Comments from Robert
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
As we begin this New Year, I would like to resume the Elder Blog not only as an informational resource but a spiritual resource.
As a spiritual resource, I would like to begin by using a passage from the fourth chapter of the Gospel of John.
Jesus Talks With a Samaritan Woman
“Sir," the woman said, "I can see that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem."
Jesus declared, "Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.”
In this chapter, we see a dialogue with a woman at Jacob’s well. This Gospel is so rich in symbolism it is difficult to explore its significance briefly.
In the adult class, Reading The Bible As A Dialogue With God, we explored the importance of reading the text in context and understanding its structure. John chapter 4:1-43 is a very good example of how understanding the structure can highlight the message. The structure, which I will explain in more detail in following blogs, point out that “the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth”. This clearly states that worship, true worship, is not to be found in one place, neither in Jerusalem, the Jewish holy place, nor on Mount Gerizim, the Samaritan holy place.
An important element in the vision of Christ Church is the statement to multiply in order to bring The Hope of the world, Jesus, to more lost and hurting people. We will fulfill this vision as we continue to have start up ministries in various locations. In order to accomplish this we need people who are members of Christ Church who are called and gifted by God and affirmed by the church to begin to see how their calling can assist in the accomplishment of our vision.
Christ Church will offer leadership training to identify and support those God has, and is calling to these roles.
Christ Church, with the help of God, will always be a safe, comforting, loving place where people can come and be nurtured and grow in their faith. Yet, as in John 4 it is not the only place where Christ Church will worship in Spirit and Truth.
I look forward to sharing some of the interpretive keys in the Gospel of John and how a deeper understanding of this Gospel can be transformative.
Love in His name,
Robert
As we begin this New Year, I would like to resume the Elder Blog not only as an informational resource but a spiritual resource.
As a spiritual resource, I would like to begin by using a passage from the fourth chapter of the Gospel of John.
Jesus Talks With a Samaritan Woman
“Sir," the woman said, "I can see that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem."
Jesus declared, "Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.”
In this chapter, we see a dialogue with a woman at Jacob’s well. This Gospel is so rich in symbolism it is difficult to explore its significance briefly.
In the adult class, Reading The Bible As A Dialogue With God, we explored the importance of reading the text in context and understanding its structure. John chapter 4:1-43 is a very good example of how understanding the structure can highlight the message. The structure, which I will explain in more detail in following blogs, point out that “the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth”. This clearly states that worship, true worship, is not to be found in one place, neither in Jerusalem, the Jewish holy place, nor on Mount Gerizim, the Samaritan holy place.
An important element in the vision of Christ Church is the statement to multiply in order to bring The Hope of the world, Jesus, to more lost and hurting people. We will fulfill this vision as we continue to have start up ministries in various locations. In order to accomplish this we need people who are members of Christ Church who are called and gifted by God and affirmed by the church to begin to see how their calling can assist in the accomplishment of our vision.
Christ Church will offer leadership training to identify and support those God has, and is calling to these roles.
Christ Church, with the help of God, will always be a safe, comforting, loving place where people can come and be nurtured and grow in their faith. Yet, as in John 4 it is not the only place where Christ Church will worship in Spirit and Truth.
I look forward to sharing some of the interpretive keys in the Gospel of John and how a deeper understanding of this Gospel can be transformative.
Love in His name,
Robert
posted by Pat | 10:25 PM
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