Seek the Spirit in Prayer
“Unless the LORD builds the house, the one who builds it labors in vain.” (Psalm 127:1)
The Church today doesn’t need more programs, better marketing strategies, or more people working harder. The “silver bullet” is the presence of God and the power of the Holy Spirit, which we realize in prayer. Like Jesus in the desert and his disciples in the Upper Room, we devote ourselves to prayer, waiting on His Spirit to fill, send, and equip us. Otherwise, all our efforts are in vain.
The Church today doesn’t need more programs, better marketing strategies, or more people working harder. The “silver bullet” is the presence of God and the power of the Holy Spirit, which we realize in prayer. Like Jesus in the desert and his disciples in the Upper Room, we devote ourselves to prayer, waiting on His Spirit to fill, send, and equip us. Otherwise, all our efforts are in vain.
Stay Grounded in Scripture
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
If the Spirit empowers us, then Scripture grounds us. Rather than leaning on our own feelings and experiences, or even church tradition, to discern what is good and true, we lean on what God has revealed throughout the entirety of the Bible. Then, knowing His will, we seek to obey it.
If the Spirit empowers us, then Scripture grounds us. Rather than leaning on our own feelings and experiences, or even church tradition, to discern what is good and true, we lean on what God has revealed throughout the entirety of the Bible. Then, knowing His will, we seek to obey it.
Share in the Lord's Supper Regularly
“This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22:19)
From the very beginning of the Church, the Lord’s Supper — handed down from Jesus to his Apostles — was the central component of Christian gatherings. It seems clear to us that this is one tradition we are supposed to keep. We don’t get caught up in theological differences regarding this meal. We just receive it as a gift, celebrating the gospel of Jesus Christ in communion with Him and one another.
From the very beginning of the Church, the Lord’s Supper — handed down from Jesus to his Apostles — was the central component of Christian gatherings. It seems clear to us that this is one tradition we are supposed to keep. We don’t get caught up in theological differences regarding this meal. We just receive it as a gift, celebrating the gospel of Jesus Christ in communion with Him and one another.
Submit to God
“For whoever would save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for my sake will save it.” (Matthew 10:39, 16:25; Mark 8:35; Luke 9:24, 17:33; John 12:25)
We don’t just study God’s word; we obey it. And we don’t pick and choose which parts of our lives we give to God and which parts we keep to ourselves. Following Christ requires full submission, complete surrender, denial of self. Only when we give Him total control do we discover the joyful, Spirit-filled life that has been promised to us.
We don’t just study God’s word; we obey it. And we don’t pick and choose which parts of our lives we give to God and which parts we keep to ourselves. Following Christ requires full submission, complete surrender, denial of self. Only when we give Him total control do we discover the joyful, Spirit-filled life that has been promised to us.
Submit to One Another
“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Ephesians 5:21)
When we enter into fellowship with God, we also enter into fellowship with his people. Therefore, knowing that the way we treat one another is a direct reflection of our relationship with God, we seek to humble ourselves before each other, receive loving correction, and serve each other’s needs before our own.
When we enter into fellowship with God, we also enter into fellowship with his people. Therefore, knowing that the way we treat one another is a direct reflection of our relationship with God, we seek to humble ourselves before each other, receive loving correction, and serve each other’s needs before our own.
Send out to Preach and Heal
“And he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.” (Luke 9:2)
Jesus desires to continue doing ministry through his body, the Church. While there are countless kinds of good we can do in the world, if we’re not spreading the gospel and healing the sick, then we’re not fulfilling his ministry. Recognizing that we can’t send or equip ourselves, we seek the Spirit in prayer. “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (Luke 10:2)
Jesus desires to continue doing ministry through his body, the Church. While there are countless kinds of good we can do in the world, if we’re not spreading the gospel and healing the sick, then we’re not fulfilling his ministry. Recognizing that we can’t send or equip ourselves, we seek the Spirit in prayer. “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (Luke 10:2)
Stay Simple in Structure
“Do not quench the Spirit.” (1 Thessalonians 5:19)
Our human tendency is to control by creating structure. But if there’s anything we should know by now, it’s how little we can accomplish when we’re in control. In order to avoid relying too heavily on ourselves and too little on God, we seek to retain a very simple structure. The only sure way to bear fruit is by the Holy Spirit, and we don’t want to stifle him with unnecessary loyalty to man-made systems or institutions.
Our human tendency is to control by creating structure. But if there’s anything we should know by now, it’s how little we can accomplish when we’re in control. In order to avoid relying too heavily on ourselves and too little on God, we seek to retain a very simple structure. The only sure way to bear fruit is by the Holy Spirit, and we don’t want to stifle him with unnecessary loyalty to man-made systems or institutions.