Tools & Trainings for Organic Church Movements
Issue No. 8 01.24.08 |
|
Dear ,
Jesus modeled for His followers a God-honoring life 24/7. To often we compartmentalize our lives into boxes-a "work" box, a "family" box, an "emotional" box, an "intellectual" box, a "spiritual" box, etc. Jesus loved and lived as a whole person and encouraged His followers to do the same. . .
Jesus said, " 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.' Matthew 22:37-39
The early followers of Jesus lived out their lives loving God and loving people. They did it in the "everydayness" of their lives. They saw it in Jesus and began living it too. They didn't stop living to follow Jesus. They brought Jesus into their living. So at a pragmatic level, they used the things that were already present in their life to follow Him.
The followers of Jesus were spiritual families-also called "churches." These churches were the collection of followers of Jesus who lived in community with each other. They didn't go out and find a building to become a church. The group was already "living as the church" together. They used the everyday stuff of life-their houses, the riverbank, the temple-to provide a place to gather the people.
We are so glad to be living out "church life" alongside of you and those you are living it with. May your spiritual families grow and multiply and be blessed! Don't ever get beyond those first and second greatest commandments!
Press on,
Mike Jentes
Church Multiplication Associates
|
