Text: Acts 2:42-47; 1 John 1:1-3

42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.   43 And fear came upon every soul:  and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.   44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;  45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.   46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people.   And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.  

 1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;  2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) 3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us:  and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.  

Sunday, 17^th March 2024

       TO CHANGE YOUR APPETITE 

   Be devoted to fellowships.

Text: Acts 2:42-47; 1 John 1:1-3

Memory verse: Hebrews 10: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Fellowship means “We have something in common”. Christians may have nothing in common except one thing: A relationship with Jesus. We can have fellowship and share with each other because we have a relationship with Christ; we share Him in common. We were all individuals with little in common until the Father's calling separated us from everyone else in this world, and we became part of Christ's body through His Spirit. True Christian fellowship is primarily a relationship rather than an activity.

In Acts 2:42, the young Church was not merely devoting itself to common activities but to a vital, spiritual relationship. It was this relationship that produced an active sharing in other ways. Many of us have gotten this backwards- That the activities produce the relationship. The relationship comes first, then the common activities follow. It is so important that we grasp this. Fellowship means that we belong to each other in a relationship because we share with one another the common life and grace of Jesus Christ. From this, flows additional sharing of our time, experiences, wisdom, and many other things.

The Greek word for fellowship is koinônia and metochos. They both mean "to share together" in the sense of a partnership. As sharers together with Christ, we are automatically co-partners with Him and with our brothers and sisters in God’s work. His work is our work. A business partnership is always formed to attain a known objective, such as providing a service to the public at a profit for the partners. In the same way, the concept of a spiritual partnership implies that it is created with godly objectives. The most important is one glorifying God. Just as we are united in a relationship, so we are all united in a partnership formed to glorify God by completing His work.

What should bring us together and closer to one another is Jesus. We have talked about inviting others to Church and encouraging one another; but what is our purpose? We need to be devoted to fellowship with other believers.

 

CGDS HYMN 4; SS&S 281:

COME, FOR THE FEAST IS SPREAD.

1. Come, for the feast is spread;

Hark to the call!

Come to the living Bread,

Broken for all;

Come to His “house of wine,”

Low on His breast recline;

All that He hath is thine;

Come, sinner, come.

2. Come where the fountain flows-

River of life-

Healing for all thy woes,

Doubting, and strife;

Millions have been supplied,

No one was e’er denied;

Come to the crimson tide,

Come, sinner, come.

3. Come to the throne of grace,

Boldly draw near;

He who would win the race

Must tarry here;

Whate’er thy want may be

Here is the grace for thee,

Jesus thy only plea:

Come, Christian, come.

4. Come to the Better Land,

Pilgrim, make haste!

Earth is a foreign strand-

Wilderness waste!

Here are the harps of gold,

Here are the joys untold-

Crowns for the young and old:

Come, pilgrim, come.

5. Jesus, we come to Thee,

Oh, take us in!

Set Thou our spirits free;

Cleanse us from sin!

Then, in yon land of light,

Clothed in our robes of white,

Resting not day nor night,

Thee will we sing.

   Prayers: 

1.  Lord Jesus, help me to refocus in the place of fellowship with you.

2.  LORD God Almighty, as we gather in fellowship with one another, sharpen us, as iron sharpeneth iron, in Jesus’ name. Amen.    

3.  Pray for others in this regard.