Responding with Fellowship

 The last two weeks we've talked about how we should respond to the many events unfolding in the headlines around us. Some of the events behind those headlines are both tragic and evil - and we've looked at how we're called to respond, not with hate or violence, but in prayer and with holiness. But many in the world are responding with anger and division. And since it doesn't seem like things are going to calm down any time soon - I also want to talk about responding with fellowship and why that's important.

Now, when I say 'fellowship' in the Church many people's minds immediately go to the idea of a 'carry in dinner'. There's nothing wrong with a good potluck – but if that's all our understanding of fellowship is, we're missing out on so much more that God intends for us. I want us to start by looking at a passage where the apostle Peter preached after receiving the gift of God's Holy Spirit. And this is the response of the people, from Acts 2:41-47 (NIV)...

Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. (42) They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (43) Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. (44) All the believers were together and had everything in common. (45) Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.

(46) Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, (47) praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

This was an exciting time at the beginning of the early Church. The Good News of Jesus' resurrection and His message of salvation brought believers together around His mission! They couldn't contain their excitement! But - would this passage be the same if it was translated, 'They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to potlucks'? (I don't even know the Greek word for 'potluck'.)

Once again, I've got nothing against a 'carry in dinner' – but the word translated here as 'fellowship' - its real meaning is about partnership, a social participation in a partnership. That's quite a bit more meaning than just eating lunch together after a Church service.

And what is it that we are partnering... for? What's the purpose? The purpose is – to be the Church, to accomplish the mission of the Church! The fellowship, the partnering we're to experience isn't just because we have a common love of dessert, but a deeper connection with each other through Jesus Christ! Through this partnering together as the Church, through this fellowship – we are called to…

I. Encourage one another

Now, as you look over the outline in your bulletin, you may notice a recurring phrase - 'one another'. Fellowship is all about connecting with others. Fellowship doesn't happen with just one person. It's about that partnership, that connection with other believers. We're challenged in Hebrews 10:25 (NIV)...

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

What Day is he referring to? The Day of Jesus' return! And as things get darker and our nation becomes more divided - I pray we're a lot closer to that return! So we need to encourage one another - but we can only do that when we're in fellowship with one another!

Understand - we were created to be in fellowship with one another - whether we always like it or not. - Can you be a follower of Jesus without being a part of a Church family..? Let me ask this - can you be a football player without a team? Sure, but what's the point? Does it do anyone any good? We were meant to be connected with each other.

Even 'un-churched folk' understand the need for connections, community and a sense of belonging. Think about it – 'beer commercials' they don't really sell beer, they sell 'fellowship'; they sell connections. They don't advertise some guy drinking alone in a dark basement by himself. They show people enjoying one another's company – they show people in connection with one another.

Now, if they can excite people about connecting over something as temporary as 'a party' – can't we encourage one another to connect, to partner in fellowship for God's eternal purposes?And this is where Christian fellowship starts to go a lot deeper than just sharing a meal. John says this in John 13:34-35 (NIV)...

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. (35) By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

And there is a difference between 'liking someone' and 'loving someone'. I can still encourage someone - I can show love to that person - even if I may not like them as much as I should. I may have very different opinions and preferences and views and perspectives from others in the Church. Church is where I go to worship with people with whom I might not agree or even necessarily like all that much. - But I can love them because they're my brothers and sisters in Christ!

We are all very different people. And some of us are very easy to like. But, I've said it before - some of us - probably myself included as well, may be more of an... 'acquired taste'. And that's okay - but you only develop an 'acquired taste' over time, together. It's not an easy thing to learn to like someone with whom you have differences if you never spend time with them. It's an almost impossible task to show love to someone if you never actually connect in fellowship.

We are called to actually demonstrate love to each other. That love goes further than just calling someone friend – it is most effectively done face to face. Last week, when Jim Nichols had his surgery, I was encouraged to hear that Phyllis Campbell insisted on stopping by the hospital waiting room to sit with Martha. Martha had her reading material with her and she was fine - but I was told Phyllis said, "I'm coming, that's what friends are for." And it was very appreciated! That's fellowship...

Encourage one another, love one another - and partnering together is also about praying for and with each other.

I miss Dave Noble. I miss how he'd stop in my office and we'd chat about our various complaints and issues. A few years back when I was clearing some trees from my property, Dave brought his chainsaw out and we cut logs together. When Dave said he was praying for me - I knew he meant it. And we were also close enough that he knew what I really needed prayers for was wisdom; grace and patience. I needed prayers for my ability to share God's message. I needed prayers as a father and a husband. I needed prayers for things that matter into eternity.

True fellowship gives us insight into what prayers people really need. Those things that may not be so obvious at first glance. Fellowship helps us to understand how to…

II. Minister to one another

If someone came through those doors and asked, "Where's the minister?", many would probably point to me. While that's most likely what they're asking, it's not really Biblical. I may be the 'paid vocational preaching minister', but I'm not the only minister here. Each of us is called to minister to the needs of each other. The vast majority of ministry that occurs within our congregation is done by you.

I'm just one guy with only so many hours in a week. When you spend time in fellowship with one another, a huge amount of ministry takes place outside of these walls. That's God's design for His Church! If you each had to rely only on me for all of your spiritual needs – most of you would be left wanting. There is a very practical design to fellowship as seen in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NIV)...

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: (10) If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! (11) Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? (12) Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

I've heard people say, 'religion is just a crutch'. Anyone here ever had to be on crutches? If you need crutches - but don't have them - you either can't go anywhere or you end up on the ground! People say 'religion is a crutch' as if that's such a bad thing. I'm not arrogant enough to say that I don't need any help at all as I go through this life.

I'd have to say that fellowship is a crutch – a great, wonderful crutch! Without having a Church family to serve and to be served in return – what kind of miserable life is that? I've always wondered how people go through tragedies in this life without a Church family. That has to be such a sad, lonely time. It's at times like that, that I better understand the fellowship of other Christians.

And another way in which we minister to one another in fellowship is through our worship. We know that the object, the focus of our worship is God. And we also see in scripture that worship is a personal and a 'corporate' thing. It's something we are to do in our private lives and something we participate in as a group. Gathering together with others to worship God - even when things are falling apart around you - that testimony, that act of faith in God ministers to those around you.

Years back I did the funeral service for Joe Podgorny. The very next Sunday after Joe passed away, Lillian Podgorny was there in Church service. I could see she was still shaky, and I told her I was surprised she was able to make it. She told me, "This is where I'm supposed to be, honey." She understood fellowship.

Those of you who've raised kids are probably familiar with this conversation. You ask your child to pick their clothes up off the floor. And maybe you get a response like, "But I want to watch TV." - "I didn't ask what you wanted; I would like you to pick up your clothes, please." "But I want to go on the computer." - "I didn't ask you to go on the computer, I asked you to pick up your clothes."

God has asked us to gather together and worship him, but sometimes we do the same thing. - "But I thought I'd stay home and catch up on some yard work." God says, "I asked you to be part of my Church and worship me." - "But I don't really have a great voice." God says, "I'm very aware of the voice you have, I gave it to you. I asked you to worship me together with your family."

We forget that God asks us to worship Him as a Church body for His benefit; His pleasure, not necessarily ours. Worshipping is part of fellowship, praising God together because He deserves praise from His Church! That corporate act, together testifying to God's greatness is important! And here's another insight...

1 Peter 2:4-5 (NIV)

As you come to him, the living Stone - rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him - (5) you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Individually, we are not each a 'spiritual house'. It's only when we are together do we comprise this 'holy priesthood'. A 'living stone' off by itself is just a rock. Worshipping together, as a body of believers accomplishes something special that any individual worship just can't do.

Fellowship is to encourage one another, to minister to one another and also to…

III. Strengthen one another

Think of it this way – if a professional level athlete wants to be the very best, does he only play with Jr. High kids he knows he can beat? Where's the challenge in that? Will he ever come close to reaching his potential as an athlete if he never plays with exceptional athletes who may even be better than he is?

Can you be a Christian all by yourself? It's possible. It's also possible to be a child without a family. We'd call that child an orphan, but I think we'd all agree that's a less than ideal situation for that child. Through fellowship, we are called to strengthen one another. And it's not always a painless process. But following Jesus was never promised to be painless.

Proverbs 27:17 (NIV)

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

I've used a bench grinder to sharpen metal. You're supposed to use safety glasses and gloves to protect from sparks and flying bits of metal. If you've ever watched it - sharpening metal is not a gentle process. Rough or dull metal is shaved away through contact and friction until it becomes smooth and sharp. After it has gone through this process, it's then useful.

Fellowship, partnering with other Christians, living your lives together brings you into contact with each other and there will occasionally be friction. There will be times when we don't necessarily care for fellowship. But when it's done correctly, together with love – it brings us to a point where we then become useful for God.

Hebrews 3:12-13 (NIV)

See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. (13) But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.

Through fellowship - when we encourage one another, and love one another, and pray for one another, and minister to one another, and serve one another, and worship with one another – we gain the right and responsibility to challenge one another. There will be times when we need a brother or sister in Christ to gently, or maybe even not so gently, encourage or even push us where we know we should go.

The ultimate goal of fellowship isn't just so we can be a social club and simply know everyone's names. The goal of fellowship as a body is to get us, and as many people as we possibly can to Heaven through the saving grace of Jesus Christ!

So What?

When we see all the division and anger and bitterness between people around us - we are called to model unity despite our differences. The world needs to see that in the Church, especially now!

Fellowship with each other, when done correctly, leads us closer into fellowship with Christ! But there's a problem. The Church is made up of people; imperfect, flawed people. I have a sign in my office that says, "Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups." Anyone who's been in any Church for any length of time would probably agree with that statement, whether they'd admit it or not. The Church is comprised of sinners – and I fit into that category just like everyone else.

If the Church was only made up of perfect people – what would have been the point of Jesus dying on a cross for our sins? People are difficult. People are demanding. People are insensitive. People are selfish. And Jesus loves each and every one of us!

This past August when my family was in Wisconsin, I decided to cook some burgers on the charcoal grill. When I piled up all the little briquettes in a tight pyramid, Sully looked at it and questioned, "Do you know what you're doing?" I explained all the charcoal needed to be touching as it started so it would all light. Then, once the fire was going and ash had formed over all the coals, then I could spread it out. I even showed him one little coal off by itself that just died out.

The call to fellowship is not an easy one. Yes, people may hurt you. You may get 'burned'. Yes, people will let you down. Yes, people may even exasperate you. But you can't keep your 'fire burning for the Lord' all by yourself. We will not become the Church that Jesus calls us to be without each other; without fellowship, without partnering together for God's Holy purposes!