Acts 2:42-44 All the believers devoted themselves
to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals
(including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all,
and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the
believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 1 Cor 12:7 A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can
help each other. 1 Cor 14:26 (NLT) Well, my brothers and sisters, let’s summarize. When you meet together,
one will sing, another will teach, another will tell some special revelation
God has given, one will speak in tongues, and another will interpret what is
said. But everything that is done must strengthen all of you.
A
wonderful pattern is given in the New Testament for the functioning of Christian
communities. They are full of an awareness of God, His presence, His power, and
His prompting of His people to express His gifts and His goodness to each
other. Corporate worship is about meeting God through teaching, eating, prayer and full participation
with God using each one to bless the rest. We desperately need a turning back
to having God preeminent in our meetings and get as far away from performances,
control and passive pew fillers as we can.
Father, forgive us when we
have lost the plot and failed to give the freedom you need in our gatherings.
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