As I dream about being a part of a new community. I think it would be essential that from the beginning we embrace Jesus as the perfect revelation of God. I think this would be wise since Jesus sees himself this way. So we would understand that Jesus alone shows us who God is. He is the point and center
of scripture and the lens through which we listen to, read and understand
scripture. Jesus perfectly shows us the
Father and the love of the Father. I dream of a a community centered on Jesus; moving toward Jesus and following where Jesus
leads. At the heart of the way of Jesus is loving God and loving
our neighbors as ourselves. Jesus
invites us to see our neighbor in all people, and to treat all people as we
would desire to be treated.
I would love to dream with a group about a community clear that Jesus is the center from our start. If your interested in dreaming together come on over to our place tonight, October 2 @ 7PM.
Brother, would Jesus would agree with a "Jesus-only" perspective?
ReplyDeleteJesus is the perfect representation of Jesus -- God in transfigured human form. The Father is the perfect revelation of the Father -- so Holy and Powerful that mortals cannot live in His presence without intervention. As you know, the Father is the only self-defined entity that is so great that only He can provide His own definition.
Likewise the Holy Spirit -- both God and distinctly different as Counselor (and Jesus said better than having himself here). The Father, Holy Spirit and Christ are part of One...but with separate and distinct personages and self-defined roles. (I do not purport to understand this, but I do trust it.) :-)
Father as ultimate authority and embodiment of all.
Messiah as King of People and Redeemer to the Father.
The Holy Spirit as the Counselor for the Redeemer of Men.
Yeshua did say He and the Father are One. Yet, He also acknowledge that the Father sent Him (not him sending himself), that we are to pray to the Father, that it is restoration to the Father for which He came. That Apostle John's revelation pictures the Lamb as separate and distinct from the One on the Throne.
Ultimately, Jesus points the way to the Father. To Restoration. To being redeemed from that which is fallen, broken, and destroyed. It is the church -- His Body and Bride, as defined through the Apostles.
This may cast aside many of the "traditions" that we're comfortable with in Western churches. That's awesome. But Jesus-following communities are for believers...to worship, learn, obey, follow and believe.
Love. Holiness. Righteousness. Justice. Truth. Hope. Faith.
Love is indisputably the greatest of these, but as you would surely agree, it does not mean the others should be cast aside.
Nor should the Father or Apostles as revealed in Scripture be separated from the Deliverer. All weave the mosaic of a story...The Story...to be kept together as one.
My sense (prompting) to ask you to please go slowly in forming a new community. I know this may differ from your desires -- which I know are good, right and true.
Please listen well to the counsel of those around you. Worse than falling behind of where the Holy Spirit is prompting you is getting ahead of Him and what is needed.
Shalom, my friend.
Jason
Hey Jason,
DeleteThanks for your thoughts.
I think I am saying yes to what you are driving at...
I would say that God is like Christ and in God is no unchristlikeness at all - that's a paraphrase of an Anglican Bishop - Michael Ramsey?
And yeah I have no desire to outrun the Spirit - but on the other hand I am not sure that is actually possible - I don't think I am that fast. But I agree we do need to take our time and be wise and be as healthy and whole as possible. I guess I think that seeking healing and dreaming for the future are not mutually exclusive.
Grace and Peace,
John
Sounds good. Love you as always, brother!
DeleteJason