FELLOWSHIP: A do or don’t?

I woke up one Sunday morning; I was so drowsy and didn’t feel like doing anything. I just wanted to be in bed all day long. My alarm rang indicating it was 5:30am, time to wake up and prepare for service. I almost broke that clock. Then I started asking myself, Why do I need to go to church when I already know God and I know I am a Christian? Can’t I just stay at home and follow service online? I couldn’t get myself out of bed then I decided to sleep a little longer. Being guilty of my actions, I tried to answer my own questions and in answering the questions, I found other related questions like: Why do I need to join a small group? Why should I attend bible study when I can read my bible at home? All these are questions we may have asked at one point in life or the other. That’s why I will like us to talk a little bit about the Importance of Fellowship.

What is FELLOWSHIP?

            Fellowship comes from a  Greek word “KOINONIA” which means “COMMUNION” or “JOINT PARTICIPATION”. This expresses the idea of being together for mutual benefit.

ANCHOR SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 10:24-25 “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”

There are 2 dimensions of fellowship: Fellowship with God and Fellowship with one another. Concerning fellowship with God, we already had a great exposition on that sometime ago “THE IMPORTANCE OF DEVELOPING A GOOD QUIET TIME WITH GOD” (you can read it from archived posts). Our Focus now is on Fellowship with One another.

The importance of Fellowship with one another.

• It helps us build each other up, focus on Christ and His desires for us. Galatians 6:2, Proverbs 27:17
• Fellowship is essential to the spiritual health of an individual Christian. It keeps us reminded of our identity in Christ.
• Fellowship with one another assures us of the presence of God in our midst. Matthew 18:20, Luke 22:14-20, Acts 2:42-47.
• Fellowship helps us build strong, long lasting and genuine friendships. (Galatians 6:2).
• It creates a platform for spiritual warfare and answers to prayers. Matthew 18:19, Esther 4:16, 2Chronicles 7:14, Joel 1:14. In all these scriptures, one thing that stands out is the fact that there was a call for people to gather together and pray (communal prayer i.e fellowship).
• Through Fellowship, you have someone you are accountable to and who can stand the gap for you when you are weak, troubled and can’t pray. Acts 12:5-18

WHAT ARE THE THINGS THAT AFFECT OUR DESIRE FOR FELLOWSHIP?

• The concept that church is in the heart and I don’t need anyone to tell me to go to Church. Its true that Salvation is personal but its very logical that when you pull out a piece of firewood from the group of burning pieces of firewood, the flames on the one piece placed away will obviously quench. That speaks to our lives. Once a hot Christian decides to be on her own, the fire dies and God will spit you out of His mouth. Revelations 3:15-16.
• Uprising of Internet Christians who see Christianity as only following online services. Its good to follow the messages of anointed preachers online. It helps you in the growth process. But you can’t rely on that as the basis of your Christianity. Will the online pastor know when you need help our when you fall sick and you need care? As an online worshipper who will you talk to when you need to understand something in the scriptures that did not make sense to you?

In a Nutshell, my encouragement to you is please please please, Create time for Fellowship.  One hour is enough time and it would not cost you anything. Rather, it will profit you everything.  If you are not a member of any local church, any day is a good day to start. Ask God to direct you to the one that will meet your needs. Do not just go there on Sundays but I also encourage you to join a small group in order to have a church family. You can start by attending bible study, or women’s meeting or whatever the case may be. I pray you are not left out in this sweet ride.

For those who belonged to a local church and left or someone hurt your feelings, I pray for God’s peace to rest upon your heart and I equally pray that you enjoy the best of God this season as you find a church family again.

I love you all.