HEAVEN TO EARTH CONNECTION-5

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We are moving through 5 movements that demonstrate what God sees as most important for us in relation to Him.

First--GOD WANTS TO WALK WITH MAN. Second--GOD WANTS TO DWELL AMONG US. Third--GOD HAS DEMONSTRATED HIS PHYSICAL, VISIBLE PRESENCE TO RELATE TO US. And the ultimate visible, presence of God is in Jesus! All the fullness of God dwells in Him! Fourth--GOD SENT HIS SPIRIT TO INDWELL BELIEVERS AS AN ALTAR, A TABERNACLE OR TEMPLE.

And now today, we come to the fifth movement. Fifth--GOD WANTS TO WALK WITH YOU--TO SHOW UP AMONG US.

It's all about being the church! God indwells you--His presence on earth is in you who are followers of Jesus. And, when you come together with other followers of Jesus, you are assembling (or churching) in His name. So every time you gather together in His name you are practicing being the church of Jesus. This doesn't mean at all that followers of Jesus are not to attend local churches. There is so much value within the organized church.

- Children's ministries - Youth ministries - Bible study series - Corporate worship together - Challenging messages from gifted teachers

However, there are two primary dangers: 1. When you "show up" at a church service and take in all of the wonderful ministries, it's too easy to think that this will suffice in growing you up spiritually.

2. When you "attend the show" without participating in a smaller, tight fellowship of followers of Jesus, you will miss what God's intent has been since the Garden. He wants to dwell among us and walk with us personally! The greatest epidemic today is to be addicted to going to church--checking in and checking off your responsibility to the Lord. There is so much more than this.

I've noticed something over the last few years that is astounding to me. I have watched people who have sat under some of the best Bible teaching ever, even sat under this teaching for years. Then, when that same person starts walking with another follower of Jesus (or 2 or 3), it's like he experiences a shot of spiritual adrenaline and it's life-changing!

Just today at lunch a few of us were discussing how a young couple in our little fellowship of Jesus followers is growing so much in their relationship with each other and with the Lord. What's interesting is that it isn't that they are hearing such wonderful teaching (including mine), but they are experiencing the power of the few.

Don't miss the power of the few. Jesus says, "Where 2 or 3 are gathered together in My name, I will show up there in their midst." This brings us right back to what God initially wanted to do with man--to be present with him and walk with him.

I ask you one more time. "If you knew Jesus was going to show up somewhere, wouldn't you do anything you could do to go there to be with Him?" So, link up with another follower of Jesus (or 2 or 3) and learn to walk together--to do life together. Jesus Who dwells within ya'll will show up among you! Try it out for yourself!