http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Heb%2010:24-25&version=NIV
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+22:37-39&version=NIV
Yesterday we had our Annual Christmas Open House. At our house. Beth and I have done this ever since we arrived here in Kalispell. This was our 20th one. The Open House consists of people from our church dropping by between 3 - 8 PM for food and fellowship. Beth bakes about 8 different kinds of cookies. There is also a variety of other snacks and finger food available as well. People stop by and eat. And talk. All told we had about 80 people stop by to visit. That’s pretty good for a church of 150. Some stayed for 30 minutes. Others stayed for a couple hours.
As I helped serve and talk yesterday I was reminded once again of one of the ways in which the church is unique. Fellowship. Getting together with other believers. This can occur in a variety of settings. Such as at church. Or at someone’s house. Or just going out with other believers. It is that common bond that we enjoy because of our relationship to Jesus that helps us enjoy each others company.
Fellowship seems to be a dying art these days. Many people who work in large, urban areas have long commutes to and from work. And then there is the busyness of their lives. The result is that people can work with each other for decades and never once have been inside each others homes. Or have done anything together socially. The same is true even of neighbors. Beyond talking about the weather or politics no relationship-building takes place.
At its heart, Christianity is about relationships. First and foremost, our relationship with God. Then our relationships with others. It goes without saying that our relationship with God is important. But so, too, are our relationships with others. It is through fellowship with others that we receive such things as strength, comfort, guidance, peace, joy and accountability. It is one of the primary ways that God molds and shapes our lives. How great it is to get to sit down and talk to a fellow-believer that you’ve known for many years. To catch up on what’s happening in each others lives. Equally great is meeting new believers. Finding out where they came from, how they made their way to our community and church, and some of what makes them tick. And, of course, what better way to do this than over a little food!
I don’t know where you are on the fellowship scale. Some enjoy being around people. Others not so much. Wherever you are I hope that you won’t neglect it. You need other believers in your life. And they need you. We need each other. This is the way that God has designed it. In some ways I suppose that our fellowship here on earth is a means of preparing us for Heaven. Where we will fellowship forever with Jesus. And with each other.
As I helped serve and talk yesterday I was reminded once again of one of the ways in which the church is unique. Fellowship. Getting together with other believers. This can occur in a variety of settings. Such as at church. Or at someone’s house. Or just going out with other believers. It is that common bond that we enjoy because of our relationship to Jesus that helps us enjoy each others company.
Fellowship seems to be a dying art these days. Many people who work in large, urban areas have long commutes to and from work. And then there is the busyness of their lives. The result is that people can work with each other for decades and never once have been inside each others homes. Or have done anything together socially. The same is true even of neighbors. Beyond talking about the weather or politics no relationship-building takes place.
At its heart, Christianity is about relationships. First and foremost, our relationship with God. Then our relationships with others. It goes without saying that our relationship with God is important. But so, too, are our relationships with others. It is through fellowship with others that we receive such things as strength, comfort, guidance, peace, joy and accountability. It is one of the primary ways that God molds and shapes our lives. How great it is to get to sit down and talk to a fellow-believer that you’ve known for many years. To catch up on what’s happening in each others lives. Equally great is meeting new believers. Finding out where they came from, how they made their way to our community and church, and some of what makes them tick. And, of course, what better way to do this than over a little food!
I don’t know where you are on the fellowship scale. Some enjoy being around people. Others not so much. Wherever you are I hope that you won’t neglect it. You need other believers in your life. And they need you. We need each other. This is the way that God has designed it. In some ways I suppose that our fellowship here on earth is a means of preparing us for Heaven. Where we will fellowship forever with Jesus. And with each other.
Lord, I thank you for fellowship. For the relationships that I have developed with other believers. I thank you for the things that we have in common as well as the differences that we have. I thank you that this fellowship is possible through Your Son. Help me not to avoid or minimize fellowship but to actively seek and promote it. And in so doing, to reach my full potential in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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