[Around the Table] Everyone Is InvitedSample

Your Invitation To The Table

The believers were devoted to the Lord and to one another, meeting around the table. More and more people were attracted to the gospel. It was not just being proclaimed, but portrayed in every way, lived out authentically. When God’s people are walking in unity the Lord adds to their number.

Are we walking in this type of unity? Are we living in devotion to the Lord and to one another, making time for the Lord, for family, and for church, to be together around the table? This is a kingdom principle to have the abundant life that Jesus promised. Is your life defined by this depth of devotion? Do you understand your identity, the authority that you carry and the empowerment you have because of the Holy Spirit residing within you?

Are we walking and working together, seeing the fruit of God drawing people to Himself through us? Do we feel like we are part of a unified and empowered community, walking in the authority of Jesus? Do we have a kingdom mind and heart? Are we spending time in the Word? The time we spend in the Word will reflect the depth of how well we know the Word, that is, Jesus (John 1:1). Are we committed to the community of Christ and to the kingdom of God?

There’s so much angst against the church. In many ways, fallible humans in the church have misrepresented a faithful God. The enemy is after the church, after pastors. Some fall because of their own propensity to sin. It is much easier to be a fan of Jesus than a fan of His followers. Whether it is the MeToo movement, deconstruction, Christian nationalism, or consumerism, it seems the theology of dying to self hasn’t been taught, understood, or embodied. Yet the call to follow Jesus is a call to die to self. Before accusing the church, remember how often you didn’t come to dinner. You can’t be unfaithful and then complain. It’s impossible to be part of the community if you don’t come around the table.

The church isn’t an institution, it is embodiment. It is an identity. We are the church. Do you feel you are part of the church, or are you just on the sidelines? Take responsibility for cultivating community. If you want to walk in this empowered identity of authority, understand that there’s an adventurous life waiting for you. Be a part of something that will make an eternal difference on generations to come. The only place this will happen is in the context of the local community of believers in Jesus. Get around the table. Everyone’s invited. You’re welcome here.

For more information regarding this devotional, please follow this link: https://declarationchurch.churchcenter.com/channels/803/series/15288