Assemble in Fellowship

Bottom line

Our faith is meant to be lived out in community. You should look for opportunities to spend time with other believers in Christ.

Opening Line

Do you enjoy spending time with people from church?

Introduction

Maybe I should be more specific. Do you enjoy spending time with people from church outside of church events? Do you actively look for opportunities to spend time together?

Last week I mentioned a rather disheartening conversation I had with a board member at one of our previous churches. Don’t worry, it wasn’t this one, either the first stint here or the second one.

I was trying to remember what brought about the comment. I think we were trying to get small groups going at the church. I don’t know if you have picked up on it, but I am a firm believer in small groups and will constantly try to get them going. At this particular church, we were having trouble getting any traction. After talking to a few people, I discovered that small groups had always been a challenge at this particular church. So I asked one of the board members if he would ever want to be a part of a small group or even lead one.

His response was that I only have enough patience to spend time with church people at church. Outside of Sunday morning, I don’t want anything to do with these people.

Main Point

As you have probably picked up, that really bothered me, especially when I read Acts 2:42-47 and how the early church actively looked for reasons to spend time together. The connection you have as believers is so much deeper than any connection in any other context that you should want to nurture those relationships.

Why it matters

One of the biggest reasons is that your faith is meant to be lived out in community.

The NT know nothings of solitary religion.”

John Wesley

I believe this is one of the reasons our society pushed so hard for the lone wolf mentality. I believe that this is one of the dangers and lies of social media.

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Don’t misunderstand, I know that social media has its place and can be a useful tool for the promotion of the gospel. But it can also trick you into thinking you are more connected with people than you actually are. It tries to convince you that likes and comments are just as affirming as actual face to face communication. It has even convinced some you that simply tuning into church online makes you part of a community of faith. Again, the livestream has its place and is a useful tool, but if you are not rubbing shoulders with other believers now and again, you are really putting yourself in a position where you can’t grow spiritually.

Scripture

This need for fellowship actually goes all the way to Genesis. Genesis 2:18

Genesis 2:18 NLT

Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.”

Why? Why is it not good for man to be alone? Well, man is made in the image and likeness of God. Well our triune God is in constant community. The Lord our God, the Lord is one. He is one God in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

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Don’t ask me to explain it, it is just how it is. The trinity will forver be one of those mysteries about God we will not fully understand until perfection comes. But if God is in constant fellowship, it would make sense that man being alone would be seen as bad. So, after failing to find a suitable helper among the creatures, God takes a ribe from man and creates woman. You are designed to be in fellowship with others.

But you are also made for fellowship with God. It says in Genesis 3:8

Genesis 3:8 NLT

When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees.

The picture is this was a regular occurence. This was not some random moment that God decided to show up and take a stroll through the garden. This was a regular occurence where God would come and spend time with the man and woman. I think we have a tough time comprehending what is happening here because scripture clearly teaches that if you were to see God face to face, you would die. Why? Because of sin. But up until this moment, the man and woman hadn’t sinned, so they had always enjoyed unhindered fellowship with God their Father.

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So before sin enters the picture, humanity enjoyed unhindered connection with God and with each other. After sin enters the picture, the entire narrative of scripture is trying to get back to that, with the final fulfillment in Revelation when sin and death are defeated, and God makes his throne here on earth and you and I can enjoy fellowship with one another without sin getting in the way.

But until that time, you and I get a taste of that fellowship with God. John 14:20-23

John 14:20–23 NLT

When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.” Judas (not Judas Iscariot, but the other disciple with that name) said to him, “Lord, why are you going to reveal yourself only to us and not to the world at large?” Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them.

So Jesus says, those who love me will obey my commandments. Remind me again what the mission of the church is. Go be disiples who make, baptize and teach disciples. And what are we supposed to teach these new disciples to do? Obey everything that Jesus commanded. Why? Because it is through obedience that you show your love for Christ.

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But it’s not just that you will be loved by God. In fact, God will come and dwell within you through the person of the Holy Spirit. Again, if the goal is unhindered fellowship with God, having God dwell within you is a great step in the right direction.

But it doesn’t just stop at fellowship with God being renewed. Because the Spirit of God dwells within you, you instantly become deeply connected to everyone else that has the Holy Spirit dwelling within them. This is what we see in Acts 2. Look at what Luke describes here.

Acts 2:42 NLT

All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.

Acts 2:44–46 NLT

And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—

Next week we are going to dive a little deeper into the signficance of sharing meals together, but look at the community that quickly began to take shape. They met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold whatever they needed to in order to help those in need. They worshiped together each day and shared meals together. Look at the process here. Being at the temple wasn’t just about getting the word into them, it was about being together. After worshipping together, they’re walking out and asked what’s next. Well I like food, and you like food… we should go share a meal together! Hey, we all have to eat everyday, let’s just do that together too!

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The dominant characteristic of this early fellowship was love of the brethren.

1 Thessalonians 4:9 NLT

But we don’t need to write to you about the importance of loving each other, for God himself has taught you to love one another.

1 Peter 1:22 NLT

You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart.

In fact, look at some of the imagery that the NT authors use to describe the fellowship of believers.

1. The household of God

Ephesians 2:19 NLT

So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family.

1 Timothy 3:15 NLT

so that if I am delayed, you will know how people must conduct themselves in the household of God. This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth.

Galatians 6:10 NLT

Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.

Hebrews 13:1–2 NLT

Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!

Hospitality and love were the rules that guided this household of God. But the picture of being brothers and sisters in the faith. God is my Father, he is your Father, which makes you my brother or sister in the Lord.

2. One Body

Ephesians 2:15–16 NLT

He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups. Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death.

Ephesians 4:4–6 NLT

For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all.

1 Corinthians 12:12–13 NLT

The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.

A family, united by adoption as sons and daughters of God. A body, united by the Holy Spirit dwelling within us and moving us in unison to a common goal. Each person having their part to play, and not everyone having the same part. Not everyone can be a hand or a foot or en eye, but each part is completely necessary in order for us the reach our goal.

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Transition to Application

But how do we get there? I hope that as I am describing this early church, something is stirring within you that you would want to be a part of something like that. But it doesn’t just happen. So how do you enhance the fellowship of believers?

Main To Do

1. Love one another with the same compassion Christ showed

John 13:34–35 NLT

So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

John 15:12 NLT

This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.

It’s not just loving people more; it is loving each other the way Jesus loved people. Is that a high bar to reach? Yep, so it is a good thing you’ve got the Holy Spirit dwelling within you to help.

2. Honor one another out of humility

Philippians 2:3–5 NLT

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

Romans 12:10 NLT

Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.

One version of Romans 12:10 that I read said that you should to outdo each other in showing honor. Really quick, just so we are all on the same page. Honor and respect are the same thing. Respect is earned, but honor is given. Scripture often tells you to show honor to others, especially those in positions of authority. Respect is earned, but honor is given, and I would add, given freely and often.

3. Bear one another’s burdens

Galatians 6:2 NLT

Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.

What did the early church do in Acts 2? They sold their possessions to help the needs of the community. Why? Because your pain is now our pain. We’re all in this together, you don’t have to carry that on your own anymore.

4. Share with one another, especially those in need

Acts 2:45 NLT

They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need.

When you realize that every good thing you have in life is a gift from God, you begin to hold onto it a little looser, a little more willing to share with others the way God has shared with you.

5. Correct one another lovingly and gently

Galatians 6:1 NLT

Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.

If you see a child walking out into oncoming traffic, is it not the loving thing to reach out and stop them before they get hurt? Same principle applies in the family of God. If you see a brother or sister in the faith, wandering into behaviors that may cause harm, the loving thing to do is come alongside them and steer them back. Emphasis here though, it gentle and humble. I’ve seen believers try to help people back onto the right path, but they missed the gentle and humble part. There is in fact a right way and wrong way to help someone, and being a jerk isn’t the right way. I’ve seen the same people who had all the right intentions actually cause more harm in their attempt to help. Remember, God is just as concerned with the means as he is with the ends.

6. Comfort one another, especially those who are suffering

1 Corinthians 12:26 NLT

If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.

You are not alone. No one should ever feel alone in their distress. If you see someone is hurting, be sure to take the appropriate step to comfort them.

7. Pray for one another in the Spirit without ceasing

Ephesians 6:18 NLT

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

It might be the last one listed, but it is the first one you should do. Constantly be praying for one another. In fact, when Jesus taught the disciples to pray in Matthew 6, he used collective nouns all throughout. Our Father, give us the food we need, forgive us, as we, don’t let us, deliver us. You are part of something bigger than yourself, so pray accordingly.

Why it matters

I cam across a quote, and the author who quoted it didn’t know who it originated from. There are some great quotes within church history that we have forgotten who came up with it but the quote has never left us.

You cannot draw nigh to God if you are at a distance from your brother.

Why is fellowship within the church important? Because your spiritual health depends on it. It is not optional, it is necessary.

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So as we come into summer, and the regular mid week gatherings are replaced with backyard BBQs, find reasons to hang out with each other. Hit the golf course, go to the drive-in, go to camp, have a fire. Find reasons to be together, and build this fellowship that God has given you. Find reasons to be together, and as you make God’s word a priority, you may find yourself sharing about things you never thought you would, but your shared faith is strengthen because you made time to be together.

Closing Line

Find reasons to be together.

Discussion Questions

What stood out from the message?

How can we practically nurture our relationships with other believers outside of church events?

What activities do you enjoy that could help you spend more time with fellow believers?

What does it mean for you to be part of the 'household of God' and how can you honor that relationship?

How do you think participating in community activities can help strengthen your faith?

What barriers do you face when considering spending time with peers from church, and how can you overcome them?