The media and the marketing divisions of major corporations tell us that image is everything. This statement holds true for Christians as well, although the application is different. Unlike the media and marketing firms, scripture informs us that we are created in the image of God. According to Genesis 1:27, we are created in the image of God. The Triune God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, thus; God is three in one. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit dwell in community and are bound together in love. Next in Genesis 2:18, God says, “It is not good for the man to be alone.” So God created woman. This demonstrates that God intended for us to live in community or in communion with other Christians. The Fall of Adam and Eve caused alienation between God and humanity, as well as the alienation of humanity from itself. In our baptism we are incorporated into the body or the community of Jesus Christ. The question is, “what does that look like?” It looks like what is described in Acts 2:42-47. Our Neighborhood Groups at Lighthouse Fellowship at 7200 Road, Fort Worth, TX 76135 seeks to develop neighborhood groups that are in the image of the house churches found in Acts 2:42-47.
Acts 2:42-47 (New International Version)“42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
In our society, people are working longer hours and replacing human touch with the touch of a computer mouse. In this cyber world clicking the mouse, takes one from one location to the next on the World Wide Web, which replaces the need to go for a walk and meet one’s neighbors. We have created virtual worlds for ourselves where we don’t need anyone but ourselves and our PC or Mac. We pray that we never see the BLUE SCREEN OF DEATH!!!
People have moved further away from their places of work, thereby creating longer commutes. Our cars essentially have become our home away from home. As a result, our cars have more stuff in them than ever. They are jam packed full of gadgets and gizmos to keep us busy while we wait in traffic. Each car is its own separate universe until we reach our homes or workplace. Our homes and workplaces are often just an extension of the isolation that we experience in our cars. Rarely, do families eat together anymore; everyone has his or her own television in their rooms. We seem to be content with our virtual escapes from reality by overloading our sensory systems with technology junk food rather than experiencing healthy community with our loved ones. There is nothing wrong with computers, especially blogging, and there is nothing wrong with technology, yet we cannot let them replace real life encounters with our families our neighbors, and the marginalized people in our communities. At work most bosses would rather email their employees rather than have face to face conversations. Companies lose millions of dollars a year in lost productivity because employees are replacing real life interactions with cyber interactions. Let me be clear, I am not opposed to technology; I just don’t want it to become some cheap replacement for geniune connections with God and our neighbors. The question is where is your love? It is a question of what you value. Do you love God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with your entire mind? Do your love your neighbor as yourself? If your answer to these questions is no or if you are uncertain, then you must reevaluate yourself in light of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I believe that our Neighborhood Groups provide excellent ways of connecting people to God and each other. If you are not a part of a small group ministry, I encourage you to get connected to one at your local church. If you are not a part of a church family and would like to get connected with Neighborhood Groups in the Northwest Tarrant County area please contact Ramon F. Smith at 817-237-2758 or email rsmth@lighthouse-church.org Currently we have groups in the following areas:
Azle-East
Azle-West
Azle-White Settlement
Lake Country/Eagle Mountain
Lake Worth
Marine Creek
Saginaw Central
Saginaw West
The Landing
