Friday Morning Prayer:). February 4, 2016
February 4, 2016 - 8 minutes readBIND US TOGETHER, Lord, Bind us together
With cords that cannot be broken.
Bind us together, Lord,
Bind us together,
Bind us together with love.
There is only one God,
There is only one King;
There is only one Body,
That is why we sing:[1]
Family In Christ,
I appreciate what Erickson (1985) said about the church. “…the church possesses the gospel, the good news of salvation, and that the world, which is lost and separated from Christ, can be saved or reunited with him only by hearing that gospel, believing, and being justified and regenerated.”[2] Jesus tells us through Matthew’s writing, “…I will build my church and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”[3] Paul refers to the church as the body of Christ, “…the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”[4] Moreover, “…through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms…“[5]…to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.”[6] WE belong to one body and one Spirit.[7] We honor our Lord as the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.[8]
It is very clear in reading Paul’s letters: “To the church of the Thessalonians.” “To the churches of Galatia:” And, “To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours:” The church addressed as groups of believers, even all those everywhere who have been mercifully called unto salvation and supernaturally transformed by the power of God! Erickson suggested that, “The church is not a sum or composite of the individual local groups. Instead, the whole is found in each place.”[9] He quotes K. Schmidt, “We have pointed out that the sum of the individual congregations does not produce the total community or the church. Each community, however small, represents the total community, the church.”[10]
Beloved, I took the time to elaborate about the church because we have multiple congregations, where believers gather representing the church. Non-believers are invited to join the church, join the body of Christ, through the supernatural mercy of God. The church where the gospel is preached: the cross, salvation only through the blood, regeneration, discipleship, sanctification, repentance, etc., God is manifest through His church!
In 2012 our brother Joseph Vanderbilt recognized the church represented through various congregations wasn’t really working together, no significant signs of communication among the family of God represented in Alpine. Therefore, he called many leaders from different congregations to gather and pray together. Emmanuel Christian, First Baptist, Alpine Christian Fellowship, Grace Fellowship, Calvary Chapel, Willows, Bethel Assembly, Mt. View, and a few fellowships in the surrounding areas: Chapel on the Hill, East Valley, etc., we continue to call for the church to unite and recognize our distinctions, yet genuinely, practically, lovingly, humbly, unite at the cross.
We have been praying for our local churches since mid-2012. A group of brothers representing different churches has been gathering every Friday morning to pray. If you get this email, you were included on a list inviting you to join for prayer, some as far back as 2012. Furthermore, sisters In Christ representing various fellowships have been meeting at First Baptist going on at least two years.
Through much prayer, God has been faithful! Alpine Youth Center, After school clubs, Alpine Treatment Center Outreach, Band of Brothers, 3 Guys Radio, 40 days of hope, etc., The church is communicating more than before and humbly respecting differences, distinctions, especially non-essential divergent views. We unite around the essentials! The gospel! We strongly encourage folks to get involved in their local church, where the gospel is preached, lived, and love is manifest! Moreover, we plead with servant leaders, pastors to encourage unity among believers from the pulpit, even supporting activities at different churches. We want to support men’s breakfast, women’s meetings, events to our community, youth activities, etc., The church united in Alpine! A powerful expectation!
The variety of gifted men and women, humbled In Christ is very exciting, especially as we focus on building His body to the glory of our gracious God!
Alpine Youth Center, we consider a resource for the church in our community. A venue for the lost, especially youth to hear the gospel and be referred to a local church. We always welcome your participation and church involvement. In fact, we need your involvement and partnership! We value much, your prayers, words of encouragement, volunteers, and financial support. Thank you church for loving us, supporting us, volunteering with us… it has been a blessing!
YOU are invited to our February 13, 2016 prayer event! 40 Days of Hope in conjunction with our local churches will meet to pray, join in sweet fellowship, and worship together… our holy God! Representatives from different churches will share briefly and many believers will join in prayer. If your represent a local church, even a church in the surrounding area, you are invited to participate. Give us a call, email, just take the initiative. The 13th is a Saturday morning. We plan to join at Bethel Assembly, 1929 Arnold Way. Alpine. 0830. Please pass on this exciting news! If you can’t make it, pray with us wherever the Lord has you.
Tonight! Band of Brothers! 1929 Arnold Way. Alpine. 6:00pm dinner. 7:00pm Worship/Teaching.
You are invited! Brothers from various fellowships invited to join in unity!
Friday Morning Prayer is at Grace Fellowship! 2225 West Victoria, Alpine. 0730.
You are invited! Brothers gathering to pray and encourage one another! A precious time in the presence of our gracious God! Where He leads, we follow! :).
Made for the glory of God,
Purchased by His precious Son;
Born with the right to be clean,
For Jesus the victory has won.
You are the family of God,
You are the promise divine;
You are God’s chosen desire,
You are the glorious new wine.
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”[11]
Your brother In Christ,
Randall:).
619-995-6239
[1]http://gospelyrics.blogspot.com/2007/09/bind-us-together.html
[2] Erickson, M.J., Christian Theology. 1985 (pg. 1028).
[3] Matthew 16:18
[4] Ephesians 1:22-23
[5] Ibid. 3:10
[6] Ibid. 3:21
[7] Ibid. 4:4
[8] Ibid. 5:23
[9] Erickson, M.J. 1985. (pg. 1033)
[10] Ibid.
[11] John 13:34-35
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