September 21, 2009 – Organic Church 3

We have already talked in this series that an organic church is not a building, a place or an event, its us – we are the church. But when you talk about keeping The Church organic you should throw into the conversation the church as it pertains to the House of God.

The House of God is a movement, a household, a family, a body, a gathering, a community of believers lifting up the name of Jesus. But just like how The Church has been messed with to make it non organic so has the House of God.

You’ve had prosperity teachers take it and twist it and turn it into a greed seeking enterprise. You’ve had authority mongers smack church goers over the head beating them down into mindless submission. You’ve had gloom and doom teachers where all that’s talked about is where we have failed and how God is mad at us. You’ve had emotional cheerleaders where all the emphasis is placed on that next emotional, hyped up, encounter but non of it is real or authentic and there is no life or lasting fruit.

Have you been in some of those types of churches – I know I have. It has left the American church in ruin and there are some who say its not necessary to be “in” the House of God when we are the church and all of that is going on. I know, I have felt that way and I have read all of the books that argue that but I always felt in my own heart that there had to be something more to being “in” church. As I got over myself and grew in my love for God I realized that my love for His House grew. If you have a heart for God you will realize that He has a heart for His House (Eph. 1:22-23, I Kings 8:17, I Kings 9:3). God’s heart is in it and His eyes are on it – period.

Being planted in the House of God has produced so much in my life – friends/being a part of God’s family, the word that has been deposited inside of me, being changed by being in His presence in a community setting – it will change your life. That is why I am like David when it was told to him to go to the House of God he was glad. David had a heart for God’s house because he knew it was in God’s heart.

Get a heart for His House,

Jonathan

Tags: Jonathan Spuler

September 14, 2009 – Organic Church 2

The Bible says so clearly that God loves His church (Eph. 5:25) I mean LOVES. Why is this so important to being the organic church – the one that God intended us to be, free from additive? Understanding this love is the fuel to go and be the church (what we talked about last week).

My Pastor, Rob Koke, says it this way, “Those that are loved the best, love the best.” Those who are loved the best, who have just the slightest glimpse of the love God has for them are able to love the way God loves, the best. In order for the organic church to love the hurting and dying world they are called to go to she must understand how much God loves the church. Its the fuel that makes the church GO (II Cor. 5:14)!

If the church even sprinkles on a little bit of religion it leads to judging. Judging is thinking you have got it figured out just a little bit more than the other person forgetting that while you were still a sinner Christ died for you. It is not what you do that gets you in good with God it is what has been done for you. Mother Teresa said if you judge it leaves no room to love.

Look up this story as it totally is the organic church on display in showing God’s love to the world…

http://www.swapmeetdave.com/Bible/Agnes.htm

Look it up,

Jonathan

Tags: Jonathan Spuler

September 7, 2009 – Organic Church 1

When something is organic it means that man has not messed with it…it is the way God intended it to be. So that got me thinking about what does an organic church look like. Church in its purest form. That is the series we started this week at Elevate.

The first thing that came to mind for me was that we are the church (I Cor. 3:16). So, that means that a 4 walled building, a congregation, a service, a ministry really isn’t organic church – you and I are.

Second, Jesus didn’t instruct his disciples to do any of those things that we do to have “church.” He did tell them to build a building, sing some songs, have a message, take an offering and give an altar call – He told them to GO (Matt. 28:19)!!!!! We as the organic church are to GO into all the word making disciples, being salt (that keeps out rot) and being light (that pushes back the darkness).

Now before you think going to church is not needed in your Christian journey you are wrong – they did that too – but what was the point. They met together to get equipped, to encourage each other in fellowship, to get filled up, why – so they could spill themselves out, to make an impact on the world, to bring His kingdom to earth.  That is what being a Christian, a disciple – that is what being The Church is all about.  The Church is God’s answer for a hurting and a dying world.

God is still interested in this place, His creation. He loves the church as His bride. The church is at the center of His attention (Eph. 1:20-23).

Go and be The Church – the Organic Church,

Jonathan

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August 31, 2009 – Family Matters, Part 4

You can have a great family – you can have a strong marriage – you can raise great kids! Families matter to God. He has instituted them, ordained them, He has blessed them and so He is very interested in them.

Since He is interested, He has promised to do His part in helping us in the area of family matters. He has given us His Word, His Spirit and His promises for help. Now it is our turn. We have got to step up into our place in the home. As Fathers and Husbands, as Mothers and Wives!

This week we talked about a great place to start in stepping up into our proper place in our families and that is the area of Expectation AND Declaration! As followers of Christ we are all to live with expectation. Expectation is a positive vision for the future according to the Word of God or in other words, Faith. If Faith is something hoped for and not yet seen we can have Faith for a great family even if currently we aren’t where we are supposed to be – yet. Declaration is just speaking the truth in faith. Declaring what that preferable future is. Declare by faith the direction your family is going, your marriage is going, your kids are going and watch as your actions begin to line up with your words.

Have a great expectation for your family and declare it by faith this week!

Jonathan

Tags: Jonathan Spuler