Have we become obsessed with the wrong things?

"Encourage one another and build each other up." - 1 Thessalonians 5:11

At some point in time, most church leaders (including myself) have mistakenly believed that the more people coming into our church buildings must be a sign of "success." Of course, there is a genuine story as to what this may imply for your community, however it is not the entire truth. 

A lot of times, our bigger gatherings lack the opportunities for authentic connection and discipleship.  How do we encourage each other and build each other up, if we hardly engage with anyone else during the worship services? Even if I am part of a small group, is there opportunity to love each other, to really walk with another Christ-follower, and to get to the heart of our unique struggles in faith? Sometimes, but not always!

Jesus modelled for us that true discipleship starts with 2 or 3. If our meeting together is to encounter Christ and to worship him, then we should always remember that God is present even in the smallest groups.

"For wherever two or three are assembled in my name, I am there with them.” - Matthew 18: 20

What do you feel about this? Any thoughts?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

18 - Greatness Redefined

The moment Jesus preached his revolutionary ideas people began to look at things in a completely new light. Greatness had always been reserved for the rich and famous, but now Jesus was suggesting that in His kingdom greatness belonged to children and the 'least' of all people. This must have been a huge paradigm shift for all people to come to terms with.

Matthew 18:1-5 - "At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” ² He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. ³ And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. ⁵ And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

I wonder if one of the "gifts" Covid-19 is giving the world is to rethink all the things that we thought were important and to recapture the ideals of Jesus. This virus is not a respecter of wealth or language or education - we are all susceptible to its dangers.

1 Peter 5:6 - Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

Living in Grace
D3LM3