I started entering these posts for my own benefit so I could have a record of how our life in community progressed. Having been doing that for as much time as I have, I'm beginning to regret the constant repetition. But, here I go again:
TODAY WAS AWESOME!
I actually, for the first time, jotted down impressions as the meeting progressed to aid in the journal.
This was another time in the Sunday gathering in which truth in the lyrics of a song we sang took control of the meeting. It was the gospel song ARE YOU WASHED IN THE BLOOD that took over. And, I was the person who raised the question that launched the reflection on the meaning of Christ's sacrifice so I have no notes on that and I don't remember exactly what I said.
It had to do with whether we should be taking off our dirty garments and washing them or washing ourselves. Both seem to be suggested by the song.
What developed was a discussion of the life a disciple must lead and how s/he deals with the reality of sin in his/her life with mention of Colossians 3:10f, 1 John 1:9-10, James 5:16? and Romans 7:14f.
As all that was taking place, we entered into a time in which we were confessing our sins to each other. There is nothing that aids genuine fellowship in the Spirit more powerfully than confession of sin in which everyone confesses freely. (When was the last time your church did that?)
This group has gotten to the point that it does this easily and well. The time in which we did it today probably lasted close to half an hour and I don't recall how it began but I think I might have confessed first. Quite a wide array of sins were confessed.
While we do this regularly, we always do it spontaneously. There is never a moment when a leader announces, CONFESSION OF SIN TIME. We probably wouldn't do it under those circumstances. As is the case with so much we do, this must flow from the leading of the Spirit.
Unlike last gathering, we threw the usual pattern completely out the window. Word and song time blended seamlessly.
Movement to the taking of the bread and cup seemed perfectly natural and the meal was a time of sweet fellowship.
One final note: We did spend our time talking about the blood of Christ, yet no one referenced Holy Week, Good Friday or Easter or any other nonbiblical practice or tradition. No one seems to think that skipping the gathering next week, the unmentioned EASTER SUNDAY, is extraordinary. It's just time for us to take a week off.
Truly, truly awesome.
Incidentally, we don't keep a record of attendance. No one in the New Testament ever did.
ReplyDeleteBut, yesterday, the number of gatherers was lower than usual. Two of us were dealing with issues that took them into other states. One was ill and one was dealing with something that required him to be with his elderly mother. And, one kid couldn't wake up. Yeah, apparently that even happens in house gatherings.
When you live in community this intimately you care and need to know what everyone is doing and where everyone is.
The gathering yesterday was powerful and the Spirit was present. But, there was also an emptiness about it.