"Fellowship: Friendship with God, Others, and Self"

1 John 1:1-10 Acts 2:17-29

March 22, 2009

"We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ."  1 John 1:3

            God wants us to be more than just friends.

          John is talking about something deeper.  Fellowship takes friendship deeper because of the nature of our commonality.  Our walk with God is building block for healthy Christian discipleship.  The New Testament word for this is koinonia; which means the sharing of a common meaningful bond.  John sounds recaptured by the awe of knowing Jesus at the start of 1 John.  He has seen Jesus, listened to his voice, and touched him.  That's the way fellowship is.  Our senses and our souls are completely engaged.

          Fellowship with Jesus unites those who pay attention both to the Lord and to one another. 

          The purpose for talking about Jesus is fellowship!  That should be the goal of every sermon, every Sunday School lesson, and Bible study.  Fellowship - mutual trust in our common treasure - should be the desired outcome of everything we say about Jesus.   This should carry over into the way we treat each other.

          So John tells Christians to get real.  He talks about darkness and light; just like he did at the beginning of his gospel.  If we say we're living in the light while we're in the darkness - while selfishness or hate lingers within - we're living a lie.  Face it; we've all dabbled in such hypocrisies.  But that doesn't make us hopeless cases.  Pretending we're something we're not -- now that's more worrisome!

          If people don't get all the light and dark imagery, John just out and says it in verses 8 - 10.

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.

          Apparently God isn't much into saying, "This is your last chance! Mess up again and don't bother coming back again!"  A frustrated sinner parent may say that to a frustrated sinner child - but our holy and true God doesn't say such things.

          We can be honest with God because he accepts us "as is."  As that kind of acceptance filters sinks in, we can learn how to do that with each other!

          That's what was starting in Acts 2.  Peter challenged the people to change their evil ways and commit themselves to Jesus (that's what "repent and be baptized means).  The Holy Spirit would seal our bond with God the Father and God the Son.  Look at what happened!  Three thousand people came together with Jesus!  Three thousand people came together with each other.  They shared, they prayed, they worshiped, they ate together, and they studied the life and teachings of Jesus together.  Those Christians were different and they were attractive!

          That's what fellowship can do!  Oh yes, troubles will come but the bonds Christ forges hold through failures and adversity.  The healthy fellowship inspired by Christ is our most powerful message.  Action and words speak as one. 

WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE TODAY?

          My first answer may surprise you.  It goes against all the grain of our productivity oriented culture.  Healthy fellowship does not equal being busy!  If we're doing things without ever finding joy in our fellowship, we've become a burn out factory.  Things might look prosperous but we're just as much a part of the problem in our sick culture that keeps people from enjoying the presence of God.  Henri Nouwen put it this way.

Hence, the question that must guide all organizing activity in a parish is not how to keep people busy, but how to keep them from being so busy that they can no longer hear the voice of God who speaks in silence.

            Calling people together, therefore, means calling them away from the fragmenting and distracting wordiness of the dark world to the silence in which they can discover themselves, each other, and God.  Thus the organizing can be seen as the creation of a space where communication becomes possible and community can develop.

          I have asked you to name people in the church whom you see as "rocks," the ones to whom you would go for encouragement and help.  Thirty people are on the list!  None of them do every church activity!  Our ministry isn't meant to have anyone do everything!  But it is vitally important that each of us finds ways to seek and serve the Lord.   We're here to help each other with that. 

          Let us not admire people for being busy.  Let us give them opportunities to slow down for a better purpose than exhaustion.  Some of us will require some pointers in how to do this!  That same liberating loving fellowship that moved people in Jerusalem back then is possible in Middlebury today.

          Healthy fellowship breads non-judgmental trust.  Jesus teaches us not to condemn each other.  Not one of us is a good judge; Jesus says we have boards in our eyes!  But we can confess our sins to the Lord and be cleansed!  As we get hold of the character of Christ we develop a capacity to forgive each other.  When that happens trust develops - the sense of security requisite to listen to one another and be honest.  People relax enough to stretch and grow!

          Christian fellowship goes beyond developing good communication skills.  Timothy K. Jones reminds us to put God in the center.

            "In spiritual friendship it is not enough that each friend listens to the other; both must listen to God." 

          Fellowship shares our own walk with God with others.  Fellowship within a family or in a small group of friends at church can change your life.  As the quality of our relationships develops within a church body, the individuals and families within it are transformed!  People find the "living water" Jesus promised.

          Les and Leslie Parrott describe it this way.

"So who needs God?  All of us.  Not because God's love demands change; but because he produces change.  We'll never find out what we're looking for in human relationships until we first find a transforming and authentic relationship with God."

          Prayer is closely related to fellowship. When we are at peace with one another, at home or in the church, our prayers are powerful and free. 

          Worship is strongly affected by the quality of our love for God and each other.  It's hard to engage when there's something wrong and joyous when peace has been achieved.

          Our walk with the Bible becomes more intentional and rich when we seek God's message together.  When we're blessed with something we've read, be sure of this.  Such insights are meant to be shared.  Somebody needs that pearl of truth you found!

          The quality and integrity of our mission beyond these doors rings true when it comes from hearts united by peace and love.  People sense the difference.  The impossible seems to happen when "the love of Christ compels us."

          Find fellowship partners - and develop the ones you already have.  As we have established prayer partnerships between our youth and adults, what's to keep us from establishing prayer partnerships with adults?   It can't help but enhance our fellowship. 

          What's to keep a couple or four of you from finding some time to discuss a "Take It Home" sheet?  The hassles of schedule making and geographic distance can be overcome by such "mini-groups." 

          Getting together to sing or do crafts can feed a creative spirit which points to the Creator. 

          It's not all work you know.  One time I was going through a lot of books and communications exercises with a couple in pre-marital counseling.  They were serious students and one finally said, "Can't we just have some fun?"  I gave them a moratorium from the books for a month.  Relaxed time mindful of God is fellowship too.

          God said it wasn't good for us to be alone.  So we have this gift called fellowship.  Open the gift and delight in the good gifts of God.  They reside in Jesus - and in his church.  God's gifts are sitting all around you; - it's better than your best Christmas!  And it's all courtesy of the one whose birth we mark.

TAKING IT HOME: DEVELOPING FELLOWSHIP

Learn it by heart!

Imagine you are with early Christians in a crowded house.  It's hot and people sit and stand in the air made heavy with the oil lamps and the people's breathing.  You hear the leader of your church read John's letter.  These are the words of an eyewitness to Jesus' life and work! 

·         What does that mean to you?

·         Read 1 John 1:1-10 out loud.  What ideas impress you?

·         What do you think John means when he says they tell about what they've seen and heart, "so that you also may have fellowship with us?"

·         Ponder the meaning of verse 3 printed below.  Quietly read it over and over and let it sink into your heart and mind.  Try to remember the verse.

"We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ."  1John 1:3

Think about it and share your thoughts.

Whenever people gather, people will get hurt, disappointed or offended.  It's bound to happen sooner or later!  Given the teaching of this passage, what do you think John would recommend we do?

·         If you can think of an answer share it with someone else.

·         If you can't think of an answer ask someone else how they would answer.

·         If neither of you can find an answer ask someone else or ask Pastor Steve.

What practical things can you do to improve your life of Christian fellowship?

·         Name someone who could pray for you and support your growth.

·         Ask that person to help - and offer to pray for them.

"What We Mean for Evil"

Genesis 49:33-50:21

February 15, 2009

          God led Joseph and his father Jacob on a long road towards wisdom and godly character.  When we read their stories they are not the same kind of men they would have been had the Lord not intervened.  We left off with father and son separated by the violence and lies of Joseph's brothers.  What we've just read shows that Jacob and Joseph ended up together in Egypt. We are being told how the nation of Israel came to be implanted into Egypt as a sort of womb; 147 people entered.   Moses led a lead a nation out centuries later.

          The story of how father and son were reunited is found in chapters 42-49.  Remember, Joseph had become a humble, wise, and godly servant.  He was very talented and Pharaoh put him in charge of preparing for a famine during the good years.  When things got bad, Joseph had stockpiled grain.  This gave the King tremendous power within his own land and internationally.  People would first sell their lands and later their own persons to Pharaoh to stay alive.  Only the priesthood was spared.

          As the famine spread to Canaan, Jacob was forced to send his sons to Egypt in search of food.  Little did, Reuben, Judah, Simeon, and the others realize they were bowing before their own brother!  Jacob held back his youngest son, Joseph's brother, Benjamin.  After hearing their story Joseph accused them of being spies, demanding that they return with Benjamin to prove their truthfulness.  He kept Simeon as a hostage, gave them their grain, had their money put in the sacks, and sent them off.

          When things got desperate in Canaan, Jacob finally agreed to let Benjamin go to face Pharaoh's chief minister.  The scene in Egypt is fraught with emotion as Joseph sees this little brother.  With Simeon returned the band begins home only to be detained.  Joseph has framed Benjamin for stealing his cup.  When they are all brought before him, Joseph hears his brothers speculating that all this was their just deserts for what they did to Joseph over twenty years earlier.  Joseph can't take it anymore and plainly tells them who he is, arranges for Jacob come with the rest of the clan, and settles them all in Goshen.  

            Then, as we read, Jacob dies and the brothers bury their father in the place bought by their great-grandfather Abraham.  The Lord's promise to Abraham of land of becoming a great nation is still far from reality.  All the family owns is this one field and cave in the land God promised.  The "great nation" that will bless all people has about 147 people.  But things will happen.

          The brothers who returned to Goshen with Joseph were wary, more than a little afraid.  They all knew what happened at the well.  Their father was dead.  Would a day of reckoning; of vengeance and retribution come from Joseph.  They make a pathetic plea - and Joseph gives a powerful reply.

         ¹⁴ After burying his father, Joseph returned to Egypt, together with his brothers and all the others who had gone with him to bury his father.

      ¹⁵ When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, "What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?" ¹⁶ So they sent word to Joseph, saying, "Your father left these instructions before he died:  ¹⁷ 'This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.' Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father." When their message came to him, Joseph wept.

            ¹⁸ His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. "We are your slaves," they said. ¹⁹ But Joseph said to them, "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God?  ²⁰ You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.  ²¹ So then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children." And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.

          Joseph is not seeing the world the same way as his brothers!  His spirituality is passionate and mature.  He is no longer thinking about everything in terms of the way things are happening to him -- but in terms of how God is working salvation through fallen circumstances.

          Verse 19 has the most frequent command given in the Bible - it's still hard to grasp! - "Do not be afraid!"  Joseph knows he is not God and that matters of justice and vengeance as best left to God.  All he knows is that good has come from the whole sinful mess and that many lives have been saved as a result.

          So it goes.  It goes to the awful trial and crucifixion outside of Jerusalem.  It goes to a resurrection that did not announce vengeance but began with that most frequent command.  "Do not be afraid!"

          Joseph grasped what Jesus demonstrated - what we remember.  The purpose of our lives is not to get even with those who do wrong (That would end in mass suicide!).  The purpose of life is to save life.  The whole sinful mess gives way to people who will be more concerned with saving life than getting even.  They are God's people.  Are you and I with the brothers - or with Joseph?  Are we afraid of punishment or we moved to restore lives - live like Jesus?  Do not be afraid!  Come to the table!

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