Real Church is not about religious traditions. It is about relationships with God and one another. Acts 2:42 says 'They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.' Last week Pastor Wes spoke about the first of the four basic practices which were the foundation for the continued growth of the church. He talked about how the apostles always taught about Jesus and said that it matters what we believe. But we see next that the early church was also committed to 'the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship.'
The Greek word for fellowship is Koinonia which describes a strong, warm, committed relationship between a community of people. The nearest English word is 'partnership'. It is a genuine, powerful unity which is expressed in a common partnership of Christians being together and working together to show and grow Christ’s kingdom. Rick Warren said in his bestselling book, 'The Purpose Drive Life' that it's ‘not just about believing it’s about belonging', and that every Christian needs to be part of a church family because it will move you out of self-centred isolation, keep you from backsliding and help you develop spiritual muscle. In reality, Church isn’t about a building and church isn’t something you attend. Church is something you are a part of. In other words, it matters who you hang out with. It matters who your closest friends and partners are. It matters who you are doing life with. If we are going to be real followers of Jesus and see strong churches built that we will live our whole lives in fellowship with our fellow Christians. It means that for the first disciples:
1. They were in constant contact with one another (Hebrews 10:24-25)
2. They enjoyed being with one another (Acts 2:46-47; Psalm 133:1)
• People who will build your faith not undermine your faith (1 Corinthians 15:33; Psalm 1:1)
• People who have a good attitude not a bitter spirit (Hebrews 12:15)
• People who challenge and inspire you to live at a higher level of godliness and achievement
• People who talk clean and walk clean
• People who create an atmosphere of peace not stress
• People who love God and follow Him with a passion
3. They really cared for one another (Acts 2:44-47; Acts 4:34-35; 1 John 3:16-18; John 13:35)
Apply
Do you really love and value your Christian family or is it more of a duty? Does your lifestyle fit around church, or does church fit around your lifestyle? Real church is about far more than Sunday attendance where everyone goes their own way for the rest of the week. Real church is where we are in constant contact with one another. Fellowship and church family was central to the lives of the first disciples of Jesus. They were always meeting up; both in larger gatherings and informally in homes or what we know as cell groups or small groups. The smaller group is, in fact, the best setting for developing relationships, fellowship and discipleship and for staying closely connected. The example of the Early Church shows us that fellowship must be a priority not a casual commitment. Our diaries and lifestyles should fit around church and not the other way around. Of course, we need to relate to people in all areas of life and in in our communities and careers, but our core and most special relationships should be with our fellow followers of Christ. Our level of enthusiasm for spending time with our brothers and sisters in Christ is a very reliable indicator of our relationship with Christ. Meeting constantly with the church family then is one of the great signs of a Holy Spirit filled church. Are you very committed to getting together in the Sunday services and online prayer meetings? Are you part of a committed small group of disciples where you can grow in your faith and in your leadership? Make a decision today to prioritise these things.
Do you hang out with people who will build your faith or who undermine your faith? Do the people you hang out with have a good attitude or a bitter spirit? Are they people who challenge and inspire you to live at a higher level of godliness and achievement, and are they people who talk clean and walk clean? Are they people who create an atmosphere or peace not stress, and are they people who love God and follow Him with a passion? Belonging to the church should be one of the best things in our life. Jesus came to bring us fullness of life. People loved to be with Jesus because He was good news. The non-religious people of the town wanted Him at their parties because everything was so different when He was around. The fellowship among real Christians should also stand out as something very different in the world. You cannot hang out with negative people and expect to live a positive life. Bitter people will contaminate you if you hang out with them. If you socialise with cynics and critics their negative spirit will rub off on you. Rather stay close to people who have a high value of honour of God, leaders, authority, parents and one another. If you spend your time mixing or partying with those who just want to live the so-called good life focussed on pleasure, then you will be weakened in your commitment to live the God life. Rather spend time with people who call you to higher standards and motivate you to dream and achieve big things. It’s not going to help you if you are always with people who swear, curse and talk dirty. Hang out with those whose hearts have been cleansed and whose mouths have been Do you hang out with people who will build your faith or who undermine your faith? Do the people you hang out with have a good attitude or a bitter spirit? Are they people who challenge and inspire you to live at a higher level of godliness and achievement, and are they people who talk clean and walk clean? Are they people who create an atmosphere or peace not stress, and are they people who love God and follow Him with a passion? Belonging to the church should be one of the best things in our life. Jesus came to bring us fullness of life. People loved to be with Jesus because He was good news. The non-religious people of the town wanted Him at their parties because everything was so different when He was around. The fellowship among real Christians should also stand out as something very different in the world. You cannot hang out with negative people and expect to live a positive life. Bitter people will contaminate you if you hang out with them. If you socialise with cynics and critics their negative spirit will rub off on you. Rather stay close to people who have a high value of honour of God, leaders, authority, parents and one another. If you spend your time mixing or partying with those who just want to live the so-called good life focussed on pleasure, then you will be weakened in your commitment to live the God life. Rather spend time with people who call you to higher standards and motivate you to dream and achieve big things. It’s not going to help you if you are always with people who swear, curse and talk dirty. Hang out with those whose hearts have been cleansed and whose mouths have been washed. Being together should represent a safe place of calm and wellbeing. When we contact and meet each other we should cure tension not create tension. Spend quality with people who are out and out for God. When we live in close relationship with people who love God and are full of the Spirit of God we will enjoy life at a new level.
Do you really care for one another? Are you willing to sacrifice to help other believers in their need? The early disciples were generous in caring for each other (Acts 2:44-47 and Acts 4:34-35). They really looked after each other whatever the cost. Real fellowship then is where we help one another especially when we see a brother or sister in need. Buy them food. Help them get out of debt. Take them meals when they are sick. This kind of quality fellowship and real Christianity leads to growth - Acts 2:47 says that 'the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.’ In our world talk about love is cheap. But when people see Christians truly united in relationship with God and one another it will have a great impact. As Jesus said in John 13:35 ‘By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.’ Today, pray for a new love for your Christian brothers and sisters of whatever race or age or nation. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you to be faithful to God and to others. Today, make a new commitment to belong to and to build up the church by being devoted to fellowship with one another, for when the church is truly joined in partnership, powerful things happen.
