Angelariel777.blogspot.com
15.8.10 - 3:27 PM
Frustrated Ministers of Love, Assemble!!!!
Hi there people!
Well, needless to say what has been going on with me. Someone may try to kill themselves.
I started going to a church in Goldsboro every Saturday or Thrusday, and I liked it at first but this one thing kept bothering me: Why do you have the time and money to do all of these elaborate things? Why aren't I hearing about feeding the homeless, and instead repairing a church out of state?
The spirit was there, but the piorities concerned me. I brought my brother with me, and he all but solidified it whenever he was also appalled by how politics was being mixed in.....
And so, I am officially churchless again.
Before I continue with my story, allow me to tell you how things move for me. There is always one entity that decides to post something involving what I am going through, or one sermon on television that does the same, or one person who feels the need to comment about my situation. I usually investigate the aspects of the message being conveyed, and I always find my answer.
Today, I went online to say hello to my sparkly bows and crowned friend. I also saw an acquaintence online. He asked me if I had work, or why I wasnt at church. Interesting enough I had already told him earlier that I am off on Sundays, but he must have forgotten. (One day is for organized functions, one day is for independent study. I may have 2-4 days in which I study God's word independently. Hey, it works really well for me). In any case, he left with only this phrase "Fail not to assemble yourselves". And logged off without saying nothing more ^^. Once again, Evil communications corrupts good manners (yes I am talking to you. anonymously, because you will never actually gather the oomspah to read this and actually solve the problem, but yes. I am addressing this to you).
Well, the spirit in me after this said "he didnt give you a book or verse...". Thank God for google! I googled it, and was actually intrigued by an essay on the matter by this dude with the last name Roach. Its pretty lengthy, but it is rich in content, It is a must read for church goers and seekers alike that I highly recommend:
I'm not sure what bible he was using. I have the kjv. Heb 10:25
"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."
My usual habit of studying a verse is to at least look at the verse before and after it. Many people start spitting out scriptures only to prove their point, not to get into the spirit of the word.
so here is Heb 10:24:
"And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:"
and Heb 10:26:
"For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth that remaineth no more sacrifice for sins"
Basically, Mr. Roach tells us of the differnce between assembly and gathering. Gathering is equivalent to fans cheering on their teams. Assembly is equivalent to the actual teams playing. Gathering is just being there for support, passive purpose. They are a bunch of individuals who come into one place for going's sake and for individual purpose. People assemble not only for the sake of themselves, but to also get things done. He further distinguishes this by using actual word etymology ( translating the original words).
What I found most peculiar was towards the middle-end of the essay when he spoke of how David went into the caves of Adullam in order to evade Saul's control of the church. I cant go into too much detail on this, because I honestly have not studied much of anything relating to David except Psalms XD. Sorry guys! However, Mr. Roach kindly gives us enough information to understand his point. At first, only David went into the caves to get closer to God. Eventually 400 people came and joined him as well. They were all disgrunted, upset, and all that good stuff humans experience whenever they are oppressed in some way or another. Mr. Roach uses this to illustrate once again the spirit of assembly. These people came to be liberated under God, and excape from ceremonial rites and humdrum in Saul's church. (I am only paraphrasing because I have not done the actual study. I am only commenting on his essay, and of what little I know and remember the bible speaks of).
Well, It is here that I remember how small "churches" were started in the new testament (the part of the bible I am about 75-85 familiar with, even spiritually). Especially during Paul's ministry, many churches were started as small cells in the homes of people....
Hmmm....thats a huge jump from the insane megachurches elsewhere....even the ones with only 50 members in it.
Yes we are all part of the body of Christ, but I also feel that it is necessary, like Mr. Roach did, to acknowledge where the individual plays in the church going experience. Like I said. We are all members of the body of Christ. We all have a purpose in the whole. As much as science wants to say otherwise, the brain is not the most important part of the body. There is also the intestines, the muscles, the heart, etc. They all function to make a moveable, workable body. Similarily, we all have a function. The key is to find a place in which whe can operate in that God given function, and further use our individual gifts for the greater whole.
Back to the football game analogy. There are those who fuction as cheerleaders, and simply fans. There are others who play defence, there are those who play offense, and then we have our quarterbacks, yadda yadda (I'm not a football fan). There are those who's purpose is to specifically keep the morale and spirit up of those playing. There are those who actually have to play and do something.....
Now I will end this at the beginning. I want to be in a place where I can make a difference and help people. My heart and will are large, but I know that in a large crowd, noone will listen to it. I have a soft and soothing voice when in spirit, but in a loud place, my voice will be drowned out, and I can comfort no one. I do not believe that God wants us to just join any church, or mini group for that matter, just for the sake of going. True church, the kind that starts off with a small group and grows with purpose, does something not just for itself, but for the community around it through the Grace and Spirit of God.
You will note that I said the Spirit of God....as in, Walking as he walks, thinking as he thinks, both the mind and flesh as one in Him. Thats another blog for another time. :)
Posted by Brianka
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