Warning: session_start(): open(/var/lib/lsphp/session/lsphp80/sess_qfreqnp23s7f8fltspav56nsup, O_RDWR) failed: No space left on device (28) in /home/kjv.site/public_html/Discussion-Thread/index.php on line 2
Warning: session_start(): Failed to read session data: files (path: /var/lib/lsphp/session/lsphp80) in /home/kjv.site/public_html/Discussion-Thread/index.php on line 2 BIBLE DISCUSSION THREAD 229354
Filled with the Spirit-The corporate worship experience (Focus on laypersons)
Reading the first chapter of Philippians for a detailed analysis for a special Sunday school project we are doing in the short term I realize that elders and deacons were established fairly quickly in the early church. It has taken me some time to understand somewhat what each of these roles is supposed to be (elder being essentially same as Pastor; and Deacon I believe being a sort of "helps" ministry). Honestly I haven't been in a church with a Bishop so I won't try to figure that out; I'll leave that to others.
I examined the other day how the Ephesians church seemed to have everything right and lost its first love ( Rev. 2:4 if I remember correctly). It would seem although I couldn't prove it that new and excited converts may have been a missing factor. We are; of course admonished on those who receive the Gospel immediately and with joy but have no root ( Mark 4:17) in the first part of the Parable of the Sower and the Seed. Both extremes need to be avoided; joy is second next to love which clearly had disappeared ( Galatians 5:22). After all; there is nowhere that states that we cannot have continual joy; but as with a marriage maturity tends to make our perspective change as we delve more into the "meat" of the scriptures.
When it comes to interaction in a church of course it helps when a Pastor is genuinely glad to see congregants on a given Sunday; and especially other days of the week when they wish to discuss something. Again; large churches make this more difficult and the advice Jethro gave Moses to get wise decisionmakers under him rather than taking on menial burdens fits this situation ( Exodus 18:13-27). Of course it is good when we also rejoice and show appreciation for our Pastor. This of course has to go beyond common courtesies; and we should want to do more than just put our time in and check off a box. Unforgiveness on either end stifles the Spirit
Reading the first chapter of Philippians for a detailed analysis for a special Sunday school project we are doing in the short term I realize that elders and deacons were established fairly quickly in the early church. It has taken me some time to understand somewhat what each of these roles is supposed to be (elder being essentially same as Pastor; and Deacon I believe being a sort of "helps" ministry). Honestly I haven't been in a church with a Bishop so I won't try to figure that out; I'll leave that to others.
I examined the other day how the Ephesians church seemed to have everything right and lost its first love ( Rev. 2:4 if I remember correctly). It would seem although I couldn't prove it that new and excited converts may have been a missing factor. We are; of course admonished on those who receive the Gospel immediately and with joy but have no root ( Mark 4:17) in the first part of the Parable of the Sower and the Seed. Both extremes need to be avoided; joy is second next to love which clearly had disappeared ( Galatians 5:22). After all; there is nowhere that states that we cannot have continual joy; but as with a marriage maturity tends to make our perspective change as we delve more into the "meat" of the scriptures.
When it comes to interaction in a church of course it helps when a Pastor is genuinely glad to see congregants on a given Sunday; and especially other days of the week when they wish to discuss something. Again; large churches make this more difficult and the advice Jethro gave Moses to get wise decisionmakers under him rather than taking on menial burdens fits this situation ( Exodus 18:13-27). Of course it is good when we also rejoice and show appreciation for our Pastor. This of course has to go beyond common courtesies; and we should want to do more than just put our time in and check off a box. Unforgiveness on either end stifles the Spirit
This comment thread is locked. Please enter a new comment below to start a new comment thread.
Note: Comment threads older than 2 months are automatically locked.
Do you have a Bible comment or question?
Posting comments is currently unavailable due to high demand on the server.
Please check back in an hour or more. Thank you for your patience!
Report Comment
Which best represents the problem with the comment?