The Fellowship of Others

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.  Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.  All the believers were together and had everything in common.  They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.  Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.  Acts 2:42-47

 

Have you ever heard the expression ‘The Winds of Change?’  Over the past few weeks, the winds of change were pushing me somewhere that I did not believe I needed to go nor wanted to go; a new church home.  It was not because my church was a bad church.  In fact, I love my church and the people in it.  So why change?  The answer quite simply was the word ‘Fellowship.’  There was a need for fellowship with people who I saw beyond just Sunday.  Fellowship with people who were friends and people who I did not even know.  Quite simply, it was the fellowship that made me feel like I was home.

 

One cannot have a truly growing faith without the fellowship of others.  There are those who would cite Philippians 4:13 to say that all they need is Christ.  Yes, there are times we must go it alone, but that is not to say we are to spend our lives isolated.  Jesus had twelve disciples, and Paul had Peter and the early church.  Even in the Old Testament, Moses had Joshua and other leaders to help with the Israelites.  Everyone who relied upon and trusted the Lord still had other who they could break bread with and trust with important details.  Fellowship amongst believers is one of the surest ways to keep our faith strong and on point, and it truly helps the Spirit of God grow within us.  

 

We were made to grow together spiritually.  The Great Commission for us to go make disciples of all nations does not mean for us to touch a life and leave them to go it alone.  It is us to grow together and help others both realize who Jesus is and understand He will neither leave them nor forsaken them ever.  Finding fellowship with others brings to the realization we are one people serving an awesome God.  Do you have fellowship with people beyond Sunday?  What does fellowship mean to you?  My prayer is that when we are isolated, we change our course to find the fellowship of others.  Amen.