FELLOWSHIP IS ENCOURAGING!
One of the characteristics of the New Testament church was fellowship.
One of the reasons why God has commanded that we “not forsake the assembling of ourselves together” (Hebrews 10:25) is the NEED that we must connect with God, and WITH ONE ANOTHER!
In Acts 2:42-47 we read, “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”
Let us notice some things from this passage that can help us as we walk with God, and one another on the way to our heavenly destination.
THEY HAD FELLOWSHIP IN THE APOSTLES TEACHING! Brothers and sisters, we need fellowship so we can gather together and remind ourselves of the truth of Scripture, as well as encourage one another to greater faith and devotion.
THEY WHO BELIEVED WERE TOGETHER. They spent time together DAY BY DAY. They attended the temple together, they ate together, and they rejoiced in what God had done in blessing them in food, and time together. I know that they did not “enjoy” the things we have today; they did enjoy spending time together. Those who taught them more about Jesus and His gospel, the better they knew God and His plan for saving and aiding man were strengthened for the adversity they would face in the world.
THEY WILLINGLY HELPED THE ONES WHO WERE IN NEED. They sold their possession and belongings and distributed this to those who had need. They fed the hungry and willing gave up the things of this world to aid their brothers and sisters in Christ.
THEY MET DAILY IN THE TEMPLE, AND IN EACH OTHERS’ HOMES. Daily meeting – not just on Sundays, but Sunday through Saturday. They understood the need to be around those who were likeminded. These were brothers and sisters who engaged with one another daily. What would happen if we had daily encouragement? What if we at least called and checked on one another daily? Talking on the phone will be better than nothing but talking with one another face to face builds strong relationships.
THEY PRAISED GOD TOGETHER AND HAD FAVOR WITH ALL THE PEOPLE. As we see these saints and the lives they led, we see that they reinforced their fellowship because they needed to be encouraged as well as to encourage. ENCOURAGEMENT is not just for preachers, elders, deacons, . . . all of us can, could and should encourage one another more and more. In our world today many are living anxiously, wondering what will happen next in our culture. Our faith must be rooted and grounded in Christ. Christians are commanded not to be anxious, (6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus Philippians 4:6-7. Hence, we need more faith! That comes from personal study, but also from other Christians. Christians were and are different; hence they needed communion with God and their brethren to keep the faith! They needed constant encouragement. WE NEED CONSTANT ENCOURAGEMENT AS WELL.
No doubt, because they had close relationships, (especially during times of persecution) they set an example to the world about them. What would happen if . . .
Christians encouraged one another daily today?
Christians set the example of being there, not just for other Christians, but also for their neighbors and friends who are not Christians?
Would the world see us and change? Understand this — not everyone will become a Christian just because of this – but it will go a L O N G W A Y to helping the world and our culture see that we can get along, if we follow our King and think, act and be like Him!
FELLOWSHIP WITH ONE ANOTHER IS KEY TO CHURCH GROWTH. Recently, we changed the times of our service to begin at 9:30; and then, because of some concerns about attendance, (we would like the see a full building every Sunday) the elders switched back to 10:00 AM. Some have noted that we need the extra fellowship – and I say to that, AMEN! Without making any demands, we ourselves can work at having more fellowship here at the building by staying longer and talking with others about our lives, as well as by visiting with one another earlier in the day or through the week. The early church made it a point to do so – we can as well.
MAY WE GROW THROUGH THE APOSTLES DOCTRINE, AND FELLOWSHIP.
Tommy
