Several years ago, NASA launched its unmanned rocket Antares that was tasked with bringing supplies to the International Space Station. Six seconds after take-off, Antares suffered a “catastrophic anomaly” and exploded.
One early newscast suggested the rocket was veering off course and scientists on the ground destroyed it. That report proved inaccurate.
The rocket’s first stage engines were identified as the cause of the failure. NASA used a different engine for subsequent launches. As I read about the catastrophic mishap, my thoughts jumped to another catastrophe: churches struggling with conflict undermining and endangering the fellowship.
I thought, that’s what happens when churches take their eyes off the Lord and their focus off their Christ-given mission. They open themselves up to problems that could cause the church to crash and burn.
The church’s fellowship is a gift requiring intentional enriching and protection. Fellowship is more than small talk over coffee before the Bible study starts, or a quick greeting at welcome time during the worship service. New Testament fellowship is deeper.
Fellowship is the sharing of life based on our common experience with Jesus and our common desire to live for Jesus. The first church experienced the sharing of life together: “Now all who believed were together and had all things in common and sold their possessions and goods and divided them among all as anyone had need.” (Acts 2:44-45). They had a common Savior, a common mission, and a common need for encouragement, especially when persecution started.
These new believers needed one another and went over and above in their generosity to show care and concern. They were deeply committed to God and to each other. They enjoyed unity.
God expects us to take good care of His gift of fellowship. What can we do to enrich our church’s…
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