Where Two or Three Gather

One evening in the spring of 1994, a friend of mine and I sat in his car, waiting to pick up another friend who was getting off work. As we often did, Glen and I discussed important life topics (typically: girls, video games, civil war re-enacting, or music). Music was on the forefront of our minds that night; or rather, the LACK of music. At the time, there was no radio station in Miami that played Christ-centered music that rocked. There was a contemporary station, and a few “sermon stations”, but nothing that appealed to young adults like us. Nothing even came close.

So, as we continued to vent about this, we began talking about a vision for a new station. We talked about what it would be like and what it would play. And as we talked about it, we got more and more excited. We decided to pray together about it, quoting what Jesus said in Matthew 18:19-20 as justification.

“I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”

We prayed and believed it would happen. That was that. The next day, we ran into a friend of ours who was a DJ at the University of Miami’s radio station. We grabbed him and shared our idea. He shook his head and replied, “Talk to Rob, not me.” Rob Robbins was the other DJ we knew. “But Chris,” we continued, “Wouldn’t this be awesome?!”

“Just talk to Rob,” he repeated. So we hunted Rob down and shared what we had in mind with him. He looked at us kind of funny, then told us he had just started the paperwork to get a radio station started in South Florida. A radio station that point for point matched what Glen and I so eagerly prayed about the night before.

Five grueling years later, CALL FM signed on the air for the first time on February 9, 2000 at 8:05pm.

God used Rob Robbins and his team to achieve what many “experts” believed to be impossible.

God is still at work.

And He starts with two or three people.

Now, I’m not saying that God is a vending machine who takes in prayers like coins; reaching the quota gives you what you want.

What I am saying, is that God works in the hearts of His followers, and as they live in community with Him and each other, He sometimes lets them peek into a little corner of His plan.

I’ve always found it important to pay attention to what God speaks through others ESPECIALLY if He has been saying the same thing to me.

This is why church, a gathering of believers (whether under a steeple or around a coffee table), is so important.

What I find really interesting about Jesus’ describing the church as two or three people is that those verses are sandwiched between verses dealing with Church discipline, and verses dealing with the need to forgive others generously. The church is to honor God with right living, and it is to honor God by mimicking His forgiving nature.

“Do you think that I like to see wicked people die?” says the Sovereign LORD. “Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live.” Ezekiel 18:23

Living right and loving others unconditionally is not an easy lifestyle; in fact, it is impossible on our own. However, it defines what a church must do to invite and grow followers of Christ.

If you are a follower of Christ and are not currently connected to a body of faith, I challenge you to find a community where you can grow. If you are part of a community, find new ways you can connect with others.

Joe

Part One of The River Community Church’s Vision

Life Changing
Small groups of people are where it's at. When asked where our church meets, we laugh. "All over the place," is our response. The church is about people, not buildings. Our Small Groups ARE the church. They meet regularly to share life; both its joys and struggles. You'll find them meeting in bars, malls, coffee houses and diners. You'll see them serving others in our community and beyond. And you'll hear about them starting new Groups. There are people all over the place who need to reconnect with God and with others; without new Groups we'd never get to share this journey with them. All kinds of friends are invited to walk along with us. They come because here they discover acceptance and love.


Related Verses
Matthew 18:15-22

Correcting Another Believer
“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.

“I tell you the truth, whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.

“I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”

Parable of the Unforgiving Debtor
Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?”

“No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!

Hebrews 10:23-25
Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.


Selected verses taken from NLTse.