What is this pattern?
What is its purpose?
Where do we see it?
In what direction?
Why is this pattern used?
Who uses it?
Who really uses it?
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Do you see the pattern?
Do you see what surrounds it?
A pentagon?
Five sides?
Who does that represent?
What is this place? What is its purpose? What is "Burning Man"? What happens there? Look it up.
Who should be doing this? A father?
Yet, who do we allow to do it?
Who is really doing it?
Where else do we see this pattern?
Is it for the same purpose?
Again, who uses this pattern?
Who really uses this pattern, and why?
Can they only be in one place at a time? Do they need hierarchical structures to maintain control?
Do we want to be under control?
Or, do we want to be free?
What happens if the "pattern" isn't big enough? What has been invented to increase the reach and influence of those who use the pattern? How can one person communicate to the entire world at once?
Is He able to communicate with us directly?
Is it two-way communication?
Can He coordinate what we are doing?
Is He always right?
Can He make us righteous?
Can He guide us onto the narrow path?
...That leads to life?
Repent. Turn your back on the way you have been living. Before it's too late.
All glory to God.
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UPDATE, August 26, 2022...
My "personality type" typically spots patterns, and sometimes we have difficulty expressing our ideas to others. (See updates to Engineer.) I feel led to elaborate about this particular post and explain my thoughts.
Jesus went to where the religious Israelites were, ...the synagogues. Taking advantage of their tradition, he spoke to the group...
He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:16-21 NIV)
Any of the men could get up and speak, in fact they were expected to take their turn.
That does not happen in a modern church. Only a few people speak; the rest sit and quietly listen. That is what "the pattern" is about.
Paul gives us some insight into what Holy-Spirit-led worship1 is like...
If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds? But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.
What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three2, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God. Let two or three2 prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.
As in all the churches of the saints, the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.
Or was it from you that the word of God came? Or are you the only ones it has reached? If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord. If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized. So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But all things should be done decently and in order. (1 Corinthians 14:23-40 ESV)
The Holy Spirit runs the show. Everyone is involved. Men are the ones under authority.
This is what amazed me about the coffee shop. It is a church lobby without the church. I can go in and talk to anyone who is there, and for the most part I can do that without interference. I can find the sheep, and then go from there. And while I am doing that, I can watch my bobber to see if I am getting any nibbles.
Sorry, I can't help but mention the metaphors. That's how I am.
This is so much fun!
UPDATE, August 27, 2022...
1 I do not think Paul was talking about "worship" here, but "service." Bible translators have inserted the word "worship" into headings, which influence people to think about the "Going to Church" model and its forerunner, the tabernacle and temple activities of the Old Covenant. But Jesus already made the Sacrifice we need.
The Father does not want us to spend our time showing him obeisance. He desires mercy. He wants us to go find the lost sheep of Israel. He wants subjects for His Kingdom. He wants us to do what Jesus showed us how to do. He wants us to make disciples (apprentices).
Our job is to go out into the public, demonstrate the power of God through miracles, speak the Good News about the Kingdom, and build each other up in private.
Paul said...
...present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind ... Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:1-2, 6-8, NKJV, without paragraphs and headings)
It's about service, not holding a service, but getting the job done. It's about achieving results.
UPDATE, August 30, 2022...
The NIV translation uses the word "pattern" in Romans 12:2, although it is only one of four that does...
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2 NIV. This link lists all English translations.)
The Greek word translated as "pattern of this world" is aión, meaning: a space of time, an age...
Usage: an age, a cycle (of time), especially of the present age as contrasted with the future age, and of one of a series of ages stretching to infinity.
...properly, an age (era, "time-span"), characterized by a specific quality (type of existence).
Example: Christians today live in the newer age (165 /aiṓn) of the covenant – the time-period called the NT. It is characterized by Christ baptizing all believers in the Holy Spirit, i.e. engrafting all believers (OT, NT) into His mystical body (1 Cor 12:13) with all the marvelous privileges that go with that (Gal 3:23-25; 1 Pet 2:5,9). [Biblehub.com #165]
The NIV translation of Romans 12:2 seems to support the point of this post, which is about one particular pattern found in the world.
Someone told me yesterday they attend a regular Bible study session and suggested I am welcome to join it.
This morning, I realized Bible study sessions are a form of the "pattern," and they are probably things I do not want to get involved with, although there may be reasons why the Holy Spirit wants me to go and investigate this particular situation. We shall see what happens.
UPDATE, September 7, 2022...
2 Notice Paul says "two or three" should speak in tongues or prophesy -- more than one and no more than three. God is the one speaking in both cases, and he holds himself to the biblical standard of two or three witnesses. This demonstrates it is about God giving instructions to his people, and has nothing to do with praising God. Praising himself makes no sense. I believe this further supports my observation that these activities are about service and equipping people to serve, not obeisance or "partying."
UPDATE, October 10, 2022...
I was led to listen to a sermon yesterday, and I think the experience illustrates "the pattern." Who gave it and where they were does not matter. It was typical. A man spoke in front of an audience and everyone listened quietly. I viewed it on-line.
The topic was the Gospel, and I was eager to hear how it would be presented. I ended up having concerns about what he said, and if I had been sitting with him in private I could have made it into a conversation, but contributing to the discussion yesterday was impossible due to "the pattern". I was boxed out and the audience did not benefit from what I believe the Holy Spirit was leading me to say.
He started out by describing some false gospels. One of them was...
Be right -- about everything. Say it confidently, and it's right.
My question was, "Shouldn't we strive to be right about everything? Isn't that what worshiping in Spirit and Truth is all about?" I agree many people confidently preach error, but is being right somehow wrong? Wasn't Jesus right... about everything? If this guy I'm listening to isn't right, then why am I listening to him?
He went on to say that trying to use these false gospels to transform people to be like Jesus is like trying to push a boulder up hill. He's right about that. Leaving things out of a gospel presentation is a big problem.
He eventually got around to saying:
The gospel is a scripture-based declaration about who Jesus is, what He has done, how He fulfills prophecies, and how we should respond.
That was from a book written by a couple of guys.
He then talked about some things from Scripture: the Kingdom of Heaven, the Messiah, Jesus' death and resurrection. Then he discussed what our response should be:
- Repent
- Believe
- Follow Jesus
He described the first two a bit, but was vague about what it means to follow Jesus.
Then he quoted someone else who wrote a different book...
The gospel about Jesus without the gospel of Jesus becomes destructively incomplete.
He said, "Having a partial definition of the gospel, but not a full definition, is something that is dangerous because it lacks clarity." Clarity? No, ... it's error. That is why it is dangerous and destructive.
Again, he mentioned repentance and belief, but did not describe what it means to follow Jesus.
He challenged his audience to do this exercise. He said each day this week they are to focus on one of the six sentences of this statement...
The Gospel is...
The Kingdom of God has been ushered in through Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus is Christ, the King, God in a human body. This Jesus suffered and died on a cross and on the third day, was resurrected according to the Scriptures. Through Jesus' sacrificial death and God's grace, the separation between people and their creator was bridged. Therefore, anyone who repents of their sin, believes the good news and demonstrates this belief by following Jesus, God rescues. It is only through the Holy Spirit that we are able to live this new life as Jesus' disciples. When King Jesus returns as He promised on the Day of Judgment, everyone who is following Him will enter into God's eternal Kingdom.
Actually, that's seven sentences. Count the periods.
This is the only time I recall him mentioning the Holy Spirit, and he said nothing more about it. No mention of baptism. No mention of deliverance. And he still did not explain what it means to follow Jesus. He alluded to some classes they offer, but the details apparently don't warrant any discussion in his Gospel presentation.
I have been frequenting a particular coffee shop for ten months. The Holy Spirit led me there and has worked through me there almost continuously. He had me get to know everyone, and in particular he wanted me to get acquainted with the elders of the church that sponsors it. He wanted me to make sure they know who I am.
So far, I have found one person who wants to follow Jesus and who listens to me. One.
“Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.” (Luke 10:16 NIV)
I am following Jesus. I publicly state it on this blog and social media. I tell everyone I am following Jesus; that I am His apprentice. I even took my physical tool bag into the coffee shop for several weeks as a prop to reinforce what I am doing. Hardly anyone noticed.
The one person who listens to me turns out to be a spiritual sibling, and we spend a lot of time together. We are frequently inside the coffee shop, but we usually take our relationship out onto a public bench so we can talk more privately. Everybody in the coffee shop and everybody in the public area knows we are "an item," and that we are having a great time.
This spiritual sibling and I began talking because they happen to have visible, physical handicaps. Like Jesus, I began visibly praying for them to be healed, with their permission of course. I was trying to demonstrate how to follow Jesus and do what He did. People didn't like it, ... surprise, surprise. We altered our behavior to maintain peace.
Our discussions eventually led to my spiritual sibling wanting to be baptized, and that happened in September after a long wait for a "baptism service" on the church calendar. The baptism made a big difference in their life, but most people don't seem to notice. They are busy socializing and serving the neighbors. It appears to me they think that is following Jesus.
I listened to the sermon yesterday because the speaker is one of the leaders of the institutional church that sponsors the coffee shop. In my opinion, he left out some major chunks of the Gospel, and those are the very aspects missing in the coffee shop. I believe the Holy Spirit will continue to guide me to help these folks realize what it means to follow Jesus. Serving coffee is just a way to interact with people. Knowing what to do once we have their attention is the real mission.
UPDATE, November 23, 2022...
My spiritual sibling and I had a good laugh about some creative verses for the traditional song The Twelve Day of Christmas, and the Spirit led me to compose a version summarizing what I have observed during my past year in the coffee shop. My sibling and I had another good laugh and agreed we believe it contains a lot of Truth.
My sibling says she can sing, despite her speech difficulties. She says she was in choir in high school. She has yet to prove it to me, however, and I tease her about it.
I am going to share the lyrics here out of love. My intention is not to offend but to share Truth, so that some might realize what is really going on and make some changes. Repentance is key, but we must know we need to repent before we can actually do it. As I said, I share this out of love...
I would love to hear my spiritual sibling sing it. After all, it is about her.