"Their Extreme Poverty Welled Up In Rich Generosity"

Last Sunday we learned that the women of Rebecca Dulo had decided to collect rice, dry goods, and money to help support the needy among them. Although they are all poor living in a depressed community, they wanted to share any small extras they may have to help with anyone's emergencies.

B-- was the first to give a small plastic bag of rice. I was touched by that act of love. Here were people who had nothing but were willing to give. I saw the Macedonian spirit of giving out of their lack. I saw the work of the Holy Spirit teaching them to love each other.

2Cor8.1 And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to God's people. 5 And they went beyond our expectations; having given themselves first of all to the Lord, they gave themselves by the will of God also to us (TNIV).

It is the testimony of the entire church -- a loving community -- that drew people to Christ, not the testimony of individuals. Acts 2 teaches that.

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Only I Can Change Him

She sat there in the corner of the room, eyes closed, soaking in the moment, drinking in the cool living water as a sister laid hands on her in prayer. (She actually felt cold refreshing water coming down inside of her.) In a moment, it was all gone -- the pain, the heartache, the trauma. "You can't change him," He said. "Only I can change him." With the surrender came peace.

Matthew 11.28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" (TNIV).

We didn't expect her to come and join the fellowship that afternoon, not after a violent fight with her husband that morning. But the Lord suddenly refreshed her and she was back on her feet again. She shared her experience with the entire group, thanking some for their prayers. We all learned from her true-to-life experience.

This is the kind of miracle that's happening in the home church here.

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Paraphrase of Matthew 23:2-12

Mt23.2 "The teachers in the church and the pastors sit in an ecclesiastical position. 3 So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 4 They tie up heavy, difficult requirements and put them on their member's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to do what they preach.

5 "Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their prayers long; 6 they love the place of honor at gatherings and the most important seats in the church and conferences; 7 they love to be greeted with respect wherever they go and to have people call them 'Pastor' or 'Reverend.'

8 "But you are not to be called 'Pastor,' for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. 9 And do not call anyone on earth 'Father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called 'teacher,' for you have one Teacher, the Messiah. 11 The greatest among you will be your janitor. 12 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."

The church has taken on the structure of Rome and has set apart the clergy from the laity. This separation is akin to what the Pharisees and scribes did. We are all brothers with no hierarchical distinction in the church. Our differences in gifts should not be used to make hierarchical distinctions. We are a nation of priests and there is only One High Priest!

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