GET TOGETHER- We Need Each Other
Heb 10:25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. (NKJV)
One of the greatest blessings that a lot of people are missing out on is being encouraged and exhorted by other Christians. Some people miss out by having the “it’s just me and God attitude.” I understand that the church is not perfect, and that people have been hurt in the church. On the other hand, I would not be typing this message today if it wasn’t for the way that the Holy Spirit worked through other people in my life.
Last week we had just come off a very powerful weekend with God’s people. The last few months have been a very intense time of ministry for us. There have been many wonderful things that God has allowed us to be involved in. Too many to name here, but they have all been awesome. During this time we have had the opportunity to work with people all across the Body of Christ. What a great blessing it is to be involved in Kingdom work. We do a lot of Kingdom work across denominational lines. Hell really hates that, because Hell would rather us focus on our differences than what we have in common with other Christians: our belief in the Virgin Birth, the life, death, resurrection, and return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
To be honest the enemy had been really beating me up about this accusing me of being double minded because of ministering in different parts of the Body of Christ. This past Friday night I got a text from a dear brother about a special service at another church in another city. Most times on Sunday nights I am very tired and that is one of our nights that we rest on. Well I went to the service and this dear brother was preaching on the Kingdom and how we are a net. When we focus on the things that we agree on we are forming a net for the Kingdom. When we argue about the non-essentials of the faith we are cutting holes in the net. What a wonderful message it was. The Holy Spirit used that message to help me be free of the oppressing voice of the enemy and be tuned in to the liberating voice of the Holy Spirit.
I am sharing this with you to reemphasize how much that we need each other in the Body of Christ to serve in His Kingdom. The Hebrew term for forsaking here is egkataleipo. It means not to desert a person or leave that person uncared for. The Greek term for assembling here is episunagoge. It means to cause to come together at a location. The Greek term for exhortation is parakaleo. It means to encourage or to console someone by either verbal or non verbal means.
This past Sunday night I was encouraged after a week of much spiritual opposition from the enemy. The message that night really encouraged me. Since that time, I have met with two friends to pray together. I have met with two small groups here at our congregation. The Holy Spirit has used all the above plus many others to bring encouragement and comfort. Don’t let the enemy sucker you in by making you think that you don’t need to be active in the Body of Christ to fulfill your destiny in the Kingdom of God. I don’t think that I would be typing this today if it weren’t for how God uses people here at Christ Community Fellowship and so many other Christians that have a Kingdom mentality in His church. When the enemy comes people are either going to run away from their congregations, or dig in closer. Or maybe I should say people will either run away from their calling, or draw closer to God’s house to help them to fulfil it. Stay plugged into a local congregation. You need to be encouraged, and others need you to encourage them. God wants to use you to advance His Kingdom.
Let us Pray
Lord we thank You for the saints. Lord we thank You for The church. Lord today help us to encourage others. Help us to be used in Your Body to encourage others so that the Kingdom of God may be advanced upon the earth.
In Jesus Name
Amen
Thanks for the many saints who pray for J.J. and I. We love you all!
Your Friend/Kinfolk
Preston
