It’s been said that the key to fellowship is agreeing with each other. Now, that doesn’t mean we can’t have differing opinions, but at the end of the day, we can agree to disagree and still walk together in unity. The passages we consider today speak of an expectation in fellowship, an entreaty for their fellowship, and an estrangement in their fellowship. We can agree.
The Psalm begins by recognizing that God is sovereign over everything. If that is the case, how do we approach Him? Pastor Jim lays out what it is to have clean hands and a pure heart so that we can approach Him.
If we aren’t in fellowship, we aren’t in unity. If we aren’t in unity, we aren’t glorifying God, which is what we are called to do. As we learn from our passage, we need to bear up, band up, and bring up. This brings God glory.
The importance of fellowship can’t be overstated. In our text today we see that fellowship really originates with God. It also states that if we aren’t in fellowship with God, we can’t be in fellowship with each other. If we say we have fellowship with God, but continue in sin, we are lying, not telling the truth. But we can be in fellowship with God because the blood of Christ cleanses us from all sin. Hallelujah for that! Are you in fellowship with God? You can be.
These passages challenge us to consider our role in the body of Christ to be burden bearers with one another. Often times people are going through deep hurts that no one else knows about. The hurt alone. We need to share those hurts with others, and we need to come alongside others to help shoulder the burden. Will you be a burden bearer? “Two are better than one.”
Sometimes and for some people it can be difficult to buy a gift. But the Holy Spirit has no problem deciding what spiritual gift each believer is given. Every Christian has a spiritual gift that is to be used to benefit the local body of Christ as it matures together. There are two questions then. Do you know what your spiritual gift is? Are you using your spiritual gift? If not, the body is missing out in some way. I hope you are using your spiritual gift for the glory of God and the good of other believers.
Why do you attend church? Why do you not attend church? Our passage today gives compelling reasons why the care of one another is important and the caution for why we should. We need each other. Be a fireplace poker and stir one another to love and good works.
The world is watching to see if our faith is genuine. It is observing how we as believers in the local church treat each other. This early church in Acts 2 was a gathering church, a generous church, a glad church and a growing church. The result was that God added daily to their numbers. Let’s be that church.
We use maps every day to navigate our world, whether we realize it or not. Driving, shopping, traveling all have a variety of maps that guide us to and from our destination. If we need maps in our physical world, we certainly need a map in our spiritual world. God’s Word is that map that is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. It guides our steps and guards our path. Yet how often do we refer to this map when making decisions? When we come to this map for guidance, it’s important on how we approach it. We need to approach it honorably, humbly, honestly, and hungrily. Get your map out today and start laying out the route you need to take to arrive at the destination of heaven safely.
What does it mean to be prosperous? Our society and the Bible have two contrasting views. The passages discussed show us how to be prosperous from God’s perspective. It all centers around the Word of God and what we will do with it.