A word of encouragement and exhortation to my brothers and sisters in the Lord – - delivered at our Denver network monthly gathering - 11/2009

I would like to encourage and exhort my wonderful brothers and sisters in the Lord to continue to listen and obey our Lord Jesus. Listen and obey and make listening and obeying our primary calling, primary purpose, and primary activity in our spiritual walks and in our ministerial efforts in Him.

            I would like to remind us that this Denver Network Group is here today because a handful of brothers were sensitive to the drawing of the Holy Spirit. Since the beginning we have made “only doing what we hear the Father telling us to do” the underlying priority and way of operating in this group. Our monthly meetings, our larger gatherings, and our interactions with one another throughout the month, especially in the last year, have been outgrowths of simply staying in tune with Him and obeying. Our website, our prayers for 100 new house churches, and our most recent discussions around multiplying into more intimate Denver network meetings, have all been because we’re working at allowing Him to guide us, step by step.

            Let us never forget the picture of healthy churches and church leaders preserved for us so beautifully in the writings of the first century church. Rightly has it been said that the book of the Acts of the Apostles should have more accurately been titled, “The Acts of the Holy Spirit”, for the history of the first generation Christian body is a poignant drama of followers of Jesus listening to and obeying the Spirit of Christ. In Acts 2 and 3, Peter, freshly filled with the Holy Spirit, preached the first gospel message to those at Jerusalem and healed the lame man at the gate of the temple. In chapter 8, the Lord told Philip to travel down a certain road so that Philip would run into an Etheopian ruler on his way back to his homeland and preach Jesus to him. In chapter 9, Jesus revealed himself to Saul of Tarsus, and then spoke to Ananias elsewhere as he was praying and listening, to visit this man and lay hands on him and baptize him. In chapter 10, Peter is listening to Jesus when he heard the lord tell him to go and preach to the first gentile believers. Later in the book, when many teachers and prophets had come together to fast and pray and wait on the Lord, the Holy Spirit said to them, “Release Barnabas and Saul to me for the work I have called them to.” The Spirit was always moving, and the churches and the elders were constantly praying and waiting on the Lord. Let us not forget that Jesus said of those who would follow Him, “My sheep hear my voice and follow me, and I lead them in and out.” Time does not permit me to tell of Noah who listened to God and heard about the flood… of Abraham who listened to the Lord and was told to leave his fathers home and travel to a land the Lord would show him. Of Israel and Moses and Joshua, who all heard God’s voice and obeyed it to the letter. Of Samuel and David – of Daniel and Nehemiah. Let us not forget that the book of Revelation was written when John was in tune to the Spirit one morning, simply listening to Jesus.

             Let us not forget why it is of utmost importance that we, in turn, make listening to the Lord and simply obeying, our highest priority and purpose: because Christ is the head of the church – the King, the President, the Alpha Male. He is the head, the brain – and we are simply the hands and feet. He promised that He would build His church, not us. He has so much needing doing and knows exactly where, when, and how He is going to accomplish it… but He often lacks those willing, trusting, and patient enough to listen to what the Spirit is saying to do, and then do it, without question or reserve.

            Listen and obey. My sheep hear my voice. As we go, let us remember that God does not just speak when we are listening quietly with a journal in front of us (although I highly recommend learning the 4 keys to listening prayer and practicing it daily – this practice has been fundamental for me in learning how to hear God’s voice) – but let us remember that God speaks in many ways and at different times. He speaks through books, through dreams and visions, speaks to us through one another… but at least one key is consistent when it comes to God speaking: He speaks to the inner man – to the deepest part of us – to the intuition, where we’re not sure how, but we just somehow know it was Him. We understand God’s will with the mind, and execute God’s will with our effort, but we hear(discern) His will in that still, small place in our spirits. Are we listening closely enough to hear Him?

            Let us listen to him daily and personally. Let us listen to Him in pairs. Let us listen to Him as church families. Let us listen to Him as fellow elders in a certain area of town. Let us listen and obey, because it is to this simple task that we are called. We can save ourselves months of heartache, years of frustration, and decades of misdirection if we will only stop and wait to discern His will and gain His marching orders before we set out on the next steps of the journey. He will make His will known if we will only seek and wait on Him. Oh, and one more thing: it is our divine duty and highest calling to not only listen, but obey – wholeheartedly, with all our might, with all our understanding, and with all our efforts and resources, being doers of the word and not hearers only. When He asks us to do a certain thing, let us not do it halfheartedly, or drag our feet on it, but let us employ every gift and resource at our disposal to get it done, and do it well, as good and trustworthy stewards.

            Has God spoken to you something? Has He given you some direction, or some vision? Has he asked you to do something? If He has, then I charge you to act on it. This is not an option, for He will not speak to us something new if we have not yet acted on what He told us to do last. Not sure if it was Him who spoke? Then spend time praying about it to discern if indeed it was Him or not. Once His will is known, we must execute it with all we have.

-by Sean h

Didn’t get to make it to our last Colorado House Church Worship Nite & Teaching sessions event? Well listen in as we look back at a truly edifying and encouraging day. We arrived at the community center in Globeville on an overcast Saturday afternoon...

 It was a tall, aged brick church building in the middle of a fairly low-income neighborhood just southwest of I-70 and Washington street. A crew from Ancient Paths house church network (who hosted the event) had been there since 10am cleaning and setting up the downstairs area for the teaching sessions and the upstairs area for the worship nite.

A group of 60 or 70 excited adults (plus children) had gathered there for the split teaching sessions. The entire group joined together in prayer there in the wide basement of the old building to kick off the afternoon. The children went into the side nursery area for childcare at this point. Then Michael McGrath, holding a lantern and dressed like a crazy man from a centuries=old Europe, performed a five minute skit from Nietzsche’s “Parable of the Madman”. His voice echoed among those gathered there as he passionately acted out his opening scene. Everyone applauded and was grateful for Michael’s passionate opening skit.

From there we separated into three circles of chairs in different corners of the room for the first round of split teaching sessions. The first three were “Effective Parenting”, “Listening to Jesus”, and “Experiencing the Felt Presence of God”, each led by volunteer teachers from house churches all around the Denver area. The sessions went very smoothly and were each well-attended. Then we took a 5-minute break and started the second round of sessions. These were “Teaching the Hebrew Way”, “Church As A Family”, and a special session for the children. Again, the sessions went smoothly, and the children had a blast during their time together with Brittani who volunteered to teach and work with them. At the end of the second round of sessions (which went long because the teaching and discussions were so lively), the group came back together and a couple of announcements were made – one regarding “School on the Way” and the upcoming college-level class offerings from Jan & Tina Cowles, and another regarding the October experiment with “Churches of Two” from John White. We again prayed together and gave thanks to God for the wonderful afternoon, and then dismissed for dinner break. Even during break, folks were hanging out and enjoying one another – some with food from home, others with fast food takeout.

At seven, we met upstairs for the worship nite. The crowd had changed – some from the afternoon sessions had left for the day, and others who hadn’t come for the afternoon arrived for the evening. The intimate sanctuary of the old church had been decorated with Ceiling hangings, candles, and even a small makeshift cross from one of our artists at the front. Acoustic guitar in hand, Shannon Rants led the evening worship time. She was accompanied by other volunteers playing an electric guitar, electric bass, drums, an African Djimbe (bongo), keyboard, and even an electric violin. Songs were sung and the evening of singing, worship and sharing began. The music soared and people clapped hands, lifted hands, swayed, prayed, cried, danced, and the like. The Holy Spirit definitely was moving in our midst.

Halfway through the time of singing, Shannon opened the floor to anyone to share with the whole body of worshippers what they were hearing from the Lord. Slowly but surely a number of different folks present took their turn at sharing what they were feeling and hearing from Him. What a wonderful time of edification and worship! God spoke to us in beautiful ways before the night was done.

Throughout the event, we had a donations box set out to help pitch in on the costs of the venue, the childcare, and the materials and supplies that went into it. 175$ was donated, and was just enough to cover everything! Thanks to everyone who gave for the cause – this was another confirmation that the Lord was with us, and provided perfectly for the needs of this important event.

Throughout the day, a handful of individuals mentioned that they so enjoyed the two parts of the event that they asked when we were going to do it again! What a joy to see such a successful gathering of organic church families at such a crucial time in how God is moving along the front range. All glory to Him for his grace and peace that He continually pours out upon us and our efforts as we seek to follow Him in every great and every small thing.

It is important to note that this event was not initiated, planned and run by one individual or church group – but by a growing network of leaders and church families from many different backgrounds who have been connecting together on a monthly basis all around the city. A handful of different individuals from different church families felt the Lord’s direction on this, and together worked hard to follow that leading and make this event happen. What a joy to be a part of a body made up of such a diverse group of believers, all supporting one another in the different purposes and focuses that the Father Has called each of us to.

If you are a house church leader along the front range, and would like to connect with other leaders in the area, or if you or your church family would like to help with organizing or volunteering for corporate events like this in the future, take a moment to shoot us an email at info@coloradohousechurch.com.

In His name and for His glory!

Below are some thumbnail photos from the event – for larger pics, click HERE for the full slideshow on facebook.

*Click here For Full Version!  – and to read about the need for donations for Nepalese refugees***

There is a group of about 40 Nepalese individuals and families who have recently come to Denver from Nepal, and are in need of winter clothing. Coats, hats, gloves, even boots, male & female, all sizes and ages (especially for thinner & shorter individuals). A neighboring church family in Centennial has been ministering to them and has asked for help with this need. If you, your church family or network can pitch in, please bring your donations Sunday!

Like the swinging of a pendulum, it is my observation that those gifts which have been overemphasized in the institutional church have been under emphasized in simple church. Because these gifts have been expressed in the institutional church as the participation of the few with a room full of passive participants, I believe it is difficult for us to imagine them any other way. So when we create gatherings that emphasize participation, we have sidelined these gifts not because of biblical guidance, but perhaps more a lack of imagination.

The two types of gifted people I’ve seen that struggle most in simple church are those passionate about teaching and those who love to lead music. For me it’s very personal. My close friend left simple church to become a pastor, I think in part so he could use his gift of teaching again. My wife worships through music in a powerful way, and like many I’ve talked to miss the experience of a gathering of many souls lifted in song.

In discussions recently in our church, we’ve also seen some interesting anecdotal evidence. Those who grew up “in the church” do not miss the sermons in institutional church, as it became a stale monologue that cultivated spiritual passivity. Those who did not grow up “in the church” miss sermons greatly, as they long to understand the great stories of the Bible, the context of books of the bible, and teachings that challenge them spiritually.

Hear are the questions I have formulated, and I would love to hear your input

• How do we see the gift of teaching exercised in the NT? How about music, what role does it play in gatherings?
• How does your church provide opportunities for these to be expressed?
• Using biblical guidelines and simple church philosophy, what are creative ideas on how we can allow our gifted teachers and musicians to bless the greater church body in Denver?

For those who want to dig deeper, here is some of the research I’ve done in scripture so far

Teaching

Scripture does not place teaching as the primary purpose of our gatherings, but it certainly is part of church life. From scripture, what is the role of teaching in church gatherings?

• Ephesians 4 tells us what all the gifts were intended for: ” ¹¹It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, ¹²to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up ¹³until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”
• In Acts 13, Barnabas, Saul and others were called prophets and teachers. What if any difference is there? “  ¹In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. ²While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” ³So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.”
• 2 Timothy 4: ” ¹In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: ²Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. ³For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. ⁴They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. ⁵But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.”
• We can also see how seriously the apostles took this gift of teaching. 2 Peter 2 is a seething condemnation from the heart of a protective spiritual daddy: “¹But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. ²Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. ³In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.”

Music

Worshiping God through singing is a central thread through all of scripture. In fact, there is an entire book of songs, Psalms, which contains some of the most heartbreaking laments and soaring cries of joy in all of scripture. What are some examples of song at the center of our community experiences.

• 1 Chronicles 13 contains record of a cacophony of worship. It seems in simple churches, unless you play acoustic guitar you are out of opportunities to make music with God’s people: ” ⁷ They moved the ark of God from Abinadab’s house on a new cart, with Uzzah and Ahio guiding it. ⁸ David and all the Israelites were celebrating with all their might before God, with songs and with harps, lyres, tambourines, cymbals and trumpets.”
• Psalm 47 contains one of countless calls to worship for God’s people: ” ⁶ Sing praises to God, sing praises;
  sing praises to our King, sing praises.”
• In a chapter that calls us to live as children of the light, Paul encourages us in Ephesians 5: “¹⁵Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. ¹⁷Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. ¹⁸Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. ¹⁹Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, ²⁰always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
• Colossians 3 continues in a similar vein: ” ¹⁵Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. ¹⁶Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. ¹⁷And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

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