What is the basis of our gathering together as believers? I think most would agree that out gathering should be on the foundation of Christ and unto Him as Head of the body. But what does that mean in practical terms? The gathering together of Christians in unity seems to be one of the most difficult areas we face. There is so much division because of different doctrines and different types of ministry. We know this should not be but so often we don’t seem to able to achieve what God wants, namely that we may be one as the Father and Son are one as Jesus prayed in John 17. Today we share some ministry by Gordon Gentry on this subject. It was given in a home meeting in 1998. It is our prayer that the truth Gordon shared will be helpful in seeing our way into a greater unity and experience of God in our gathering together unto Christ as our Lord.
http://www.ntchurchsource.com/audio/
What will move us from a place of passivity into a place of passion for Christ and His purpose? Will more Bible study, meetings, ministry, and prayer do the work? These all have their place, but by themselves they will not produce what both we and God desire. What will? I think that there is only one thing that will move us and that is fervent love for Jesus. How do we get that? There are two things I see that are essential: 1) A fresh revelation of Christ’s love for us, and 2) that same love deposited in our hearts by the presence of the Holy Spirit. Both require us to deal with God for that which comes only from Him.
Today we share some encouragement from T. Austin-Sparks on the object of Christ’s travail at Calvary. In doing so, it is our prayer that God will use this to reveal afresh to all of us the passion that Christ had to secure us for God.
Link to Austin-Sparks ministry in this podcast:
http://www.austin-sparks.net/english/books/000899.html