Embedded Files
What does Fellowship look like- what should our fellowship look like. - Gid Cox
Concepts
• Plugged-in
The Fellowship of the Believers- the drunken church!
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved…
We are doing the Prayer series with Pete Greig- the reality of prayer- answered or seeming Fellowship and prayer are strongly linked
JJohn tells an apparently true story - about church community a plot next door acquired by a commercial interest in liquor/club; they prayed against this- lightning took out the plot- but not the church- Guys sued the church- judge considered- the strangest irony- the atheist is convinced God has done this- the Church is equally convinced he didn’t!
Context of Pentecost,Jesus newly gone and Holy Spirit here, small growing church-3000, cauldron of nationalism, oppression, many nations, agricultural, seeds-harvest- sheep and goats- vineyards poor, no pension, health service.Slow time for travel communication.
Ariege- 21st Century, State-Church, agricultural- seeds/grapes also cellphones-Ai- connected to the World immediately- time.
Prophetic- outpouring- akin to drunkenness- dreams and visions
blood fire and billows of smoke, sun dark, moon blood!
19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Context
“This is the covenant I will make with them
after that time, says the Lord.
I will put my laws in their hearts,
and I will write them on their minds.”
1 Cor 1
7 Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. 8 He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
A Church Divided Over Leaders
10 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters,[a] in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.
Ecclesia= gathered church
Koinonia= intimate fellowship- idea of common shared things
Com-Pane- with bread
• Jesus ate with sinners and outcasts- those who had great needs and Loved greatly.This was hard for a self righteous Pharisee Simon in the house in Bethany where the woman anointed his feet with expensive oil.
Points
• Our own fellowship ticks these boxes doesn’t it: communion, prayer, teaching, Welcoming, camaraderie, eating together- breakfasts.
• Its also about what not to do- gossip- boss- no hierarchy- don’t judge nor exclude.
We’re the only organization that exists for outsiders!
Benefits are God working amongst us; Holy Spirits power; Healing; less loneliness; camaraderie.Feeling used/useful; growth!
Modelled on: The new church;
the Trinity- the perfect example of fellowship;
Jesus’s words.
Parts of the body-fruits of the Spirit
Examples from churches we are in or have been in. In Africa- chickens and goats, Hot, low distances to walk, long services, sharing together, continuing long after- a loaf eaten- Sunday was special.
Having an outlet for our fellowship prevents cliques and enclaves- cf Dead Sea and Galilee.
Lets think of an example of good fellowship perhaps actions that we need to take.?
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