8-4-2016

Good Morning All!! 

       Acts 2:42; “And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”

       It is always interesting when you discuss church membership with some people.  When asked what church they belong to; some can’t tell you the name of the minister at the church, they aren’t sure what times services are, some aren’t sure of the denomination or what it meant.  When asked if they are Christian; it is not uncommon for the answer to be, “No, I am Catholic” or “No, I am Presbyterian” or “No, I am (fill in the blank)”.  Unfortunately, many people do not know what it means to belong to a church or what that means.

    So what does it mean to belong to the church?  Probably first and foremost, the church is relational.  It should be a place where, the relationship that you have with God and with one another is strengthened, healed, restored, enhanced, rejuvenated, invigorated, made perfect.  That is what the early church was engaged in; it was engaged in relationship building.  Notice what the members of the early church did: Bible Study, time with other believers, time with other believers in worship, interceding for each other.

    They studied the Bible, the teaching of the Apostles.  They did this, not to be a champion on “Jeopardy” but in order to hear what God was telling them and to see what God was revealing about himself to them.  They hungered to hear God’s Words of mercy and grace.  Through those wonderful words, he drew them closer, strengthened their faith and built them up.

    Because God is rebuilding this relationship with you, he desires that we rebuild our relationships with each other as well.  We do this through the fellowship that is discussed.  This can be a meal together (first potluck?) or time around a table with a cup of coffee.  The important thing is that it is about listening to each other and truly hearing about the events in each other’s life and having a true compassion for each other. 

    It is about joining together, as this compassionate fellowship and sharing together in God’s gift to us in his body and blood in the bread and the wine that we, as a group, may be strengthened in faith and in fellowship with each other.  Then they joined in prayer, corporately and individually, always praying for each other.  Lifting the concerns and needs of each other up to God and sharing in the rejoicing of God’s mercy.

    This is what the church should be.  If this is missing from your life then you may want to prayerfully review your relationship with your fellow believers.  God gives you the church to strengthened and comforted in this life.  It is yours for the using.

Gracious Father, you give us the church so that we may be strengthened.  Help us to see and to use this wonderful gift.  Help those who feel they are alone and without hope.  Bring them to those whom you have called that they may be blessed through the true church.  Keep your church safe from the attacks of the devil.  Heal its wounds and strengthened it that it may be your true light in this world.  In the precious name of Jesus, our head, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret