Three Benefits of Fellowship
One Sunday morning a seminary student was in his car headed to Church. As he was leaving his dorm room the rain had started to fall and the closer he was getting to the church the harder the rain was coming down. The weather man had predicted severe weather that day – but he had decided to go to church anyway – because sometimes weathermen were wrong. As he drove along, the rain became harder and harder until it was almost a downpour – but he kept going. Then as he drove along he passed someone walking on the sidewalk. He pulled the car over to the curb and motioned to the pedestrian to get in car. The pedestrian came over, opened the door and got in. It turned out that the person walking that rainy morning was Professor Jones, an older dignified gentleman, who taught theology at the seminary. Professor Jones as close to retirement. The student had taken several classes from him.
The student said, “Professor Jones, what are you doing out on a day like this?” Professor Jones replied, “Well it’s Sunday and I’m on my way to church.” The student said, “Professor, didn’t you see the weather report? Didn’t you know that they had predicted rain for today? Why did you decide today to go to church?” Professor Jones replied, “I didn’t decide today to go church. I made that decision over 50 years ago when I became a Christian. When I gave my life to Christ I promised Him I would study His Word. I also promised I would do my best to follow His Word and that every chance I got I would be around His people – the Church. No I didn’t decide today to go to church – I made that decision a long time ago.”
What I would like to talk about this morning is Fellowship.
Fellowship is the relationship that we have with one another as Christians. It is based on the relationship we have with Jesus Christ.
When you and I became Christians three relationships changed.
A. Jesus became our Savior.
B. God became our Father.
C. The Church became our Family. In other words: believers are now my brothers and sisters in Christ.
In our opening story this morning Professor Jones realized this fact. When he accepted Jesus as his savior He not only committed his life to Jesus – he committed his life to fellowship with God’s family - the church as well. It’s like: When a person marries; he or she does not just get a new spouse – they also get an extended family - it’s a package deal.
This morning I would like to look at “Three Benefits of Fellowship.”
Let’s look at our text from Acts Chapter Two. Peter has just finished preaching and here is what happens:
“Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 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.” Acts 2:41-47 (NKJV)
1. Fellowship builds FRIENDSHIPS.
The early church really was a close knit group. They were all together and had everything in common. I believe that the reason that the early church had such good relationships was because of their commitment to Jesus and each other. For you see:
Togetherness build RELATIONSHIPS.
Relationships build FELLOWSHIP.
Fellowship build FRIENDSHIPS.
Jesus said this about friendship:
“I’m no longer calling you servants because servants don’t understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I’ve named you friends because I’ve let you in on everything I’ve heard from the Father.” John 15:15 (MSG)
Friends have intimacy with one another. They have built a relationship with one another. I have learned that most people want good friendships. If you want to build good friendships in the church then you need to get involved with things in the church. You cannot expect good relationships to be built if you are not fellowshipping with other Christians.
Fellowship can only be built with T – I – M – E.
I heard the story of a lady that began going to church. (That was a good thing.) She went to church for weeks. She was there every Sunday during those weeks. She would come by herself every Sunday morning. She would arrive right as the service began and she would be the first one to leave the church. She would rush out as the closing song would begin. The church that she attended had no greeting time so she spoke to no-one. I am glad that she attended those services – I hope she got something out of them – but that is not fellowship. That is church attendance. Fellowship begins with attendance – but it goes far beyond that. Fellowship is building ongoing relationships with fellow believers.
Picture fellowship this way - we are on the same ship. We are fellow passengers. We have the same destination. The relationship that we have with Christ puts us in same boat. Our sins have been forgiven, we have a purpose for living, and we have a home in heaven. We have the same Savior. We have the same goals: to glorify God, to worship Him, to learn more about Jesus and become like Him, to use our gifts and talents for the building of God’s kingdom and to share the good-news with everyone we meet. We have the same Father. We have the same Savior. We have the same destination. Fellowship builds friendships - but it takes time, energy, and effort.
2. Fellowship builds UNITY.
Did you know that you can have union without unity? To prove the point here is all you have to do. Get two cats. Tie their tails together. Throw them over a clothesline and see how much unity they have. (Please don’t try this at home.)
The church is called to be united. Unity is having everything in common and being of the same mind. Psalm 133 says:
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” Psalms 133:1 (NKJV)
Fellowship builds unity, it did in the early church and it does now.
Some of us probably don’t remember but five years ago next month (July 2002) nine miners were trapped in a coal mine in Pennsylvania. On a Wednesday evening the mine collapsed filling with water. The miners were not pulled from the mine until Sunday morning. The miners were 250 feet underground in a water-filled mine shaft. Together they "decided early on they were either going to live or die as a group." They knew that they couldn’t last long. The water temperature was 55 degrees. If they were not rescued in a matter of hours they would all die of hypothermia.
So what the men decided to do was work together. "When one would get cold, the other eight would huddle around the person and warm that person, and when another person got cold, the favor was returned."
Harry Mayhugh when he was pulled from the mine said, "Everybody had strong moments. But any certain time maybe one guy got down, and then the rest pulled together. And then that guy would get back up, and maybe someone else would feel a little weaker, but it was a team effort. That’s the only way it could have been."
But it just wasn’t just the miners that pulled together. John Hillgoss wrote a poem about the situation. Here is a portion of it.
Families gathered, in the old Fire Hall,
Prayer Groups formed, to save them all,
Drilling crews came from far away,
They worked like dogs day after day.
Nine knocks came on a ventilation pipe,
12 hours gone, and they were alright,
A Hope, A Prayer, A Thread of Light,
They worked for three days, and four long nights.
The town folks came, with hot warm food,
Will they make it or not, no one knew,
The Governor cried, the families prayed,
The drills kept drilling, there were men to save.
70 some hours, and the drills broke through,
To a would be grave, and a Mining Crew,
Nine were alive, wet and cold,
A Miracle for all, 250 feet below.
The Quecreek mine, a Pennsylvania town,
Brought together by prayer, Lost faith was found,
The clouds blew away and left a clear blue sky.
Nine Lucky Miners are still alive. (1)
The miners and the town faced incredibly hostile conditions together—and they all came out alive together. What a picture of fellowship. Fellowship builds unity.
3. Fellowship builds GOD’S KINGDOM.
Notice the last phrase of our text from Acts chapter two:
“And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” Acts 2:47 (NKJV)
Our fellowship, the relationship we have with one another and with Jesus is a witness to the world. The early church was committed to Jesus and to one another and the world saw it. When Christians regularly meet together to worship God and fellowship with one another, we are a witness to the world. Jesus said:
“This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other." John 13:35 (MSG)
We are to Love God and Love People.
How do you become a part of God’s fellowship? How do you become a part of His family? How do you become a part of His church? It all starts with relationship.
How do you begin a relationship with Jesus?
1. ADMIT that God has not had first place in your life and that you have sinned.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from every wrong.” 1 John 1:9
2. BELIEVE that Jesus died for your sins.
“If you confess that Jesus is your Lord, and you believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9
3. ACCEPT God’s free gift of salvation.
“For it is by grace you are saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8, 9
4. INVITE Jesus to come into your life and take control.
“To all who receive Him, He gives the right to become children of God. All we need to do is to trust Him to save us. All those who believe this are reborn! — not a physical rebirth...but from the will of God!” John 1:12-13
Prayer:
Father this day I commit myself to fellowship. Help me to build strong lasting relationships with fellow believers and with You. Let me commit to taking the time and making the effort to get to know those believers that I worship with. May we build friendships. May we build unity. May we build Your Kingdom. For these things I ask in Jesus name. Amen.
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(1) Available on www.MountainJohn.com
