Called Out

A Better Day
Take a few moments to consider the language of Jeremiah. As a young prophet, he saw well into our future as a people of God. God spoke through him to those around and to us. He painted beautiful pictures of life in the Father. These words spoken directly to the people going into captivity and a time of pain, brought hope for a better day. We live in that better day. Explore with me what these words can mean to us today as members of God’s kingdom come here to the earth. The shadowy language of the prophet can become a clear directive to how we can now live together in Christ. He has gathered us together in congregations and small groups and community organizations and neighborhood bible studies. How do we then live?

We live in that better day!

Here is a picture of unity, provision, leadership, joy, comfort, connection, and generational mix. Each uses best what is in them. Each submits to the gifts and strengths of the others. Each is a part. Each is an individual. Old and young dance in the same room. There is singing and laughing. All races and nations are the same. Are you having trouble seeing that in the verses? Well, come with me then on a journey of learning and living.

Jeremiah 31:10: Hear the word of the LORD, O you nations (cultures and races), and proclaim it in the far off isles and coastlands(those totally unlike us in any way), and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd does his flock. 11: For the LORD has redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of him that was stronger than he. 12: Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion(the church of Jesus Christ of whom he is the chief cornerstone), and shall flow together to the goodness of the LORD (there will be no disunity, but a spirit of preference for each other from every tribe and kindred people of all cultures) , for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd (all forms of service will be productive and provide a place of full supply): and their soul shall be as a watered garden (the anointing will be rich and bountiful); and they shall not sorrow any more at all (because the comforts of serving united bless them and comfort them). 13: Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together (no dividing lines of generations): for I will turn their mourning into joy (old habits and ways will drop aside and be replaced with life giving ways), and will comfort them (strength will be supplied for the tasks and lost years restored), and make them rejoice from their sorrow(what was a curse will now be a blessing, what the enemy meant for evil God will make productive and good). 14: And I will satiate the soul of the priests with fatness (the leaders will be supplied in all areas), and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness (bickering, finger-pointing, and dissatisfaction will give way to being pleased with God's goodness), says the LORD.

ekklesia from ek, "out of," and klesis, "a calling" (kaleo, "to call"), was used among the Greeks of a body of citizens "gathered" to discuss the affairs of state ........Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words

Called Out To Go In
Get focused on the fact that the Father has called us out of the world to go into the world. The word, church, in the Greek New Testament is ecclesia. Ecclesia means to be called of in order to come together. It is translated assembly, church, and congregation. I like assembly. Any group of followers of Christ assembled is a good thing.

Delightful Assemblies
Be delighted in the saints, especially when they come together. The delight of the assemblies of the saints of God is a most pure form of worship. There are many expressions of these assemblies. The heart of a saint of God should love all of them. Some are quiet. Some are load. Some are formal. Some are casual. Some are austere. Some are gregarious. Some dance. Some stand. Some sit. Some hug. Some kneel. Some weep. Some laugh. Possibilities are limitless. Delight in the gathering place of the believers in Christ. These gatherings are the dwelling place of the most high and the tabernacle of holiness.

Delighting in the assemblies brings strength. The Father means for us to have family sit down time. So often in my home, my teenage kids would make noise about family supper time. They would remind me how none of their friends ate together as a family. On Sundays they would all want to break up and spread out across the congregation. We sat together as a family. The Father means for us to function in families. Now that they are older and have families of their own, they are grateful for those moments and I am grateful my wife and I stood our ground to keep a sense of family unity in a world of disconnection and divorce.

There is time for home family and youth group and bible study and couples and co-workers and community and many types of gathering. Getting a heart fix on enjoying this time will take you through triumph and tragedy. We need to be as strong in coming together in family with other saints as a good family is in coming together as blood family. When one hurts, the family is there to comfort. When one has a birthday, the family is there to celebrate. When one is playful, family is there to enjoy the time. Let the same cheerful countenance of assurance that we are His children as a family in hard and easy times grace your face. Having family around us protects us.

The City of God
Zion is the city of God. Zion in scripture is generally interpreted as symbolic of the body of Christ. It means elevated or raised up or monument. It was one of the hills on which Jerusalem was built. The best representation of the body of Christ in action together is an assembly of believers. This grouping is meant to be a city on a hill that is elevated so that the world may see us. When you turn your heart to the highway that leads to Zion, you are focusing on one of the local expressions of the body of Christ. Wherever two or more are gathered in His name, He is there. When we connect with other Christians, He is localized and He is findable by others. Love for the local expression of His body is pure love for Him. It is the heart of the Father to have His family together at the table of blessing regularly. He is passioned for people.

Passioned For People
Remember that local expressions of His body are not limited to gatherings in buildings or physical churches. The church is not a building, it is the people called out of the world to assemble for worship. It is the believers in Christ meeting whenever and wherever. Our hearts form the home in which the Father loves to spend His time. He is focused on people for people. Get a passion for people with Him

"This promise was to have its full accomplishment in the days of the Messiah, when the gospel should be preached to all these countries, and a general invitation thereby given into the church of Christ, of which Zion was a type. That God shall have the glory and the church both the honour and comfort of this blessed change." (Matthew Henry's Commentary on Jeremiah 31:6)

Hebrews 12:22: But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels,

1 Peter 2:6: Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, "Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame."

This picture drawn in words through the prophet, Jeremiah, is one that every servant of the Lord should cherish as a look into the life of the assembly of believers. While it is a strong prophecy of the return of Israel to a single nation, it is more importantly a prophecy of the coming together of the bride of Christ in unity, worship, fellowship, service, prosperity, and comfort. It is a picture that crosses all generational barriers and cultural expressions.

The Field and The Vineyard
As we go through this study, you will read a series of vignettes. These small stories will example the principle being taught in the lesson. You will need to spend time in prayer and meditation to find their application to your life and your field and your vineyard. Let’s take a few moments to introduce a little background. You will learn more as we go along.

Crons and Maria are two twenty-something believers. Through bible study at their church, CBC (Christian Believers Connection), they decide to launch an outreach into the community and a business. XiRo is a coffee house, free reading center, and gift shop. It is a front for outreach. There is a subtle Christian influence in everything. Drinks with names such as Korinth Kava ( a mixed blend of light and dark coffees) are next to treats named Nasty Nard’s (a ham, beef, bacon, swiss cheese, avocado, tomatoe sandwich) on the menu. Books written by the greats of philosophy and literature are mixed on the shelves with such Christian tomes as “Pilgrim’s Progress”. It is located in a section of town that sits between the suburban sprawl and the urban gang zone. People come there from both environments.


Taking Inventory on the Highway To Zion - Called Out
How have I helped my assembly of believers be welcoming? Do people want to come? The greeting, Welcome, means to come, join, and be well, be comforted. Are people more well after they come?

How have I hindered people from seeing our group as a place of supply, satisfaction, and safety?

Do I enjoy the collective body of Christ and serve together with people different than me? Who do I love to be with that is different in personality, temperament, talent, skill, ability, or interests?

Taking Action on The Highway To Zion - Called Out
Write a note to a leader in your congregation of believers. Tell them what it is that makes you love the body of Christ that is expressed through them. Put it in an envelope and send it to them. How surprised do you think they will be when they open the mail? Taking the personal time, with your own hand, and addressing it adds personality and thought. Turn your heart to the highway.

Prayer on The Highway to Zion - Called Out
Father, You are determined to make the assembly of believers Your best blessing. It is the jewel of the crown of victory on Christ's head. Please Yourself, Father. Help me to be one of the members of one of the families that flow together. Enable me in my place in the local body of Christ. Empower me to bring others in to enjoy the wheat, the wine, the flock, and the oil You supply. Turn my heart to the highway that leads to the assembly of believers. Help me to help others to enjoy, enter in and come together in the fellowship of the saints.