Being Disciples of Jesus

Recently, I was a distant witness to the catastrophic events in China and the outpouring of love from a group of Christians there. It's refreshing to see disciples of Jesus respond to those in need. After all, discipleship is not defined by the "church" or it's institutional trappings but by Jesus Christ in John 13. "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." Jesus' command to love one another as he loved them was a call for the sacrifice of their own desires for the good of others. The living out of this love for others is the testament of their love for Jesus and in reflecting him they are glorifying God as he did by his obedience and sacrifice.

The example they set in this loving action is the greatest lesson that they can teach. Those who witness this love will respond to their action and be receptive to their message about why they love others. It's a living lesson of love. Jesus conveys this very message in Matthew 28:19 - 20 "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." He doesn't tell them to make "churches" or "churched" people but to make disciples and reminds them of his command. We overlook this message and it's connection to Jesus' own definition of what it means to be a disciple.

Furthermore, we can see the importance of our own assemblies as part of this discipleship defined by love. Hebrews 10:24 - 25 "and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works; not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day drawing nigh." Our assemblies are to be gatherings that encourage us to follow the command of Jesus to love others. Jesus' own example of taking the bread and fruit of the vine as a remembrance of him was in the same setting that he exampled servanthood and commanded them to love. He didn't want them ,or us, to just remember him in some nostalgic way but to remember him in this setting of foot washing and what he had taught them about loving others as a measure of discipleship. It's something we miss and often forget when we share these thoughts in our assemblies.

I'm reminded of so many of the passages in James' letter. 1:22, 1:27, 2:24-26. Also, Paul's admonition in Galatians 5:6 "what matters is trusting faithfulness expressing itself through love."

The Pecan Pie Parable

After the civil war, a Kentucky family started the custom of having a yearly family reunion of it’s members in order to establish and maintain the closeness and unity that had existed prior to the war. The family members were located over several states and had been divided for several years over issues relating to the war. The older members of the family were determined to make sure that the family remain unified with the love that had once characterized it and called all the family to put aside their differences and allow their families to be part of this reunion.

The family started meeting together again in the beautiful hills and hollows of Kentucky. They met for several days in the summer months and spent time healing wounds of division and making sure everyone felt at home and welcome. It was unusual because so many families during this time remained divided and separated by their own biter differences.

The reunions continued for many years, each one contributing to the feeling of family that had once existed. The reunions were typical of that time with games and contests and most of all the cooking and eating of the favorite foods of the time. Each family brought whatever they had to share with the others of the group. Everyone shared in the cooking and cleanup. Corn on the cob, green beans, black eyed peas, okra and fresh tomatoes were typical of the many garden crops that found their way onto the dinning table. Peaches were in abundance durning the summer months and everyone enjoyed a slice of water melon during the warm evenings that typified the event. Some brought fried chicken, others smoked hams from their farms and still others caught large quantities of fish from the local rivers for their annual “fish fry” night. No one went away hungry from the family reunion.

Of note, of course, was their favorite desert. Fixed every year by the matriarch of the group was a wonderful pecan pie. She always made plenty of pies which lasted the whole reunion and it was her gift to the family and she was always singled out for her effort. Over the years, the family began to count on her for bringing the desert and the pecan pie became the traditional desert, served with hot coffee and plenty of iced tea. And so it was for many, many, years. Even after she no longer was able to bring the pies, her recipe was used to make the pies and every year someone volunteered to bring the pecan pies for the next family reunion. The making and consuming of those pies became the highlight of the reunion.

The reunion, started by the family in those Kentucky hills, lasted for generations. The family continued to grow and spread but the reunion each summer was well attended and enjoyed by those family members who took the time to come. The pecan pie remained the traditional fare of the family’s gatherings and it’s consumption was the centerpiece of after dinner conversation.

Then, one year, one of the family members coming to reunion decided that they wanted to bring another desert to go with the pecan pie since they really didn’t care for the traditional desert. They were happy that others liked the pecan pie but they wanted the members of the family to have a choice. So, they brought a chocolate pie with meringue topping which was their family’s favorite. On seeing the “new” desert, several of the families members were overjoyed. They, too, had wanted to see another desert brought to reunion but had been too intimidated to bring one. They were glad to finally see another choice as they thought the pecan pie tradition was somewhat outdated. Of course, many of the family members were shocked that anyone would bring another desert since the pecan pie was traditionally the desert that had been served for as long as anyone could remember. It was just wasn’t right to add another desert. After all, the pecan pie WAS what the family reunion was all about.

And so, a great debate began, over pie. One side wanting to keep the traditional desert that had defined the family reunions for so long and the other side wanting to add new desserts that would fill their own desires. Some, wanting to maintain the sense of family unity that had been maintained for years, advocated letting everyone have a choice. But, of course, the side wanting only the traditional pecan pie could not agree to this. After all, the pecan pie tradition was not to be negotiated away to those wanting to change the tradition. It was too important to change. So, the mediators suggested that there could be two suppers held, one with the traditional pecan pie, and the other with the new chocolate pie with meringue topping. That way, everybody could come to reunion and the family unity could be maintained by simply having two suppers. Although the solution sounded good to some, it sounded bad to others.

Then, out of his wheelchair, one of the oldest members of the family stood up. He was in poor health and hadn’t spoken much in years. His family was surprised that he now took center stage in the great pie debate. His voice was frail and raspy. The family quickly quieted to hear his reply. “I remember coming to this family reunion when I was a small boy. My grandparents were the ones who started the reunion after the civil war as a way to keep the family together after many years of division. It was their wish for the family to understand how important unity is and they would be the first to tell you that today if they were here. They created and maintained the reunion as a time to meet together to encourage that unity. My grandmother’s pecan pie was just her gift to this effort. It was never intended to be the reason we gather or the focus of our meeting. The pie is not what’s important about our meeting. Our reunions must always be about maintaining the love and unity that my grandparents sought.” And with that, the old man was seated to his slumping position in his wheelchair.

There could be several possible endings to this parable. Consider the following:

Following the lead of those who wanted to keep the pecan pie as the only possible desert, the majority of the families decided that only pecan pie would be served and no one could bring any other dessert. Those wanting to bring other deserts could have their own reunion somewhere else. And so, the group was divided.

Following the lead of those who wanted new deserts introduced at the reunion, the majority of families decided that other deserts could be introduced. Those who objected to the addition of other deserts could leave to form their own reunion. And so, the group was divided.

Following the lead of the mediators, the majority of the families decided that they would continue to meet as one family but would create one supper for those wanting the pecan pie and one for those inclined to eat other deserts. Although seemingly a compromise to keep the family together, the group was divided.

Following the call of the old man, the group decided to forego their desire for dessert since they realized that it was the dividing issue in the family. They understood the purpose of the reunion, as explained by the old man, was one of love and unity and that only by sacrificing their own desires the family could remain committed to the original purpose of their ancestors. What was so important about pie that it would be cause for division. And so, the family was unified.

Spiritual Creatures

Spiritual Creatures; not Law Keepers or Freedom Seekers

Creature • a person or organization considered to be under the complete control of another : the village teacher was expected to be the creature of his employer.

Paul, made a new creature by the grace of God, was the perfect one to write about the significance of that grace and it’s implications to those who would receive it. I think his writings in his letter to the Galatians has huge implications to all those who seek a relationship with God, especially to those who are being shaped by the institutional religious groups of our time.

Paul’s desire for the Galatians mirrors Jesus’ teachings. That is, that sinful man’s redemption to a state of being in a relationship with God is due to God’s own actions toward man in the sacrifice of His only son, Jesus. Jesus, made it clear that this redemption created a new creature, being “born again” and becoming a servant or slave to the desires of the master. Paul wanted the Galatians to remember this call and understand the difference between the fruits of the created spiritual being vs. the old nature’s desires.

Of course, this text in Galatians 4 and 5 is a specific answer to the circumcision issue that was plaguing his readers. However, the point Paul makes is much broader in scope. It not only gives direction to those who might be labeled as “law keepers”, but also to those who could be called “freedom seekers.” Paul points out both those sides miss the point of being a new spiritual creature. In Galatians 5:6, Paul states that “ For in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is of any avail, but faith working through love.” And again in Galatians 6:15, “ For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.”

It’s plain that Paul was showing the Galatians that being circumcised was not part of the new creature that God desired as it represented a way to redemption that was not part of God’s grace. It’s also plain that uncircumcision, represented as freedom from the law, should not be looked upon as being something that puts you into that relationship. Galatians 5:13-14. “For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love be servants of one another.” Freedom seekers who think that their freedom is their savior actually revert to a life in the flesh just like those “law keepers” that Paul is exposing. He knows it’s a temptation for those claiming freedom to elevate that freedom to a level that causes them to forget Jesus and his teaching and concentrate rather on their own desires.

And Jesus’ teaching was this: Galatians 5:14 “For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ “ Galatians 6:2 “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

The “law of Christ” is not a new concept or one hard to find. The disciples had heard Jesus offer his only command as Jesus was teaching them shortly before his arrest. It’s recorded in John 13: 34 - 35 “ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Again in John 15: 12 - 14 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends, You are my friends if you do what I command you.”

Jesus’ command to love one another is the “law of Christ.” He makes it plain in John’s writings that loving others is the way the world knows that we love Jesus. And so, it’s the nature of the new creature that Paul is teaching in Galatians. The old creature, whether the product of “law keeping” or “freedom seeking” (circumcised or uncircumcised) has a nature that is against the spiritual nature of the new creature. Galatians 5: 19-21 “ Now the works of the flesh are plain: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, selfishness, dissension, party spirit, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things, shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Galatians 5:22-24 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with it’s passions and desires.”

The works of the flesh are contrary to Jesus’ command to love one another. Paul’s desire for the Galatians was for them to remember Jesus’ command. I like the way the Jewish New Testament puts it in Galatians 5:6 “When we are united with the Messiah Yeshua, neither being circumcised nor being uncircumcised matters; what matters is trusting faithfulness expressing itself through love.” Your love for one another is the expression of your faith in Jesus. Not whether you keep the law or keep your freedom. It’s “trusting faithfulness expressing itself through love.” You can’t just say you love. Love must be manifested or expressed by action. Love is an action of faith and is therefore the proof of faith according to James’ writing. Without love, faith is just a word.

Today, those on both sides, the “law keepers” and the “freedom seekers” miss this point. The “law keepers” are proud of their knowledge of the scriptures and their adherence to the “right” way of doing things. The “freedom seekers” are proud of their freedom to create their own cultural contrivances with no regard to others. Both sides fit the pattern of the fleshly nature as described by Paul. Neither side reflects the sacrifice manifested by Jesus and the call of the Spirit for unity created by that sacrificial love.

Also, they both miss the good news of Jesus. He came to take away the old covenant’s need for physical worship as he became the sacrifice that washed away the sins of the world. Today, these factions, missing this fundamental point, create physical worship that they think is acceptable to God not realizing that God neither desires or requires physical worship. Jesus told the Samaritan woman that God seeks those who worship in spirit because under this new covenant with man, God would send his own Spirit to reside in man which removed the need for man to use a worship mechanism to be in God’s presence. We are now the temple of God and have no need to conjure His presence with physical worship. Rather, because God lives in us, we are “free to serve” others as Jesus commands. A spiritual creature communes with God through the Spirit that resides in him. He doesn’t need external physical mechanisms to accomplish this. This communion is a gift of God bought by the sacrifice of Jesus.

It’s the creation of their physical worship models that have become the battleground of their fleshly desires. They fight and divide over these issues as if they were important to God. One side reflecting the “laws” and the other protecting their “freedom.” As Jesus reminded the Pharisees of Isaiah’s words in Mark 7:7 “ This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.” It’s not that they weren’t worshipping “right” but that they weren’t loving like God loves. God had warned of this many times in the old covenant so it wasn’t something new to the Jews.

If we are to be God’s new spiritual creatures, we must be completely controlled by and reflect in our lives the very essence of God as demonstrated and commanded by His son, Jesus. And so, my wish is like Paul’s in Galatians 6:14 “But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified.”

a Christian assembly

This article is intended to be a description and purpose of a Christian assembly and is to be used as information to help serve those seeking a group of fellow believers with whom to meet and share Christ’s vision for his followers.

A Christian assembly is a group of people who are disciples of Christ coming together to build each other up. Christian assemblies are mentioned several times in the New Testament writings. These assemblies of Christians are not “churches” since the meaning of the Greek word ekklesia is translated as assembly or congregation and reflects its local nature. The word church was not introduced into the English New Testament until translations biased by the hierarchy of religious groups and reflects a building or an earthly institution. It’s introduction into the English translations was a direct result of political and institutional religious pressure. William Tyndale, the first to translate the bible from the original Greek to English always used the term congregation in describing the assembled Christians. As a Greek scholar, he wanted to perfectly reflect the meaning of the original text instead of bowing to the pressures of the Roman Catholic leaders.

A Christian assembly should never be a cultural event. We are called to give up our own identities and put on the identity of Christ. Assembling Christians should be encouraged to relinquish their own cultural wants as they seek to be Christlike in serving others. Seeking cultural relevance is a recipe for division. Sacrificing yours wants or cultural needs for others is always a declaration of your willingness to put others above yourself. That’s why Jesus wants us to think of ourselves as a “body” when we meet together. We remember Christ’s body that he gave up on the cross for us when we take of the bread and the fruit of the vine together. We remember that Jesus calls for us to give up ourselves for others as he did. This is the way we know what love is and are eagerly seeking to accept that example in our own lives. Jesus exampled this time of remembrance as he called on his disciples to show their love for each other by washing each others feet and commanding them to love one another. Our assemblies must be a time of service to each other if we remember Jesus’ sacrifice.

A Christian assembly by definition is a meeting of those who, trusting God, have believed that Jesus is the son of God and been born again by putting on Christ in baptism. This assembled group, now saved by Jesus’ sacrifice and made righteous by God’s grace, now seek an avenue of declaring God’s grace by living a life of sacrifice to God. This life of sacrifice is not fulfilled in physical worship to God at a place or time but is rather declared by a life of love and service to others. It is now by the fruits of this spiritual worship that God is glorified. A Christian assembly is an occasion for those seeking to glorify God in this way to edify others and be edified by others. It is a time to build each other up to love and good works which is the fruit that glorifies God. Loving others, the command of Jesus, must be the assembled Christians first and overriding concern and is the indispensable ingredient of unity. Assemblies of diverse people that call themselves Christians will find continuing opportunity to display the sacrificial love that Jesus calls us to be known by. Jesus also taught his followers that their love for each other would be the measure of their love for him and his Father. Having this love, and the unity that it will bring, we truly will be known to be his disciples. The world will truly know the love of God and the sacrifice of His son by seeing this group of people sacrificially loving each other. This is the very scene described in Acts 2 and 3 and is essential in our describing Jesus Christ to others.

Putting love above all else, this Christian assembly will endure the problems that will invariably come up. There will always be those who through immaturity or Satan’s power, will seek their own way. Others, mature in their understanding of Christ’s love, will continue to sacrifice and call on this body to focus on being like Jesus instead of their own wants. Assembling Christians will call out those mature in Christ and full of his spirit to step forward to shepherd the body. New Testament writers compared the body to a flock of sheep needing shepherds to imitate Christ’s model in leading the sheep to green pastures and still waters. Looking after the body’s spiritual and physical needs is a task given to those who are spiritually gifted to oversee the health of the body. Love for the least of the body is to be their calling and no one should be left out. Each part of this body of Christians is indispensable to each other. Love and unity must never be just uttered words in a Christian assembly or by those who profess Jesus as savior.

Assembled Christians, looking to imitate Jesus, will build each other up for the tasks of service outside the assembly and a daily war with Satan. A daily sacrifice is the worship that Jesus seeks for each of us since he has brought us into a relationship with God. Understanding our individual talents and using them to God’s glory is the sacrifice that smells sweet to God. Giving to those in need and sharing the burdens of others becomes the very life of the mature Christian. Seeking opportunities of service to others out of love is the Christian’s joy. Jesus calls us to this service and says that doing it to the least of these is doing it unto him. Assembling Christians will look to perfect their love as taught by Jesus to reflect the perfect loving nature of God who by grace made us perfect through the sacrifice of His only son.

A Christian assembly of people that takes on these qualities of Christ will be one with God and His son Jesus and He has a place prepared for those who seek that relationship.

Institutional Discipleship

I feel sorry for those who don't, can't, or won't see the difference between Christianity and the institutional church of the present or any other time in history. Instead of trying to help shape the body to look like Jesus, they are busy trying to make people look like their institution. And in the end, they wind up with people who are converted to, conditioned by and adhere to the doctrines of the institution and not to becoming disciples of Jesus and his teaching.

It's sometimes easier to see this behavior in other institutions and not our own. I grew up thinking the Catholic Church's system of priests and rites were so foreign to anything that we read about in the N.T. and it was easy to criticize them and expect them to see their short comings when compared with the Bible. Why is it so hard for us to examine our own shortcomings when using the Bible and Jesus' teaching as our guide? Maybe we have formulated our own doctrine and practice which have become our traditions. Traditions are hard to change even if one has a sincere desire to seek God's will. Look at the Pharisees. They were trying to bring God's people back to a relationship with God but in so doing they created burdens that God had not ascribed and missed the simple and important things that God desired of man. Jesus' description of their attempt was a scathing rebuke of their methods and priorities.

Institutional churches, unable to attract the large numbers they desire with Jesus' sacrifice and God's love for man, instead attract people with culturally relevant issues and programs. Looking like Jesus just doesn't "play" to the audience that they seek. Instead, they provide a culturally relevant haven of a health and wealth gospel, spending more time on good marriages, growing finances, fun and exciting activities, and assemblies that promote entertaining but meaningless rites that are meant as an offering to God. They divide the group based on their own desires and tell others to find a place that they will be comfortable, not understanding the significance of unity. They sacrifice nothing of their own wants for the good of others but carve out a niche for the group they service.

Matt. 16:6 "Be careful," Jesus said to them. "Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees."..............
Matt. 16:12 Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Rom. 16:17 I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.
Rom. 16:18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.

Unity

Unity requires sacrifice to be realized. It's not easily obtained and must remain on the forefront of every thought and action. It's the culmination of learning to love like Jesus did as his own reflection of God. Going the second mile, as Jesus' taught in the sermon on the mount, is that love translated into action. Sacrificial love is the command of Jesus and unity is the fruit of that love. He gave his life for us and expects the same from us as we love others as the fulfillment of that call.

Most today call for freedom and not sacrifice. They put into place the practices that they desire, not seeking the good of all but rather creating paradigms of their choice, excluding those who think differently. Then, once their practices are firmly in place, they call for "unity in diversity." This concept only calls for others to accept differences or be tolerant of differences. It has no relationship to sacrifice but flaunts differences as good. Of course, they want others to accept their practices even if those brothers are offended and think that those who do not practice their "freedom" as the weaker brother. They ignore the call of Jesus to sacrifice and the call of Paul to refrain from practices, even if their conscience allows it, that will cause a brother to stumble. Paul himself, gave up many things that he was free to do in order to further the kingdom. He would never have praised the attitude of "we won't let anyone tell us what to do." This attitude stems from arrogance and not from love.

John 17:20 - 23 "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

1 Cor. 1:7 - 10 Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful. I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.

Wouldn't it be something Christ-like if a group calling themselves Christians actually decided to give up a practice that they had adopted in their "freedom" to be unified with others who were offended by that practice? Our freedom could then be seen, rightfully, as freedom to serve others and freedom from the sin of selfishness and the sinful desires that create practices that divide. Freedom to live a life of sacrifice like Jesus would glorify God. When was the last time you heard of such an attitude? What practice is so important to your freedom that you would not give it up for unity? Sadly, the call of freedom to practice today is Satan's tool of division. It's the same call he made to Adam and Eve in the garden. Freedom to make your own decisions regardless of God's call. Jesus rejected the same call from Satan and chose to do the will of God. Isn't that our call?

Don Campbell
Flower Mound, TX

John 4 Revisited

I continue to be amazed at the lessons Jesus taught during his encounter with the Samaritan woman as recorded by John. Just when I think I have figured it all out, I see new concepts and thoughts and have a better understanding of what Jesus was trying to get across to the woman, the disciples and us. I believe that God will continue to reveal His will through the word.

I used to think that the passage in John 4 was broken up into several thoughts that didn't have much to do with each other. Now, I am convinced that the thoughts presented are part of a continuous theme that Jesus seeks for man to understand about our relationship with God.

The woman first has a discussion with Jesus about the physical water she is drawing versus the spiritual water that God has provided for her. While this may seem only preparatory for the later discussion on worship, Jesus wants the woman to understand that the spiritual water that God provides is where her reliance should be. This spiritual water does not come from wells dug by man but is the gift of God. Jacob's labor in digging the well and man's labor of lifting out the physical water to sustain his life are the results of man's separation from God. The woman had spent her life having to make the trek to fetch the water from the well. Her labor was routine and repeated time and again to replenish her supply. Just like those before her, her life was dependent on her own labor. Jesus offered her water that required no effort from her. To receive this water, she did not have to come again to draw from Jacob's well or any other well. This water was spiritual and a gift of God. God made the effort to provide this water and it was made possible by the gift of His only son.

Now, realizing that Jesus is of God, she turns her attention to her question of worship. Like the physical drawing of water, she routinely treks to the mountain time and time again to sustain her relationship with God and her question is about the proper venue for her efforts. Jesus, continuing the theme of the spiritual instead of the physical, shows her that worship, like the living water, is now a gift of God. The relationship with God will not be dependent on her own efforts on the mountain or in Jerusalem where the Jews worshipped. Like the spiritual water Jesus had to offer her, worship would be offered for her by Jesus himself. He would become the sacrifice for her. She would only have to accept this offer of mediation by believing that Jesus was the son of God. And, she did. And, so did many others. Jesus remained there to see them grow in faith.

And then the disciples returned with food. Jesus continues on the theme of the spiritual verses the physical when they present him with the food that they had gone to purchase. His message to them was that the food that sustained him was of a spiritual nature. Like the message that he had given Satan during his time of temptation, Jesus wanted the disciples to understand that his food was taking the very words of God and transforming his life to do them. He wanted them to see that this food was God's gift and not something that they could attain on their own. Spiritual food, to do the will of God, would sustain them. Jesus knew that these were the things that must be sought and that God would provide the rest as he did for the birds of the air.

So, what a great lesson. God provides. He gave us Jesus, the water welling up to eternal life within us, the bread of life, sustaining us when we are weak, and the true sacrifice for our sins that puts us into a spiritual and everlasting relationship with God who now resides in us through His spirit. We no longer are required to go to a place to worship, time and time again, offering to God what has already been offered by Jesus for us. Now, that's good news! We are now free to do God's will by serving others and it's by this service that God is glorified because we look like His son.


1 John 3:23 - 24 "And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us."

Glorifying God

We glorify God by doing His will and looking like Him. Jesus glorified or illuminated God by doing His will. Jesus was called the "Fullness of Deity" since he looked like God. He said, "If you've seen me, you've seen the Father." God is most glorified or illuminated by us when we do His will. So we better figure out what His will is.

I don't read about Jesus spending time in praise services or worship times although he did go to the temple to fulfill the requirements of the old covenant. Jesus did the Father's will by representing the love of God in his sacrifice. It's that love that man must learn to emulate. "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect" Jesus told us in the sermon on the mount. It's all about how God wants us to treat our fellow man. Just like He would and did for us.

The Relationship between God and Man: - A Lesson of Love

I guess if you were to ask someone where the “love” chapter in the Bible is, they would say, “It’s the 13th chapter of 1 Corinthians. Of course, that is a great chapter, but is only one of the chapters that deal with this subject. After all, you would never have 1 Corinthians 13 if you didn’t have John 13. It’s there that Jesus shows his disciples what love is by washing their feet and then issuing them the new command, to love one another as I have loved you. Jesus, the very fullness of deity, perfectly demonstrated God to man. Sometimes we forget that, that when we see Jesus, we are seeing God. And the will and characteristics of God is what Jesus lived in his life here on earth.

I heard a sermon recently about humility. It was a lesson that helped us understand that humility doesn’t mean weak or bashful. Sometimes, we put those labels on the humble or expect those characteristics to be part of our Christian nature. But the humble Jesus was not weak and spoke out as a leader and teacher against sin and the arrogance of those who thought they knew God.

In fact, humility is one of the greatest characteristics of God. And this characteristic was perfectly demonstrated by Jesus. Humility is making others greater than yourself. This is the heart of the gospel. God, spurned by man in the garden, set out to show man this characteristic of humility. God, sacrificing His only son, redeemed sinful man back to himself, by giving up His only son. It wasn’t man that made this relationship possible again, it was God. He loves us more than he loves Himself. The act of redemption is perfectly reflective of God’s own humble nature. Jesus, demonstrated this characteristic throughout his life and made the specific point to example it to his disciples as he was approaching the ultimate sacrifice. And the new command, to love one another as he loves us, is the perfect way for us to look like Jesus to the world. He even said the world will know that we are his disciples by the way we love others.

John 13:34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
John 13:35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. "


Jesus wants us to put on this characteristic so that we can perfectly reflect God. During his sermon on the mount in Matthew 5, Jesus describes what the characteristics of humility look like. It always puts others first. Saying, “Be perfect, therefore, as your Father is perfect” is the culmination of our understanding that this very characteristic will turn you into one who looks like God, also. And this is the greatest way to glorify God. Glorifying God by humility, the way you treat others better than yourself, is the highest form of glorification that you can do. It shows that you have accepted grace, taken your faith seriously and allowed the spirit of God living in you to declare God to the world.

Phil. 2:1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,
Phil. 2:2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.
Phil. 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.


Don Campbell

The Greatest Commandment

When one of the Pharisees, an expert in the law, wanted to test Jesus’ knowledge of the scriptures, he asked him this question and received this answer:

Matt. 22:36 - 40 "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments. "

Jesus’ answer was not just a pat rendition of scripture but was a concise compilation of the meaning of all the commands of God. I’m sure the people were totally amazed at the way Jesus could simplify the myriad commands that they lived with into this simple statement of truth. Jesus could do this because he was God. He was the “commander” of all that they knew. He was the “word” that had been present from the beginning. He KNEW what God required of His created man.

Deut. 6 and Lev. 19 help us remember the historical origin of these commands.

Deut. 6:5 - 9 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.


Lev. 19:11 - 18 " 'Do not steal. "' Do not lie. " 'Do not deceive one another. " 'Do not swear falsely by my name and so profane the name of your God. I am the LORD. " 'Do not defraud your neighbor or rob him. "' Do not hold back the wages of a hired man overnight. " 'Do not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block in front of the blind, but fear your God. I am the LORD. " 'Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly. " 'Do not go about spreading slander among your people. "' Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor's life. I am the LORD. " 'Do not hate your brother in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in his guilt. " 'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.

We must understand that these two concepts are really one in Jesus’ mind. He says the second one is “like” the first. Jesus points out in John 13 -15 the importance of the relationship between these commands and in so doing leaves out the first command.

John 13:34-35 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. "

Loving one another becomes the test of who we are. Loving one another is how God knows that we love Him. Loving one another is the will and command of God.

John 15:17 This is my command: Love each other.

John, remembering the link that Jesus had made, reiterates the thought in 1 John.


1 John 4:20-21 If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.

Paul, a recipient of God’s love just like us, instructs Christians to remember the “debt to love one another.” God’s will for man, His commands, are all summed up in “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Christians, free from the law of the Old Covenant, must be obedient to our saviors call and do the will of God if we are to please him.


Rom. 13:8-10 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.


And so, how do we love God? How do we show our love for God? Do we reflect the “will of God” in our lives? Do we reflect Jesus’ command to love each other or do we try to show our love for God in some other way without loving each other? Well, you can’t. The “Commander” has spoken. Will you listen to his “Greatest Commandment?”



Don Campbell

"Free To Serve"

The study of Hebrews 9 and 10 helps us understand the difference between the physical worship of the old covenant and the spiritual worship of the new covenant. Remember, Jesus introduced us to the idea of spiritual worship in John 4 as a contrast to physical worship places and times.

First Covenant: Laws or regulations for worship
Earthly sanctuary or place
Priests performed rites
Gifts and sacrifices couldn’t perfect the worshipper
The sacrifices only made them outwardly clean (physical not spiritual)


New Covenant: No regulations for physical worship (since worship is not performed by us)
We enter the Most Holy Place individually by Jesus’ sacrifice (worship)
Jesus’ own worship is what perfects us (true worship)
Jesus’ blood makes us inwardly clean (spiritual)
God is not pleased with offerings other than Jesus own sacrifice
Since Jesus worshipped for us we are free to serve the Living God
Serving God always implies loving each other (our sacrifice)


Heb. 10:23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
Heb. 10:24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
Heb. 10:25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-- and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Isn’t it interesting that the writer of Hebrews includes in this discussion of worship an admonishment to love one another and build each other up when we meet. Nothing is said about us getting together to worship since he has just explained our new relationship with God. Understanding the admonishment in Hebrews 10:24 -25 in context is most important. It is usually used to make those feel guilty who don’t come. It is really a sign of our understanding the will of God for our lives.


Heb. 9:1 ¶ Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary.
Heb. 9:2 A tabernacle was set up. In its first room were the lampstand, the table and the consecrated bread; this was called the Holy Place.
Heb. 9:3 Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place,
Heb. 9:4 which had the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. This ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron's staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant.
Heb. 9:5 Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory, overshadowing the atonement cover. {Traditionally } But we cannot discuss these things in detail now.
Heb. 9:6 ¶ When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularly into the outer room to carry on their ministry.
Heb. 9:7 But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.
Heb. 9:8 The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing.
Heb. 9:9 This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper.
Heb. 9:10 They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings-- external regulations applying until the time of the new order.
Heb. 9:11 ¶ When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, {Some early manuscripts } he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation.
Heb. 9:12 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.
Heb. 9:13 The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean.
Heb. 9:14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, {Or } so that we may serve the living God!
Heb. 9:15 ¶ For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance-- now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.
Heb. 9:16 ¶ In the case of a will, {Same Greek word as ; also in verse 17} it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it,
Heb. 9:17 because a will is in force only when somebody has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living.
Heb. 9:18 This is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood.
Heb. 9:19 When Moses had proclaimed every commandment of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves, together with water, scarlet wool and branches of hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people.
Heb. 9:20 He said, "This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep." {Exodus 24:8}
Heb. 9:21 In the same way, he sprinkled with the blood both the tabernacle and everything used in its ceremonies.
Heb. 9:22 In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
Heb. 9:23 ¶ It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
Heb. 9:24 For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God's presence.
Heb. 9:25 Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own.
Heb. 9:26 Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.
Heb. 9:27 Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment,
Heb. 9:28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
Heb. 10:1 ¶ The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming-- not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship.
Heb. 10:2 If it could, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins.
Heb. 10:3 But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins,
Heb. 10:4 because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
Heb. 10:5 ¶ Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: # "Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,# but a body you prepared for me;
Heb. 10:6 #with burnt offerings and sin offerings# you were not pleased.
Heb. 10:7 #Then I said, 'Here I am-- it is written about me in the scroll--# I have come to do your will, O God.' " {Psalm 40:6-8 (see Septuagint)}
Heb. 10:8 First he said, "Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them" (although the law required them to be made).
Heb. 10:9 Then he said, "Here I am, I have come to do your will." He sets aside the first to establish the second.
Heb. 10:10 And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Heb. 10:11 ¶ Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.
Heb. 10:12 But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God.
Heb. 10:13 Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool,
Heb. 10:14 because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
Heb. 10:15 ¶ The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says:
Heb. 10:16 # "This is the covenant I will make with them# after that time, says the Lord. #I will put my laws in their hearts,# and I will write them on their minds." {Jer. 31:33}
Heb. 10:17 Then he adds: # "Their sins and lawless acts# I will remember no more." {Jer. 31:34}
Heb. 10:18 And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin.
Heb. 10:19 ¶ Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus,
Heb. 10:20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body,
Heb. 10:21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God,
Heb. 10:22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.
Heb. 10:23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
Heb. 10:24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
Heb. 10:25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-- and all the more as you see the Day approaching.


The comparison in these verses is between the way people under the old covenant approached God and the way we approach God. They had to perform ritual acts (their worship) in complying with the law to approach God or remain His people. We are now free of needing to worship God with rituals in an attempt to approach Him since Jesus did it for us. Now, we are free to serve God by loving others, which, is His will for us.

Do we continue to try to approach God by our own “worship services?” Why don’t we trust that Jesus’ sacrifice has taken care of that relationship and focus on loving one another? Our worship is spiritual because it is a matter of trusting God and doing His will.
Romans 12 is Paul’s take on spiritual worship. He defines it and then explains how this sacrificed life will look. “For by grace” in verse 3 he starts showing how we must translate this grace into our lives as we deal with others. God is glorified by this sacrifice.


Rom. 12:1 ¶ Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-- this is your spiritual {Or } act of worship.
Rom. 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-- his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Rom. 12:3 ¶ For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.
Rom. 12:4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,
Rom. 12:5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
Rom. 12:6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his {Or } faith.
Rom. 12:7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach;
Rom. 12:8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
Rom. 12:9 ¶ Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
Rom. 12:10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Rom. 12:11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
Rom. 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Rom. 12:13 Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.



The significance of these words in John 4, Hebrews 9 and 10 and Romans 12 is that we don’t have to go somewhere to worship God in order to be in His presence. He has removed that lawful requirement by the sacrifice of Jesus the Christ. Jesus, as promised, has now sent his own Spirit to reside in us. God doesn’t reside in an earthly building but in us. He doesn’t meet us on Sundays in our buildings and our collective presence doesn’t mean that God is more present. Our lives of sacrifice for each other does not supplant Jesus’ sacrifice for putting us in God’s presence but rather is God’s will for our lives, which glorifies Him. We can express praise for this relationship but no praise will be pleasing to God if it does not come from a life that is filled with love for one another. The fruit of love glorifies the God that defines love through the sacrifice of His own son. The praise of our lips is an edifying recognition of our trust in God that the sacrifice of Jesus is the act that puts us in a relationship with Him. It does not, by it’s performance, put us in a relationship with God or make that relationship closer.
There is no command or example of Christians getting together to “worship” God in the New Testament writings. The examples of Christian gatherings in the New Testament always involve the acknowledgment of God’s grace and the importance of edifying the body and building it up. Meeting together was never used as a way to come into God’s presence as had been done under the old covenant because God now resides in the Christian and He declares in Heb. 10:16 "This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds." {Jer. 31:33}

Our own attempts at worship can never bring us into a relationship with God or sustain that relationship. Only the recognition that Jesus has brought us into that relationship can give us full assurance of our hope. We must trust God!

Many think that God wants us to worship Him on Sundays. Others acknowledge the importance of daily worship but continue to hold on to the tradition of coming together in “corporate worship.” God wants us to understand that Jesus has taken away our need to bridge the gap between us by our acts of worship. He now seeks those who worship Him in spirit and truth, no longer needing to go somewhere to find Him or seek to atone for our sinfulness with acts of worship. We are now worthy to approach Him through the Spirit that lives in us because of the true sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Now we are free to serve the Living God!


Don Campbell

Starving At The Feast!

In the opening scenes of the movie “Lonesome Dove,” the cowboys of the Hat Creek Cattle Company were just sitting down for their breakfast, having been up since sunup doing their chores. They were hungry. Call and Gus, the two leading characters of the movie, were involved in their daily ritual of arguing about insignificant things. Although friends and partners of many years, they sniped at each other’s ways and musings at every turn. Finally, Pea Eye, one of the cowboy wranglers sitting at the table waiting for his food said, “Can we eat now or do we have to wait till the arguments over?” Bol, the cook, immediately interjected, “You will starve if you wait for that!”

I’m starving and the table is full of food!

The feast has been set for Christians to eat and be satisfied but like Gus and Call they are mired in endless arguments about things of no consequence. Churches are continuing to divide over disputes about individual preferences and will continue to “starve” each other of food that will benefit the body. The food, Jesus’ words of life, is rotting at the table and is not being consumed because of our focus on the preferential mechanics of the assembly and running the church. Leaders have spent way to much time and effort defining their churches based on either old or modern cultural attractors and have forgotten that Jesus and his words both define and bind his followers. John 13:34 and 35 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” These words of Jesus, when consumed by us at his feast, will transform us to look like him and the fruits of this love will glorify God and unify us with Jesus and his Father.

My Dad used to tell us, “no arguing at the dinner table.” He knew that arguing would ruin a good meal and we didn’t have time to waste or the food would get cold. Now, our continuing argument about our wants and desires keep us from the unity that Jesus wants for his followers. It is this unity that attests to Jesus’ place as savior of the world.

Rise up, Oh Christians, and taste God’s mercy, and feed that mercy to the hungry world. God will be glorified and praised by your life of worship as people who have been transformed to look like His son.

Let’s Eat! or the food will be served to others who are hungry. They don’t “play” with their food.


Don Campbell

"Self Serving"

I’ve been thinking about the term “self serving” as it relates to Christian groups. If self serving describes the act of taking care of oneself, individually, I can see how that would be against everything that Jesus taught. Or, “self serving” could mean taking care of members of the group instead of spending time with those outside the group. I guess some may consider this to be “self serving.” They may think that the great commission Jesus related in Mark 16 as more important than Jesus’ command to love one another or separate these as two different concepts.

Of course, Jesus taught us to serve one another. He made a specific point to show the disciples how to serve one another in John 13 by washing their feet and asking them to follow his pattern. Jesus even taught his followers that their love for each other would be the measure of their love for him and that this love would be the mark of their discipleship.

John 13:34 ¶ "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
John 13:35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. "

The unity that this love would produce would also be a testimony to Jesus’ own deity, the connection between himself and the God of love. Paul reiterates these very concepts of service in Gal. 5 when he calls Christians to “serve one another in love.” Peter continues the theme of Christ to serve each other in 1 Peter 4 by calling for Christians to “love each other deeply,” and to “use whatever gift he has received to serve others............. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.”

This service, is actually a life of spiritual worship. The words service and worship are synonymous words. They are both used in the new testament to describe our response to God’s grace. Paul, in Romans 12, defines the spiritual worship that Jesus taught to the Samaritan woman in John 4 as a sacrifice that is pleasing to God. No longer are we asked to perform physical acts of sacrifice to God but are asked to make our lives a living sacrifice of love and service to others which is the fruit that glorifies God. This is the fruit of our love that we now have by virtue of our relationship with Jesus Christ.


John, the apostle whom Jesus loved, and the author of Jesus ministry in his gospel, reminds Christians of this special command of Jesus in his epistles.

1 John 3:11 ¶ This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.

1 John 3:23 And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.

1 John 4:7 ¶ Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

1 John 4:11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

1 John 4:12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

2 John 1:5 And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another.

Loving one another means serving one another. Serving those fellow Christians who are on the same journey we are on. Serving the body of Christ just like Jesus himself served and gave himself for the body. Denying oneself to serve and build up the body. Edify the body with all we do. Serving the body members means building the body up. This is the command of Jesus.


Paul tells the Galatians of their responsibility towards one an other and reminds them of Jesus’ own words.

Gal. 5:13 ¶ You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.
Gal. 5:14 The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

And again to the Romans:

Rom. 12:10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Rom. 13:8 ¶ Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.

By God’s grace, we have all received gifts that we should use to serve others. Peter, himself the recipient of these gifts, encourages Christians to do this very thing in 1 Peter 4 and shows that this service a Christ like action that praises God. Sounds like worship to me!


1 Pet. 4:8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
1 Pet. 4:9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.
1 Pet. 4:10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.
1 Pet. 4:11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

More words of encouragement:

Gal. 5:13 ¶ You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature {Or ; also in verses 16, 17, 19 and 24}; rather, serve one another in love.

Eph. 4:2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

Heb. 10:24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

1 Pet. 1:22 ¶ Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. {Some early manuscripts }

1 Pet. 3:8 ¶ Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.

1 Pet. 5:14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. ¶ Peace to all of you who are in Christ.


So, the next time someone tells you that your congregation is “self serving,” just say, “Thanks, we are trying to follow God’s will and the example of Jesus.”

Don Campbell

Mercy or Sacrifice?

The solemn, sacred, sacrificial assembly celebration has supplanted the God glorifying and unifying love for each other which is the mercy fruit that Jesus commands us to be know by.

Matt. 9:13 "But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners. "

Matt. 15:8-9 "These people honor me with their lips but their hearts are far from me, in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men."

I hear man's preposterous precepts about loving God every Sunday morning while the body ignores it's own parts that are in need or, insisting on it’s own way, discards those who are consider “weaker.“ Churches, claiming to love God in their sacrificial assemblies, divide regularly over their own desires. No matter what your song claims, this does not glorify God.

Matt. 15:4 - 6 For God said, 'Honor your father and mother' and 'Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.' But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, 'Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is a gift devoted to God,' he is not to 'honor his father with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition.

1 John 4:20 - 21 If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.

Will we continue to build our house on the sand? Is your church built on the shifting sands of mans desires and precepts? When the storm comes, and it will, it will devastate the house. Or, will we choose to build on the foundation that cannot be shaken. Is your church built on the solid foundation of Jesus and his command to love each other like he loves you? When the storm comes, and it will, we will be held together in the perfect unity that love provides. What happened when your church was hit by a storm?

Loving others is your acknowledgment of your dependency on love yourself. We depend on the love of God as demonstrated and commanded by Jesus Christ and it must show in us! The fruit of love is a unified body that reflects Jesus Christ living in us.

Don Campbell

New Christians and Love

I have always been amazed by the story of the new Christians in Acts 2. Peter had just preached the good news to them about Jesus and about three thousand became Christians. What amazes me is what came next. With no other words of teaching, those who believed in Jesus started acting like him. They shared together in love and that bound them together in unity. Why did they sell their possessions? Why did they want to be together? There was no Christian law that set this precedence. They were not told that this was the proper way for Christians to act. But they became a group, called out to demonstrate love and unity as they were filled with the spirit of Jesus.

Acts 2:37-47 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off-- for all whom the Lord our God will call. " With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. They devoted themselves to the apostles 'teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Loving each other must have been the result of their salvation. Because of this love and unity, they were seen “praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.” People saw something in them to be admired. It was Jesus! It was his love!

Later, in Acts 4, the scene is repeated and all the believers were unified and demonstrated the love that Jesus’ spirit had infused in them.

Acts 4:31-35 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles 'feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.

Quite remarkable, I’d say, for strangers to come together this way. Does it amaze you? Is this the way you are? Does the spirit of Jesus motivate you to be unified with other Christians and demonstrate the love of Jesus? Is it at the top of our list? I think we may have forgotten the zeal we had at first.

Remember to Love

Don Campbell

Like Clouds With No Rain

Growing up in West Texas always made me appreciate the times it rained. My family’s heritage was farming and ranching and I can remember the conversations that invariably came up about rain, the lack of it or it’s blessing. My grandparents would always talk about a “cloud bank” that had formed in one direction or the other. It always invoked the hope of rain but most times was only a tease of what could be. Clouds with no rain. They provided a little shade, maybe even a little hope, but nothing that would nourish the ground and make the crops grow. I even read a book once called “The Time It Never Rained” by Elmer Kelton. This was about the dust bowl days of the 50’s and how it affected the ranchers and farmers of West Texas. Once in awhile, a cloud would come up, maybe even throw out a shower, but there was no quenching rain for several years. It was devastating to the long term viability of the ranches.

Christian assemblies often remind me of clouds with no rain. They look good and maybe even provide a little respite from our week but don’t provide any lasting nourishment to the body or even glorify God. Jesus might say that they don’t produce any fruit. Like the fig tree or the temple. Is this what God wants from us?

We come together for a short time and participate in a “worship service,” using lots of modern mechanics to focus on God and “praise” Jesus. The assembly leaders, many young and immature, try to focus the group on God and chide us when our adulation is not spirited enough. Singing to God is our primary expression of love and we are encouraged to “praise” God using this method. We are told that the assembly is “not about us but about God.” The preaching upholds this notion that we are there to praise God and worship HIm. So, we spend the hour, not considering each other, as we have been told, but rather focusing on God and His son.

I guess I used to think that this was what God wanted. It sounds good, doesn’t it. Praising God. Praising Jesus. Taking each other out of the equation for a little while to focus on the important. After all, that would be humanism to focus on ourselves. Oh, we realize that God wants us to consider each other sometime, just not during this hour of “worship.” We might even spend a few minutes shaking hands, patting each other on the backs, saying “Hi!, how are you?” but we know that this is really not the time to focus on each other. Right? At least that’s what we’ve been told.

Of course, Bible believing people usually want to know what the Bible says. Specifically, we should want to know what Jesus says as he is the word of God. How are we supposed to glorify and show our love for God? How do we praise Jesus for what he’s done for us? Why do we assemble? What is acceptable worship and what isn’t? Is our worship in vain like those that Jesus criticized? What is the fruit that really glorifies God?

Could our assemblies really be just like clouds with no rain?


Don Campbell


Heb. 6:7 ¶ Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God.
Heb. 6:8 But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.

Jake's Choice

Jake Spoon was a character in the movie “Lonesome Dove.” When confronted with the theft of horses, Jake had to make a decision. Froglip, an outlaw in the movie, asked Jake, “ Are you coming?” Jake replied, “ I guess if you just watch me, you’ll find out.” Jake's decision was not so much one of words but of actions. He proceeded to stay with the group of horse thieves and as such became one. Later, when Deets, a longtime acquaintance of Jake, proclaimed that Jake was with them, Call, Jake’s old ranger partner, said that maybe it was just his horse that had been stolen. Deets said, “ No, I know the mark that Jake’s horse makes with him riding it.” Jake’s mark was readily identified when seen by those who knew him best.

We have times in our life when we must make decisions, too. As Christians, those decisions are illuminated by the word of God. We are known not so much by our words but by our actions. The mark we leave will identify us as either being followers of that word or followers of our own desires and will be seen by all and judged by the one who knows us best.
James 2:18 But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.

Reading the word of God and seeing Him through His only son, Jesus, is the way to know how to make decisions. The mark we make in our lifetime must reflect Jesus and the love that he had and demonstrated. Our identity is found in his words and not in mine or anyone else's. The mark we make will identify us as followers of Jesus or followers of others and will be plainly seen.

When the judgment comes, as in Matthew 25, what will be the mark of your passing through this world?


Don Campbell

Immature Concepts

We continue to be led by immature concepts in our assemblies. It’s easy to see as they proclaim a worship assembly in “spirit and in truth” when we do neither of those things.

First, in truth. A “worship activity” that calls for us to “be where You are, we don’t want to worship from afar” is totally lacking the truth. Other songs call for us “to enter the presence of God, for He is Holy,” or “Come, Now is the time to worship.” They sound good and have catchy tunes but miss the reality of the new covenant. Jesus is the truth and is the full revelation of God to man. He proclaims that he is the one who will come to reside with us. He promises that his own spirit will indwell man unlike the time of Old Testament worship when worshippers had to go to the place where God was. Remember, God dwelled in Jerusalem in the temple (also in Bethel and Gilgal during the divided kingdom.) Those were the only acceptable places of worship and Jews came to the feasts to “be where God was” but that residence of God was only a shadow of the truth. Now, God dwells in those whom he chooses. Our bodies are the temple of God. I feel sorry for those who have a need to “go where God is,” as it manifests their lack of understanding about where God dwells. It’s not just semantics. It is a statement that lacks understanding and truth and will continue to feed the thought of going to worship God in a place and time.

Secondly, in spirit. Since the truth is that God has chosen to dwell in man through the spirit of Jesus, our worship or service to Him is totally different. We don’t have to go anywhere to worship and are called to “continually offer our bodies as living sacrifices,” according to a Jew who should know the difference between the two worship types. Paul, in Romans 12:1-2 tells us what worshipping in spirit means. It has nothing to do with singing or any other “act” that has been proclaimed by man. The continuing call to worship in the assembly is an immature call that disregards the truth of Jesus and the call to continually offer ourselves up to God or “live for the praise of his glory.” Glorifying God has never been about lips, but lives. The fruit we bear for God is always shown as the things we do for each other as commanded by Jesus who also glorified God by his obedience. Claiming to glorify God in some other way misses the truth of Jesus and the spirit by which we worship.

Jesus looked at the fig tree in Mark 11 and was disgusted because of it’s good leafy looks but lack of fruit. Next, he saw the same thing in the temple in Jerusalem. It had “beautiful stones”, as one of disciples remarked in Luke 21:5 but did not produce fruit. Do our temples only look and sound good or do they bear the fruit of Jesus’ command to love one another? Claiming a transformed life is easy. It may look good, it may sound good, but absent the fruit of love in a life of sacrifice, it is nothing to God.

Don Campbell

Generational Paradigm

One of the main problems facing the body of Christ today and affecting it’s future is that of generational paradigms.

par·a·digm   - One that serves as a pattern or model. A set of assumptions, concepts, values, and practices that constitutes a way of viewing reality for the community that shares them, especially in an intellectual discipline.

Congregations are trying to be culturally relevant by creating assembly environments (assumptions, concepts, values and practices) conducive to specific generational thought. These paradigms can be from any generation, whether past or present. By doing this, churches are excluding those who do not fit the old or present paradigm or change to embrace the new patterns. This creates unbalanced groups that do not reflect the mature understanding of Christianity which transcends generational thoughts or mechanics. New converts to groups supporting generational paradigms will remain stuck in an environment that does not include the sacrifices needed in a diverse congregation. Always having your own way is a dangerous and deceiving environment. Members rally around the created environment and not around the central Christian doctrine of loving sacrifice.

This paradigm will change with every generation, leading to a continuing confrontation between the "old" and the "new." Generational paradigms are not exclusive to one age group and each paradigm will include those people from all age groups who are called to it’s pattern for one reason or another. The paradigm does, however, reflect the thinking of an old or new generation. The multi congregational areas that we now have can be a consequence of generational theology. Choices in congregational environments are indicative of the disunifying force of generational patterns. Generational paradigms cause friction to develop over church practices or doctrines that will continue to lead to congregational divisions.

Creating these environments is about seeking what you or the majority want and not about seeking the best for the body and everyone of its members. Jesus’ sacrifice and command calls for us to sacrifice our own wants for the good of others as he did. Paul reiterates this concept specifically in 1 Corinthians 13 and Romans 14 and 15.

Church splits are abhorred by the mature but are even encouraged by the immature, claiming the Paul and Barnabas “clause” of disagreements, not wanting anyone to hold them back. "Go somewhere that you can be comfortable." A comfortable environment is the call of those who seek generational patterns and practices. Created environments are embraced by some but exclude others who will not acclimatize to the new environment. Jesus would never encourage his body to be generationally exclusive in their thinking or practice. His call to “love one another “ is a sacrificial call to surrender your wants for each other and this call will produce the unity that he calls for us to have. Unity is the product of an active love and is the identifying mark of a mature assembly of Christians.

Those leaders who encourage generational assembly paradigms are encouraging immaturity in their membership. Love and acceptance is only realized by those who choose to accept the specific paradigm of the group. Others feel unloved and excluded because the predominant practices of the group do not reflect their own. Each side considers it’s wants and desires to be what is important and not the building up of the entire body.

Mature church leaders will see that generational paradigms are far from the teachings of Jesus and the New Testament writers and seek remedies that produce real love and unity among a diverse cultural or multigenerational congregation. These remedies must not attempt to persuade one group to “give in” to another but focus on building up the entire group to love and good works which calls for sacrifice of everyone's wants. Members of mature congregations who “love one another,” will not divide. Loving the “least of these” is paramount. No one can be left behind and sacrifice must be made the order of the day. We cannot just love in words but must challenge ourselves to see how our actions affect others and putting love into action, cause the whole group to be encouraged and built up. The world will see and be called to this Christ imitating group. Love will be evident and unity will be it’s fruit.

Summation:

A generationally centered paradigm creates an environment with practices that exclude many of the group by accentuating and even flaunting generational differences. Generational differences can be mechanical practices or doctrinal professions. This paradigm breeds conflict over differences which result in community fragmentation and ultimately division of the body that Jesus died for. A Christ centered paradigm is one that encourages a community of Christians to love each other so much that it’s practices build each other up so that the group is perfected in it’s unity. This community will mourn the loss of any of it’s members and seek reunification.

People are not being attracted by the sacrificial call of Jesus Christ to love one another but by the cultural and generational call of assembly methodology that they believe is the sacrifice that glorifies and honors God. As a group, we are not seeking or calling others to a sacrificial life which produces the fruit that actually glorifies God but are accepting an environment of exclusion and selfishness and calling it religion. These paths that we’ve chosen are not conducive to a unified body of diverse people. If we have to divide to create these special environments, we have missed the call of Jesus.

One of the sad consequences of generational paradigm is that parents don’t go to the assemblies with their children and vise versa. It’s a deep-seated problem caused by the freedoms of groups that don’t understand the effect of their own desires, or understanding them, they flaunt their freedom wanting no one to hold them back. Leaders who make these distinctions are setting the future of people under their care. These reflect immature understandings of the freedom we have in Jesus Christ.

We must receive the words of Paul in Colossians 3: 14 which echo Jesus’ teaching as recorded by the apostle John in all his writings. “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Or, as William Tyndale translated in his new testament, “Above all things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness.” No unique generational paradigm can ever take the place of the perfect love that God modeled for us in Jesus Christ and has commanded us to live by and be known by.



Don Campbell

"Where Do You Worship?"

Have you ever been asked the question "Where do you worship?" I'm sure most people just name the "church" where they "go." After all, they have been taught that the "church building "is the "place of worship" and that there are appointed times to accomplish the specific physical offerings of worship.

This is now my answer:

Going to worship was what the Jews did under the old covenant to maintain a relationship with God. I'm a believer in the "Good News" of Jesus Christ, which is that God offered Jesus to be the sacrifice for the sins of the world and that because of his sacrifice and our trust and rebirth, God comes to live in us. We no longer have to go to a place or offer physical sacrifices of worship to God in order to have this relationship and no other physical worship offerings can be made by us that will be accepted by God. Because of this grace, I'm now free to serve God by loving others everyday. Our lives of sacrifice to others becomes the spiritual worship that God seeks for us. Because we can't do anything for Him to make that relationship better, we trust His decision and Jesus' command that showing love to others is the way we show love to Him and His son, Jesus. This sacrificial love and the unity that it creates are now the offerings that are pleasing to God as we are transformed into the image of His son.

As a spiritual worshipper of God, I assemble with other Christians to build each other up to love and good works which edifies the whole body. This assembly is inspired by God's love for us as demonstrated by Jesus and allows us to demonstrate that love to each member of the body. I defer my own wants and freedoms for the good of the body, seeking what's good for others in order to keep unity and peace.


Don Campbell

Paradox

Paradox: Worship and the Christian Assembly


Paradox: 1. A seemingly contradictory statement that may nonetheless be true. 2. One exhibiting inexplicable or contradictory aspects. 3. An assertion that is essentially self-contradictory, though based on a valid deduction from acceptable premises. 4. A statement contrary to received opinion.

Worship: 1 a. The reverent love and devotion accorded a deity, an idol, or a sacred object. b. The ceremonies, prayers, or other religious forms by which this love is expressed.

Paradox is not a new concept for Christians to consider. Jesus’ teachings had paradoxical statements and ideas that have been embraced throughout religious history. The paradox of dying so that you may live is right at the top of these paradoxical teachings of Jesus. Another, is Jesus call for servant hood to those who wish to be great. How about “giving to receive.” Can you think of others?

Our understanding and practice in the Christian assembly is also a paradox. Christians for centuries have treated their assemblies as the time for worship and praise. Glorifying God at a specific time and place set aside for focusing on Him is the norm in Christianity. That is sometimes called our “tradition.” But, just because it’s the norm doesn’t mean it is what really glorifies God or praises Him.

Paradox: When we think we are worshipping God in the assembly, we aren’t. When we think we aren’t worshipping God, we are.

How can that be? Let’s look at some scriptures that will point out the paradoxes of this statement. First, lets examine the teachings of Jesus and his disciples on what really glorifies and does not glorify God. Isn’t glorifying God the purpose of our worship? How should we express it? Do the forms and mechanics of our “worship assemblies” glorify God or not?

Matt: 5:16- “Let your light shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify (or praise) your Father who is in heaven.”

John: 15 : 8 “This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. 9 "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”

Phil. 1:9 - 11 “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ-- to the glory and praise of God.”


These three passages emphasize that God is glorified by the fruit you bear and that this fruit is your shining robe of identity as Jesus’ disciple. Jesus didn’t say that you glorify the Father by sitting in an assembly and singing praise songs. It is further defined in John 13:

John 13:34"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

James helps us understand that this love, the fruit of your faith, is in the works that Jesus exampled to us.

James 2:14 “What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. “

Don’t we profess these same things when we sit in an assembly, focused, not on loving each other as Jesus has commanded, but on doing something for God who needs nothing that man can give him?

Acts 17:24 "The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.
Acts 17:25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.”

It’s no wonder that Paul teaches in Romans 12:1 that your spiritual worship is to make your bodies a living sacrifice to God.

Romans 12:1 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. “

It’s no accident that Paul teaches this view, for it comes from Jesus very teaching in John 4 to the Samaritan woman.

John 4:23 - 24 “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” "

Worshipping God is not an external act of lip service but rather a spirit generated life that emulates the acts of Jesus and thus glorifies God the Spirit Creator in who’s image we were made. This teaching was deemed to be contrary to the law in Acts 18 when the Jews charged Paul before the court of Gallio. Worship was a big deal to the Jews and it should be a big deal to Christians. One worshipped in symbols, the other in truth.

Acts 18:13 "This man," they charged, "is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law."

This fruit we bear that glorifies God is further stated by the writer of Hebrews.

Hebrews 13:15 “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name. 16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”

“Sacrifice is seen as continual confession of the name of Jesus and the sharing with people in need. This “fruit,” “sacrifices that please God” is in the context of a lifestyle of continual worship—not acts to be performed during a “church service.” -Bruce Campbell

It is the same lifestyle of good works that Paul says is the result of His mercy and saving grace as we are “created in Christ Jesus” and now are “alive with Christ.”

Eph. 2:4-10 “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-- it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Just as Jesus glorified God by doing His will, so we glorify God when we do His will. We were created to glorify God by our good works and this is the definition of a Christian. Jesus teachings on loving each other as the definition of Christianity in John 13 -14 is the most defining moment in our understanding of what God wants His people to be know by.

35 “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

He has shown us through His son that this act of loving each other is the highest display of Godliness and is that which glorifies Himself the most. It shows that we are “one” with the Father as Jesus was one with his Father. He didn’t say that we would be know for our great praise assemblies, our preachers, our buildings or anything else we choose to be our definition. We have forgotten the words of Jesus when we define ourselves with these things.

So now you can see why the new Christians in Acts 2 did what they did. With no other commandment, after accepting Jesus as Lord, they sold their possessions and gave to each other as any had need.

Acts 2:42 “They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.”

Now that’s worship! They didn’t offer Old Testament type sacrifices to God but praised Him by and for the works he was doing through them. Their love for each other cried out the name of Jesus as they were one with him and his Father. The externalism and rule keeping that had plagued the religious of their day was not evident on that day. They loved each other and all the people saw this in them as they had “favor of all the people.” That’s what happens when you have Jesus living inside you! And, THAT is what glorifies God! It is consistent with everything the New Testament teaches about what God seeks for those created in His image.

Jesus came to do the “will” of his Father. He obeyed the Father’s commands. We are told in John 14:15 "If you love me, you will obey what I command.” Our actions, loving each other, show that we love Jesus and the One who sent him. It’s by this that God is glorified and praised.

So, when we assemble, do we focus on the command of Jesus and thus glorify him and his Father? Or do we ignore each others needs, forgetting to love, requiring of each other some sort of external worship expression that we have devised as good and useful. These expressions are usually generational in nature and have been the cause of many divisions and squabbles in the church. Defining churches by these expressions of externalism diminishes the unity sought by Jesus himself in John 17. This unity is one of the signs that indicate that Jesus is the Messiah and that we are his people.

John 17:20-23 "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

Allowing Christians to accept the idea that each church entity should be unique in its “worship practices” is an immature rationalization caused by the misunderstanding that God is somehow praised by these external definitions. It is evident by God’s own words to us that he seeks for us to be know by unity and love for each other and not by some outward coat that we choose to wear. Our members need to see that God is glorified by our fruits of loving and sharing with each other. These acts are the glue of unity and will not cause division. Mature understanding of these ideas will ensure that our children and generations to come will show Jesus living in his church and bring sinners to believe in him.

Do we remember the message to those in Isaiahs’ day. They had tried to circumvent true worship with meaningless prayer and sacrifices, neglecting the weightier matters of good works. Isaiah, speaking for God, reminded them of true worship.

Is. 58:2-7 “For day after day they seek me out; they seem eager to know my ways, as if they were a nation that does what is right and has not forsaken the commands of its God. They ask me for just decisions and seem eager for God to come near them. 'Why have we fasted,' they say, 'and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?' "Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers. Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high. Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for a man to humble himself? Is it only for bowing one's head like a reed and for lying on sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD? "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter-- when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?”

Although Old Testament worship practices were only a shadow of true worship and symbolic in nature, unlike the true worshippers that John 4 references, there was still TRUTH. Jesus himself reminds of the problems with symbolic worship when he quotes Isaiah’s words.

Matt. 15:7-9 “You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men. ‘ "

Of course, the setting for this statement was the question by the Pharisees concerning Jesus disciples not washing their hands. Jesus countered with this thought:

Matt. 15:1-9 “Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, "Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don't wash their hands before they eat!" Jesus replied, "And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? For God said, 'Honor your father and mother' and 'Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.' But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, 'Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is a gift devoted to God,' he is not to 'honor his father' with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: " 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men. ' "

Jesus was emphasizing that God’s word had commanded them to take care of their parents but the Pharisees were neglecting that practice by saying that their offering should go to God. Their misguided focus on God, who needs nothing, turned their face from the good works of taking care of those in need. It can be said that we do the same today. We bring people together to focus on God, give back to God, praise God, while all along forgetting or disallowing our members to focus on the needs of the body or others. Our worship is in vain when we do this.

Jesus concluded that the Jew’s worship was in vain when they practiced this way. When would you conclude that the worship at your church is in vain? Do you ever think of the needs of the body? Do you ever spend time taking care of each other when you assemble? Do you care when someone is unloved? Do you even pause when Christians leave the body? Do you take care of the widows? Do you take on the responsibility of caring for your parents or do you just put your money in the plate, saying it’s for God. Is that your worship?

Of course, many would say that loving each other in this way during our assemblies is just humanism and focusing on one another makes us a club. Would you condemn Jesus for teaching us to love one another as a test of our love for him? Is Jesus teaching humanism? James reminds Christians of their responsibilities to each other in James 1:22 - 27.

James 1:22 -27 “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it-- he will be blessed in what he does. If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”

Jesus himself was the author of these very concepts in Matt 25 and taught us of their importance. They not only reflect Jesus in the life of the doer but also glorify God by letting their “lights shine” before men. The righteous, living by faith, are doers of the word and worship God in truth and spirit. Their worship is not in vain.

Matt. 25:34 -40 "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. ' "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you? ' "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' “


Conclusion: So now, I’m encouraging you to worship God in ways that are contrary to your traditions. When we meet together we need to continually remember these words:

Heb. 10:23-25 “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-- and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Love and good works are the fruits that glorify God. We need to make sure we remember this when we meet together. If not then, when?

Churches have forgotten this call if they ever knew it at all. They have placed their emphasis on the external praises that they think are important, forgetting what really glorifies God. “Better singing, that’s what matters!” “Better preaching, that will bring them in!” “Better buildings, that’s what people are drawn to!” “Contemporary gadgets, that’s what we need to define us!” All these things are superfluous definitions that have no value in glorifying God but are simply the creation of man to fulfill his own needs and wants.

It’s not that church members today don’t produce the fruit of good deeds, it’s that they are misled into thinking that the lip service of their assemblies is equal to or greater than their daily life service of loving each other as Jesus has commanded. Many of our members follow the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 25 but don’t understand that it is worship. They don’t realize that those actions are the primary things that please God and that’s the paradox! “When we think we aren’t worshiping God, we are.”

We are supposed to be known for our love and unity for the entire body while we continue to divide over cultural issues related to our “praise” or” worship service” and other frivolous matters of opinion. We seek to differentiate our churches by the assembly offerings and promote that offering in words and literature as the definition of our body. This is contrary to everything Jesus taught. He would never encourage congregational individualism as a proper response to his outpouring of love.

A false appearance of holiness and praise come from our assemblies while many are being ignored who are in need of love and good works. We have sacrificed many members in our bodies because of this very thing. They leave anytime their needs are being ignored by the body. Many leave because churches won’t bend to their immature demand of externalism, not having been taught what true worship is all about.

Singing is exampled in the New Testament but it is an ancillary expression of the joy we feel, it is not the central expression of our worship to God. Our singing to each other, as expressed in Ephesians 5:19 is a way to express our love and encouragement to each other, thus making melody in your heart to God. God loves it when we love and encourage each other in song. That smells good to God and glorifies Him but cannot be a substitute for bearing the fruit of love!

Eph. 5:19 - 20 “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Jesus always revealed action in loving each other as a way to express your love for God. My Dad defined love as “active goodwill.” It is this “active goodwill“ toward others that Jesus used as his basis for the account of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10 as the fulfillment of the greatest commandment. The two “religious” men in the story were shown to be unloving. When asking Peter in John 21 if he loved Jesus, Peter was told to “Feed my Sheep” which is showing this love to the body through action. It would not have been in Jesus nature to tell Peter to show his love for him in any other way. He wants us to express our love for him (remember the definition of worship - religious forms by which this love is expressed. ) by loving each other. What form does your expression of love for him take?

Paul taught in 1 Corinthians that love is the greatest gift of the spirit of Jesus and he knew what it meant to love having been the recipient of Jesus’ love while he was a sinner.

1 Cor. 12:31 But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way..............”

1 Cor. 13:4-8 “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”

So let’s see. The fruit or good works of the saved is what glorifies God. Loving each other is what Jesus has commanded of us. We are to be know for our love, our unity and the fruit that love bears. Traditions that focus on God alone are called vain worship because they miss the central point of what Jesus taught. “Love one another.”

Now you may think that I have reached far and wide in the scriptures to prove a point. We have looked at many scriptures but they are only the tip of the iceberg of those relating to this loving nature of God. If you can grasp this nature, that God is love and the central role it plays in our creation, our discipline, our salvation and our own God glorifying expression of it based on our transformation into the image of Jesus, you will better understand it’s importance in everything you do. Jesus revealed this greatest command to us and we must never leave it out of any thing we say and do.

Paradox: When we think we are worshipping God in the assembly, we aren’t. When we think we aren’t worshipping God, we are.



Don Campbell