| “Everyone united with Christ by faith is also united with everyone else united with Christ. The same Holy Spirit indwells all believers and gives each a common share in the body of Christ, the church. As the apostle Paul put it, “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body…and all have been made to drink into one Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:13)” —Donald Whitney |
November 15, 2024 “I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend,” says Faramir to Frodo in Tolkien’s Two Towers when he encounters him on his journey to Mordor. Faramir, as a character, wants to do his duty as a warrior not because he loves the things that come with being a warrior, but because he loves that which occasions the need for warriors — a preserving and flourishing people in a particular place. As God’s people, members of the Church Militant, we often love that which the church provides rather than the occasion for being such a people. To put an even finer point on the matter, it is not uncommon for the thing that people love the most about a given church is the community and the relationships which they find. Do not misunderstand me, community and fellowship are integral parts of the church. We were made for communion with our God and with God’s people. But the focal point of church life is not simply being in community, but rather being redeemed by Christ, which occasions us being brought into fellowship with God and each other. True community will only be possible if we seek first our God and his kingdom. If our end goal is simply community in and of itself, we will either become a hard, rigid people who cannot bring others in for fear of upsetting the wonderful group we’ve created. Or we will become fuzzy, ethereal sentimentalists who will have no discernible biblical boundaries to our fellowship. But if we seek first God’s kingdom and glory, then we will be knit together in love and purpose by God’s own Spirit. True fellowship comes in submission to each other out of reverence for Christ. Brothers and sisters, our gathered, corporate community is a beautiful thing — but not as beautiful as to that which it points. Our greatest love cannot rest upon the beauty of our church community, but rather the beauty of the gospel which calls us into communion with Christ and each other. As wonderful as our fellowship is, let us rejoice even more in the God who calls us into fellowship with him, out of darkness and into his marvelous light. Let us pray that our community and fellowship will grow in sweetness, depth, and love as we seek His face.  Prayer Schedule For the week of November 17, please consider praying in and through the framework of “celebrating through (gathered) community.” Here’s what that might look like: Are there personal preferences that need to be laid down so that others might be loved? How might we grow in love and honor towards those who are responsible for us as a body? How might we refrain from slandering or gossiping about each other? Are there sins or grievances that need to be confessed in our body to someone who has offended you? Is there forgiveness that you need to extend to someone in the church? How might we grow in speaking the truth in love to one another? How might we grow in building up one another in speech? What does it look like to build one another up and encourage one another as we gather together? How might we hold one another accountable in and through gathering together? What does it look like to celebrate the variety of gifts that are used together in the local church? Phil. 2:3–4, Rom. 12:15–16 Pray that the Spirit would put to death envy, slander, conceitedness, and quarreling 2 Tim. 3:3, Gal. 5:26, Gal. 5:15 How might we grow in patience with each other? James 5:7–11 Pray that we would grow in purity and charity in our local body 1 Thess. 4:4, Gal. 6:10 Pray that we would promote truth with among one another Zech. 8:16 Praising God for how he is already working in and through you as a body! In Christ, John D For those who like a bigger picture here are the remaining 6 weeks at a glance: November 24, 2024 — celebrating in and through personal/small scale community December 1, 2024 — celebrating in and through public mission December 8, 2024 — celebrating in and through personal mission December 15, 2024 — celebrating and cultivating generosity December 22, 2024 — celebrating and cultivating sacrifice December 29, 2024 — giving up what we cannot keep to gain what we cannot lose |
Announcements
| —Thanksgiving Luncheon After Worship 11/24/24 As announced last Sunday, we are intending on having a Thanksgiving luncheon immediately after worship on Sunday, November 24. Mercy will provide the meat, but there will be a sign up sheet for various sides that y’all can bring. —Songs for Sunday Here’s what we’re singing this Sunday if you’d like to familiarize yourself with tunes + lyrics! All Hail The Power Of Jesus’ Name O Worship The King O Come, O Come Emmanuel Immortal, Invisible God Only Wise Be Thou My Vision |
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