Spiritual Blueprint 3b
When it comes to building a structure of any significance you must take the time to develop a blueprint or the integrity of the sturcture will quickly be compromised so… that is why I want to take the time to communicate and share the SPIRITUAL BLUEPRINT that we are building Elmwood on. I hope you are enjoying the process!
Intimacy with God
The Bible is linked from beginning to end with an underlying theme that says to us God loves us and is in a passionate pursuit for a deep relationship with each one of us. Because of this desire He has for us we believe that the mark of a growing maturing follower of His is that we are in continual pursuit of a more intimate relationship with Him.We have already stated that we recognize that an intimate relationship with Him is not something we arrive at; it is something we must continually pursue. And as we do, we will enjoy the benefits and demonstrate the marks of a maturing follower.
Community and Influence with Others
Recognizing people’s need for meaningful connections and understanding that sustained life change takes place best in the context of intentional relationships, we want to be growing in community with each other. We believe that a person who is continuing to mature in their faith is meaningfully and regularly connecting with other people. Since the human propensity is to drift, we need one another for mutual encouragement and accountability. The writer of Hebrews says it this way:
‘Let us consider how we may spur each one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another…’ Hebrews 10:23,24
Maturing believers are people who are growing in community with each other, spending time together, encouraging one another, and supporting one another.Because of the before mentioned commission of Jesus Christ to go and make disciples we must understand that we should be partnering with Him in the process of evangelism. To connect with and to build a bridge relationally with those who have not yet surrendered their lives to Christ so that He is revealed to them and they our so inclined to become a follower of Christ Jesus.
We are to build a bridge relationally so that we can partner with the Holy Spirit to turn on a light spiritually so that others will become a disciple of Christ. It should not matter if a person is eight years old or eighty, a spiritually maturing person looks the same! It is not about someone completing a plan or curriculum. It is not about someone who has simply acquired more truth.
A maturing believer (Christ Follower)for us is someone who is continuing to grow in these two distinct relationships. As a spiritual community of people what do we want to see? To see the King and His heart. What do we want to become? We want to grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ to become His disciples. What should we do? Continually and purposefully pursue two vital relationships – intimacy with God, community and influence with each other.
I hope this makes sense!
