Fresh Speaking
(Nancy's notes from Lord's Day fellowship, Mar. 14, 2010)
John S. -
I had a hard time explaining to my grandmother why it was so important for me to be here this morning. She said "don't you have a pastor?"
I've read these epistles (letters to the seven churches in Rev.) before. Philadelphia is where I wanted to be. Ephesus - lost 1st love, Pergamos - married to the world, etc., Philadelphia had a little power and did not deny the Lord's name. That's it?
Then suddenly - Laodicea! I thought maybe there needs to be another epistle, maybe a "super Philadelphia". Maybe the thought that I should be in Philadelphia puts us in Laodicea. We run toward Philadelphia and then slip right over the top of the hill into Laodicea.
It is more about the pursuit than about what state we have come to. Need to be hot, not cold. We have already covered everything. What else can I say?
Philadelphia seems simple and easy, but in our experience it is not. Not denied His name - maybe not directly, but in a way I did. Not wanting to offend others, we don't really take a stand for the truth. Little power? - One talent - I'm still trying to wash the dirt off! A little talent is needed. Just a pinky, or a little toe, or a tendon - are all needed in the Body. Everyone may only have a penny, but together we have so much. Every portion, no matter how small is nourishing to the Body.
We need a constant pursuit. We need to pray unceasingly. Our thirst is satisfied only if we stay at the fountain to drink! To keep the word of His endurance. Seems small, but I think these things are really big.
Dustin B.-
What I really liked was the matter of overcoming. I always thought; many don't get saved until they are adults, so why do I have to? Through so many situations (car accident, etc.) the Lord has kept me. He says "I come as a thief" - we never know when.
I deal with death every day because I'm a paramedic. We never know how much time we have left.
In these 7 churches, so many situations. Teachings of Balaam? I don't even know what that is. Left your first love? We all have this experience. No matter how bad the situation - you can always repent!!! As He knocks, are we going to hear Him? Do we hear His voice? We don't stop at Philadelphia. This is a life-long journey. Once we feel we have made it to Philadelphia we become Laodicea. We need to always repent and come back to Him. Always pursuing - are we going to make the right choice and run after Him?
Mike L. -
It is just like in a marriage. The secret of marriage is pursuing! After your marriage you must keep pursuing.
Dan S. -
The view in the whole Bible is that pursuit is more important than attainment. I was a bit offended last week when Mike S. said we are all one talented members. Maybe some of us have more?
This doesn't matter, what matters is are you involved in the pursuit, the process? Reaching Philadelphia causes Laodicea, and you don't even know!
Ken G.-
"Behold I stand at the door and knock"
Getting ready for work in the morning I had such a sense that the Lord was knocking - desiring fellowship. He comes to each one of us, as we get up and are getting ready. The Lord desires fellowship with us. He is drawing us. He is knocking.
Mike P.-
If we look at all the systems on earth, they are all trying to reach a certain level of something. (Nirvana) I've looked into many things.
Here in the seven churches, God the Father is pursuing something through His Son. "Who do I say My Son is?" The seven churches- seven symptoms of mankind. The Lord says, "you did not pursue Me, I came to you."
You can exhaust yourself trying to pursue something. Pursuit is a surrender!
Sue -
You have a little power, and have kept My word and not denied My name.
Not how much power we have to pursue. I always ask, "are you sure I have one talent?" The Bible says I have one talent!
You need to invest your talent. Church in Philadelphia- use your little power. Last week really touched my heart - we are all one body and members one of another.
Joanna B.-
All the churches had a chance to repent. How forgiving our God is! People are so afraid to come to God. He is so forgiving!
Patty S.-
As a parent we enjoy so much watching our children loving each other and growing up together.
I Cor. 13 - gifts are for the Body.
I Cor. 14 - pursue love.
Pursue love, with the Body and the Lord is happy.
Linda S.-
Parents and their children - good picture. You don't just have a baby and then he's 18. The joy is watching him grow up. I could never understand sending children to boarding school. Why have kids?
If we only enjoy the Lord one day a week and forget Him all week we miss what the church life is all about.
Dave B.-
Our pursuing is alot of times just hearing the Lord knocking. He was not happy - you left your first love. Became lukewarm - we know everything and don't need Him. We push Him out.
He is always trying to make us have time for Him. He is knocking. He gave us Himself - to be used. To Philadelphia the Lord praises - I have put before you an open door, because you have a little power. I want to pursue Jesus! All the members have something of Him. He praises that you have a little power - you are using what I gave you - investing what you have. That negates all the clergy laity system. Let us encourage one another to open our hearts. We always push Him out.
Bob B.-
To be a normal Christian is to have a little power, not a lot. A lot of power is not normal. You don't need "super" power. Endurance and a little strength. Not to be an overcomer by yourself. Some just give up.
We need to be concerned if the saints are going on or not. I can never be an overcomer if you all are not going on! The Lord is knocking on the door of the church, but it only takes one person to open, to invest. To be a Christian is to know the living person of Jesus Christ. You do not need ability." I am nothing apart from You, Lord. You are fresh and new and living to me every day." We need to open the door. He makes you fresh and living and this will effect the whole church. This is the normal Christian life.
How many love to exercise? Not to many. We know we should. We need to walk. We know, but we don't. Our body is not strengthened so much. A little exercise impacts the whole body - this is overcoming. This is how the church can go on and the Lord is satisfied. People can see that He is living and expressed in His Body.
Mike L.-
In every church there is the overcomer - one who has an ear to hear. My overcoming is not only myself. Every one of us has talent. What talent do I have? Even my overcoming to be a hearer, I need the saints. Talent is connected to others. My talent is a portion given to me. For me to hear the Spirit speaking to the church, I need the saints, The key to pursuing is to be connected to the saints. We are members one of another. I need you all. You need me too. Go to the web site - so much going on. So enjoyable! Such a supply!
Nancy L.-
I just want to say what Mike just said about needing all of the saints is so true. I have really enjoyed my personal time with the Lord in singing and writing songs, but all this is a result of all the fellowship and riches I have been recieving from all of you. When we stop all our outward activities, even for a short time, the Lord can do so much within us. To take this time is to use our little strength! Just coming to Him once a day - or more if we are able - our relationship with Him is strengthened and our love for Him and for the saints grows. I appreciate when a sister takes a few minutes to call me just for a short time of prayer or reading. I know how hard it is to set our lives aside - but I also know how much of a strengthening we recieve from each other. I love you all and am so happy to be here with you today!!!