Something I have been thinking about quite a bit lately is what makes a strong, biblical church. How can we live as a church, not just a group of Christians that happen to meet together?
There is a passage in 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22 that I have found especially useful.
Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.
Here are some thoughts that I had about living as a church, with a few points specifically for me/my church.
Respect Leaders and Hold them in high regard (They have a hard job, it would make it easier if we respected their decisions)
Live at peace with everyone (even those people that rub you the wrong way)
Warn the idle
Encourage the timid
Help the weak
Be patient (especially with people who rub you the wrong way)
Encourage forgiveness
Encourage joyfulness (instead of always grumbling)
Pray, always! (Hmm, something I think we need to do more, give priority to and be consistent about)
Give thanks in all circumstances (even when we don’t have a minister)
Listen to the Spirit
Respect prophesies
Test what you are taught
Hold onto all that is good and avoid evil (let there not be even the appearance of evil)
There is a passage in 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22 that I have found especially useful.
Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.
Here are some thoughts that I had about living as a church, with a few points specifically for me/my church.
Respect Leaders and Hold them in high regard (They have a hard job, it would make it easier if we respected their decisions)
Live at peace with everyone (even those people that rub you the wrong way)
Warn the idle
Encourage the timid
Help the weak
Be patient (especially with people who rub you the wrong way)
Encourage forgiveness
Encourage joyfulness (instead of always grumbling)
Pray, always! (Hmm, something I think we need to do more, give priority to and be consistent about)
Give thanks in all circumstances (even when we don’t have a minister)
Listen to the Spirit
Respect prophesies
Test what you are taught
Hold onto all that is good and avoid evil (let there not be even the appearance of evil)
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