The In Series #1
THEME: The “In” Series
In short, the in series is about belonging. It highlights two core Biblical, processes and the main Biblical purpose. In terms of process, we are talking The Cross and gathering, as for purpose we are about relationship. Vibrant, virtuous, vintage relational ecstasy with God; Father Son and Holy Spirit plus one another, our neighbor, the stranger, enemies from every kindred, tribe, and tongue.
Biblical Heart for Crowds = Biblical Heart for Relationship. Having a Biblical heart for the processes of gathering and the cross will develop a heart for Biblical relationship with an accompanying deep, rich sense of worth, fulfillment, and belonging
Many in the world seek to be and/or join, believe, think, feel, like they are the “in” crowd. There are a number of aspects about that notion which smack of pride and exclusiveness. In essence, it’s about self-glory, being better than others, and what one can get out of it. Biblically, being “in” should smack of humility, and inclusiveness, a humility that’s all about being in the crowd for the sake of God’s glory seeing others as better than ourselves and what we can give. While not everyone is a fan of crowds, God is. Indeed such is God’s measure of largess, His capacity to include, engage with and generate a rich sense of belonging, with God the bigger the crowd the better. Big or small, God prefers gathering. In fact God is a gathering - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Psalm 87:2 tells us “The Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. Zion represents the gathering place. Dwellings of Jacob represents the individual. God’s word makes it clear heaven is a crowd that is so big no one can number it. Hence the processes of the cross and gathering are designed to bring God’s will to earth giving us a taste of heaven and to prepare those on earth that want a place and part in heaven to be ‘’IN on it’’.
All of the dictionary meanings in one way or another relate to the range of factors that make up the total ‘’In-Crowd’’ and ‘’In the Crowd’’ experiences as they add to or detract from life; personally, relationally, and generally. Doing an exercise to analyze these meanings from an ‘’In Crowd’ and ‘In the Crowd’ perspective for the purpose of helping to develop our; knowledge, understanding, and wisdom as they apply to develop better; personal, relational and lives, in general, is well worth the time and effort. This development will be best achieved however by majoring on being ‘’In the Crowd; The God Crowd which is God’s Apostolic Team, the Church and making our engagement with the ‘’In-Crowd’’ as an Ambassador of the abundant life found ‘’In the Crowd’’
In Definition https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in - all these definitions, in one way or another, can relate to what it is to be or get in the crowd.
The Cross
As mentioned above the cross is a core Biblical process through which Jesus set the platform for whosoever will to join “in the crowd”. Similarly, it is the process through which every born-again Bible believer gets to be in the crowd. ON both counts ie Jesus Christ and born-again Bible believers outworking the process of the cross is reliant upon the promise of our Father in Heaven and the loving power of His Holy Spirit.
References (re: Cross)
The Crucifixion - Matthew 27:27-44; Mark 15:16-32; Luke 23:26-43; John 19:16-27
Do a study on the various benefits of the cross:
- Overcame Satan (Rev 12)
- Took captivity captive (Eph 4, Psalm 68) and gave gifts
- Purchased the church (Acts 20)
- Reconciled all things (Colossians 1:20)
- Confirmed the new covenant (John 13)
- Made way for eternal life (Romans 6:23)
- Provided forgiveness (1 John 1:8)
- Great and precious promises
- Healing (Is 53, by his stripes)
- Accepted in beloved (Romans 8)
- Eternal equality of opportunity all people (Matthew 28:18-20)
References (re: Gathering)
Hebrews 10:25 - not neglecting to gather even more as the day approached
Acts 2: - The disciples were in the upper room, then a crowd gathered in the marketplace
Luke 13:34 - Would that you were gathered
1 John 1:7 - In the light
Hebrews 4:3 Enter in
Revelation 4, 5, 6, 7, 21, 22
Matt 6:9-13, Luke 11:2-4 - Gatherers prayer - Multi-millennial mandate (see covenant declarations below)
TOPIC: Interdependence out of inner dependence
Dependence in a word means, to rely.
This can both negatively and positively impact us; personally, relationally, and in general.
For this topic, we have 3 dependence factors to consider:
Interdependence
Codependence
Inner Dependence
INTERDEPENDENCE
All parties develop better mutual relationships through servant leadership that seeks to lead by example and inspirationally challenge one another to greater things, not just for the relationship itself but also flowing outwardly.
Do a word search on the Biblical phrases “let us” and “one another” (and other similar terms)
BENEFITS OF INTERDEPENDENCE:
Team work
Economies and dynamics of scale
Biblical equality
Diversity of culture, expression, and style of which enhance life’s substance
CODEPENDENCE
A concept that characterizes imbalanced relationships where one person enables another person’s poor mental health, addiction, immaturity, irresponsibility, or underachievement and/or undermines the other person’s relationship. This concept can also be applied on broader levels than just interpersonal relationship - eg family, community, city, state, nation.
INNER DEPENDENCE
Jesus Christ, the anointed Messiah made the statement “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you; Jesus also declared ‘’the kingdom does not come by observation, it is within,
Luke 17:21 20 Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; 21 nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”
John 7:38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”
Heb 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
Heb 10: 16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,”
John 15: 1 -4 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
John 3:1 -7 it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom as well as to enter or see the kingdom we must not if, but or maybe - indeed MUST be born again. Born of water in the natural from the waters of our mother’s womb and of the spirit, The Spirit of the Living God just as Jesus himself was born of a virgin.
Inner dependence is not necessarily based on a dependence on God - his Wonder, Worship, Word, Will, Ways, Works, or Wisdom. Many people see it as a preferential thing, indeed as a part of becoming a mature adult to be self-reliant and independent. God certainly encourages all of us to take responsibility! However, God’s design is that we take responsibility in the context of living in obedience and working together, rather than doing it on our own.
Generally speaking, when we do it without God, we tend to either aim for being “the in-crowd”, or the “I” crowd - a rather hermit-like crowd of one.
In God’s kingdom, loving, living, and enlightening all flow from within. Flowing out of a covenant commitment in which God, by His Holy Spirit dwells within filling us to overflowing with rivers of living water that enable us to enjoy an abundance of life built on an obedience-based friendship with God that grows vibrant, virtuous, vintage relational ecstasy with God and others - yes a case of interdependence out of inner dependence.
DECLARATION AND COVENANT
Throughout the scriptures, we find an important process that facilitates the connection between interdependence and interdependence. That process is the notion of declaration, which generally happens both verbally and in written form. Biblically, this process of declaration is designed to enhance covenant-based relationships, which is the essence of Biblical interdependence.
Some of the Biblical contexts in which we find such declarations are:
Creation
Salvation
Multi-millennial mandate
Marriage
Preaching
Teaching
Thanksgiving
Worship
Prophecy
Declarations are also a factor that can enhance nationhood, eg USA declaration of independence (handy link)
We at Megamorphic have created a declaration of interdependence in line with our conviction that God is calling the Church to unity with purpose in order to have a much greater impact for the Great Commission.
Megamorphic Declaration of Interdependence
A WRITTEN COMMITMENT TO CHURCH UNITY WITH PURPOSE
In Acts 15, Church leaders chose to come together, seek the Lord, and prayerfully consider an issue that was a cause of division and debate both within and without the Church. The leaders resolved to publish their response in a letter and disseminate that far and wide. Their objective was to generate unity with purpose and set a welcoming tone for the inclusion of the Gentiles in God’s plan of salvation for the nations and people from every race into the ranks of the Church.
Today there is much debate both within and without Church ranks over many issues which bring division, a thing the scriptures tell us God hates. Such debates tend to paint a somewhat adversarial picture with an accompanying angry and unfriendly tone which are contrary to the gospel being ‘good news’. This Declaration of Interdependence, in tandem with the “We Are the Stars” vision manifesto, is a template for generating unity in the Church worldwide, for the purpose of enabling the people of all nations to receive and engage in all the blessings of the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ for the glory of God.
We agree to endorse this Declaration of Interdependence as a Partner with Answers and “A.C.T.” in accordance with the following:
A: ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
• There is one true; holy, loving, living and enlightening God Father Son and Holy Spirit over all nations and one true Church made up of the born-again Bible believers from all nations. (Gen 10, Jer 10:10, Matt 16:13-20, Acts 2:4-6, Acts 10:35, Gal 3:28, Col 3:11)
• As new creation (2 Cor 5:7) Church beings we are to do everything as unto the Lord (Col 3:23) and thus be Church from our individual secret place to our home, workplace, neighborhood, Church gatherings, volunteer service locations, plus each and every other facet of life.
• God promises that where there is unity, He commands blessing. (Psalm 133:1, Acts 2:1)
• Jesus is the Head and we are His Body. In order for us to function in unity, we need healthy joints. (Col 1:18)
• Jesus’ prayer for unity was for the specific purpose of the world believing He has been sent. (John 17:21)
• Life in relationship with our Father in Heaven and His Son Jesus Christ in the loving power of His Holy Spirit is the ultimate purpose for the church. God wants this relationship to last forever and for us to have assurance of that eternal relationship. (John 3:16, John 17:1-3)
• To build and grow such relationship is to know God, and to genuinely know God is to glorify Him, as relationship with God works by hearing and obeying His voice with a servant spirit in love. (John 17:1-4; Matt 7:21-29; 1 Sam 15:22, John 15:1, 1 Cor 12:31 - 1 Cor 13, Matt 23:11)
• Jesus taught us to engage in this relationship in prayer and to say, “Our Father, come Your kingdom, be done Your will, give us, forgive us, lead and deliver us.” (Matt 6, Luke 11)
• God’s Word is primarily a book designed to grow and build relationship with God and one another. It applies to each of us as part of relational networks from families to nations to the human race as a whole. (John 1:1-7, Matt 22:37-40)
• Jesus gives the keys of His kingdom to His Church and thus kingdom and Church master-craftsmanship, ministry, and mission are an integral part of each other. (Matt 16:19)
• Central to God’s will for the Church is the call to disciple all nations and teach them all things. Getting the Bible into every language is essential to this taking place. (Matt 28:18-20)
• God has eternal purpose for the nations. The glory of the nations (Rev 21:24-26) is an important facet of that purpose.
• The way each and every nation treats the least of these Jesus’ brethren will help determine the glory of nations. (Matt 25:31-46)
• Just as Abraham was transformed from an individual into a Father of many nations (Gen. 11:25), so all of us as Church Kings and Priests (1 Pet. 2:9, Rev 1:6, 5:10) are to be transformed to play a part in fathering the nations. (Rom. 4)
• The Church is God’s house and as such is to be a house of prayer for the nations. (Is. 56:7, Matt 21:13, Mark 11:17, Eph. 2:14-22)
• The Church is the Bride (Eph. 5:25-32, Rev 19: 7, Rev. 21:9) of the Lamb Jesus Christ (1 Cor 5:7), and as such will come down from heaven as the New Jerusalem the Holy City (Rev 21:1-4) through which the river of life will flow, the tree of life will grow and provide healing for the nations ( Rev 22:1-2, 5), and in which God’s servants will reign with Him forever.
C: COMMITMENT
This is a voluntary commitment to:
• Align with the general principles of this Declaration of Interdependence.
• Enter into specific relational working arrangements with the Partners with Answers network as a whole and as clusters within that network.
• Contribute to the mutual endeavor of the network based on what we have.
T: TONE
We as Partners with Answers will apply ourselves to working together as affirmation zones, tone setters, and relational GO getters in the context of the full counsel of the Word of God from Genesis 1 to Revelation 22.
• We will focus on what God is doing, being thankful for what we do have and all God promises for us.
• We will honor God’s calling on each other’s lives and ministry, recognizing that true to his word, Jesus is doing a brilliant job building HIs Church across the earth.
• We will cover one another’s shortcomings, refraining from criticism of the Church in general and deal with differences with specific Churches, their leaders and individual believers in accordance with Biblical reconciliation processes.
• We will undertake this commitment as a relational covenant in a spirit of common cause, mutual respect and trust without fear of financial or legal consequences from other Partners with Answers subject of course to retaining the freedom to dealing with any criminal or suspected criminal actions in accordance with God’s word and any relevant legal jurisdiction.
• We will collaborate so as to avail ourselves of the dynamics and economies of scale God has built into reality.
• We will strategize. coordinated plans to connect with the unreached, translate God’s word for Bible-less people groups, and maximize the support and effectiveness of church laborers.
2. Blokes Bloques
Biblical equality
2 Cor 8
Romans 3:23 - all have sinned
John 3:16 - whosoever
Colossians 3:11, Galatians 3:28 - no male, no female
3. We too!
Composites not opposites
4. Collaborative leaders more than cultural lovers
1 Corinthians 7
Genesis 1:26-28 - dominion
Matthew 6:33 - Seek kingdom first
5. Partners with Answers: Father, Son Holy Spirit
Genesis
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 - two is better than one, threefold chord not easily broken
Ephesians 4,5,6