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Apakah Tujuan Utama Kelompok Sel?

2011-02-24T16:02:00.000-08:00

Kelompok sel diperlukan semata-mata untuk mencapai tujuan Allah melalui gereja-Nya, sebagaimana yang disebut dalam Kolose 1:28 dan Efesus 4:13.

Saling memperhatikan

Hal yang paling sulit dialami dalam ibadah raya ialah saling mempedulikan. Dalam sel yang sehat, Kristus bekerja memberkati setiap anggota, sehingga setiap orang menerima dan memiliki hidup Kristus, saling mengasihi dengan kasih Kristus, saling menolong, dan saling membantu (Efesus 4:1-6). Di dalam kelompok sel yang sehat, Kristus memerintah, Roh Kudus bekerja, kasih-Nya mengalir dan dialami oleh setiap orang. Dalam kelompok sel yang sehat, Allah bekerja, sehingga kesatuan sejati dan kesehatian yang tulus (Kisah Para Rasul 3:32a) terwujud tanpa kemunafikan. Inilah yang menunjang pertumbuhan rohani setiap anggota, saling menguatkan untuk membawa kasih itu kepada orang lain.

Penjangkauan keluar.

Pertumbuhan rohani yang sehat tidak dapat dipisahkan dari upaya untuk mengasihi yang terhilang dalam dosa. Sebaliknya, kasih Kristus yang dialami dalam kelompok sel adalah dorongan kuat untuk menjangkau jiwa bagi Tuhan. Tugas ini dapat dikerjakan oleh setiap orang, tetapi akan lebih efektif bila dilaksanakan dalam kelompok sel. Dalam kelompok sel setiap orang didoakan, disiapkan, dan dilatih untuk diutus keluar menjangkau orang yang belum percaya bagi Allah sebagai bukti pekerjaan Kristus dalam hidupnya. Di sisi lain, orang yang dimenangkan itu, bila dibawa ke dalam kelompok yang tidak saling mengasihi, akan sangat sulit, bahkan merusak kesaksian Kristiani. Orang Kristen baru itu tidak merasakan kasih Kristus, dan tidak menemukan hal yang berbeda dengan keadaan di dunia sekuler, bila orang dalam persekutuan Kristen tidak saling mengasihi. Akibatnya, ia sulit bertahan hidup dalam kelompok seperti itu dan mencari kelompok lain yang dapat menolong pertumbuhan imannya. Hal ini tidak dapat ditemukan dalam penginjilan secara pribadi (Pengkhotbah 4:9-12, Matius 16:19-20).

Mengembangkan karunia rohani.

Berdasarkan kebenaran Firman Tuhan, setiap orang yang sudah bertobat, menerima Kristus dan dilahirkan kembali, memiliki Roh Kudus (Efesus 1:13-14). Roh Kudus itulah yang membagikan karunia bagi setiap orang percaya (Kisah Para Rasul 2:38; 1Korintus 12:4-13). Bila kita jujur, banyak orang percaya hidup bertahun- tahun, tanpa mengetahui dengan jelas karunia apa yang dimilikinya, walaupun telah bertobat. Itulah sebabnya, ia tidak bertumbuh secara sehat dan kurang giat dalam pekerjaan Tuhan. Tentu ada banyak alasan, tetapi salah satunya yang penting ialah orang itu tidak berada dalam satu kelompok kecil yang dapat saling memperhatikan atau saling mendoakan dan saling mendorong dalam pertumbuhan. Hal ini tidak mungkin dikerjakan dalam ibadah raya, sebab perlu pengajaran dalam proses pemuridan yang teratur. Dan terjadilah hal yang sangat disayangkan, yaitu tidak semua orang percaya diberdayakan bagi kemajuan gereja Tuhan.

Mempersiapkan gereja di masa sulit.

Bila orang tidak diajarkan secara sistematis dan tidak dilatih untuk melayani menurut karunianya, imannya mudah goyah. Itulah sebabnya, bila datang tantangan iman, mereka mudah menjadi lemah dan berbalik kepada kepercayaan yang sia-sia. Kelompok sel bukan hanya mempersiapkan orang Kristen agar hidup dalam anugerah Allah, tetapi juga menolong orang Kristen agar dapat bertahan terus di masa-masa sulit sebab tidak bergantung pada gedung tertentu. Kelompok sel dapat berlangsung di mana-mana, di rumah anggota atau di ruangan yang sederhana, itulah salah satu cirinya yang dinamis.

Dipetik dari Sabda.Org

Family Matter

2010-07-02T02:04:00.000-07:00

Have you ever noticed that in everyday life, people often take their family for granted? Many don’t really know how to show appreciation towards one another. For example, husband seldom says ‘Thank you’ when his wife helps him to prepare his socks and shoes. The wife doesn’t say ‘Have a good day’ when her husband goes to work. No goodnight kiss or goodbye kiss. Kids don’t say ‘good morning’ when they see their parents at the breakfast table. Don’t be surprised to find out that many married couples don’t even say ‘I love you’ anymore. Why?

Over the years, we tend to think that whatever our family’s doing for us is something that they SHOULD be doing. It’s my husband’s obligation to drive me to the grocery store no matter how busy he is; after all I’m buying things for the whole family, not just for myself. It’s my wife’s responsibility to make sure the house is clean, because she is the housewife, I don’t really need to help, I’m already tired working all day long. It’s my parents’ duty to give me a good and expensive education, because they were the ones who brought me into this world, I never asked to be born. These kinds of thought and countless others are the cause of lack of respect that can occur in any family nowadays, Christian or non Christian.

Birthdays are not celebrated. Anniversaries are forgotten. There is no love in the air. I often come across families in the restaurant that just eat their meal in silence. No meaningful conversation takes place. No smile or laughter. Everybody is busy in his/her own thought. Some teenagers can’t even wait to finish up their food so they can go ahead to hang out with their friends at the arcade or mall which they find more exciting than spending time with their parents. Why is this happening?
Firstly, the husband and wife must be able to give example to the children. Children will not understand how to love their parents if every day they see their parents quarrelling and fighting between themselves. Love must be established between husband and wife. Get rid of all suspicion; make effort to reconcile any differences between husband and wife. Forgive each other. Come to God and pray together as a couple. Then, the children will be able to see the changes. They will feel the difference that takes place at home. No more negative words spoken. They feel loved; therefore they will be able to love.

I thank God for my family. I know my family is not perfect, but each member has willingness to love and forgive. We have gone through a lot, good times and bad times; yet, we still stick together as one. In another opportunity, perhaps I will share to you about my family. Meanwhile, I pray that your family will also be changed and restored by God. No matter how broken, God can do miracles. Amen.

Ephesians 5:1-2, “Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.”

Unplugged Musical Drama in Easter Day

2009-03-03T17:04:00.000-08:00

Shalom Bro. & Sis! Pada 12 April 2009 , jam 2.30 pm ini, kita akan mengadakan Unplugged Musical Drama di Gereja Grace Shah Alam bagi mengingati dan menghargai pergorbanan Tuhan kita Yesus kristus di kayu salib. Mari saudara/i , kita bersama - sama menikmati event ini dengan hati yang penuh dengan ucapan syukur dan terima kasih .

Seminar Pujian & Penyembahan Gereja Grace Shah Alam

2009-02-08T17:14:00.000-08:00

Shalom Bro. & Sis! Gereja Grace Shah Alam dengan rindunya menjemput saudara/i yang dikasihi Tuhan Yesus Kristus untuk menghadiri seminar Pujian & Penyembahan 2009. Mari lah kita sama - sama mendapat berkat lewat seminar ini. Tuhan berkati.

How You Can Experience God's Love and Forgiveness

2009-01-19T17:28:00.000-08:00

If you have asked Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior, you have been completely forgiven of all your sins. The Bible says, “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12). Jesus’ death on the cross took away your sins. He died so that you could be free from the guilt and shame of your sin and experience God’s total love and forgiveness.
Now God sees you as if you had never sinned. We are told in the Bible “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). You are now one of those who are in Christ Jesus, free from condemnation! God has also made a way for you to be forgiven if you sin in the future. As Christians, we are promised “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9). Go now and thank God that you can experience life as one completely forgiven!
Key verses
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7).
“I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of His name” (I John 2:12).
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9).

Understanding Your Wife

2008-12-09T19:41:00.000-08:00

The Modern Man's Guide to Understanding His WifeWIFESPEAK ENGLISH EQUIVALENT
--------- ------------------
* You want <==> You want
* We need <==> I want
* It's your decision <==> The right decision should be obvious by now
* Do what you want <==> You'll pay for this later
* We need to talk <==> I need to complain
* Sure,... go ahead <==> I don't want you to
* I'm hungry <==> (a) Make me something to eat
(b) Stop what you are doing, scrape together your last $$, and go
drive across town and get me something to eat. ... I don't care
if what you are doing is important.
* I'm not upset <==> Of course I'm upset, you moron
* You're,... so manly <==> You need a shave and you sweat a lot
* You're certainly <==> Is sex all you ever think about? attentive tonight
* I'm not emotional! <==> I'm having my period ...And I'm not overreacting!
* Be romantic, turn <==> I have flabby thighs out the lights.
* This kitchen is so <==> I want a new house inconvenient
* The car is empty <==> Go fill it up
* The trash is full <==> Take it out
* The dog is barking <==> Go outside in your underwear and see what is wrong
* I want new curtains <==> and carpeting, and furniture, and wallpaper
* I need wedding shoes <==> the other 40 pair are the wrong shade of white
* Hang the picture <==> NO! I mean hang it there! there
* I heard a noise <==> I noticed you were almost asleep
* Do you love me? <==> I'm going to ask for something expensive
* How much do you love <==> I did something today you're really not going to like
me?

In answer to "What's Wrong?"

* Nothing <==> Everything
* Everything <==> My PMS is acting up
* Nothing, really <==> It's just that you're such an asshole
* I don't want to talk <==> Go away, I'm still building up steam.

How to Live a Good Christian Life

2008-12-09T19:14:00.000-08:00

1. Follow Jesus' greatest commandment: Love God completely and everybody even if they treat you wrongly whether you know them or not. Jesus said "You have heard love your neighbor and hate your enemies, but I say love [be kind to] your enemies also..." (Matthew 5:43)

2. Acknowledge you're a sinner and then repent. Realize that conversion is not simply one act but the beginning of a life-long commitment. Don't be hard on yourself if and when you fail, pick yourself up, trust in God and go forward.

3. Read your Bible. You can really learn a lot from this. "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable [for something] for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;"(2 Timothy 3:16) If you open to a part that is not meaningful to you consider skipping a chapter or two and try again or close your Bible and open it again.

4. Set aside time for effective and meaningful prayer. Make intercession for people who do not pray enough for their own development, i.e.: children, cousins, friends, enemies and family, etc.

5. Try to see the perspectives (point of view) of others, even if you personally disagree with them. Of course, an answered prayer for peace for your enemies and that they would become blessed as children of God would help both you and them.

6. Be patient with people who anger you; work on trying to forgive those who may have hurt you. You must learn to love your enemies. God loves everyone, and we need to, also. Say farewell to selective loving. If you have a hard time loving your enemies, pray to God for help.

7. Work and pray for others to the best of your abilities to help others in many ways.

8. Treat others kindly as you would like to be treated. Even simple acts of kindness like holding a door open for someone are good deeds that can help you feel less paranoid--because then you feel that others should think well of you and of your testimony in Christ.

9. Volunteer to help people. For example, you could take a shift at a soup kitchen near you, help with a Christmas effort to give gifts to the poor on Christmas, or visit a people staying in a nursing home.

10. Remain conservative in your ethics, moderate and modest being sure to remember that pride can be dangerous. Pride may imply that you are judging others falsely, and is said to be the mother of all sins, because pride resides in each one of us. The source of all sin is oneself and not considering others (greed, lust, hate, murder, theft, etc.).

11. Share your beliefs so that you spread the good news. Remember, living the Christian life through your actions will make others want to follow God. Always stick up for your beliefs such as being conservative in good morals and liberal in giving your own goods--not being a Robin Hood or "welfare-pimp" or "welfare-monger" (profiting off poverty) or welfare-cheat, but converting others to Christ by grace through faith, and then into good-works.

12. Understand what Christians believe God said that you will be persecuted for your beliefs, so do not allow others' attacks to weaken your faith. Have the courage of you convictions to do well but not for judging others.

13. Make special efforts to fellowship with other believers. It is a wonderful thing that God wants Christians to unite in church and Bible study evenings--so do not think of others as hypocrites or hold yourself out as an example. Give the credit for any good that you may do to God and to God's blessing. You will find it a blessing to talk with Bible study members about the Christian life: but not sensationalism like argumentative opinions or sex-talk, of course... This may be called being accountable--being open to share your views or any misgivings and weaknesses.

14 .Reform yourself: it's crucial--but not for salvation--only to do well and to be right (in line with the Truth). You must "put off" the old man and "put on" the whole armor or God. One may sin against himself and possibly against God's purpose and plan by just carelessly maintaining old habits. The Bible says "Therefore, rid yourselves of everything impure and every expression of wickedness, and with a gentle spirit welcome the word planted in you that can save your souls."(James 1:21)

15. Remember the heart of your faith should be love, not an obligation to check off these boxes but to live as Jesus--easier said than done--but as long as you are aspiring to be like him, you're on the right track. God will always be there to help you through it, one step at a time.

16. Fall in love with God, and trust Him with all your heart, mind and soul! He loves you more than anyone on the planet is even slightly capable of doing! That's worth everything!

Relationship

2008-10-15T06:32:00.000-07:00

Many Christians go to church on Sunday, but when they come back home, they face the same problems, the same mess. They live a defeated life. The wife does not submit to the husband, the husband does not love the wife, the children are disobedient. Relationship problems such as these can give a lot of headache to any of us. We expect victory, but we find out that most of the time we feel like a failure.
Many Christians go to church on Sunday, but when they come back home, they face the same problems, the same mess. They live a defeated life. The wife does not submit to the husband, the husband does not love the wife, the children are disobedient. Relationship problems such as these can give a lot of headache to any of us. We expect victory, but we find out that most of the time we feel like a failure.
Then the devil will try to attack our mind, by saying that it’s useless to go to church, it’s even useless to be a Christian because no changes take place in our lives. People who like to entertain negative thoughts will agree with the devil and stop going to church and stop being a Christian altogether. Actually, what we need to know is the fact that going to church alone is not enough. What we need is a relationship with God, a personal relationship.
When we are close to God, we will be able to hear His heartbeat; we will come to know His thoughts and plans. We will know what His will is in our lives. Our character will be transformed to be like Christ (that’s the real meaning of being a Christian by the way, to be Christ-like). Then we will know how to love others the way Jesus loves all of us. We need to be in a good relationship with God, in order to have great relationship with others.
Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” Who will ever have problems with someone who is so loving; joyful and peaceful though in the middle of a crisis; patient towards our weakness; kind and good hearted; faithful through thick and thin; gentle in speech; practices self-control in all his conduct? No one!

That’s exactly why we need to be close to God. We won’t be able to obtain this fruit of the Spirit by ourselves. It is the work of the Holy Spirit in us. These character traits are the very nature of Christ. We can only obtain it, if we join our life to His. John 15:4-5, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”

Let’s make a commitment today to be in a close relationship with God, so our character can be changed to be like Him. Thus we will be able to minimize relationship problems in our lives. Do not expect others to change, until we start the change within ourselves. (DC)