tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7930553747640588156.post4570316265805188875..comments2023-10-30T04:29:36.162-07:00Comments on *Gospel-driven Disciples: What is Fellowship? Part VIGregg Metcalfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12170541048035179191noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7930553747640588156.post-81773838333064615862013-07-26T11:12:05.443-07:002013-07-26T11:12:05.443-07:00Thanks Gregg, to be clear (just in case someone re...Thanks Gregg, to be clear (just in case someone reads these comments and gets the wrong impression) the relationship I was talking about in my previous comment was NOT sexual. My husband and I are doing just fine. :) <br /><br />Another situation came to mind after I put in that previous comment. It involves my flesh and blood brother. As of this time he is an atheist...sigh....and years ago while he was living at our mom's I had a television set there in the house, and often he would watch horror/slasher movies on that set. I was still a relatively young Christian and I got the notion that I had to be bold and destroy that television set. I even had him help me take it out of the house (it was a huge old Sony Trinitron) and he watched incredulously as I put a pick ax through the front of the tube and we heard a hisssss as it died. I was being obedient (though I felt like a perceived idiot) and I'm sure that memory is something that still stays with my brother.<br /><br />Sometimes the Lord had the OT prophets do some unusual things to "speak" with those around them, so looking back this doesn't seem quite so strange anymore. <br /><br />I agree with what you say about sometimes needing to break off...sometimes what the Lord has us do seems contrary to His love, and yet, it isn't because I don't think we always have a clear understanding of what His love really is.Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00498627087140234765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7930553747640588156.post-77719868948439701822013-07-26T10:24:40.960-07:002013-07-26T10:24:40.960-07:00Robert - Thank you! It warms my heart and makes me...Robert - Thank you! It warms my heart and makes me feel as if I have done something worthwhile. Yes, very much so. I think we don't have spiritual fellowship with one another because we don't have fellowship with the Trinity. I agree 100%!<br /><br />Susan - Thank you! I also appreciate the fact that you say you have enjoyed this series. Means alot to me. Sorry about your experience but sometimes it is necessary to break off a relationship that is not spiritually beneficial. <br /><br />Pat - I understand brother. I am with you. Thanks for your transparency. Most believers are not so transparent. <br /><br />Gregg Metcalfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16413691313803396844noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7930553747640588156.post-72984520236234814782013-07-26T08:59:29.835-07:002013-07-26T08:59:29.835-07:00I am guilty of keeping my problems to my self for ...I am guilty of keeping my problems to my self for the most part, Oh I will share about my son but not about me. I don't want any one to know how truly retched I can be. I have had good fellowship and truly miss it, it was very close to what you described in your blog and I believe it was in the beginning stages. if the pastor had not left and the old guard had not taken back over it would have become as beautiful as your description in your blog. I have become hardened and even though I desire that type of fellowship I don't know if I can let go and open myself up again. that last statement makes me ashamed of myself, at this point though its true. John Patrick Donovanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06379938538043189391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7930553747640588156.post-75572577321164111942013-07-26T07:27:28.347-07:002013-07-26T07:27:28.347-07:00Hi Gregg,
Really enjoying your thoughts on this t...Hi Gregg,<br /><br />Really enjoying your thoughts on this topic. Thank you.<br /><br />As I was reading today's episode, I couldn't help thinking on Jesus being the WAY the TRUTH and the LIFE. When we are his disciples, truly He should be in everything we do and say. And we are brothers and sisters in Christ, so an openness and genuineness needs to be in our interactions that is different from how we interact with the world in general.<br /><br />Recently the Lord has really been dealing with me on this issue. I even broke off "fellowship" with someone over this because the fellowship wasn't really there, and was in fact a sham. It was difficult to have to do, but I cannot call something fellowship that isn't and I had to let this person know that the superficial "intimacy" that we had was fake, and it wasn't all about Jesus, it was all about ourselves. It hurt to admit it, and it hurt to have to let go...but it was necessary, and in effect my relationship with Jesus has become stronger and deeper.<br /><br />While I was going through this relationship trouble, a pastor I enjoy listening to talked in a sermon (sermon audio) about the prophet in 1 Kings 13, and the warning about not stopping to talk with false brethren. I know this can be taken into all kinds of unhealthy extremes, and even a cult can be born on taking something like this out of context, but in my situation it was fitting, and I know the Lord was speaking to me about my situation.<br /><br />I continue to pray for this person, and I do hope that eventually the Lord will in His time heal it. It is something beyond my ability to do but nothing is impossible with God. In the meantime, I have to put Him first and not my fleshy affections. <br /><br />Sorry for <b>my</b> ramble, but it did seem to dovetail with what you are speaking on...<br /><br />Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00498627087140234765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7930553747640588156.post-28314261254258425572013-07-26T06:35:03.827-07:002013-07-26T06:35:03.827-07:00Hi Gregg,
I appreciate your great series on a neg...Hi Gregg, <br />I appreciate your great series on a neglected topic. <br />Do you suppose a major reason for the lack of fellowship with one another is a lack of intimacy (i.e., fellowship) with the Trinity?<br />Fellowship with the Father – 1 John 1:3 <br />Fellowship of the Son – 1 Corinthians 1:9 <br />Fellowship of the Spirit – Philippians 2:1 <br />In Him, <br />BloggerBobROBERT LLOYD RUSSELLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04629365408484106745noreply@blogger.com