Fellowship [koy nohn ee' ya]

This morning's sermon was about how to be a part of the family of Christ. The early church cared about each other so much they spent time with each other. They sold their possessions and had all things in common. They met daily in the temple and prayed together. They met and ate together in each others houses. They supported each other.

All selfish ambition was replaced with regard for others. They were looking out for each other and growing closer to each other as they became more like Christ.

If you are lonely and leave the church service feeling like you don't fit in and don't know anyone, then bust out of your isolationism and individualism. It's not about how much you can get, but instead how much you have to offer. If the sponge only soaks up, it stagnates. It must be emptied to be able to soak up anything new. Are your gifts stagnating inside you because you aren't using them? If you were saved then you received a gift or gifts from the Holy Spirit. Those gifts were not intended for you to use to gain socio-economic status in the current world system. Your gifts were given to use for the edification of the entire body of Christ. If you are feeling alone, reach out and be a friend. Invest your gifts in others. Esteem others more highly than you do yourself. Don't wear your feelings on your sleeves. Have a forgiving attitude and pray for wisdom.

The goal is not to see who has more friends in the end. But if you grow close to several other Christian families you will find that the family of God is a real family and that those friendships will be a big part of your life.

Pray for other Christians. This is a selfless act that draws us closer to our Maker and teaches us the heart of our Saviour. We have to look out for each other and not just be all about promoting ourselves.

The greek word for fellowship is koinania [koy nohn ee' ya] and it is the type of fellowship that represents a family that gets along really well. It is true to its members and spiritually deep. It is looking out for its weakest link and helping them up when they fall.

When Jesus returns and establishes His kingdom, it will be like that! Pray and ask God to soften your heart and renew your mind and help you to be the child of His that builds up His body.


--Johnie