Fellowship: Continuity
Lance discusses the importance of understanding the principle of continuity in the Christian faith, emphasizing that believers are organically connected to the history of the church. He begins by referencing Zechariah 4, which illustrates God's work through the lampstand, symbolizing the testimony of Jesus. Lance highlights that true fellowship is rooted in this shared history and unity among all believers, past and present. He warns against the dangers of viewing contemporary movements as entirely separate from historical ones, as this can lead to pride and division. Instead, he encourages believers to recognize their place within the broader narrative of God's work throughout the ages, from Abraham to the present. Lance stresses that every movement of the Spirit has contributed to the ongoing revelation of God's purpose, and that the church's history is a continuous journey rather than a series of isolated events. He concludes with a call for believers to embrace their heritage, learn from past movements, and remain faithful to the principles of unity and continuity in their faith.
Outline of Main Points
- Introduction to the principle of continuity in the Christian faith.
- Reference to Zechariah 4 and the symbolism of the lampstand.
- Importance of true fellowship and unity among believers.
- Warnings against pride and division in contemporary movements.
- Recognition of the church's history as a continuous journey.
- Encouragement to embrace heritage and learn from past movements.
- Call for faithfulness to principles of unity and continuity.
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
1 And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep, 2 And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof: 3 And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof. 4 So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord? 5 Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. 6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. 7 Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it. 8 Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 9 The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you. 10 For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.
1 And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire: 2 And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth, 3 And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. 4 And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not. 5 And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, 6 And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer: 7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.
