The Kingdom of Togetherness & Empire of Separation
The Gospel on the Ground Bible Study - Chapter 5 p. 108 - 133
| Table | Togetherness | Knowledge| Power
In Session 5, Kristi reminds us how during the time of the first-century church, the Greeks had knowledge, the Romans had power and the Hebrews had the light.
She begins with Acts 1:8, where she speaks of the kingdom of togetherness delighting in each other around the table bringing deeper meaning to table fellowship. Kristi noted:
"We will see the kingdom of togetherness invading the empire of separation."
Kristi McLelland, Page 109 of "the gospel on the ground"
The Kingdon of Togetherness: Orphans Find Sonship at the Table
One thing about the kingdom of togetherness through Kristi's explanation of the early church was that mingling between the classes didn't happen - ever. The Holy Spirit came in, uniting believers and they didn't care what class they belonged to.
Can you envision Jesus looking down from heaven during these events with such joy at the breaking down of barriers? He would have seen a slave sitting next to and sharing a plate with a Senator.
As Kristi stated in Week 5, "table fellowship was everything."
Practice for the Supper of the Lamb
Since sin entered the world through forbidden food, coming together at the table transforms the prohibited into permissible. It can turn the nature of sin that was upside-down to right-side-up and can use food to unify us. It calls us back to a time before the fall and brings restoration through table companionship. Kristi notes in her comment:
"Some practices are things we do as an individual expression of shalom, wholeness, and delight with the living God and with others."
Kristi McLelland, p. 131 of "the gospel on the ground."
What a Gospel Gorgeous Truth!
On p. 113, Kristi reminds us:
"Every time we eat together, we are practicing for the wedding supper of the Lamb."
It's easy to get bogged down in life and forget that daily mundane tasks prepare us for the other side of eternity. Friends, we have one heck of a meal to look forward to and we cannot wait. She gives Isaiah's description of the banquet to come:
" In Jerusalem, the LORD of Heaven's Armies
will spread a wonderful feast
for all the people of the world.
It will be a delicious banquet
with clear, well-aged wine and a choice of meat.
There he will remove the cloud of gloom,
the shadow of death that hangs over the earth.
He will swallow up death forever!
The Sovereign LORD will wipe away all tears.
He will remove forever all insults and mockery
against his land and people. The LORD has spoken!"
Isaiah 25:6-8, NLT
Let's remember this--every meal shared in the community helps us practice for the greatest meal we will ever eat. The effort we put forth to plan gatherings and put meat on the table, big or small, is not in vain. May we practice the beauty of meal fellowship well.
What We Learned from Today's Lesson:
* Table fellowship unified believers from the past and continues to unify followers of Jesus today.
* The importance of daily spiritual practices then and now.
* Every meal shared with the community helps us practice for the coming supper of Lamb.
Focus Question for Next Session: How can you intentionally practice unity around your dinner table, in preparation for the wedding supper of the Lamb?
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