BACK TO THE BASICS PT 3. - 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 we see, “Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” (NKJV). Acts 4:32 to 35 adds, “And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles' feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.” (NKJV). 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. This comes into play most evidently in Acts Chapter 6. The situation involved the support of the widows of the church. One ethnic group believed that another ethnic group was being favored in the distribution of the available resources. The result was the selection of the first Deacons, the first leaders outside the Apostles, to oversee the care of all the widows. Paul gives instructions for a collection to be taken in Corinth, as he had apparently done with the Galatian church, to be given to the church in Jerusalem where there was a need.

Hebrews 10:19 to 25 say, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” (NKJV). These verses show 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 paralyzed leaving here unable to walk, severely limited in the use of her arms. However, 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 WW ll. 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 other words, if you do not participate you leave the body of Christ paralyzed, blind, deaf, mute etc.

HOW IS YOUR FELLOWSHIP!!!

Dr. O.