The past few weeks, I have been visiting our LifeGroups during the fellowship time and to share with the groups the direction that we are going. The one thing that seems to be very common with all of our groups is, everyone that comes through the door seems excited about being there. Fellowship is happening.

I feel very strong about this issue of fellowship within our groups. Genuine Fellowship has a way of squashing the “Me Church” mentality, and focuses more on the other person that God has placed in our lives. You are most likely tired of hearing me say this, but I see small groups as a priority for every Christian, and every church. Why? Scripture constantly underscores the centrality of relationships and fellowship.

J.I. Packer says:
“We should not think of our fellowship with other Christians as a spiritual luxury, an optional addition to the exercises of private devotions. Fellowship is one of the great words of the New Testament: it denotes something that is vital to a Christians spiritual health, and central to the Churches true life… The church will flourish and Christians will be strong only when there is fellowship”.

My prayer and goal is to have a place for everyone in LifeGroups. We are not there yet. We still need more homes to meet in and more people to Host the group for bible study.

Further Study:
How ought Christians to relate to one another in order to experience fellowship?
See 1 John 1:7

Gather, Grow, & Go
Pastor Tim

Who’s in your wallet?

If you are in one of our LifeGroups, you have been or will be given a card to carry in your wallet. It is called the 3-1-6 card. It is a tool for you to use to pray for 3 people 1 time a day, for 6 days. Your group has also been given a list of businesses located in Lyman, which needs your prayers. You can select a business and add it to your card. Prayer for those who don’t know Him yet, as well as those who know, but have no relationship with the father, is extremely important. Don’t leave your card in your wallet…show it to the Father.

A few weeks ago Pastor Jeff shared in his sermon about giving God your firsts. Here is the list:

Give God the first day of every week.
Give God the first part of everyday.
Give God the first portion of your income.
Give God FIRST consideration of every decision.

Acts 4:29-31
29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

NKJV

Gather, Grow, & Go
Pastor Tim

Are you experiencing everything you should be?

Communism falls. In Romania there were many orphans who were warehoused in huge orphanages. They were understaffed and were only able to provide for the physical needs of the babies, such as food, and shelter. The babies were very hardly ever picked up and were never cuddled or played with at all. This neglect led to a condition called "failure to thrive syndrome". Whether they were several months old or even years old they still looked and acted like newborn babies. What they were missing was a family, even a surrogate family that would encourage growth through consistent contact.

Christians can have that same "failure to thrive syndrome" in our spiritual lives. Have you seen this Syndrome in any of your family or friends, which you believe to be Christian? I am of the opinion that if Christians that join a church, and don’t get connected in a smaller body of believers, will eventually leave that church and go into isolation.

Once in isolation it is very difficult to convince someone to come out of that lifestyle. Why? It’s a safe place where there is no effort needed for relationships. No one can hurt you therefore you don’t have to worry about forgiving others. If that sounds a little selfish, that’s because it is. Since Jesus defined forgiveness with His life, shouldn’t that thrust us toward relationships with others?

This is why Paul teaches that it is so important to be adopted into a fully functioning body of believers, a small group for instance.

In Ephesians 4:14, Paul says "Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won't be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth."

Praise!
There is a very special person in my life that I met in 2003 at my second job - BMW. He is a husband, father, and grandfather. He is also a person that others seem to be drawn to. Why? He is a person of Love. Plain and simple “Love”. He and I have and many conversations concerning Faith, God, and what in means to be a Christ follower. Two weeks ago I had an opportunity to share or answer a few of his questions concerning being a disciple of Christ and having eternal life in heaven. That day, he became more than a special person… he is my brother in Christ!

Praise #2, that weekend, he shared with his wife his good news. They attended church that Sunday, and you guessed it, she became a Christ follower as well. It’s funny how our love and Christ’s love seems to be contagious.

Gather, Grow, & Go
Pastor Tim