The scriptures say that wherever two or more are gathered, God will be there in our midst. One only has to become part of a house church to see that this is so true. There is just something about meeting with a group of people in someone's home that seems to bring out a special measure of God's anointing. I believe there are many factors which cause this to be true. First of all, you are in someone's home. You are relaxed and it is so much easier to lower those "walls" that we tend to put around ourselves. It seems to be easier to open up in a smaller group setting. We can be "real" with one another. If we have had a bad day, we can share that, and draw strength from one another. This too is scriptural. God tells us to "bear one another's burdens." It is healthy both physically and spiritually to get things off our shoulders. It's like therapy, only you don't have to pay a hundred dollars per hour.
A big part of our house chruch gathering takes place around the dinner table. Sharing a meal together, just seems to be conducive to great conversation, and sharing, and believe me the topics vary greatly. We can go from deep spiritual discussions, to who got voted off Survivor, in the blink of an eye. We have great converstaions.
Once we have finished our dinner, which takes the better part of an hour, (Good food and conversation can't be rushed), we usually move to the living room and spend another hour or so reading, discussing God's word, praying and sharing whatever the Lord puts on our hearts. As good as the first hour is, this hour is even more satisfying. I guess it is mainly because "God shows up." Don't misunderstand me. I know that God is always with us, wherever we are. But during this gathering, when we pray, open the scriptures, and begin sharing what the Holy Spirit is revealing to us, there is NO doubt who is directing this time together; it is God Almighty. The way things flow, and how one person can say a word which ministers to someone else just confirms that The Lord is there. It is really hard to describe, but God is definitely in the room, of that I have no doubt. It is simply awesome.
I love this time that I spend with my Church family. I would encourage anyone who is looking for a deeper walk with Christ and wants to be a part of something that will change your life, to try house church. You will not be disappointed.
chris,
You're so right in what you're saying here. You quoted something that prompted me to get a Bible up and do some reflecting. It's funny that you mention the "wherever two or more are gathered" verse from Matthew 18:20. Just today the school nurse and I were talking when this same verse casually came up in conversation. She elaborated that this was a verse that she found very encouraging. For weeks now she and I have been engaged in some manner of spiritual conversation virtually every day. This isn't really what I wanted to talk about but I just found it somewhat ironic that this is the second place I've heard this verse today in a very similar discussion. This is one of those moments where you can very clearly see God in motion and I love that.
Anyway, what your post prompted was a desire to reflect a little on the verse I think you're quoting when you say "bear one another's burdens". So I searched and ended up at Galatians 6:1-2. The heading of this scripture is, as you might have guessed, "Bear One Another's Burdens". This translation comes from the ESV, "Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."
The thing within this verse that catches me is the statement that by bearing one another's burdens we not only act as good people but we fulfill the law of Christ. How is it that we fulfill the law of Christ? What is it that Paul is referring to here in this letter to the Galatians? I believe that he was referencing what we know today as Jesus' words from John 13:34. This passage reads, "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." Jesus goes on to say in verse 35, "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
In being part of a house church community I believe we also fulfill the law of Christ because we, in part, help strengthen and encourage one another through our love for each other as a “family”. In doing this we are all mutually encouraged and mutually grow from one another. Chris is absolutely right, if you have yet to experience a house church then you should make it a point to try and get to one because I think you’ll find that it is a venue where you are given great opportunity to grow in an entirely new spiritual direction.
Posted by: chad | February 09, 2006 at 05:33 PM
I'd love to take credit for this one, Chad, but I cannot. Des Jeffers wrote this post on house church meetings.
I agree though, it is a most accurate description of what the Bible is describing for how believers grow in Christ together. I could sign my name to Des' post. But I can't take credit for it. : )
Posted by: chris | February 09, 2006 at 07:33 PM
my bad...sorry Des...I read that whole article and didn't even take careful note of what who posted it...just call me the dummy I am....GREAT POST DES!
Posted by: chad | February 10, 2006 at 05:33 PM