"Sir," the woman said, "you must be a prophet. So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim,* where our ancestors worshiped?" Jesus replied, "Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem.You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews. But the time is coming—indeed it's here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth." John 4:19-24If you have ever had the privilege of worshiping with a group of believers around a pool in a backyard using the deck as a stage, then you would realize that this poor lady to whom Jesus was speaking had no idea of the implications of the prediction being made to her at that moment.
In fact, I believe that as Jesus spoke those words he had knowledge of 56 people, sweating profusely due to August humidity, sitting in the backyard of a gracious Chesapeake resident, fellowshiping, worshiping and discussing the possibilities of forming a local church that would keep Him central to their core, a people that would come to be known as Vertical Life Church. What’s most amazing is that He could see well beyond that, years from now when Vertical Life Church has continually…
In fact, I believe that as Jesus spoke those words he had knowledge of 56 people, sweating profusely due to August humidity, sitting in the backyard of a gracious Chesapeake resident, fellowshiping, worshiping and discussing the possibilities of forming a local church that would keep Him central to their core, a people that would come to be known as Vertical Life Church. What’s most amazing is that He could see well beyond that, years from now when Vertical Life Church has continually…
- Used infinite Truth to help guide their finite lives,
- Told people the story of why Jesus is supreme in their own personal lives,
- Bowed down daily and declared, “God is awesome, and I am not.”,
- Had hardcore, nitty-gritty, long-term, Christ-like relationships,
- Taken personal responsibility for their own spiritual relationships,
- Put their $ where our mouth was,
- Stuck up for those who can’t stick up for themselves,
- “Had a clue!”,
- Done things right, or haven’t done them at all, and
- Seen 1000’s in their local community come to enjoy the freedom that they have found.
Oh, and I should have mentioned that He probably saw us sitting inside air conditioning in the near future (more about that in a future blog).
I am thankful that He has allowed these believers, who will in the near future be Vertical Life Church, to be a part of those who He had foretold would worship Him in spirit and in truth. We would love for you to be a part also. Continue to pray over the role God would have you to play inside this new fellowship, and we look forward to seeing you soon!
Freedom In Him,
Pastor John (8:36)
I am thankful that He has allowed these believers, who will in the near future be Vertical Life Church, to be a part of those who He had foretold would worship Him in spirit and in truth. We would love for you to be a part also. Continue to pray over the role God would have you to play inside this new fellowship, and we look forward to seeing you soon!
Freedom In Him,
Pastor John (8:36)
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