Good Words from God’s Word
The word I want to talk about this morning is a good Bible word, FELLOWSHIP. Jesus said:
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)
The fellowship of the church is so critical that Jesus made it a commandment. Believers have no choice but to love one another because without love there is no fellowship. The second element in Christ’s command to love each other and build the fellowship is that loving one another tells people that we know Jesus. How can you convince someone that God loves them if you do not love others like He loves you? It’s impossible.
Rick Warren said: “Every church needs to grow warmer through fellowship, deeper through discipleship, stronger through worship, and larger through evangelism.”
I’m glad he started with fellowship because it is impossible to grow larger apart from a warm and loving fellowship. Having a warm and loving fellowship at church is not something that happens accidently or by chance. It takes work and diligence to create a loving and caring church fellowship alive.
A.W. Tozer compared the power of Christian fellowship to the flow of electricity, “Unity is necessary to the outpouring of the Spirit of God. If you have 120 volts of electricity coming into your house but you have broken wiring, you may turn on the switch, but nothing works—no lights come on, the stove doesn’t warm, the radio doesn’t turn on. Why? Because you have broken wiring, there is no power. Unity (Fellowship) is necessary among the children of God if we are going to know the flow of power…to see God do His wonders.”
That is exactly the point made in scripture when the early church was:
“Day by day continuing with one mind (Fellowship), in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house (Fellowship), they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart (Fellowship), praising God and having favor with all the people (Fellowship). And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved (God’s Power).” (Acts 2:46-47)
God’s miracle working power accompanies the fellowship of God’s people.
Our church picnic and baptism event last weekend was a demonstration of fellowship and power. Our church family gathered like the early believers did in Acts under those pavilions at Bolding Mill Park to allow the love of Jesus to flow freely through us. WHAT A BLESSING!
Thank you ladies and men (Who Can Cook) for the delicious dishes and desserts you provided. There is nothing that builds good fellowship better than good food. Thanks to the men who got there early to grill the hamburgers and hot dogs. Thank you to everyone who helped set up the tables, provide the drinks, and arrange the condiments. Every effort and contribution added to the unity and fellowship of our awesome church.
Then, God’s power showed up BIG TIME. I felt God’s power in the testimonies of all those who were baptized. When each person baptized shared their testimony of faith, God’s power energized our whole church family. We all watched a miracle happen as 6 people gave witness to what God had done in their lives. Praise God for the fellowship of Grace Baptist Church. The fellowship of Grace and the power of God keep me charged up.
The word I want to talk about this morning is a good Bible word, FELLOWSHIP. Jesus said:
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)
The fellowship of the church is so critical that Jesus made it a commandment. Believers have no choice but to love one another because without love there is no fellowship. The second element in Christ’s command to love each other and build the fellowship is that loving one another tells people that we know Jesus. How can you convince someone that God loves them if you do not love others like He loves you? It’s impossible.
Rick Warren said: “Every church needs to grow warmer through fellowship, deeper through discipleship, stronger through worship, and larger through evangelism.”
I’m glad he started with fellowship because it is impossible to grow larger apart from a warm and loving fellowship. Having a warm and loving fellowship at church is not something that happens accidently or by chance. It takes work and diligence to create a loving and caring church fellowship alive.
A.W. Tozer compared the power of Christian fellowship to the flow of electricity, “Unity is necessary to the outpouring of the Spirit of God. If you have 120 volts of electricity coming into your house but you have broken wiring, you may turn on the switch, but nothing works—no lights come on, the stove doesn’t warm, the radio doesn’t turn on. Why? Because you have broken wiring, there is no power. Unity (Fellowship) is necessary among the children of God if we are going to know the flow of power…to see God do His wonders.”
That is exactly the point made in scripture when the early church was:
“Day by day continuing with one mind (Fellowship), in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house (Fellowship), they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart (Fellowship), praising God and having favor with all the people (Fellowship). And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved (God’s Power).” (Acts 2:46-47)
God’s miracle working power accompanies the fellowship of God’s people.
Our church picnic and baptism event last weekend was a demonstration of fellowship and power. Our church family gathered like the early believers did in Acts under those pavilions at Bolding Mill Park to allow the love of Jesus to flow freely through us. WHAT A BLESSING!
Thank you ladies and men (Who Can Cook) for the delicious dishes and desserts you provided. There is nothing that builds good fellowship better than good food. Thanks to the men who got there early to grill the hamburgers and hot dogs. Thank you to everyone who helped set up the tables, provide the drinks, and arrange the condiments. Every effort and contribution added to the unity and fellowship of our awesome church.
Then, God’s power showed up BIG TIME. I felt God’s power in the testimonies of all those who were baptized. When each person baptized shared their testimony of faith, God’s power energized our whole church family. We all watched a miracle happen as 6 people gave witness to what God had done in their lives. Praise God for the fellowship of Grace Baptist Church. The fellowship of Grace and the power of God keep me charged up.
RSS Feed