The TLC—tender love and care—of koinonia is God being through us. In the TLC of koinonia we thrive in rich interpersonal relationships, mutuality and interdependence. We love one another in word and deed, encourage one another, teach and admonish one another, give and receive edification, exhortation and comfort, sharing our lives and resources with one another. … [Read more…]
Our working together in one another ministry worthy of the calling is God’s doing. In Ephesians 1 thru 3, Paul shows God’s doing—the blessings God blessed us with in Messiah Jesus. Now, in view of God’s doing, Paul shows us our doing is God’s being thru us in Ephesians 4 thru 6. He begins by … [Read more…]
November 1, 2017 | By: Sam Storms I was recently asked by a member at Bridgeway if I believe in what is called “replacement” theology. Although this is a massively complex subject, I tried to provide a brief answer. Here it is. All biblical interpreters recognize that there is development between the Old Testament and … [Read more…]
10 Marks of a Healthy Church. Combining elements of both the institutional and the charismatic perspectives, such a model of renewal assumes the fact and the value of some form of the institutional church as well as the need for repeated renewal through more or less distinct renewal movements. The problem is to conceive of … [Read more…]
Paul tells the Ephesians and us how to prepare to inherit the Kingdom of Messiah and God. We do that by walking in love in the kingdom of God that is through the Holy Spirit (Ro 14:17-18). 1 Be therefore imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 Walk in love, even as Messiah also loved us … [Read more…]
One Church of the City – The Dwelling of God. “Do you not discern and understand that you (the whole church at Corinth) are God’s temple …?” 1 Corinthians 3:16 AMP God’s purpose has always been to dwell with men. From the beginning of time to its culmination – from Eden to the New Jerusalem … [Read more…]
“…we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ. Eph 4:15 NASB Paul’s exhortation is a call to action in our shared lives in the body of Christ. Our walk is relational. Paul begins with how to walk in one another relationships, then shows the relational oneness God … [Read more…]
Congregation occurs city wide, in a church building and in our homes. Paul wrote an inspired letter to Philemon that describes those aspects of congregation. In addition, in our spiritual congregation w are seated in Christ in heavenly places. The heavenly Jerusalem is where Messiah is, seated at the right hand of God. It is … [Read more…]
May our God make you worthy of the calling calling and may fulfill all the good pleasure of goodness, and the work of the faith in power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ. … [Read more…]
Christ reigns, he leads us to respond to His reign by the Spirit. We are God’s kingdom people. God helps us by the Spirit to love, know and see Messiah as King of the kingdom of the Son (Col 1:9-14). For, we have been born of the Spirit (Jn 3;3; Jn 3:5-8); Gal 4:6). He … [Read more…]