Read: Genesis 2:18-23; Psalm 4:4-12; Psalm 133:1-3; Hebrews 10:25
This week we want to focus on a topic that is often overlooked and misunderstood. That is “Fellowship”.
DEFINING FELLOWSHIP
There are at least nine (9) meanings of the word fellowship in both Hebrew and Greek; however we will focus our attention primarily on Koinonia pronounced Koy-nohn-ee-ah (Strong’s #2842). Fellowship or Koinonia means:
o Partnership;
o Participation;
o Social intercourse or benefaction;
o Communion;
o Communication;
o Distribution;
o Contribution;
o A having in common;
o The share which one has in anything; and
o Fellowship recognized and enjoyed
PURPOSE IN FELLOWSHIP
God gave us the church so that we would not be alone in the world (Genesis 2:18-23). So it’s safe to say that His intent was not for us to be an island unto ourselves. We all may have a time of solitude or isolation where the Lord is speaking into our lives, pruning, correcting, rebuking, and strengthening us. During this time there is normally focused prayer, fasting and seeking God, however solitude should never become a permanent way of lifestyle for any of us. It is not possible to dwell on the earth without a support system, we need one another. Individual Christian believers collectively make up the “body of Christ” and the body of Christ = The Church of the Living God.
In case you are not aware, not every church is the “body of Christ” because Satan himself has churches, temples, and synagogues that operate in stark contrast to the word of God. This is why we must be led by the Holy Spirit and discerning when it comes to deciding where we establish our church membership and who we fellowship with.
When the Saints of God fellowship as the scriptures says in Acts 2, there is a keeping of the word of God, a gathering of believers (fellowship), breaking of bread (eating and/or communion) and prayer. From that type of fellowship model, we are able to be strengthened, edified and built up by one another.
ANOINTING OF FELLOWSHIP
We have been set apart, devoted, fortified, consecrated…anointed for fellowship. The anointing oil used to consecrate Aaron and his sons into the Levitical priesthood wasn’t just olive oil but it was a perfumed mixture of cinnamon (cassia), aloes, myrrh, calamus, spikenard, saffron, and other spices. The point here is that fellowship is holy, it is multi-racial, it is a form of spiritual warfare, and must not be taken lightly nor polluted but rather counted a sacred event amongst the people of God whenever we are together.
There is no gathering in the natural or in the spirit realm that can ever compare to the fellowship of Saints; this is where God’s blessings are poured out. The world tries to copy it HOWEVER; it will never be like the presence of Saints.
We must be mindful of how we present ourselves in fellowship; the anointing for fellowship is precious and keeps us from dying spiritually.
We must have an understanding that fellowship is a union it is a community and it is give and take. In other words, the goal of biblical fellowship is not one sided but we too must offer something holy. This is why our individual relationship with Christ is necessary. We ought not to be spiritual leeches sucking and draining the life of God out of the Saints but rather we each must be a well of everlasting life, to which others may draw from. Hallelujah. We must have a lifestyle of worship.
Take Peter and John as an example in Acts 3:1-26. They were headed together to the temple for prayer (an element of fellowship). From this chapter and looking at the preceding Chapter 2 where the Holy Spirit had been outpoured we can infer that although they were headed to prayer at the temple that there must have been a time of prayer and seeking God in their own personal space. By the Spirit of God they were able to speak to a lame man who was as such from the time he was in the womb. The point is simply this, fellowship must begin with the Lord first (ouch), where He refuels us and then others (sinners and believers) are able to draw from us.
Don’t wait until you get to the church and put on your game face but rather prepare ahead of time to bring something to the table. The atmosphere when “Saints” are gathered together should not be a pull and a strain in any kind of way.
Stayed tune for Part 2…
