Let's Get Together

"Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:25) 

We have coffee at home, we have food at home, but who likes to spend time eating and drinking coffee alone? There are some that do. For myself, I am a social person. I have always enjoyed getting up early, and having coffee, and breakfast, if time allows, with others who have the same desire. It is a good feeling to be with others, and to share our daily, weekly struggles, and yes try to solve the world's problems in one setting. lol

As I think about our worship as Christians, and our work to reach the world for Christ, it is very clear that the Lord wanted us to do it together. The Lord wants us to worship together, study the Bible together, pray together, and serve Him together. The Hebrew writer in our text says in the opening line of this verse: "Not neglecting to meet together" 

Like coals on a grill, when they are together, they put forth the hottest temperature. When we operate together, everyone doing something different, but yet working to accomplish the same objective; this is when we shine the brightest for the Lord.

Let's look forward to being together with the Lord. There is no feeling like it in the whole world. GP 

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EXAMINING CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

As Christians we are called unto the fellowship of Jesus Christ.
We are to find our place in the body of Christ. As tools in the Master's tool box, we all have our purpose as instruments of ministry to the world, and to the church.

It should be as smooth as can be, to take our place, and do our part. But when there is division in the fellowship, when there is self-contentedness, and an inward focus, it makes it hard to find a space,
and accomplish Kingdom work, as a Kingdom worker.

Our English word "fellowship" is the translation of the Greek word "Koinonia"
This Greek word is derived from the root, "Koinos" which has a prefix in Ancient Greek. If you were to add this prefix to words meaning "living" "owning a purse" a dispute, and mother, you would get words meaning; living in a community together, owning a purse in common, a public dispute, and having a mother in common. So we see that the root of the word"fellowship" means "to hold something in common." It is more than just a word that describes our social gatherings. As Christians, we hold someone in common. That someone is Jesus Christ.

Theme: Let's look at 1 Corinthians 1:9-10, and examine our Christian fellowship more closely.
THE FOUNDATION OF OUR FELLOWSHIP.
(1 Corinthians 1:9) What is the origin of our Christian fellowship? It begins with God faithfully calling us into fellowship with His Son (Read 1 John 1:7)
The vertical relationship (with God) must be right before the horizontal relationships (with others) will be right.
THE FRAMEWORK OF OUR FELLOWSHIP
(1 Corinthians 1:10) The Apostle Paul addresses the problem of division in the church at Corinth. In so doing, he establishes here the proper framework for solid Christian fellowship.We can apply what he presents here. He pleads with them in the name of the Lord Jesus to:
1. Speak the same thing. (Agree in the Lord)
2. Let there be no divisions among you.
3. Be joined together in the same mind. (Phil.2:1-5)
4. Have the same judgment. (Thought & Purpose)
Conclusion: TEAM=Together, Each, Accomplishes, More. GP

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A Broken Fellowship

"And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works." (Hebrews 10:24) 

When we were serving the Christian Church in Cummings, Kansas, I remember watching a video of the demolition of the Atchison Hospital. When the detonation went off, I saw that huge building fall in pieces to the ground. The demolition took probably two weeks to complete. They built a new hospital just outside of Atchison, It took quite a few months to complete.

The point I want to make is: When it comes to our fellowship with the church, it doesn't take long to tear it down, and to have it broken. It takes a long time to heal and to restore a broken fellowship.

The Hebrew writer encourages us to do two things that will not only repair a broken fellowship, but will keep it maintained in the presence of the Lord.
First he writes that we are to "stir up love." How are we to do that? The key word in this instruction is "consider." We are to consider others, instead of just considering our thoughts, attitudes, and actions. We are to "stir up" or strongly encourage each other, to love one another unconditionally.

And then secondly, the Hebrew writer tell us to "stir up" "good works."
These are acts of ministry to one another. How can we minister to one another, instead of just being involved with only our selfish concerns?

A broken fellowship can be mended, in time. But only if we apply the love of our Savior, to the hurts, and the discouragement, that comes when we allow the enemy to break our fellowship. GP

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