The Import of Community |
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The often quoted verses of Psalm 133 have always resonated the power and import of unity in the body of Christ, "How good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!...for there the Lord commanded the blessing...even life forevermore." No one would dispute its import and impact. Unity carries an undeniable blessing from the Lord. Jesus reflected the import of unity when He spoke the "great" commandments as loving God and loving one another Matthew 22:37-39. With further emphasis, He relayed the import of these commandments, "On these two commandments hang all the Law and the prophets," Matthew 22:40. These are powerful statements carrying great weight for the Kingdom of God. Unity carries not only the blessing of God, but foundations for all the Law and the prophets!
How is such unity achieved? Within these verses carry the keys of true unity, and that is "community." It is not possible to understand the fullness of what true unity is without understanding community. Community by definition (Oxford dictionary) is "fellowship with others as a result of sharing common attitudes and interests." When the value of relationship with others carries equal weight with our personal walk with the Lord, community begins to be experienced. Such community does not violate the calling and gifts in our midst, or violate leadership protocol, but rather values, and brings order in a community through recognition that only true relationship cultivates. It is this sense of community, commitment to God, and fellowship with one another that Jesus describes in Matthew 16:18 as the "church" or in Greek translation, "Ekklesia." It would be this church, knitted in community, recognizing and valuing one another for who they are, that Jesus declared the "Gates of Hades shall not prevail against," Matthew 16:18.
The import and impact of community is interwoven in revival history click here for more information. If we could understand the value and import of building relational infrastructure in our churches, ministries and communities, who knows what God would do! Today as we face intensifying challenges, God is putting a new desire in believer's hearts to stand shoulder to shoulder, to unite and collaborate in new and creative ways. Hebrews 10:23--25 is playing out before our eyes, "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much more as you see the Day approaching." The shakings, wars, terror rising is releasing the groan and cry for the rise of community, people engaged and devoted to seeking God and honoring one another in new and creative ways. A great "awakening" is at the door and knocking. Those who hear it are now moving to "Rise and build," to reach out in their communities to seek new ways to collaborate and build community. Ancient walls of division are crashing to the ground as barrier breakers move forward compelled by God to pray and build.
His Presence dwelling in a vessel knitted together in commitment to prayer and relational strength has been a recipe for revival throughout history from the Upper Room to today. We know the story of the Upper Room in Acts 2. Below is the story of what some consider the "Second Pentecost." It is a story of how God used commitment to prayer, and the working out of difficult relationships in a small village, Herrnhut, Germany. What followed was an outpouring of His Spirit that led to a massive explosion of prayer and missions lasting generations and impacting history forever.
How is such unity achieved? Within these verses carry the keys of true unity, and that is "community." It is not possible to understand the fullness of what true unity is without understanding community. Community by definition (Oxford dictionary) is "fellowship with others as a result of sharing common attitudes and interests." When the value of relationship with others carries equal weight with our personal walk with the Lord, community begins to be experienced. Such community does not violate the calling and gifts in our midst, or violate leadership protocol, but rather values, and brings order in a community through recognition that only true relationship cultivates. It is this sense of community, commitment to God, and fellowship with one another that Jesus describes in Matthew 16:18 as the "church" or in Greek translation, "Ekklesia." It would be this church, knitted in community, recognizing and valuing one another for who they are, that Jesus declared the "Gates of Hades shall not prevail against," Matthew 16:18.
The import and impact of community is interwoven in revival history click here for more information. If we could understand the value and import of building relational infrastructure in our churches, ministries and communities, who knows what God would do! Today as we face intensifying challenges, God is putting a new desire in believer's hearts to stand shoulder to shoulder, to unite and collaborate in new and creative ways. Hebrews 10:23--25 is playing out before our eyes, "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much more as you see the Day approaching." The shakings, wars, terror rising is releasing the groan and cry for the rise of community, people engaged and devoted to seeking God and honoring one another in new and creative ways. A great "awakening" is at the door and knocking. Those who hear it are now moving to "Rise and build," to reach out in their communities to seek new ways to collaborate and build community. Ancient walls of division are crashing to the ground as barrier breakers move forward compelled by God to pray and build.
His Presence dwelling in a vessel knitted together in commitment to prayer and relational strength has been a recipe for revival throughout history from the Upper Room to today. We know the story of the Upper Room in Acts 2. Below is the story of what some consider the "Second Pentecost." It is a story of how God used commitment to prayer, and the working out of difficult relationships in a small village, Herrnhut, Germany. What followed was an outpouring of His Spirit that led to a massive explosion of prayer and missions lasting generations and impacting history forever.
Revival History tells
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In the early 1700’s, in the quiet little village of Herrnhut set in the foothills of eastern Germany, a remarkable move of God was born. What happened reflects the power and impact of a true prayer watch mirroring the Upper Room where they all were together in one accord, Acts 1:14. Herrnhut literally means, “The Lord’s Watch.” It represents an historical model of the “Upper Room” and the power of relationalcommunity, commitment to prayer, communication that leads to a massive commission towards discipleship and missions. The spirit of the Lord fell and launched a prayer movement that literally changed the course of Christian history.
The community consisted of many different protestant sects of the day, many of them refugees from Bohemia and Moravia, and was deeply divided. There were many problems because of all the different backgrounds that fueled subsequent conflicts amongst its leadership. The divisions came to a nadir in the spring of 1727. It was then that the earl of Herrnhut, Count Nicholas Ludwig von Zinzendorf, began to visit the leadership to see what might be done to foster better relationships. Listening closely to their complaints, he drew up a covenantal document that helped them all come into agreement with clearer focus. In May, 1727 83 men from 47 families signed an agreement, “Brotherly Agreement.” The townsfolk began to meet together to pray and worship. As they worshipped and prayed together, God’s Presence descended. His Spirit and their hunger inspired them to start praying unceasingly 24 hours a day 7 days a week. As they cooperated with His Spirit, covenanted to persevere together, God moved and the world would never be the same again. The remarkable events of August, 1727 are described below:
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- On 27 August, this new regulation began. Others joined the intercessors and the number involved increased to seventy-seven. They all carefully observed the hour that had been appointed for them. The intercessors had a weekly meeting where prayer needs were given to them.
What happened in August 1727 was not just a fleeting inspired move of God. It was a move of God where 24/7 prayer lasted over 150 years. Over 200 missionaries were sent from this one small little village that prayed 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Nations were transformed from the missionary zeal of these people. The prayer watch continued in spite of Count von Zinzendorf’s absences even for extended periods of time. God literally called his people to pray and they obeyed.
The impact of 24/7 prayer from the community continues today. God honored the prayers sent from that town and it is still called Herrnhut today. As the town was placed under communist rule and Nazi regimes, revival meetings continued to be held in spite of the political circumstances. Such revival meetings were unheard of elsewhere. Homes in the city still have words of dedication to God printed on the wooden sideboards today. The church where revival meetings were held still stands and a graveyard full of missionaries is a continued reminder of the power of prayer that emanated from this place.
This corporate community, ignited by committed cooperative prayer vitalized through relational communication is what created a culture for God to pour His transforming power into a small village. Their cooperative effort in prayer transformed not only their village, but influenced nations through a massive missions movement, and forever left their mark in Christian history.
1 http://www.openheaven.com/library/history/zinzendorf.htm
God did it then, He can do it again. He is simply waiting for us. Now is the time to awaken, rise, and build!
Jesus is preparing us. For He is coming for an awakened, ready, and united bride.
Jesus is preparing us. For He is coming for an awakened, ready, and united bride.