The King's Church in Ilford
The following is the text of the talk given on 16th November 2008 by David Sansum
"The Spirit and the Word"
2 Timothy 3:14-17, Colossians 3:12-16, Ephesians 2:19-22
We are commencing a new teaching series in which we will look at foundational truths that relate to many areas of church life. We will learn about the process of salvation, baptism in water, baptism in the Holy Spirit, corporate worship, prayer, the Scriptures, leadership, small groups, every member ministry, witness and so on…
In order to get under way I want us to look at one of the key foundations of our movement. We are a Word and Spirit movement. What does that mean?
Word and Spirit ChurchesThe King's Church is part of a movement called Newfrontiers. Here is an extract from the website www.newfrontiers.xtn.org :
God's ultimate purpose is that the church should become a mature man, (Eph 4:13) a body with all its members functioning. We believe churches should be built on New Testament principles through receiving Ephesians 4 ministries, where the word of God is honoured and there is openness to the work of the Holy Spirit. We believe in a restored church - New Testament churches that are genuinely biblically based and are authentically open to the Spirit, where there is corporate worship and teaching. We believe in churches where each member participates; where the gifts of the Spirit are outworked; where there is joy in caring one for the other; and where there is a desire to make a difference in society and to reach those in need.
P-J Smyth, an apostle in Newfrontiers, South Africa writes in 'The World Needs More Elders' about 'personal anchors'. One of these is about the Word and the Spirit
'Just Word and you dry up. Just Spirit and you blow up. Word and Spirit you grow up.'
Both individually and corporately we want to be rooted in biblical principles and prophetically directed.
Most of us will be stronger in either the Spirit or the Word. We need to work at where we're weak. If we find it difficult to read the Bible we need to pray that the Holy Spirit will give us discipline and understanding and bring the words to life for us. If we are nervous of the Holy Spirit we need to let go and let Him have control of our lives. At Pulse we make bible teaching a core part of our meetings. But we give attention also to the prophetic and seek to hear God's specific instruction and direction. We know that we need both if we are to 'grow up' in Christ and advance His Kingdom.
The Newfrontiers website lists a number of prophecies that have shaped our movement over the years (go online and see) e.g. 1,000 churches, changing the expression of Christianity, half time talk etc… A couple of weeks ago at Pulse I shared a number of prophecies spoken over us that had been fulfilled over the years: Powerhouse of the church, missile to the nations. The recent 'getting in the way of wisdom' series came in response to prophecy.
Powerful in the Word
2 Timothy 3:14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
Both individually and corporately, if we give attention to the Spirit without the Word we will lack firm foundations. We will be in danger of straying from sound principles which keep us from error and preserve love, godliness and unity. If we neglect Biblical principles we will get into trouble. Churches which do not give attention to being genuinely biblically based run the risk of being torn apart due to faulty foundations.
We need to read the whole of Scripture. Some may get into the habit of reading only or primarily those passages which we like. Most of the passages that we build Church life upon are from Acts onwards. The Apostles teaching is particularly relevant because it comes in the time of the Church. In this age following Christ's death and resurrection, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The time of the New Covenant in Christ's blood, which makes us acceptable before God apart from works. All of Scripture is beneficial (2 Timothy 3: 14-17) but give particular attention to the Apostles teaching (Acts 2:42).
'May the Word dwell in you richly' (Colossians 3:16). We must get biblical principles it into our hearts. The Holy Spirit (who inspired the Scriptures) brings it to life. Meditate (think) on the Word day and night. The Word that dwells in us will guard our hearts.
Powerful in the Spirit
Ephesians 2:19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
Both individually and corporately, if we give attention to the Word without the Spirit we will lack spiritual life and the power to do what the Scriptures teach. Churches which are not genuinely open to the Holy Spirit run the risk of slowly dying for lack of spiritual life and direction.
The Spirit brings revelation and conviction. As we read the Scriptures He helps us to understand what we read and gets it into our hearts. The process of being made holy in our conduct requires the work of both the Word and the Spirit.
The Holy Spirit lives among us and in us. The tangible (felt) presence of 'God in the house'. Romans 5:5. We want to know God's presence among us. In Acts we see a people who are continually full of the Holy Spirit, directed by, in step and full of grace and power..
Pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts. The Corinthians pursued and excelled in spiritual gifts but needed to be reminded about love and unity. Spiritual gifts are given 'for the common good'. The practicalities of corporate worship involve preferring one another.
Prophecy is a specific message from God through people. God's words are received into human hearts and minds, which are full of and influenced by all kinds of other stuff. This is why we need to be wise in receiving and responding to prophecy. Prophecy is specific and directional. We get general guidance from the Scriptures, the Spirit handles specifics. If we are to truly walk in God's will we absolutely must bring, hear and respond to what He is telling us. Good ideas we like, but God ideas we love.
Mature People Pursue Love
Colossians 3:12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
This passage from Colossians was part of my readings because it speaks of God's Word dwelling (living) in us richly. As soon as I read the passage within its context I became very moved and realised that the Spirit was impacting me with it as it is God's particular message to many of us in this fellowship at this present time.
Christ's rule means peace. We must take up kindness, humility, forgiveness and love and lay all else down for the sake of Christ's rule. God's advancing Kingdom ultimately brings about peace and unity. Let the Prince of Peace fill our hearts with His peace.
Teachers can be very passionate about sound doctrine. Prophets can be very passionate about God's directional words. This is good. But we must pursue love and peace as we communicate the message of God, because love and peace are at the heart of God's message.
So as we seek to build the Church on biblical foundations with power from the Spirit we are to love God, love one another and love everyone else.
And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Psalm 19:1