Jason

Matthew 6:19-21

[Jason @jasonnab]

I agree. He says it is not about preference, but the modern church is mostly about personal preferences. The fact that many do not see this, and that pastors often misuse terms like “worship,” is telling. We do not go to a building to worship. Paul describes true worship in Romans 12. Out of curiosity, what is a confirmation testimony?

[Jason @jasonnab]

@AlexFinn @KSimback What are the minimum specs you recommend for a Mac Studio to run a local model well?

[Plumbline Faith @PlumblineFaith]

The modern “church” was born …

When narcissists discovered they could find position, prestige and power by putting on a good show each Sunday and calling it “worship.”

Haven’t we finally had enough?

And isn’t it time to return to what the New Testament actually commands for when we assemble together …

With ministry one to another for the mutual building up of each other?

This Sunday, it’s always your choice:

The stage and the show …

Or inviting others over to break bread together as the relational, participatory, multi-gifted, multi-functional, multi-part Body of Christ - just like Scripture says.

So what’s holding you back?

[Jason @jasonnab]

@harushika47 Good kit!

[Jason @jasonnab]

@elonmusk @Ryanair Watch RYAAY go through the roof now! 🤣

[Jason @jasonnab]

@Cernovich Why would anyone write this photo was taken with self-timer?

[Plumbline Faith @PlumblineFaith]

The typical American Christian blindly accepts what is labeled “church,” rather than studying what the New Testament actually says …

Leading to passive spectator “Christianity,” stagnation and stunted spiritual maturity on a grand scale.

[Jason @jasonnab]

@daniellharris @Cernovich Japan also had 100 year mortgages in the 80’s and 90’s that contributed to a massive bubble. We might not want to look at what they did other than to learn from it.

[Plumbline Faith @PlumblineFaith]

What about mono-church, where our gatherings primarily revolve around ministry by one man …

Such as a so-called “Senior Pastor?”

You can’t find that anywhere in the New Testament (unless you count the warnings against Diotrephes, who wanted to be “preeminent” in his church) …

In fact, it explicitly violates the New Testament’s many commands about how we are to actually gather together – one to another – as the multi-gifted, multi-functional and multi-part Body of Christ.

So people are starting to leave behind those rigid, monolithic organizations that call themselves a “church,” yet:

- Revolve around one pinnacle leader called “the Pastor” who dominates their gatherings with hierarchical “leadership” and monopolistic “sermons;”

- Delivered in an impersonal building from an elevated “pulpit” as anonymous attendees are corralled below into rows of spectator seating;

- As part of scripted staged events each Sunday that are call “worship;”

- To grow the “membership” rolls and insure financial viability through obligatory “tithes” to fund it all (because the time, personnel and infrastructure needed to put on a good show each week don’t come cheap!).

In contrast, people are discovering that what the New Testament explicitly commands is far different, as we instead:

- Gather together as a relational family of believers with ministry one to another out of the many gifts God distributes among us (including mature elders – plural – who function pastorally);

- By building up each other to live lives of holy reverence and sacrificial obedience to God, which is true worship;

- And focus together on growing disciples (which costs almost nothing), rather than “church attendance;”

- While joyfully giving out of our individual abundance, with each determining what’s appropriate in their own heart, to support those in need among us.

So how about you?

Do you desire relational participatory church as God commands?

Decades ago, I left the mono-church system in obedience to clear New Testament imperatives.

Since then, I’ve been gathering with others in my home and elsewhere …

As part of simple, relational, participatory churches with ministry one to another for the mutual building up of each other.

Along the way, we’ve all learned a lot …

And know it isn’t always easy to start, find or sustain that kind of Biblical fellowship.

Yet we’ve found that it’s certainly possible …

When we’re willing to strengthen, encourage and learn from each other as we commit to being the church as God commands.

Sound interesting?

Stay tuned …

[Plumbline Faith @PlumblineFaith]

It bears repeating:

There are numerous New Testament mandates which require that our gatherings as the church be participatory, with ministry one to another out of the diverse gifts God distributes among us.

Unfortunately, however, what we tend to have these days are “mono-churches” that are centered around the monopolizing monologue preaching by the “one” …

Or centered around one particular gift, vision or ministry emphasis.

Instead of mono-churches, here are just some of the New Testament’s many commands about how we are to gather and function together as the multi-part, multi-functional, multi-gifted Body of Christ ���

For the mutual edification and building up of each other by one another.

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 1 Th. 5:11

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” 1 Pet. 4:10

“What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.” 1 Cor. 14:26

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom …” Col. 3:16

“I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another.” Rom. 15:14

“For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food …” Heb. 5:12

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Heb. 10:24-25

“If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?” 1 Cor. 12:17

Leaders in the church do not have a monopoly on ministry, but instead are “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ …” Eph. 4:12

Finally, we are not to be the church based on “human cunning… Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” Eph. 4:14-16

So in conclusion:

The New Testament commands that we gather for ministry by one another for the mutual building up of each other …

Not by or about the “one.”

Big difference!

[Jason @jasonnab]

@Cernovich LOL I live there, he’s near the Portland Art Museum a 10 min drive to ICE.

[The Biblical Man @Biblicalman]

You own three Bibles.

Haven't opened one in two weeks.

Meanwhile, a man in North Korea is in a labor camp for hiding one page of Matthew under his floorboards.

Same book. Different cost.
🧵

[Jeremiah Knight @iamrjknight]

There is the church as the New Testament defines it - the body of Christ, redeemed by His blood, gathered around His Word, submitting to His lordship.

And then there is what many today call “church” - a man made gathering built around programs, entertainment, and human tradition.

These two are not the same.

One is living and holy, the dwelling place of God. The other is hollow and powerless, a reflection of our own desires. The reason the second exists is because most people do not want the first.

The true church costs too much. It demands repentance, holiness, and submission to Christ. So men build their own version that keeps Christ at the door.

[Elon Musk @elonmusk]

Starbase, Texas

[Jeremiah Knight @iamrjknight]

Jesus cursed the fig tree in Mark 11:12-14 as a living parable of judgment. The tree had leaves. a sign that it should have had fruit but it was barren. In Scripture, fruitlessness often represents spiritual hypocrisy (Jeremiah 8:13, Hosea 9:10). Israel, like that tree, had the appearance of life through religious activity, but lacked the true fruit of repentance and faith (Luke 13:6-9). The curse was not about hunger but a prophetic warning: God judges outward religion without genuine spiritual fruit (John 15:2, Matthew 7:19).

[Jason @jasonnab]

@WallStreetMav Impeach

[Jason @jasonnab]

@Cernovich I arrived today for a business trip. I would go for sure!