A tribute to Charlie Kirk.

An exploration of the Restoration of Wonder as a result of Childlike Faith

Our meandering series on "The Gospel and the Gathering" concludes with this, "The Spiritual Body."

What does "All Things Work Together for Good" really mean in the context of Scripture, and more specifically in the context of Romans 8. How can you know things are working together for good in situations or seasons where it feels like things are impossibly difficult. How can that be good? What is the good that the Apostle Paul is talking about?

When we are born from above, God gives us a new way of living -- and this should encompass everything about our lives, including how we gather and worship as His body

What is the New and Living Way? How Should We worship the Lord in light of that. What should "Church" be like? Where the Old Testament (and the Old Way) is sometimes prescriptive (do this; don't do that), the New Testament (the New and Living Way) is focused entirely on an inward new birth transforming the outward life through the Law that is written in our Hearts. There are many examples in the Old Testament—especially in the Books of the Law—of the people being instructed to do specific things in a very specific way. God directed Moses to have the Tabernacle constructed in a very specific manner, by particular workmen. He was building a building which would be the physical place that God would "tabernacle" among the people. There are clear instructions about dimensions and materials and finishes and furnishings, and then the proper protocol to follow when there. It was similar with Solomon's Temple. And under the Old Way (which centered around Temple Worship), even the method is spelled out. How and when to make sacrifice, to give offerings, and to tithe. But under the new and living way, the external structure is not the focus. The Tabernacle and the Temple and the sacrifices and offerings were only a shadow of the Good thing to come. NOW we have seen his glory – Jesus walked among us—and he CHANGED EVERYTHING

Anything we think we are doing for the Kingdom of Christ or for God – if we are not doing it in love and by love, we are not really doing what we think we are doing. You think you can be an effective church member? Not without love. You think you can be a faithful husband? Not without love Do you think you can be a good wife? Not without love Do you think you can be a good father or mother? Not without love Do you think you can be a pleasing disciple of Christ? Not without love There is NOTHING we can do to please God without love. Everything that is pleasing to the father is produced in and supported by and leads toward love. True love. Not without love Does it matter if I speak all the languages of men? Not without love. Does it matter if I speak the language of Angels? Not without Love. Without love I become a noisy, broken instrument Does it matter if I give my body to burned? Not without love. Does it matter if I have the gift of proficy? Not without love. Does it matter if I understand all mysteries? – Nothing in the spiritual realm is hid from me? Not without love Does it matter if I have all knowledge? No information is hidden from me? No one is smarter than me? Not without love Does it matter if I have all faith – to the degree that I could even move mountains? Not without love Without Love I am nothing. Does it matter if I sell everything I have to feed the poor? Not without love. Does it matter if I sacrifice my body as a martyr? – Not without love Without Love, there is no profit. Love is patient and long-suffering Love is kind and mild-mannered Love does not envy Love does not boast Love is not puffed up with pride. . .