Not forsaking the gathering together
Recent " Dear Network" messages.
Why this network
#103.2
See message
Big Sandy, COR and FEMA #103
"fractal hierarchy" ??? #103-1
More and more people are joining the network and we welcome them.
Yet the purpose of the network is a kingdom goal.
Its purpose is to follow the way given to the early Church by Jesus and his appointed disciples.
That network is not alive until people began to connect in real ways ultimately forming a living network completely independent from the internet.
That has begun by the forming of Congregations of Record [COR].
Because of the distance between many of the members of a network some are hesitant to form these congregations.
While there is internet, telephone and transportation available there should be no hesitation to form such congregations even at a distance. Even if you cannot meet regularly or in some cases have not met at all this should not detain you from forming a congregation of record.
Why?
Because the purpose of Christ was to serve. He came to serve, not just the apostles who could serve him but to serve souls all over the world. If His nature is our nature then we enter a congregation for the purpose of serving others not just our congregation. The natural flow of things is to use remote membership in a congregation to work together and find more people in each area who might be willing to gather together according to the Spirit of Christ, to love one another in real ways that is of service to each other.
Many have come to the network to form local congregations for themselves and have become isolated because their chosen ministers are more interested in "his" personal congregation than His (Jesus') congregations and the gospel of the kingdom. Those isolated congregations are void of Christ's spirit as long as they do not see the natural need of gathering with other congregations.
They are self serving and that will not no. They need to repent.
It is not about the care we could give one another it is about casting our bread upon the waters with nothing but a distant hope that it might come back to us.
While salvation is an individual thing it requires that we love those near and far. So form your congregation for the purpose of finding the lost sheep who have not yet heard the whole gospel for the purpose of growing other congregations in other areas with as much zeal as you would like to see your local congregation grow. That act of unselfishness will bring the blessings of Christ.
2 Timothy 3:1
"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves,..."They will want to form a congregation close to them that can help them and provide for them more than they will want to form congregations far away where it may not be able to help them.
We will confront this truth in us and with that realization we may repent and be drawn closer to Christ and his Holy Spirit will find a place in our repentant hearts.
Yes it goes on to say they will be "covetous, boasters, proud," Certainly we see that in the world but are we void of that pride ourselves. Do we covet a congregation nearby because we see they could be of value to us? Christ did not come that he might be saved but that all might be saved.
The record or testimony of a congregation is to provide the information about one another so as to be a tool of service. Is your congregation willing to seek the ways of pure religion and the Corban of Christ?
It also says "blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection,"
The word in the Greek we see translated disobedient is a negative term for not being responsive to or persuaded by. We are told to honor our Father and Mother and the word honor means to make heavy, to fatten and has to do with caring for them and being persuaded to provide for them ourselves.
Do we love our neighbor's parents as much as our own? Are we coming together in Christ's love or do we take His name in vain? Can we have that love for one another called for by Christ and not begin the process of coming together in living congregations that bear the witness of His way? If we leave that assignment by God to benefactors who exercise authorty and bring people into the bondage of Egypt where what should have been for their welfare has become a snare then our faith in Christ is false because we are not bearing the fruit of repentance.
Certainly we are not "trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent". But which is easier, to form a congregation where you gather and eat and share hopes with hugs and handshakes or work diligently for the sake of people you may have never met. Can you stay on a path for the kingdom without personal reward or little hope of return or any immediate personal gratification. The long range congregation is great training ground to develop the self governing diligence and perseverance that will be required in the days ahead.
Could we be "fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;" Well I hope not but we must walk this path for the Father and not seeking the appreciation or blessings of others. This will give us the strength to deliver the harsh message of the gospel of repentance so that we may all come to salvation.
We are not to comfort one another in our sloth but challenge one another.
Proverbs 9:8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
Proverbs 27:5 Open rebuke is better than secret love.
Revelation 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
So do not be afraid to reach out and began to believe in the gospel of the kingdom. Begin to act as if God will build it if you will reach out your hands in actions of love and generosity for those near or far that they might be saved.
Find and JOIN your Local Living Network
The American States and Canada
http://www.hisholychurch.org/network/localnet.php
Find a local group World Map Locator:
Find a local Living Network Group around the world
http://www.hisholychurch.org/network/maplocator.php
Gregory
Pure Religion
What is it and who does it?
http://www.hisholychurch.org/news/articles/religion.php
Was there something unique about the early Christians which Modern Christians have forgotten?
Find out for yourself.
Read:
Are Christians Idiots
http://www.hisholychurch.org/sermon/idiots.php
Find and JOIN your Local Living Network
The American States and Canada
http://www.hisholychurch.org/network/localnet.php
Footnotes:
Audio file answering the question "Are Christians Idiotes" from Blog Talk Radio
http://hisholychurch.net/audio/2011btr-christianidiots2241435.mp3
Introduction audio to HHC
http://www.hisholychurch.org/media/audio/rm/intro.ram
The Living Network Links
You cannot love your neighbor in truth if you do not know who he is.
Join the Living Network and become a part of the solution
http://www.hisholychurch.org/network/localnet.php
Living Network Index page:
http://www.hisholychurch.org/network/index.php
Find and Join theLocal Network
The American States and Canada
http://www.hisholychurch.org/network/localnet.php
Find a local group World Map Locator:
Find a local Living Network Group around the world
http://www.hisholychurch.org/network/maplocator.php
What is a Personal Contact Minister
What do they do?
http://www.hisholychurch.org/network/contactministers.php
How do I elect a Personal Contact Minister
Contact Minister Election Form
http://www.hisholychurch.org/network/contactform.php
Who are the Personal Contact Ministers
Some of the Local Contact Ministers
http://www.hisholychurch.org/network/localcontact.php
Mapping the Network
A project of the chosen Contact Ministers
http://www.hisholychurch.org/network/networkmap.php
Guidelines and Purpose
The Living Network groups.
http://www.hisholychurch.org/network/purpose.php
Dear Network Messages
Some messages to the Living Network groups.
http://www.hisholychurch.org/network/dearnetwork.php
The Real Network
http://www.hisholychurch.org/network/networkreal.php
Church Records
