“In the same way, let your light shine before others,
So that they may see your good works and
Give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Matthew 5:16
Let’s continue with Jesus’ instructions for his bride.
Sabbath Rest
Exodus 20:8-1 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord you God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
As with tithing, a case may be made that Sabbath isn’t provided for in the New Testament. Still, it doesn’t take much thinking to see the benefits and wisdom in a Sabbath rest. Once you have actually fully experienced it, you cannot imagine giving it up. Very few Christians enjoy this gift from God.
Break Bondages
John 8:36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
This goes hand in hand with sanctification and holiness, but it is worthwhile having its own category. Friends, we all have bonds, serious bonds, that have been broken yet we refuse to enjoy it. Why harbor an “innocent” sin? It only interferes with our relationship with God.
Prayer
James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
Another translation ends with “The effective prayer of a righteous person has great power.” Just try to imagine all that we miss simply because we are infants in prayer. Imagine if we became truly mature in this! Heck, God might shake buildings for us as he did with the early church! See Acts 4:31.
Lord’s Supper
1 Corinthians 11:26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Doesn’t this seem like it should be done often? As it is, we either do it only occasionally so as not to make it routine or we lose its meaning through repetition. What a shame. The Lord’s Supper is a precious gift.
Love One Another
John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
Listen, there isn’t a soul on this planet that doesn’t love someone, in some way. We won’t be noticeable with love like that. Jesus is talking about supernatural, sacrificial, servant-leadership type of love. This love is a choice, an action, and a covenantal commitment. Of course, there are feelings involved, but our feelings come and go. We get the type of love Jesus is talking about by diving deep into Him, along side others who are also diving deep. Real deep.
So, folks, there you have it. I’ll summarize this tomorrow. Next week, let’s look at some action steps of a small, home church.
Father, keep it coming!
Copyright © 2019 Scott Powers