A few weeks ago I attended a ribbon cutting ceremony for a local business that was moving to a new location. While I was at this meeting I spoke to one of our state elected officials. We were discussing some future economic development projects on the horizon in Hopewell. She asked me to call her at the point than I felt she could be involved and assist with moving things forward. She said something to the affect of “I may not have the power to do everything needed, but at the minimum I have the power to convene and bring people together”. I thanked her and walked away thinking about this statement for the rest of the day and even yesterday. This elected official was so wise to recognize their power to convene, to bring people together. I looked the definition of this term:
To "convene" means to assemble or gather together, especially for a formal meeting or assembly. Having the power to convene implies the authority to summon or call together a group of people for a specific purpose, often in a formal or organized setting.
I realize this elected official I was speaking to was not the first person to use this term to describe their power to bring people together. I understand now it is a common term used by people of influence. But when they made this statement to me on a few weeks ago, the Holy Spirit used it to open my heart and mind to understand further the Biblical principle of God’s people coming together with power.
Jesus makes a statement in Matthew 16:18 of similar power and importance to describe the New Testament Church.
Matthew 16:13-18
13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
*** Here in verse 18 when Jesus says he is going to “build my church” he is using the Greek word: ek-klay-see'-ah; from a compound of G1537 and a derivative of G2564; a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both):—assembly, church.
***The first point of the message today is: Jesus Christ is calling us together out of our homes, jobs, schools, routines to be his “Church”, His “Body”.
This word for Body is “Soma”
is used of a (large or small) number of men closely united into one society, or family as it were; a social, ethical, mystical body.
For as the body G4983 is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, G4983 being many, are one body: G4983 so also is Christ.
Tools
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, G4983 whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
So if God is calling us to be this Body or “Soma”, These united believers; I ask for what purpose? If salvation is individual and Not collective then why is God calling us out from our individual lives into a Body or “Soma”??
is used of a (large or small) number of men closely united into one society, or family as it were; a social, ethical, mystical body.
***Let’s look the full context of 1 Corinthians 12
1 Corinthians 12
1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
***Paul opens this part of his letter with the topic of the gifts of the Spirit.
2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
***2nd point of the Message today: Spiritual Gifts of the Holy Ghost will always glorify Jesus and confirm his Lordship in your life.
***Do not miss this next scripture because what Paul is saying here in 1 Corinthians 12:3 is the beginning test and not the completed confirmation. Jesus took it a step further in Matthew 7.
Matthew 7:21-23
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
***When we apply both the words of Paul in Corin. 12:3 and Jesus words in Matt 7:22 we can see a full picture of someone in relationship with Jesus, filled with the spirit and exercising the gifts of the spirit to do the will of the father.
**So now we ask the question? What is the will of the father?
John 4:23
23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
John 6:37-40
37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
*** Here are some more scriptures concerning the will of God.
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will G2307 of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Hebrews 13:20-21
20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
***The first point of the message today is: Jesus Christ is calling us together out of our homes, jobs, schools, routines to be his “Church”, His “Body”.
***2nd point of the Message today: Spiritual Gifts of the Holy Ghost will always glorify Jesus and confirm his Lordship in your life.
Point #3 of the Message today: The true gifts of the spirit will advance the will of the Father God through the life of the believer.
*** Now back to:1 Corinthians 12:4
4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
***Side note (the initial evidence of the infilling of the Holy Spirit)
8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
**Point #4 of the message today: God is the giver of the spiritual gifts based on his will.
***Now it is in this context that Paul begins to dive into the discussion of the “Soma” or body of Christ.
12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
14 For the body is not one member, but many.
15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?
20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.
21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.
25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
***Point #5 of the Message today. Do not despise the part of the Body that God has called you and placed you no matter how insignificant you believe it to be.
**Returning to our theme, “The power to convene” I want to talk about Unity and contrast that with being “Like Minded”
God desires and celebrates unity in his body. Listen to the Psalmist in Psalms 133
Psalm 133:1-2
King James Version
1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;
God desires and celebrates unity in the body of Christ because it is difficult to achieve.
In the King James Version of the Bible, the word "unity" only appears three times. These instances are found in Psalms 133:1, Ephesians 4:3, and Ephesians 4:13.
Ephesians 4
1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
***As I began to dig in deeper to the scriptures regarding Unity I was shocked to see how little this word is used in the bible. God knows us because he created us. God made us amazingly intelligent and with the ability to question, to think independently, to rebel against authority. God created us with free will and free choice. So this concept of all believers being in unity all the time does not appear to be an expectation or requirement from the scriptures for God’s people. What we see instead is another term used very frequently in the bible to describe believers coming together in the (church, or ek-klay-see'-ah) that is to be in “Fellowship” or to be “Likeminded” “one mind”, “one accord”
- with one mind, with one accord, with one passion
A unique Greek word, used 10 of its 12 New Testament occurrences in the Book of Acts, helps us understand the uniqueness of the Christian community. Homothumadon is a compound of two words meaning to "rush along" and "in unison". The image is almost musical; a number of notes are sounded which, while different, harmonize in pitch and tone. As the instruments of a great concert under the direction of a concert master, so the Holy Spirit blends together the lives of members of Christ's church.
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord G3661 in one place.
That ye may with one mind G3661 and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, G5426 having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. G5426
Finally, be ye all of one mind, G3675 having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
*** The 6th and Closing point I want to make to you this morning: We can work together for the Kingdom of God with likeminded purpose even if we are not fully in unity.
In closing I want you to see this in practice:
You all remember the story of Nehemiah
It only took them 52 days to rebuild the walls
- Nehemiah's Motivation:
Nehemiah, a cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes, is deeply saddened to learn of Jerusalem's desolate state and its broken walls. He prays to God for guidance and favor to address the situation.
- Rebuilding the Walls:
Nehemiah receives permission from King Artaxerxes to travel to Jerusalem and oversee the rebuilding of the walls. Despite opposition from enemies like Sanballat and Tobiah, Nehemiah inspires the people to work diligently, and the wall is completed in a remarkably short time.
Nehemiah 4:6
6 So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.
Nehemiah 4:15-23
15 And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, and God had brought their counsel to nought, that we returned all of us to the wall, every one unto his work.
16 And it came to pass from that time forth, that the half of my servants wrought in the work, and the other half of them held both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the habergeons; and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah.
17 They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon.
18 For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me.
19 And I said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, The work is great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another.
20 In what place therefore ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us: our God shall fight for us.
21 So we laboured in the work: and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared.
22 Likewise at the same time said I unto the people, Let every one with his servant lodge within Jerusalem, that in the night they may be a guard to us, and labour on the day.
23 So neither I, nor my brethren, nor my servants, nor the men of the guard which followed me, none of us put off our clothes, saving that every one put them off for washing.
Hebrews 10:23-25
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
***The first point of the message today is: Jesus Christ is calling us together out of our homes, jobs, schools, routines to be his “Church”, His “Body”.
***2nd point of the Message today: Spiritual Gifts of the Holy Ghost will always glorify Jesus and confirm his Lordship in your life.
Point #3 of the Message today: The true gifts of the spirit will advance the will of the Father God through the life of the believer.
**Point #4 of the message today: God is the giver of the spiritual gifts based on his will.
***Point #5 of the Message today. Do not despise the part of the Body that God has called you and placed you no matter how insignificant you believe it to be.
*** The 6th and Closing point I want to make to you this morning: We can work together for the Kingdom of God with likeminded purpose even if we are not fully in unity.
