FELLOWSHIP - DESIRE TO BELONG

NEW LIFE - CHURCH FELLOWSHIP

G.I.J.N. AND GREETING FROM THE NEW HAVEN CONGREGATION

PRAISE THE LORD FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO COME TOGETHER TO WORSHIP THE LORD WITH YOU THIS MORNING -

WE HEAR THE QUESTION SOMETIMES AT A SERVICE LIKE THIS - WHY DO WE COME TO CHURCH - WHY ARE WE HERE? WHAT MOTIVATES US TO BE HERE? WHILE WE MAY HEAR IT OFTEN - IT IS A GOOD QUESTION - TO CHECK OUR MOTIVE - TO PONDER WHY AM I HERE -

ONE OF THE REASONS IT IS ASKED: IS TO CHALLENGE US TO COME TO CHURCH WITH THE CORRECT MOTIVE AND FOR THE RIGHT REASON AND NOT AS FRONT AS HYPOCRITES THAT LIVE IN SIN AND DARKNESS BUT GO THROUGH THE MOTIONS OF LOOKING GOOD BY DRESSING UP AND COMING TO CHURCH.

THIS MORNING - I WANT TO ENCOURAGE US IN ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WE COME TO WORSHIP WITH THE BODY OF BELIEVERS HERE AT NEW LEW LIFE MENNONITE FELLOWSHIP - -

TITLE OF MY MESSAGE IS : MY DESIRE TO BELONG

AND MY FOCUS IS FOUND ON YOUR SIGN IN THE FRONT YARD - THE WORD FELLOWSHIP - - I WANT US TO THINK ABOUT? WHAT MOTIVATES US TO BE HERE AND SUPPORT THE CHURCH HERE AND BE PART OF THE MID-ATLANTIC FELLOWSHIP? - AND PARTICULARLY THE CHURCH HERE AT NEW LIFE?

EARLIER THIS YEAR I RECEIVED A COPY OF THE 2024 MENNONITE CHURCH DIRECTORY - PRINTED BY CHRISTIAN LIGHT PUBLICATIONS AND IT HAS 30 DIFFERENT LISTINGS FOR GROUPS AND CONFERENCES AND PART OF THAT LIST IS TWO LISTINGS FOR UN-AFFILIATED AMISH MENNONITE CONGREGATIONS AND UN-AFFILIATED MENNONITE CONGREGATIONS - SO I COUNTED UP JUST THE CONGREGATIONS IN PENNSYLVANIA AND THERE IS LISTED 181 CONGREGATIONS - THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE SOME INDEPENDENT CHURCH’S I KNOW OF OR THE GROUP : BIBLICAL MENNONITE ALLIANCE OR BMA CONGREGATIONS. SO ADDING SOME OF THOSE TO THE LIST THERE ARE OVER 200 MENNONITE / CHRISTIAN CONGREGATIONS IN PENNSYLVANIA - I DID NOT DO A LOCAL GEOGRAPHICAL STUDY TO SEE HOW MANY OF THESE CHURCHES WE COULD GET TO IN LET SAY 10 - OR 20 MILE RADIUS OF WHERE WE ARE NOW - BUT WITH SO MANY OPTIONS:

WHY AM I HERE - SPECIFICALLY HERE AT NEW LIFE?

WHAT AM I DOING HERE IN THIS CONGREGATION - OR POSSIBLY WHAT AM I NOT DOING ANYTHING HERE- JUST HERE TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS?

SO THIS MORNING IF THIS IS A QUESTION YOU ASK YOURSELF OR DO NOT HAVE AN ANSWER FOR BESIDE THIS IS JUST THE THING TO DO - OR BECAUSE I AM ON THE SCHEDULE TO BE HERE - OR ITS MY TURN TO TEACH OR DO A JOB IN THE CHURCH THEN I HOPE WE CAN BE ENCOURAGED AND CHALLENGED TOGETHER TO BE HERE FOR THE FELLOWSHIP - THE DESIRE TO BELONG AND BE PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER THAN OURSELVES.

WHERE DOES THIS DESIRE TO BE PART OF A GROUP OR IDENTITY COME FROM - I BELIEVE IT IS FROM GOD - IT IS HOW WE ARE CREATED - AND SOME MAY CLAIM THEY WANT TO BE INDEPENDENT - OR AN INTROVERT WE MAY LABEL IT - BUT IN THAT CLAIM THEY ARE STATING A DESIRE TO IDENTIFY WITH A CERTAIN CLASS OR GROUP OF PEOPLE.

SO IF WE ARE BORN WITH THIS DESIRE TO BELONG AND WE BELIEVE GOD IS OUR CREATOR SO THEN WE UNDERSTAND THAT GOD MADE US THIS WAY AND IT IS THROUGH HIM WE HAVE THIS INTERNAL DESIRE TO BELONG - IN GENESIS 1:26 And God said, Let US make man in our image, after our likeness: GIVES THE IDEA OF DOING SOMETHING COLLECTIVELY.

FOCUS:WHAT DOES MY CHURCH FELLOWSHIP MEAN TO ME.

WHAT IS FELLOWSHIP: Fellowship is participation, sharing, and communion around the understanding or inspiration of the gospel by the people of God, describing the unity and community of the church that can exist with other Christians because God took initiative to bring us into a right relationship with Him. - READ IT AGAIN -

God the Father, through Jesus Christ and by the Spirit, has established, by his grace, a covenantal relationship with humanity. Those who believe the gospel are united in the Spirit through the Son to the Father.

we can see this explained in John 15:1-17 where it tells us of Jesus as the true Vine and only through abiding in his commandments then we can abide in His love.

also in John 17 in Jesus’s High Priestly prayer for the believers to be one - in V21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

THE DESIRE TO BELONG AND FELLOWSHIP IS FROM GOD - AND JESUS IS AN EXAMPLE OF HOW THIS IS DONE.

YOU MAY TURN TO 1 JOHN 1

IN 1 JOHN 1 VERSES 3-7 WE HAVE FELLOWSHIP EXPLAINED AND HOW IT IS SET UP -

1 JOHN 1 (Chapter 1)

3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. 5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

JOHN IS TELLING US BECAUSE OF WHAT HE HAS SEEN AND HEARD THEN HE CAN DECLARE WITH CONFIDENCE THAT WE CAN HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH THE FATHER AND HIS SON JESUS CHRIST - AND V 4 - THAT YOUR JOY MAY BE FULL.

WHEN YOU THINK OF YOUR FELLOWSHIP WITH THE FATHER AND WITH YOUR CHURCH FAMILY : DOES IT BRING A FULLNESS OF JOY TO YOUR HEART?

V5 WHEN YOU THINK OF FELLOWSHIP DOES IT BRING LIGHT INTO YOUR HEART?

V7 LETS READ THAT BACKWARDS - FOR ME THIS SEEMED TO MAKE IT PERSONAL LOOKING AT THE STEPS TO FELLOWSHIP .

1.THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST HIS SON CLEANSETH US/ME FROM ALL SIN.

2. WE HAVE FELLOWSHIP ONE WITH ANOTHER

3. WE WALK IN THE LIGHT AS HE/ JESUS IS IN THE LIGHT - WHICH AS I MENTIONED EARLIER BECAUSE JESUS IS THE TRUE VINE AND ABIDES IN HIS FATHERS LOVE THEN WE MUST FIND OUR FELLOWSHIP IN JESUS TO HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FATHER.

WE CAN READ ABOUT THIS IN JOHN (Chapter 15) VERSE 10

10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.

SO WHEN WE STUDY INTO FELLOWSHIP WE SEE IT IS FIRST FELLOWSHIP WITH CHRIST- AND THEN FELLOWSHIP WITH THE BODY OF CHRIST WHICH IS THE CHURCH COMES FROM THAT RELATIONSHIP .

WHEN I BEGAN MY STUDY MY FOCUS WAS ON THE CHURCH AND THE BODY OF BELIEVERS IN FELLOWSHIP AS A CONGREGATION BUT I BELIEVE GODS VIEW OF FELLOWSHIP IS MUCH MORE:

Ephesians 3:9–12 “And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.”

VERSE 9 SPEAKS OF THIS MYSTERY OF THE FELLOWSHIP - THE GREEK WORD FOR FELLOWSHIP USED THERE IS:

Koinonia (KOY - NOHN-EE-AH ) is a transliterated form of the Greek word (KOY-NO-NOS) , which refers to concepts such as fellowship, communion, joint participation, partnership, the share which one has in anything, a gift jointly contributed, a collection, a contribution. In Christianity it identifies the idealized state of fellowship and unity that should exist within the Christian church, the Body of Christ. \

IN THE KING JAMES VERSION THE OTHER WORDS USED FOR (KOY-NOHN-NEE-AH) ARE - COMMUNION, CONTRIBUTION, DISTRIBUTION, COMMUNICATE AND COMMUNICATION

SO VERSE 9 SAYS OUR FELLOWSHIP WAS HID IN GOD THE CREATOR AT THE BEGINNING BUT NOW HE WANTS ALL MEN TO SEE IT AND

V10 FOR THE INTENTION THAT THE PRINCIPALITIES AND POWERS IN HEAVENLY PLACES MAY SEE IT IN THE CHURCH AND KNOW THE WISDOM OF GOD -

V11 - GODS CREATION OF MAN IN THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST IS TO BEAR WITNESS OF THE ETERNAL PURPOSE OF GOD AND TO BEAR TESTIMONY OF WHY GOD SENT JESUS TO GIVE US SALVATION - THIS CHAPTER IS A STUDY ALONE - BUT MY POINT FROM THIS IS - OUR FELLOWSHIP IS TO BE A WITNESS TO THE POWERS IN HEAVENLY PLACES - IS OUR FELLOWSHIP - OUR COMMUNION WITH THE BROTHERHOOD THE EXAMPLE GOD WANTS TO BEAR TESTIMONY OF GOD AND JESUS LOVE FOR US.

I BELIEVE THAT THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE PEOPLE HERE IN THIS CONGREGATION IS AN ACCEPTABLE AND A VALUABLE PART OF CHRISTIAN LIFE -BUT IF YOU COME JUST TO SEE YOUR FRIENDS THEN I HOPE YOU CAN GROW TO DESIRE TO BE WITH HERE FOR A DEEPER FELLOWSHIP WITH THE BELIEVERS THAN JUST AS A FRIENDS GROUP.

SO MY INITIAL THOUGHTS WERE FOCUSED AROUND HOW DO WE OPERATE AND FUNCTION AND RELATE TO OTHERS IN THE CONGREGATION AS A MID-ATLANTIC FELLOWSHIP - ESPECIALLY AS WE FACE POSSIBLE CHANGES.

HOW DOES MY OPINION WHICH MATTERS TO ME - HOW SHOULD IT VIEWED IF MY DESIRE IS TO LOVE AND BE GRACIOUS TO THE OTHER BROTHERS AND SISTERS WITH THEIR OPINIONS AND VIEWPOINTS BASED OFF OF THEIR INTERPRETATION, BACKGROUND AND LIFE EXPERIENCES. HOW DO I LIVE OUT ROMANS 12:V10

ROMANS CHAPTER 12

10 Be kindly affectioned one to another ||with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

WHAT DOES PAUL MEAN WHEN HE IS GIVING ADVICE ON ORDERLY WORSHIP IN

1 CORINTHIANS 14 : 26)

26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying - WHICH MEANS BUILDING UP.

1 CORINTHIANS 14: 33

33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

HOW DO WE FIND UNITY IN ALL THIS? HOW DO WE STAY ON THE RIGHT PATH AND STILL BE ABLE TO PREFER ANOTHER OVER OURSELVES - AND BUILD EACH OTHER UP AND FIND PEACE AND UNITY?

IS THE STRUCTURE OF THE MID- ATLANTIC FELLOWSHIP VERSUS THE CONFERENCE OR INDEPENDENT OR UNAFFILIATED APPROACH GOING TO FIX THE BROTHERHOOD OR FELLOWSHIP STRUGGLE FOR ME - SO I CAN BE PART OF A PERFECTLY DESIGNED SETUP OF RULES, STANDARDS, AND CONSTITUTION THAT WILL BE SMOOTH SAILING REGARDLESS OF CULTURE, TRADITION AND THE CHANGING WORLD WE LIVE IN?

THE ANSWER IS NO - WE KNOW THAT SINCE THE BEGINNING OF TIME THE DEVIL HAS BEEN TRICKING MAN TO QUESTION GOD - YEAH HATH GOD SAID?

IN OUR RULE AND DISCIPLE BOOK IT SAYS THIS

ARTICLE 1: THE CHURCH.

THE CHURCH IS DIVINE IN HER ORIGIN, PLAN, AND DESTINY, AND CONSISTS OF PENITENT, BELIEVING, AND OBEDIENT MEMBERS ORGANIZED FOR MUTUAL EDIFICATION AND FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE CAUSE OF CHRIST.

THE KEY TO FELLOWSHIP IS CHRIST - AND WE CAN SEE THIS EXPLAINED IN EPHESIANS 2:13-22

Ephesians 2:13–22 KJV 1900

But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

V13 THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST POWER OVER DEATH HAS RECONCILED US UNTO GOD - GIVING US PEACE AND DRAWS US INTO THE FELLOWSHIP WITH THE SAINTS AND INTO THE HOUSEHOLD OF GOD. V20 THE CHURCH IS BUILT ON JESUS CHRIST AS THE CHIEF CORNER STONE SO THE WE CAN GROW INTO AN HOLY TEMPLE IN THE LORD. A HOUSE FOR GOD THROUGH THE SPIRIT. WHAT A BEAUTIFUL ALMOST HARD TO GRASP IDEA. IF WE FELLOWSHIP WITH JESUS - ONCE AFAR OFF NOW MADE NIGH AND THROUGH THE SPIRIT NOW GOD WANTS TO LIVE IN US AS AN HOLY TEMPLE IN THE LORD.

HAS A DIMMING AFFECT ON THE STRUGGLE TO MAKE SURE MY PREFERENCES AND FEELINGS AND THE WAY I WANT THINGS DONE TO TAKE A BACK SEAT AND CAUSE ME TO BE REALIZE THAT THIS GREAT WORK OF SALVATION ULTIMATELY BRINGS FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD.

TO HELP ME VISUALIZE WHAT FELLOWSHIP LOOKS LIKE I HAD TO THINK OF SUNFLOWERS. HOW MANY HAVE SEEN PICTURES OF A FIELD OF SUNFLOWERS - OR SCENERY OR CALENDAR PICTURES WHERE THERE IS A CARPET OF SUNFLOWERS OR POSSIBLY YOU HAVE PERSONALLY SEEN A LARGE FIELD OF SUNFLOWERS AND HOW BEAUTIFUL THAT LOOKS - I WOULD LIKE TO USE SUNFLOWERS AS AN ILLUSTRATION OF US AS INDIVIDUALS IN GODS FIELD OF BELIEVERS MAKING UP THE LARGE BODY OF SAINTS.

FEW FUN FACTS ABOUT SUNFLOWERS

1ST sunflower fact is young sunflowers track the sun, also referred to as heliotropism (HELIO-TROW-PISM). scientists reveal sunflowers have circadian rhythms, which promotes this behavior. A young sunflower’s face follows the sun from sunrise to sunset every day and repeats the cycle until maturity.

2. As sunflowers reach maturity, their internal clocks start slowing down until they finish the heliotropism behavior completely and end up facing EAST. A ScienceMag study reveals mature sunflowers face East for a couple different reasons:

one of the reason is that Sunflowers can attract up to five times more pollinators because they warm up faster than westward facing plants.

IF I AM A SUNFLOWER - AM I TRACKING THE SON JESUS CHRIST.

IF I AM FOLLOWING JESUS AM I WARMED BY HIS LIGHT AND THEN SHARING HIS LOVE TO THOSE AROUND ME.

HOW DO I MAKE PRACTICAL THE FELLOWSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST FIRST TO ALLOW ME TO THEN FELLOWSHIP CORRECTLY WITH MY FELLOW BELIEVERS.

I WANT TO USE THIS SUNFLOWER HERE AS VISUAL AID AND AS A REMINDER TO BE LIKE A SUNFLOWER AND FOLLOW THE SON - JESUS CHRIST AND BE ONE OF THE MANY IN THE FIELD OF FLOWERS BRINGING HONOR AND PRAISE TO GOD. WHAT MAKES A FIELD OF A SUNFLOWERS BEAUTIFUL IS EACH INDIVIDUAL FLOWER IN THEIR OWN UNIQUE BEAUTY MAKING THE SCENE SPECTACULAR. LIKE THE VERSE WE JUST READ IN EPHESIANS - THE BUILDING FITLY FORMED TOGETHER -THE IDEA OF EACH ONE ADDING TO WHOLE PICTURE.

I AM GOING TO USE AN ACROSTIC PUT TOGETHER BY A SISTER OF NEW HAVEN - SHE HAD SHARED THIS WITH THE LADIES SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS AND I ASKED IF I COULD USE THIS FOR AN OUTLINE. SO ON EACH OF OUR PETALS WE HAVE A WORD FOR EACH OF THE LETTERS IN THE WORD FELLOWSHIP.

I BELIEVE THAT EACH OF THESE ARE ESSENTIAL PARTS OF US GROWING IN ALL OUR RELATIONSHIPS - FIRST WITH JESUS - THEN OUR FAMILIES INCLUDING CHURCH AND BIOLOGICAL AS WELL - AS WELL AS OUR WORKPLACE AND WHOMEVER WE MEET AND HAVE CONTACT WITH.

AS WE GO THROUGH THIS LIST -I WANT US TO THINK OF HOW I PERSONALLY ENJOY FELLOWSHIP - SOME OF THESE COME EASILY FOR SOME AND THEY DO A GREAT JOB - SOME OF THESE WE MAY STRUGGLE WITH MORE - SO LET’S LOOK FOR WAYS THAT WE CAN RECIPROCATE OR GIVE BACK TO THE GOOD EXPERIENCES WE HAVE OR IF WE HAVE NOT HAD A PLEASANT EXPERIENCE MAYBE IT SHOULD REMIND US TO LOOK AT OURSELVES AND OUR FELLOWSHIP WITH CHRIST FIRST AND THEN THROUGH OUR RELATIONSHIP IN CHRIST SHOW HIS LOVE TO OTHERS.

1. F = FORGIVENESS - I BELIEVE THIS IS THE 1ST STEP TO FINDING FELLOWSHIP - FINDING SALVATION AND RECOGNIZING OUR FALLEN STATE AND REACHING OUT TO GOD TO HAVE HIM FORGIVE US OUR DEBT THAT WE CAN NOT REPAY OURSELVES. THE NEXT VERSES IN THE FIRST SET OF VERSES I READ IN 1 JOHN 1: 8-10 SAY : If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. ONE OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR FINDING THE TRUE JOY AND FELLOWSHIP WITH THE FATHER AND HIS SON JESUS CHRIST IS CONFESSING OUR SIN AND RECEIVING FORGIVENESS. WE ALL KNOW OF PEOPLE WHO STRUGGLED TO FORGIVE AND THE FAR REACHING LONG TERM DAMAGE TO RELATIONSHIPS IT HAS CAUSED - WE CAN NOT HAVE TRUE FELLOWSHIP UNTIL WE ARE CLEANSED FROM SIN WITH 1ST GOD THROUGH SALVATION AND THEN I BELIEVE IT THEN INCLUDES ANYONE BEYOND THAT - IF WE DON'T FORGIVE AS GOD HAS FORGIVEN US THEN WE WILL STRUGGLE TO MOVE ON AND GROW AND BUILD UP OUR FELLOWSHIP ANYWHERE - VERSE 10 TELLS US HIS WORD WILL NOT BE IN US. SO FORGIVENESS IS NEEDED IN ORDER TO BE FELLOWCITIZENS WITH THE SAINTS AND HEIRS TO THE KINGDOM AS WE READ IN EPHESIANS 2.IT IS ONLY BY THE POWER OF JESUS OVER DEATH THAT GIVES US THE CLEANSING FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS. IF WE HOLD ONTO BEING MISUNDERSTOOD AND BEING WRONGED AND USE IT AS AN EXCUSE TO HOLD A GRUDGE AND RESENTMENT THEN I DON'T BELIEVE WE UNDERSTAND THE FORGIVENESS THAT CHRIST SHOWED AND TAUGHT WHILE HE WAS HERE ON EARTH.

2. E = ENCOURAGEMENT. HOW MANY LIKE TO RECEIVE ENCOURAGEMENT? HOW MANY OF US GIVE ENCOURAGEMENT - HOW MANY LIKE TO RECEIVE APPRECIATION FOR WHAT WE DO - ESPECIALLY IF IT IS NOT AN OBVIOUS ACCOMPLISHMENT - POSSIBLY SOMETHING WE DO ALL THE TIME AND NO ONE SEEMS TO NOTICE. SO HOW DO WE GIVE COURAGE TO THOSE AROUND US - FIRST WE NEED TO BE PRESENT TO KNOW WHAT THEY HAVE ACCOMPLISHED OR WHAT THEY MAY BE FACING. IN JOHN 14:25-27. WE SEE JESUS GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT WHILE HE WAS PRESENT FOR A TIME WHEN HE WOULD NOT BE PHYSICALLY PRESENT ON THE EARTH.

V 25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT AND THEN LATER ON IN LIFE WHEN YOUR STRUGGLING TO PRESS ON YOU REMEMBER WHAT WAS SAID AND IT GIVES YOU THE RESOLVE TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND FINISH THE TASK AND BE THE PERSON WHO THE OTHER BELIEVES YOU ARE. JESUS SAID THE COMFORTER OR THE WORD COUNSELOR IS USED IN THE NIV - WILL BE HERE TO TEACH US AND REMIND US WHAT JESUS’S TEACHING WERE AND ALONG WITH THAT HE PROMISED US TRUE PEACE - REFLECTING BACK TO TRUE FORGIVENESS THAT THE WORLD DOES NOT HAVE OR CAN OFFER - LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED NEITHER BE AFRAID. IF ENCOURAGEMENT IS ALL THAT IT TAKES FOR ME TO PRESS ON AND NOT BE AFRAID THEN HOW IMPORTANT IS IT FOR ME TO BE ENCOURAGING OTHERS IN WORD AND ACTION. SOMETHING I FIND EASIER THOUGHT AND SAID THAN ACTUALLY DOING.

3. L=LOVE - COMPASSION. WHAT IS COMPASSION - JESUS GAVE US THE EXAMPLE OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN SO WE KNOW WHAT COMPASSION LOOKS LIKE. COMPASSION IS MUCH MORE THAN SYMPATHY - THE COMPASSIONATE PERSON HAS A HEART FOR THOSE WHO ARE SUFFERING - NOT JUST A DESIRE TO BE KIND - BUT GIVES OF THEMSELVES AT THEIR OWN EXPENSE TO RESCUE AND SUPPORT THE OTHER AND TO END THEIR SUFFERING. COMPASSION MEANS GOING OUT OF ONES WAY - JESUS REPEATEDLY DISPLAYED COMPASSION TO THOSE AROUND HIM - GOING OUT OF HIS WAY TO HELP OTHERS. AS CHRISTIANS WE ARE CHALLENGED TO SHOW CHRIST LOVE TO ALL PEOPLE - EVEN THE MOST HARDENED SINNERS - YET WE STRUGGLE TO GO OUT OF OUR WAY TO HELP OTHERS IN THE CHURCH OR HELP OUR NEIGHBOR - WHICH IS ANYONE WE MEET AS SEEN BY THE EXAMPLES JESUS GAVE. CHRISTIANITY AND COMPASSION MUST GO HAND IN HAND - OTHERWISE WE CAN NOT HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH THE FATHER. IN 1 JOHN 2:9  He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. 10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. 11 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes. -SO WHO IS MY BROTHER OR SISTER? SAYS IF WE LOVE THEM - THEN THE LIGHT WILL ALLOW US TO SEE AND NOT FALL INTO THE TRAP OR SNARE. HOW OFTEN DOES THE LACK OF TRUE COMPASSION KEEP US FROM SEEING THE TRUE PICTURE OF SOMEONES ELSE SITUATION. ARE WE IN THE LIGHT - FOLLOWING THE LIGHT AS THE SUNFLOWER DOES.

4. L=LISTEN - LISTEN TO OTHERS. James 1:19–20 19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. DAVID MATHIS WROTE AN ARTICLE ON GOOD LISTENING AND SAYS THAT HEARING IS ONE OF THE EASIEST THINGS TO DO BUT LISTENING IS ONE OF THE HARDEST. WE OFTEN FIGHT AGAINST LISTENING BECAUSE WE WOULD RATHER TRUST IN OURSELVES MORE THAN ANOTHER -WE PREFER OUR OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS AND THOUGHTS RATHER THAN HEAR ANOTHER. TRUE, SUSTAINED ACTIVE LISTENING IS A GREAT ACT OF FAITH, AND A GREAT MEANS OF GRACE, BOTH FOR OURSELVES AND FOR THOSE IN THE FELLOWSHIP. DAVID GAVE 6 POINTS OF A GOOD LISTENER. 1. REQUIRES PATIENCE. 2. IS AN ACT OF LOVE. 3. ASK PERCEPTIVE QUESTIONS. 4. GOOD LISTENING IS A MINISTRY. 5. PREPARES US TO SPEAK WELL. 6. REFLECTS OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD . - LISTENING MAY BE ONE OF THE HARDEST THINGS WE LEARN TO DO BUT WE WILL FIND IT WORTH EVERY OUNCE OF EFFORT. - HOW OFTEN DO WE THINK IN OUR HEART THAT PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND OR LISTEN TO WHAT WE HAVE TO SAY - MAYBE WE SHOULD START WITH TRYING TO LISTEN TO OTHERS FIRST OURSELVES. ECHOES BONHOEFFER HAS TWO QUOTES 1.- OFTEN A PERSON CAN BE HELPED MERELY BY HAVING SOMEONE WHO WILL LISTEN SERIOUSLY. AND 2ND : WE SHOULD LISTEN WITH THE EARS OF GOD SO THAT WE CAN SPEAK THE WORD OF GOD. PROVERBS 18:13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, It is folly and shame unto him. HEARING AND LISTENING - HOW AM I DOING - OR IS MY OWN VOICE ALL I HEAR?

5. O = OPPORTUNITIES - FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH - ARE WE LOOKING FOR OPPORTUNITIES OR ARE WE LOOKING DOWN AT THE GROUND AND NOT UP AT THE SON TO SEE WHAT OPPORTUNITIES JESUS HAS PLACED AROUND US? SAM CRABTREE A PASTOR GIVES THE ACCOUNT THAT AT A PASTORAL STAFF MEETING THEY WERE CONSIDERING YET ANOTHER E-MAIL FROM A MEMBER OF THE CONGREGATION WHO HAD BECOME KNOWN FOR MAKING NEGATIVE AND CRITICAL REMARKS ABOUT THE CHURCH. IN THE SILENCE WHILE PONDERING THE OPTIONS ONE OF THE PASTORS SPOKE UP: “THEY SURE ARE TALENTED AT SPOTTING WAYS IN WHICH OUR CHURCH COULD IMPROVE” AT FIRST WE CHUCKLED AT HIS POSITIVE OUTLOOK BUT THEN ADMIRED HIS UPLIFTING ATTITUDE AND REALIZED THAT WE ALL NEED MORE SANCTIFICATION AND SO WE EMBRACED THE OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE THE CHURCH. IN TODAY’S WORLD EVERYONE IS A CRITIC AND THE BENT OF HUMAN NATURE KEEPS US FROM SEEING THE OPPORTUNITY TO GROW IN OUR CHRIST-LIKENESS. JESUS TOLD US IN MATTHEW 6:33 BUT SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD, AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE ADDED UNTO YOU. IF OUR FOCUS IS ON OURSELVES, THE WORLD AND THE THINGS OF THE WORLD THEN WE WILL MISS THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE WHAT THE POSITIVE SIDE OF OUR SITUATION MAY BE AND WHAT GOD HAS FOR US AND THE BLESSING OF DRAWING CLOSER AND GROWING SPIRITUALLY IN OUR FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM SO WE RECOGNIZE HIS HAND AT WORK IN MORE AREAS OF OUR LIFE.

6. W = WORK TOGETHER - EPHESIANS 4: 11-13 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. PAUL IS CALLING THE EPHESIAN CHURCH TO WORK TO FIND UNITY OF THE FAITH, AND THE FULLNESS OF CHRIST. IN THE VERSES PRECEDING THIS VERSES 1-5 PAUL IS DESIRING THEM TO DO THE WORK TOGETHER IN UNITY OF ONE LORD.

7. S = SERVE - SEE A NEED AND RESPOND. MOVING TO THE BEGINNING OF EPHESIANS 4 : 1-7 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ’s gift. PAUL ENCOURAGING THEM TO SERVE ACCORDING TO THEIR WORK - I SEE HERE A CALL TO FELLOWSHIP AND MORE KEY INGREDIENTS ON HOW TO DO IT- LOWLINESS, MEEKNESS, LONG-SUFFERING, FORBEARING ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE, PURSUING UNITY AND PEACE. JESUS ALSO CALLS HIS DISCIPLES TO SEE THE NEED FOR LABORERS IN MATTHEW 9:37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. TO RESPOND TO BEING SENT BY THE LORD REQUIRES US TO BE IN CONTACT WITH THE LORD AND RECEPTIVE TO HIS CALL. COLOSSIANS 3:17  And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. SERVE AS UNTO THE LORD AND THANK HIM FOR THE OPPORTUNITY. DROPPING DOWN TO COLOSSIANS 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons. CALLED TO SERVE AND DO IT RIGHT AND WITH THE PROPER MOTIVE -REMINDER AGAIN FOR US TO SERVE IN THE LIGHT OF JESUS CHRIST SO MAN CAN SEE THAT HE IS LIGHT AND CAN SEE HIS LOVE THROUGH OUR SERVANT ATTITUDE.

8. H = HOSPITALITY - WHAT DOES CHRISTIAN HOSPITALITY LOOK LIKE - ROSARIA BUTTERFIELD WHO’S FAMILY PRACTICES A TABLE HOSPITALITY MISSION IN THEIR HOME SAYS: IF THE CHURCH FELT THE PRIORITY OF OUR BROTHERHOOD OVER THEIR OWN FLESHLY IDENTITIES, WE TOO WOULD MAKE HOSPITALITY A PRIORITY. CHRISTIAN UNITY WOULD SHIFT OUR FOCUS FROM PROGRAMS TO RELATIONSHIPS. WE WOULD SEE OUR LACK OF VIBRANT, REGULAR, AND DISTINCTIVE HOSPITALITY FOR THE DIRTY ROTTEN SIN THAT IT IS. JESUS HAS THIS TO SAY IN MATTHEW 25: 41-46 VERSE 41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. 44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. 46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. LIKE THE GOOD SAMARITAN - WHO IS YOUR NEIGHBOR THAT YOU SHOULD SHOW HOSPITALITY TOWARDS?

9. I = INVOLVED - TO KNOW THE BROTHERHOOD GALATIANS 6:9-10 9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. TO KNOW THE BROTHERHOOD TAKES MORE THAN JUST MEETING ON SUNDAY MORNINGS IN ORDER TO KNOW WHAT OUR BROTHERS AND SISTER LIVES ARE LIKE. VERSE 9 TELLS US IT TAKES LOTS OF WORK TO BEAR ONE ANOTHER’S BURDENS, AND SO FULFILL ALL THE LAW OF CHRIST AS IT SAYS IN GALATIANS 6:2 V 10 WE ARE CALLED TO LOOK OUT AND TAKE CARE OF THOSE WHO ARE PART OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD. HOW ARE WE GOING TO KNOW THE BROTHERHOOD UNLESS WE ARE IN CONTACT WITH THEM. PHILIPPIANS 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. EXPRESSING INTEREST IN WHAT OTHERS ARE DOING AND FACING - THE MORE WE COME IN CONTACT WITH PEOPLE THE BETTER WE KNOW THEM. THE EARLY CHURCH MENTIONS THE BREAKING OF BREAD - I BELIEVE THIS WAS A COMMON PRACTICE AND AS THEY WERE LEARNING AND GROWING AND THIS WAS GREAT WAY TO BE INVOLVED. ACTS 2: 46-47  And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

10. P = PRAY - FOR EACH OTHER. I BELIEVE WE KNOW THIS IS A VITAL PART TO BEING A CHRISTIAN - BUT HOW EASY WHEN LIFE IS BUSY AND CRUISING ALONG WE FAIL TO MAINTAIN A CONNECTION WITH GOD. DO WE FORGET TO TALK WITH GOD TILL HE SENDS A NEED IN OUR LIFE TO REMIND US TO PRAY. MAYBE WE ARE NOT FACING TRAGEDY OR HARDSHIP IN OUR FAMILY SO WE LET PRAYER SLIDE -BUT PAUL TELLS US IN 1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-18 16 Rejoice evermore. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. SO WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO PRAY NO MATTER WHAT. WE ALSO HAVE A PRAYER BY PAUL FOR THE BROTHERHOOD IN EPHESUS IN EPHESIANS 3:14-19  For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. PAUL POURS OUT HIS DESIRE FOR THEM TO BE STRENGTHENED AND FOR CHRIST TO FILL THEM WITH ALL FULLNESS OF GOD. WE CAN DO THE SAME FOR THE BROTHERS AND SISTERS OF NEW LIFE - BY REMEMBERING EACH OTHER IN PRAYER. IT WILL BE A BLESSING TO THEM AND YOU. I HAVE HEARD OF MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WHEN SOMEONE PRAYED FOR A CERTAIN SITUATION OR INDIVIDUAL AND LATER THE TIMES WERE CONNECTED THAT THE PRAYER WAS MADE AT THE EXACT TIME OF NEED. HOW OFTEN DO WE FORGET THE POWER OF PRAYER.

FELLOWSHIP - DO I ENJOY FELLOWSHIP WITH THE BODY OF CHRIST? IF NOT - THEN IS THAT A REFLECTION OF MY FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD AND HIS SON JESUS?

DO I NEED TO WORK ON MY

FORGIVENESS

ENCOURAGEMENT

LOVE - COMPASSION

LISTENING TO OTHERS

OPPORTUNITIES

WORKING TOGETHER

SERVING OTHERS NEEDS

HOSPITALITY

INVOLVEMENT IN THE BROTHERHOOD

PRAYERS FOR EACH OTHER

LET’S BE LIKE THE SUNFLOWER - HAVING OUR HEARTS TURNED UP LOOKING TO THE TEACHING AND EXAMPLES THAT THE SON OF GOD LEFT FOR US.

I AM GOING TO CLOSE WITH THE READING OF ROMANS 12 9-21. THIS GROUP OF VERSES IS TITLED : (LOVE )IN MY BIBLE. BUT I BELIEVE FELLOWSHIP COULD ALSO BE A TITLE - LISTEN TO ALL THE INSTRUCTION GIVEN THAT CAN BE APPLIED TO OUR CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP. ROMANS 12: STARTING AT VERSE 9

9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; 11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; 13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. 14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. 15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. 16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. 17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

BENEDICTION

20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen