It is relationships that are bound together in Jesus Christ.  Friends, mentors, spiritual siblings who are growing to love God and one another, and together, the world, as Jesus loves.   Colossians 3:12-17 describes it.   So does Ephesians 4, pretty much the whole chapter:  humble, gentle, patient, honest, gracious, loving people making a significant effort to keep the unity of the Spirit though the bond of peace (v.1-3).    People of all ages, backgrounds, stories, who share one Lord, Savior, Spirit, Father, faith, baptism, hope (v.4-6).   People with different abilities which Jesus gives to be used in concert, so that all are involved in the work of God, till all attained the unity of the faith, the fullness of Christ, maturity  (v.11-16).   We share our life in Christ together, with each other, in time, our joys, dreams, sorrows, losses, sins, wounds, struggles, truthfully, and in love.(v.15)    We put off falsehood and speak truthfully to one another b/c we belong to the same body.   We renounce sinful anger, commit to seeking reconciliation as soon as possible, don’t allow the devil a foothold in our friendships, build each other up with wholesome words, are passionate about being kind, compassionate, forgiving each other (v.25-27,29-32).  We give each other the benefit of the doubt.   We think the best first.   We are about growing trust, being safe and pointing each other to Jesus.     Safe people are quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to become angry;   safe people accept one another’s personalities and value and respect the worth of each as Jesus does.  They are not quick to judge, they keep their word, they do not shame.   They are deeply commited to God’s Word, but also seek to speak the truth in love.   Jesus’ example(1 John 3:16) and Paul’s description of love guides us(1Corinthians 13).

We are people who need Jesus and each other.   We encourage each other, and spur one another on to love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24-25).   We are committed to God’s Word, fellowship, sharing life and prayer together (Acts 2:42).   We share our possessions as necessary.   We check things out before we make conclusions.   We assume good intentions unless evidence suggests otherwise. 

We have a kingdom mentality, i.e. we want to see the kingdom of God come, grow, expand.   We want to collaborate with other Christ followers to this end.     We rejoice with those who rejoice, and mourn with those who mourn, even if we disagree with finer points of theology or methods.  There is a lot of room for variety, creativity, diversity in methods, without compromising truth.   When we hurt someone and become aware of it, or when someone else offends us, we are quick to bring our hurts, offenses, insults to the Cross of Christ.   We admit we were wronged, give God our hurt and anger, and ask for the power to forgive.   We cancel the debt owed.  It may take time;  it will be a process; the deeper the hurt, the longer it may take to heal, but nonetheless, we work on forgiveness.   We will not allow resentment or a bitter root to grow up in our hearts to defile many.    We follow Jesus’ commands from Matthew 5:21-26 and Matthew 18:15-15-20 whether we’ve hurt someone else or been hurt by a brother or sister in Christ and take the initiative to seek reconciliation.   We go privately first, and if necessary involve a few others.   We try not to engage in gossip or slander.   Our heart is for reconciliation, though we know it is bi-lateral(takes two).    Forgiveness can be unilateral.   Regardless of what the other chooses to do, I can choose to cancel the debt owed me.   When I forgive, I may not be able to easily forget the wrong done to me, but I no longer expect the other to repay me.  

Forgiveness is the only way to heal from the wounds of the heart.   Forgiveness may require on-going accountability and support.   It may mean loving boundaries may need to be established with the other, especially if repentance is needed by the other and is not evident. 

Spiritual community is shepherded and led by a few, called by God, confirmed by the body of Christ, accountable to God and others.   Submission to leaders(Hebrews 13:17), mutual respect, a commitment to understand one another, hold to the faith passed down in the Scriptures and to do everything in love is essential for spiritual community. (1 Corinthians 16:3-4)  Loving discipline may be necessary when sin is unacknowledged.(Galatians 6:1-2).

There is no perfect church, because there are no perfect people.   We are all in the process of sanctification/transformation.   But spiritual community is necessary because we were created to live together, and it is in spiritual community that life transformation happens best.

Scripture: Proverbs 20:3,6   It is to a man’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.  Many a man claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find?

Observation: Wisdom pursues forgiveness and avoids vengeance.  Solomon writes many proverbs warning against recklessness, impulsive, spasmodic anger.  Fools immediately react to punish, defend, justify, condemn.  Wise people consider others’ hearts and even are quick to forgive and slow to anger-just like their God is.  Those who are wise walk the talk of unfailing love.   Love, patience, kindness self-control are tested, challenged, tried.  Faithfulnesss to being loving is a true test of wisdom.

Application: The devil is an opportunist.   One of his schemes is to exploit our circumstances to turn us against our loved ones.  Unless we guard our hearts against unnecessary strife, we allow ourselves to get taken out by our spiritual enemies.   Last night I was strongly tempted to be angry with my wife.   In a perfect storm of circumstances, she had inadvertantly put her cell phone in the trunk of her car and couldn’t hear it when I called.  I had to wake someone from sleep to get the number of the place she had been at.  I was angry that she wasn’t available, and I was aware that the situation was both a test and a spiritual attack at the same time.    My faithfulness to God’s command to love was being tested.  My joy was threatened to be robbed by dark powers.  I was tettering on the brink of explosion, the edge of foolishness, and for what?  So my wife could feel my pain?  She apologized, even though her’s was an honest mistake.    She really wasn’t plotting against my peace of mind.   It took me a good 15 minutes of breathing, internally deliberating and wrestling, talking with her and praying for God’s protection and grace and healing for me to calm down.   I have not always done so well.   But this time, I experienced the grace and presence of God.    There’s often just a thin line between foolishness and wisdom, faithfulness and hypocrisy, honor and shame.   Today I need to receive God’s word into my heart-his word of grace and warning, without self-contempt.    And I need to be vigilant again about spiritual attacks.   I need to keep God’s healing word in my heart and guard my heart and relationships diligently.

Prayer: Father thank you for your grace to me.  I want to heed your warning to be alert, appropriate your grace, treasure my loved ones and take captive every lie, sinful thought and thieving evil power that comes against me and make it obedient to Christ.  Continue to sanctify and heal me for your glory.

Yes, Lord: ask for prayer from my wife.

Our current priority is to build community.   Why this focus?                                                                                               

1.To obey God’s commands  (v.12 be compassionate, kind, humble, gentle, patient; v.13 bear with and forgive; v.14 put on love;  v.15 make room for Jesus’ peace in your relationships v.16 live out and proclaim Jesus’ words, wisely!  v.17 be thankful and live as Jesus would)

2.To live out the reality of who we are in Christ Jesus – God sees us as holy, dearly loved, chosen by Him.  We need to live into who we truly are.

3.To establish the spiritual DNA for this church:    We seek to be gracious, truthful and loving.

4.To bring glory and point to Jesus, who is the Only One who can transform our hearts to be gracious, truthful and loving!

Here’s a few other axioms:

STRONG RELATIONSHIPS MAKE FOR BETTER TEAMWORK & MINISTRY - the more we know each other’s hearts, stories, strengths & weaknesses, trust,accept and love one another, the better will be our ministry together.   

WE CAN’T GIVE WHAT WE DON’T HAVE-we can’t invite others into a spiritual community that is being transformed and freed in Jesus to love and mediate reconciliation and healing unless we are experiencing that among us.  We need to receive from God and others and give to God and others to be a vital spiritual community. 

Application: Take a risk.   What way is God calling you or your family to initiate with others on the Launch Team?

Scripture: Ezra 7:27-28; 8:21-23, 31  Praise be to the LORD, the God of our fathers, who has put it into the king’s heart to bring honor to the house of the LORD in Jerusalem in this way and who has extended his good favor to me before the king and his advisors and all the king’s powerful officials.  Because the hand of the LORD my God was on me, I took courage and gathered leading men from Israel to go up with me.  There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions.  I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, “The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him.”  So we fasted and petitioned our God about his, and he answered our prayer.  On the twelfth day of the first month we set out from the Ahava Canal to go to Jerusalem.  The hand of our God was on us, and he protected us from enemies and bandits along the way.

Observation: Ezra led a second wave of Israelite exiles back to Jerusalem.  YHWH’s hand of provision, favor, protection was upon them.  Once again God inclined the Persian king’s heart toward worshipping Him and furthering His purposes.  Nothing is too hard for God!  The king’s heart is like a water course in the hands of God, he directs it whever he wants it to go (Proverbs 21:1).  I see God’s hand and I also see Ezra’s faith in God and passion to uphold God’s honor here.  God wanted Ezra to lead his people in Jerusalem.  God turned the king’s heart to favor Ezra and give him all he needed.  Ezra proclaimed YHWH’s greatness to the king and in integrity did not ask for an armed escort for the people, the silver and gold and possessions.  Ezra knew God could protect the contingent but he wanted the people to ask and pray for it.

Application:  God can establish a new church in the Renton Highlands:  He can provide a worship site, needed resources, leadership, break down evil spiritual strongholds, impact the community, glorify His name.  Yet He invites me and all who desire this to pray, humble ourselves, fast, look to him to do it.  If it happens, it will be his hand upon us that accomplishes it.  And He will be reknown because of it.   I want to be like Ezra and Nehemiah, leaders who sought God’s face, trusted Him for everything, and led the people to do the same. 

Prayer: Father, you are the God of Ezra and the exiles and you are our God!  You moved kings’ hearts, gave favor, provided for your people, protected and re-established them!  You raised your Son Jesus from the dead!  You birthed your church!  Your kingdom and the kingdom of your Son is coming!  Please give me faith, courage, wisdom to lead your people to plant and grow this new church with you, that many more will be saved by you and your name glorified!

Yes, Lord: commit to fast and pray weekly, along with others, to humble ourselves before our God and ask Him for a worship site, his provision, protection and glory

Scripture: Ezra 6:22  For seven days they celebrated with joy the Feast of Unleavened Bread, because the LORD had filled tem with joy by changing the attitude of the king of Assyria, so that he assisted them in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.

Observation: God’s hand is seen upon the returned exiles of Jerusalem and Judah.  They were compelled to stop the work on the temple, the rebuilding effort that King Cyrus had authorized,  when one of Cyrus’ successors, Artaxerxes issued a decree.  God sent the prophets Haggai and Zechariah to rouse and exhort the people to re-start the rebuilding process though there was no official sanction to do so from the current king, Darius.  In spite of the lack of permission, the people responded to God and their efforts roused their enemies to resist this work.  But God changed the attitude of Darius so that he showed them his favor and silenced their enemies.  God’s sovereignty is all over this story. The Passover celebration, the temple rededication and worship was engaged with great joy, because God made it all happen!   God wanted to fill his people with joy!  God is always working for His glory and to draw people to Himself!

Application: I’m encouraged as I read today because we need God’s hand upon us to push back spiritual opposition to a new church in the Highlands.  People in positions of power will need to be inclined toward the church.     We need the favor of those whose decisions are out of our hands but will influence our place of worship.   Hearts and attitudes may need to be changed.   I’ve had some initial conversations with those connected with the schools with mixed perspectives on renting their facilities to churches.    We trust God to influence hearts and minds so that the people of the Renton Highlands and surrounding neighborhoods will be blessed.

Prayer: Father God, please stretch out your hand to remove obstacles and bind the enemy’s influence in this region!   Loose the power of your Spirit to bring about your loving rule to this place!   You are the God of this city!

Scripture: Revelation 7:9a, 14-17   …a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language…  I answered, “Sir, you know.’  And he said, ‘These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.  Therefore, ‘they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them.  Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst.  The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat.  For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water.  And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’

Observation: This vision given John by Jesus is vast and grand: a diverse and innumerable humanity who have been cleansed by the Lord’s blood, who have suffered for the name of Jesus, who worship him and are perfectly shepherded, provided for, protected, comforted and healed by Him.  The images of God spreading his tent over the multitude, the Lamb leading them into eternal life, and God wiping away every tear from their eyes is powerfully comforting and compelling.  This vision inspires perseverence in the saints.

Application: This is the eternity I want, that I was made for, that my heart was won to experience.  This is the eternity at stake for my contemporaries, those of this generation.  For this, for the glory of God, who promises this to all who embrace the Lamb, the Lord Jesus, for his glory I live, seek to obey, please, love and follow Him.  For this we plant a new church!  For the multitudes who will be cleansed by the Lamb’s blood.  I’m reassured today by the last image of God wiping away every tear.  He is Jehovah Rapha, the God Who Heals, God my Healer.  Whatever pain any in Christ experience, our God will salve, redeem, transform. 

Prayer: Father, I adore and praise you for the glory of your salvation through your Son, Jesus!  Please comfort, strengthen, and heal your flock today and inspire us to persevere in love and in witnessing til the very end!

Scripture: Jeremiah 42:10-12  If you stay in this land, I will build you up and not tear you down; I will plant you and not uproot you, for I am grieved over the disaster I have inflicted on you.  Do not be afraid of the king of Babylon, whom you now fear.  Do not be afraid of him declares the LORD, for I am with you and will save you and deliver you from his hands.  I will show you compassion so that he will have compassion on you and restore you to your land.

Observation: The remnant of Judah is in crisis.   The man Nebuchadnezzar put in charge of them has been assassinated.  The one who killed the governor had taken them captive and now has fled.  The one who rescued them from Ishmael the assassin, appears to want to do what God says, but his intentions are more transparent than what he wants to convey to the prophet Jeremiah.   The prophet doubts the rescuer’s sincerity.  What to do?  Who to follow?  YHWH, their God makes their options and the consequences of obeying or disobeying Him very clear.  If they stay in the land of Israel, He will take care of them; He will be with them, save, deliver, have compassion on them and cause their enemy to have compassion and favor them.    This will be because YHWH is still the Sovereign over the universe, the king over every other king.  Who to trust?  The One whose will was being accomplished, even in their defeat and humiliation; whose word has proved true, the one in whose hands are the hearts of earthly kings.  “Don’t be afraid of him,” declares the LORD, “for I am with you.”  God knows their hearts, but his presence can make all the difference in their lives.  The phrase, “I am grieved over the disaster I inflicted on you.” is instructive.  God’s grief is not an admission of wrong-doing or regret, but an expression of sorrow over the need for judgment in the first place, and He makes it plain that He was the One inflicting the painful discipline.  He remains, as always, in control.

Application:  In chaos, in crisis, who do we turn to?  The choices are not that hard.  God is unchanging.  The remnant could continue to follow the course that led them to become a dispossessed, decimated people or they could repent and return to YHWH.  God’s prophet, the one whose messages had come true, the one whom God had protected through murderous plots, war and defeat was giving the message to stay and not flee to Egypt.  Whom do you trust?  From our vantage point, the answer is obvious, but we were not in their state.  Their choice would seal their doom or their preservation.  My life’s practice and conviction must be to hear from God, in all his goodness, faithfulness, enduring love, wisdom and power-especially through his Son, and obey Him.  He is the One who has led me, provided for me, protected me, planted me in every crisis, at every crossroads in my life.  His ways do not always make sense immediately.  That there is great irrationality in disobedience and reasonableness in obedience is a perspective of faith, of trust.  The perspective is reversed when we cannot trust anyone but ourselves. 

Prayer:  Father God, please enable me to always hear and heed you and your direction, especially now-be it for this week’s message or the planting of your church.  Please bless me to be like Jeremiah-faithful.

The passage of Hebrew scripture Jesus unequivocably identified with is in the book of Isaiah 61:1.   “The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.  He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.”   Part of the joy and reality of knowing Jesus is the increasing freedom He gives people to be and to love as they were meant to be and love and live.

New Freedom Christian Community is about promoting and displaying Jesus, and the freedom He brings, to the neighborhoods about the Renton Highlands, and the world.  We are a spiritual community brought together by God, fallible, broken, needy people who are being transformed by an Awesome Savior!   We are trying to learn what it is to love as He loves.    We want to be about the truth, compassion, justice and grace that He embodied and proclaimed to a spiritually hungry world.    God takes the initiative with people, to reveal Himself to us, so we can know Him and Jesus, and experience a higher quality of life impossible otherwise.    As we come to Jesus, we are freed to love and live out our created purpose, to become ministers of reconcilation and agents of healing.       The church hopes to begin public worship services in September, 2010 in the Renton Highlands, WA.   Interested?  Please contact me at larrywmark@yahoo.com .