The following is a summary of not only the series of topics, but the final topic on yielding ahead. Tonight we summarize and conclude, but also capstone to our understanding and concluding with yielding to the Holy Spirit.
Introduction to the Series on Community.
Throughout this series, we have delved deeply into the concepts of community, fellowship, and ministry, striving to fully immerse ourselves in the teachings of the Bible. Today, we focus our attention on yielding to the Holy Spirit, culminating in a broader understanding of what God wishes to achieve in us and through us. As we engage in this final discussion, let us not only ponder our roles but also our responsibilities within the body of Christ, united as one despite our diverse functions.
Understanding Koinonia: The Essence of Fellowship.
The “One Another” Passages
To illustrate this, we revisited the “one another” passages that are prevalent in Scripture—over 100 verses that articulate how we should relate to one another in love, support, and accountability. These passages serve as a directive from Scripture and guide us toward a robust expression of community life.
In Romans 12:4-5, we find a profound illustration of this idea:
This encapsulates the essence of our identity and purpose: we are not solitary individuals, but rather intertwined parts of a larger body, dependent on each other to accomplish the ministry of the church.
Reflections on Community at LWC (Lancaster Wesleyan Church)
At LWC, we must continually ask ourselves: “What could God do in us and through us if we let Him?” This probing question reminds us that the church is not just a building or a weekly gathering but a dynamic community with immense potential. It challenges us to consider how we can maximize our collective abilities to serve God's purposes.
Embracing our Community's Potential
Realizing the potential of our community means understanding that in God’s Kingdom, mediocrity is not acceptable; rather, we are called to strive for excellence in our faith, in our witness, and in our knowledge of the Word. The question is not just about capability, but how we apply the truths of the Gospel in our daily lives as believers. What does God expect from each of us, both individually and collectively?
Yielding Ahead: Submission to the Holy Spirit
As we delve into this week’s theme, Yielding Ahead, it becomes crucial to understand the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Yielding can be defined as a state of submission that leads us to discover God's will for our lives.
The Call to Yield
Yielding means being watchful and prepared for God’s leading. In Ecclesiastes 12:12-14, we read the final counsel of the Teacher:
"Be careful, for writing books is endless, and much study wears you out. That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad."
This charge is a vital reminder that our faith must translate into action, characterized by obedience to God's directives. This Week 5 focuses on the concept of “submission” as a delightful act of surrendering to the divine guidance of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Living as the Body of Christ: Practical Steps
1. Stronger Together - Christ & Others
The concept of community in the church reminds us that we are “stronger than I but not stronger than One.” This acknowledgment is encapsulated in the phrase “A triple-braided cord is not easily broken” from Ecclesiastes 4:12:
“Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
- Christ as our Cornerstone: He is our foundation, the chief cornerstone upon which our faith is built.
- Others as Fellow Believers: Our relationship with one another enables mutual support and encouragement to fulfill God’s mission.
2. Manna and Ministry
In the notion of Manna, we dive into God’s provision, a testament to His faithfulness even when we stray from His will. As Ecclesiastes 5:16-17 notes:
"And this, too, is a very serious problem. People leave this world no better off than when they came. All their hard work is for nothing—like working for the wind. Throughout their lives, they live under a cloud—frustrated, discouraged, and angry."
God provides for our needs through the gift of Koinonia, manifesting in ministry—our ability to serve and share God’s love with others.
3. Unity in Diversity
Unity is not synonymous with uniformity. Being neighborly necessitates an acceptance of our differences as we work toward the common goal of glorifying God together. As Ecclesiastes 4:9-11 reminds us:
"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up."
By standing united, we model God's love to a world in desperate need of hope.
4. Intercession and Truth
A vibrant community engages in intercession, praying fervently for one another and our shared mission, embodying the role of Christ to intercede on behalf of others. As Ecclesiastes 8:14 states:
"And this is not all that is meaningless in our world. In this life, good people are often treated as though they were wicked, and wicked people are often treated as though they were good. This is so meaningless!"
Truth, the unchanging foundation of our faith, guides our actions and our witness in the world around us.
The Empowering Role of the Holy Spirit
In Ephesians 5:21, we find the directive to "submit to one another out of reverence for Christ." This invitation to mutual submission highlights the empowering nature of the Holy Spirit in leading our community life, guiding us toward unity and love, as we seek to honor God through our actions.
Awakened to the Light
Living in the spiritual power of the Holy Spirit means actively discerning the will of God. Ephesians 5:8-16 emphasizes the importance of staying vigilant and understanding God’s purpose for our lives:
"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord."
As we navigate our daily interactions, we must be mindful of how we reflect the light of Christ to others. Understanding what pleases the Lord influences how we engage in community life.
Conclusion: Yielding Ahead in Faith
- Being cautious in our prayers and asking God to guide us.
- Prioritizing temperance in how we engage with the world.
- Using our testimonies to highlight God’s faithfulness.
We further gain understanding from the word, Oikonomia. This is a word that means God‘s economy and household management. It is a term that we find in Jeremiah 29:7 that tells us that we should pray and work for the prosperity of the nation of which we are exiles. God promised that he would deliver, but that he would also continue to bless even in the midst of disobedience in captivity. This is this true for us today, as it was for them when they entered into Babylon. We need to work for the prosperity and welfare of the nation. It is God‘s economy since he owns everything.
Take, for example when my children were young. I took them to McDonald’s and when we sat down to eat, I took two of their fries. They protested, of course, to which I reminded them that I purchased that meal, including the fries. They insisted and said it was theirs. They had not realized that I provided them with what they had. It’s a lesson that often we forget. God owns everything and we are simply stewards of the resources given to us.
Let us commit to living out our identity as a community that glorifies Him.
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."
We are called to yield ahead, ready to embrace what God has in store for us as individuals and as a church community. Let us remain steadfast in our commitment to Him, leaning on the Holy Spirit for guidance as we walk together into the future.
