Christ Community Church of Lamong » Rich

What’s so huge about small groups?

Rich — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 17:47:49 +0000

When my wife passed away a few years ago, life was instantly hard. She was a wonderful woman who had played a large role in leading me to Christ; we were members of a local church, and we had many friends. But when she passed, I found myself unconnected and alone for the most part. Well-intentioned friends tried their best to get close to me, but lasting relationships can be harder to build when the trials of life are upon us. That’s when relationships are tested, not formed.

A few years later, I was an active member at another church (I had moved). I was a member of small group that had gotten very close to one another. The phone call came after church one Mother’s Day; my Dad had passed away that morning. Once again, my world began to take a hard turn.

But this time was different. I went to the hospital to be with family, and when I came out of the room, my entire small group was there. Each one had put aside Mother’s Day plans to be by the side of a friend who was hurting. It still brings tears to my eyes today. And the love didn’t stop there. The small group was active in my life already, so the healing continued as if it was a natural part of life. Close personal relationships didn’t have to be built, they were already there!

You can choose to ignore Jesus’ model of small group with the apostles. You can toss aside the heart of discipleship and growth in Christ that small groups build. You can even discard the words of many pastors, leading you to small groups.

But you can’t ignore the simple fact that we need each other. This world is not a good place to find yourself alone and unconnected. Reach out today and get connected through small groups. You’ll be glad you did.

The Family & Friends Plan

Rich — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 01:37:21 +0000

John 1:12-13 (NASB)
12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

Growing up, my younger brother and I fought all the time. Sometimes it was rough, but most times it was simple brotherly disputes. He took most of the bruises; I took most of the taunting. As a teenager my daughter looked at me with disdain and even anger when the rules of the house were enforced. My parents have said or done things that caused me pain, even as an adult. It happens just because we’re people.

But this is not a story of pain and rejection; this is a story of joy and triumph. When we accept Christ, we become a child of God; brothers and sisters in a family relationship that is real and lasting. It’s not a relationship that is born of blood, or of anything men or women have done, but is born solely from the Grace of the Most High God. And His will is for His family is that we would treat each other as He treats us; with complete love, and grace, and in unity of spirit.

It’s not that Christian relationships are perfect… we’re still people after all. But God is perfect! It’s in Him and His plans that we put our trust. So when your brother or sister causes a problem in your life, just remember that we’re all still trying to get a little bit better at loving our brother or sister. Put your trust in God’s perfect design and the rest will fall into place.

Let this be not of our hands

Rich — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 02:00:00 +0000

Zechariah 4:6 (NASB)
6 Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel saying, ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts.

Zechariah didn’t understand the symbolism the Lord was showing him, nor did he understand the obstacles to be encountered. But The Lord was clear in His instruction. Man could not finish the building of the temple, only the Spirit of God could do it working through the leadership of Zerubbabel, and also working through the hands of His people.

Everyday we set out to accomplish some task or attain some goal. Maybe we understand what we’re up against, maybe not. Obstacles may block our path and we find frustration at the end of a long day. But the obstacles of man are not the obstacles of a Holy God.

Give your frustration to Christ. Let Him work through us to accomplish His plan. Trust Him in what He has for us. It’s not by man’s desire that the work of God is accomplished, but by His Spirit.

Are you ready?

Rich — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 03:19:47 +0000

Are you ready for small groups?

Are you ready for Christ-centered relationships with Christ followers?

Are you ready to commit your time to others?

Are you ready to love?

Are you ready to grow in Christ?

Are you ready to help someone?

Seek me out at Christ Community Church or ask Pastor Josh about small groups. We’d love to have you and your family join us.

Foundations

Rich — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 02:26:58 +0000

Acts 2:42-47 (NASB)
⁴²They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
⁴³Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.
⁴⁴And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common;
⁴⁵and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.
⁴⁶Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart,
⁴⁷praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

This passage rings in the heart of many a Pastor who seek God’s will and strive to empower the Church to become an “Acts 2 Church”. But the principles found here can also be applied to a small group and we could expect, with the same results.

Here are some key elements for such a group:

Come together with a heart seeking Christ, and willing to learn together. (v42)
Have a time of fellowship and relationship building. (v42, 46)
Love one another and care for one another’s needs. (v44, 45)

When these elements are in play, You will begin to see the Holy Spirit move among you and the Lord will use your group in ways we can only imagine. (v47)