And welcome to another episode of Perspective For Today.
Today’s lesson is on fellowship.
This is the fifth segment in a series on Being a Success For The Kingdom. This is probably the hardest episode I’ve had to record. Because my fellowship has been lacking due to this pandemic.
On the other hand I have to look for the good in this situation. I can truly say that I have grown closer to the Lord because I’ve had more time for prayer, meditation and Bible study.
If it wasn’t for this pandemic I’m not sure if I would be doing this podcast.
Only God knows that. There were so many other church activities that I was involved in. I don’t know if this podcast would have gotten the attention it deserves. But this is my way of reaching out and sharing the love of Christ with others.
So let’s take a closer look at fellowship and what scripture has to say about it. Today’s key verse is,
Hebrews 10:24-25 says, Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing. But let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the day approaching.
If we are in fellowship with other believers we need to encourage them in their walk.
We need to spur them on. When we talk about love it’s not an emotional response, but it is a conscious act of the will. It is a commandment. We are called to do everything in love. 1 Corinthians 16:14 says exactly that.
It is easy to love those of a like mind.
Those that are in your church. But does that love extend beyond the four walls of your sanctuary? As Christians we need to encourage other believers to step out of their comfort zone and share the love of Christ with everyone including the drug addict, the alcoholic, the homeless, those that are in the prisons, and everyone that society has labeled as beneath them. Nobody is beneath us. We are to esteem others better than ourselves.
Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vain Glory. But in lowliness of mind, let each esteem other better than themselves.
I thank God, that there were good men and women who were willing to come into the prison and share the love of Christ with me. I was not beneath them, and they lifted me up above my circumstances and gave me hope.
I’m encouraging you today to get off your pew and pay your dues.
Be a light in somebody’s life and love them out of their circumstances.
Good deeds are just a byproduct of the love of Christ that dwells in us. The believers commentary puts it this way,
Love is the root.
Good works are the fruit.
It is our God given spiritual gifts that equip us to serve the Lord.
That we can go out not only to serve others but to build up the body of Christ, His church.
Ephesians 4:12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,
Ministry is not a specialized occupation.
The word ministry means service. That being said, there are many capacities for us to serve not only in our church but in our communities. As we meet the needs of others we need to share the Gospel.
Think about it, if nobody shared the Gospel, and it was our little secret, eventually all the pews would be empty. Then where’s your fellowship?
I’ve seen churches like that. It was more of an elite club than the body of Christ. As time rolled on the congregation grew old and slowly one by one they faded away. There was no true fellowship. Everyone was doing their own thing and nobody was spurring anyone on to do anything. It was a Sunday feel good kind of thing,
and after church it was back to doing their own thing.
I know I don’t have to tell you this. But I’m going to say it anyway, just in case somebody didn’t get the Word.
We are not saved by good works, but we are saved for good works. We don’t work in order to be saved but because we are saved.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
God already had a road map for our lives.
Before we were even born He had planned how we would best serve Him.
Now let’s take a look at the second part of our key verse.
Hebrews 10:25 says Let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing. But let us encourage one another and all the more as you see the day approaching.
Some of us are agonizing over this verse.
There is no way to sugarcoat it. It means what it says. It means that even though there’s a pandemic we should still come together and fellowship.
Maybe going to church isn’t an option. Some churches have temporarily stopped having services, whether it’s because of government intervention, or because of an increase of the virus in the church.
We don’t have to give up meeting together. We can come together in small groups practicing social distancing. No it’s not the same as going to church. But it’s still serves the purpose of building up, encouraging, and edifying one another.
We are the body of Christ.
We are the church. Not a physical building or a sanctuary.
Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”
We need to encourage one another and stay the course. The day is approaching. The return of Jesus Christ is closer now than it’s ever been.
We are going to bring this episode to a close. But before we do, let me encourage you to reach out to those who are shut in because of this pandemic. No man or woman is an island. We need fellowship now more than ever.
Check on your neighbors and see how you can be a light in their lives today. Whether it’s just a kind word or offering to go to the store. Especially the elderly. So many older folks have no one to reach out to. Just letting them know you’re there for them would mean so much.
As always thank you for listening and may your fellowship be sweet.