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans— in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, perceived in the books the number of years that, according to the word of the Lord to Jeremiah the prophet, must pass before the end of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years. (‭Daniel‬ ‭9‬:‭1-2‬ ESV)

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I think it is a pretty fair thing to say that Daniel was a pretty studious Scripture reader, and had read Jeremiah's words end to end multiple before.  But in chapter 9 of Daniel we see that he perceives something new for the first time ever. I wonder if maybe it wasn't simply a matter of reading it enough times that he finally broke through and perceived it (though maybe there is a case for that?), but simply the Lord's timing for him to perceive it.

Do you read the Bible and sometimes feel like you read something new?  It was there all along and you read it before, but you just never perceived it until now and it is new to you for the first time.  It is the fact it was there all along that makes it even more glorious.  Within the context of God's Word, of course, you discovered something new.  That is one benefit of serving the Living God.  How great is that, really? The Bible can never be boring. Only we are the ones who are boring when we approach the Bible boringly.

He has given us all the opportunity to share in the glory of kings.

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It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out. (‭Proverbs‬ ‭25‬:‭2‬ ESV)

I will live the Gospel, the whole Gospel, nothing but the Gospel, so help me God!

Phil 1:27-28
Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.

As much as it pains my flesh to say this, there is never an excuse for non-Gospel-centered and non-God-focused behavior.  There is no cause for it ever.  There is no reason for a lack of zeal ever.  There is no time to relax from seeking God ever.  Are you young in the Lord?  Excuses won't help you grow up.  Are you a seasoned vet?  Excuses won't help you earn what you think time has afforded you.  Though zeal surfaces in a variety of ways, there is no time to be without zeal for the Lord.  Every excuse that is made, telling us to "let up" on this holy living for God stuff, is a lie.  Every reason we accept that tells us to stop passionately living out the Gospel so incessantly and ridiculously, is not further cause for further acceptation, but is only further cause for repentance.

2 Corinthians 10:5-6

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.

Here it comes again, our flesh is telling is this cannot be so.  It cannot be done!  It is too unattainable!  Push it back and put it down.  Slay it, and when it comes back, slay it again.  There is no time that is an okay time to live unworthy of the Gospel; no time ever.  Never.  On the contrary, we should live or "walk" in a manner worthy of the Gospel, at all times.  Yes, all times.  Yes really, ALL times.  Yes the flesh disagrees, but someday it will rot forever never to be seen again.  Slay your flesh, and accept the truth.

Romans 8:8-17

Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

Our flesh, so unpleasing to God.  The flesh, impossible to please God.  Full of excuses and arguments how this kind of living cannot be so.  This Gospel life being lived 24/7, 365 (and not to neglect 366 on leap year) is just too unreasonable.  It cannot be done.  It is making excuses even now, reasoning within you and fighting against His Spirit why excuses should be made--known or unbeknownst to you.  It is making a case for why some occasional exceptions should be had; some vacation, some slack should be permitted, a seasonal break given.  It tells us that living a life that is constantly and insatiably focused on the Redeemer of our souls is too exhausting for mere mortals who are only human (only flesh), and also too offensive to others.  Indeed, the flesh has reason to be afraid.  We need not give the flesh some wiggle room so that it can thrive and make peace with us.  Our flesh is telling us it needs a chance to breath.  Smother it.  Stop giving it air.

Colossians 3:5-10
Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming.c In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator

There is no day, no hour, no minute, not a single second or any smaller measure of time; there is no time at all to ever live a single moment in a manner not worthy of the Gospel.  God charges you, pleads with you, implores you, commands you, and has REDEEMED YOU to live a life worth of the Gospel at all times.  Even when you are alone in your house, with nobody else around, walk in a matter worthy of the Gospel!

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called --Eph 4:1

What about at a sports game? Nope.  What about at are restaurant when you are having a meal with family? Nope.  How about when you're all alone with a good book?  Nope.  How about when I'm really tired and groggy in the morning, with no coffee yet?  Nope.  What about after a busy Sunday morning where I have already done my Godly duties for the day, worshiped and served in a variety of ways?  Nope.  There is still no excuse for you, or I, to stop living in a manner worthy of the Gospel.  How about any other time, ever? Nope.

So as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. --Col 1:10

I have it... "How about when I'm sleeping!?"  Surely this is a time all of us must relax the Gospel.  Nope.  Still not then either.

Proverbs 3:21-24
My son, do not lose sight of these—
keep sound wisdom and discretion,
and they will be life for your soul
and adornment for your neck.
Then you will walk on your way securely,
and your foot will not stumble.
If you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

So, let's not make excuses.  Too often we are lackadaisical in our approach to life, and we help each other to make excuses.  We pardon each other's laziness with our own references to our own personal laziness, as if this is a justifiable reason for laziness.  Yup, more lies from the flesh.  Let's not help each other make excuses, let's help each other not make excuses.  We may as well get ready for this kind of living now, because if we're going to heaven it's all we have to expect.  Anything that tells you to stop living zealously now in this life on Earth, is not the Spirit of God Who redeemed you for this ETERNAL work that will continue on zealously praising Him forever.  Relax, take a break, seek some more flesh.  Nope.  Lies again.  Slay it, and move along to greater glory.

We exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. --1Th 2:12

The Risen Teacher

Jesus had been crucified and placed in a tomb. The discovery that He has risen is about to be made; Peter and John have seen that Jesus's body is missing, and Mary is there as well.

(John 20:11-16)

¹¹ Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb

Tears are rolling down her face as she misses Jesus. Not just the living Jesus, but she actually misses the dead Jesus (his body). Looking to the tomb where Jesus' body once was, sadness comes over her as she realizes He is gone. He had been dead for multiple days, but His body is gone and this has Mary sad. So concerned with the dead physical body of Jesus, she almost misses the resurrected living Jesus. Some people are really fascinated with the physical body that Jesus once had on Earth. They want to see the shroud that once covered His face in the tomb because they feel that some physical relic would provide a sort of resolution for the mystery in their heart about where He has been or Who He was. But alas, it is not the imprinted likeness of the face of a dead Jesus that will satisfy your soul. Only the living Jesus can do that. Perhaps if she had fully known the promises of God by His Word and had faith, then she would not be sad here; perhaps. But, Jesus will have mercy on her regardless.

¹² and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. ^13a They asked her,“Woman, why are you crying?”

Why are these angels here? They seem rather curious (1 Peter 1:12). These are angels who did not rebel and are not to be redeemed by the blood of Jesus have difficulty comprehending, even as angels of God. The work of the Gospel to save those who have rebelled against God, seems a mystery to them. Now is their chance, and perhaps they're meeting that desire to look into these things, by checking in on Mary whom is one of these people God has shown such affection for.

^13b“They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.”

Who can take the Lord anywhere He doesn't want to go? Nobody. Herein lies the problem with her grief, and it's for this reason Jesus will probe her (about faith). Look at what she said again. "I don't KNOW where THEY have put him." You should KNOW that THEY cannot have any power that is not given them and Jesus is exactly where He needs to be (John 19:11; Luke 2:49). She is without knowledge or understanding of the location of Jesus. Worse yet, what have those diabolical people done to his body? All of this, encompassed by the misunderstanding that Jesus would not rise from the dead. Has anyone taken Jesus away? If so, what would they have done with the body? Terrible things, and dishonorable things for certain. Bring my Jesus back! If only the Lord had the power to stop bad things from happening, Jesus' body would still be here where it ought to be--dead and lifeless in the darkness of this unmarked grave. Things would be much better, then.

Crazy the things that cause us to worry, isn't it? I'm so thankful that my expectations are not always met by God giving me what I want or think is most reasonable. His plans are so much better! She will soon find out, He has risen!

¹⁴At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.
^15a He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”

Have you ever felt like Jesus just wasn't around, later to find He was right in front of you the whole time? Perhaps you couldn't see Him through your blubbering. We do often blubber, in many ways--sometimes with tears, sometimes without. We whine, we complain, we rant, and we cry. We might say the angels were just being curious. But we know Jesus knows what Mary seeks and He asks here anyways. Tell me Mary, speak it. Say why it is you cry, and just Who it is you seek. I want to hear you say it. Did you know God wants to talk to you, even though He already knows what's in your heart?

^15bThinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”

Here she is again, wanting Jesus back in the tomb where He can be safe and sound. At least if He is in one place then we can come back and memorialize Him at our convenience, have a firm hold on where He is at all of the time. Then we can grieve over the life He once lived and remember Him for Who He once was. If His dead and lifeless corpse isn't where I expect it to be, how then will I ever have rest in my soul? He could be anywhere! He is risen, Mary, mobile and agile; standing before you right now, alive and well! While her mind is on putting Him back into the grave, Jesus' mind is on taking her out of it; full of life before her.

Not to be critical of Mary, she obviously loved Jesus. Fact is, I can see myself in her. She was in a lost state of mind, not knowing the things Jesus said He would do (namely, rise again) and without hope. She is thinking that God would let the righteous be forsaken (Psalm 37:25) with no way of redeeming an otherwise bleak situation. Been there. If He is your Lord, do you not believe He has a plan? Hey you, He never intended to remain in the grave, and the things that worry you are much smaller matters than what He can handle. That sin that once plagued your soul? He made the way straight, and put you from them as far as the east is from the west. What has been done for you on the cross is much weightier, and much more freeing.  He has taken care of your greatest need.  He has risen!

¹⁶ Jesus said to her, “Mary.”
She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means“Teacher”).

Have you ever heard Him call your name? When you were first saved, or any one of many times after? It's a great blessing for a believer that we get to hear Jesus call our name. And, we wake up! I'm thankful that He knows my name, and even if I am looking for Jesus in all the wrong places; in the most seemingly logical of places, albeit incorrect ones, He knows how to bring me back to focus. I'm thankful that when I am lost and blubbering because of matters I am misunderstanding, and not seeing clearly through my tears, He calls my name.

What is our response when Jesus calls?  I suggest this is what separates the sheep from the goats. Do you respond? Have you ever responded? Do you call Him, Teacher? The single Teacher above all teachers to give guidance to your heart, mind, body, and soul? Not just Mr. Nice Savior Guy... but Teacher? Has He taught you things, personally? Do you know Him as the lover of your soul? Does Jesus know your name, and do you hear Him when you're in a bleak situation? Do you hear Jesus calling? He wants to show you what's really going on, and that He has a greater plan than the thoughts running through your mind right now that have you down.

Is it faint? Is He blurry? That's enough. Call Him teacher, and He will teach you everything you need to know.