A group of women were at a seminar on how to live in a loving relationship with their husbands. The women were asked, “How many of you love your husband?” All the women raised their hands.
Asked, “When was the last time you told your husband you loved him?”
Some women answered … “today,” a few … “yesterday,” and some … “can’t remember.”
The women were then told to take out their mobile phones and text their husband – “I love you, Sweetheart”
The women were instructed to exchange phones with one another and read aloud the text message they received in response to their message.
The replies are insightful. If you have been married for quite a while, you understand that these replies are a sign of true love. Who else would reply in such a succinct and honest way?
~ Who IS this?
~ Yeah, and I love you too. What’s wrong?
~ I don’t understand what you mean?
~ Your mother is coming to stay with us, isn’t she?
Loving relationships – last week we considered what loving relationships looked like in community – LIFE-groups/small groups – in the life of church
A Life-Group is a small group of people (3-12) that meet weekly or fortnightly in someone’s home or café to do life and discover faith together – and give opportunity for others in the journey of faith.
Meeting in small groups allows you to meet other people, explore the Bible, ask really good questions, and develop relationships that will encourage you in your relationship with God.
Acts 2:42-47 (NLT) 42 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. 43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 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— 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
Today our key word is COMMUNION – 42 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.
Basic meaning is “association, communion, fellowship, close relationship.”
It’s interesting in understanding how a word is used in its original context.
In secular Greek it could involve the sharing of goods, and Paul seems to have used it this way in 2 Cor 9:13 “… For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ.” (Stott)
The meaning would then be that “they devoted themselves to a fellowship that was expressed in their mutual meal sharing of meals and in their spiritual life together.”
Barriers to Communion (sharing, fellowship)
- Self-discloser – “I’m afraid my life will be exposed for what it is, a ______________.”
- Log Jams – Judging and being judged – Romans 14:10-12 (ESV)
- Tyranny of the urgent (other priorities) – “I don’t have time to be involved in other people’s lives…” – false reality. Hebrews 10:24-25
- Spiritual self-sufficiency – ‘Self-sufficiency’ has been defined as “the quality of feeling secure and content with oneself, a deep-rooted sense of inner completeness and stability.” That’s not what I’m talking about. This is the assumption that you do not need the input of other believers. That you can go it alone. cf the text (see body life)
- Not in a right place with God or with each other – Heb 10:19-25
Blessings of Communion
What we share in together – God Himself, for ‘our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ’ – 1 John 1:3
And there is the “fellowship of the Holy Spirit” _ 2 Corinthians 13:14
What we share out together – secondly, koinōnia also expresses what we share out together, what we give as well as what we receive.
As John was to write later, if we have material possessions and see a brother or sister in need, but do not share what we have with him or her, how can we claim that God’s love dwells in us? (1 John 3:17)
Fellowship cost something in the early church, in contrast to our use of the word fellowship today.
Fellowship is not just a sentimental feeling of oneness.
What we share up together – They devoted themselves … to the apostles teaches, to the breaking of bread and to prayer (42). That is, their fellowship was expressed not only in caring for each other, but in spiritual practices.
Conclusion
What hinders you from true fellowship?
What is God calling on you to share with others?
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship [koinonia] of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13:14)