DEVOTED TO FELLOWSHIP

DEVOTED TO FELLOWSHIP

Say the word "fellowship" in the context of the church and the thoughts of most people turn immediately to one thing - FOOD! Most of the churches I have attended or served have had regularly scheduled times of what they call fellowship. It may be a fellowship dinner, an agape feast, a carry-in dinner, a snack after an evening service, etc. True fellowship goes a lot further.

Reading Acts 2:44ff and Acts 4:32 to 35 fellowship is seen a physical or financial support. To be "in need" meant a person had no resources and no family members to turn to for assistance. hebrews 10:19 to 25 shows fellowship to be corporate worship, but more importantly, corporate encouragement.

Paul uses the illustration of the body in several passages discussing the Spiritual Gifts. Fellowship includes using those God given gifts for the betterment of the Body of Christ, the Church. Especially check out I Corinthians 12:12 and 13, and Romans 12:3 to 6. What if a member will not actively participate in the life of the church? Consider these examples. Joni Tada was injured in a diving accident as a teenager. It left here paralzed leaving here unable to walk, severely limited in the use of her arms. Howver, it left her with a beautiful singing voice and an ability to paint wonderful pictures using a brush in her teeth. Her body had to compensate for those parts unable to operate. Retired senator Robert Dole was injured in his military service in WWll. He skillfully compensated for the injuries to one arm to the point that some never realized he was injured at all. The point I am making is their bodies had to compensate for the parts that wouldn't work. The body of Christ has to compensate for us when we refuse to participate in the fellowship. In otherwords, if you do not participate you leave the body of Christ paralyzed, blind, deaf, mute etc.

HOW IS YOUR FELLOWSHIP!!!

Dr. O.