Loving God by Knowing God 4: Fellowship with a Bible Believing Christian Church.
Believers in Christ need the Christian Community that exists in the church:
Every individual long to belong to a community and connect with others. As Christians we do not live the Christian life in isolation but in company of other sincere believers who help and encourage our walk with the Lord. The Bible encourages us to fellowship with other believers for the development of our Christian faith. The bible in Hebrews 10:25 states: “Do not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encourage one another; and all the more as you see the Day approaching”.
Therefore, prayerfully seek out a bible believing Christian church where people practice what they preach. Attend regular church service, bible study and serve God in one of the different ministries in the church.
The Bible encourages us to fellowship together:
Going to church is meeting with community of believers, worshiping God together, listening and hearing the word of God, encouraging each other, praying with each other and for others, helping members in the church that are hurting and in need. Serving God together and being involved in the lives of others. When we gather together to worship God our father, the Holy Spirit is present to bless and guide us. For He says in Mathew 18:20″Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”
Fellowship helps develop our walk with God:
When we fellowship with other believers, we learn more about God through the preaching of God’s Word and the godly counsel of those who walk with Him. Acts 2:42 states that “All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper, and to prayer. Colossians 4:15 encourages the gathering of believers-“Please give my greetings to our brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church that meets in her house”. Through the different activities in the church as mentioned above, the believer in Christ grows in his walk with God.
Preaching of sound Biblical doctrine help us understand biblical truths and principles which helps us to place our faith in the Lord Jesus and His words that we have heard. The Bible states in Romans 10:17 that “Faith cometh by hearing and hearing the word of God”. The word of God we hear and believe can transform our hearts and lives so that we live according to the will of God. It inspires us to love and serve the Lord Jesus and to love fellow believer. Encourages us during challenges of life and directs our parts because the word of God is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our part. Psalm 119:105. Proverbs 27:17- As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. The lessons we learned in corporate church fellowship and our private personal bible study and prayer impact our lives greatly towards a more glorious walk with God and service to Him.
Church attendance helps develop God’s Gift in us:
Romans 12:3-8 and 1stCorinthians 12 informs us that God has given each believer spiritual gifts like healing, faith, prophecy etc for encouragement of believers; growth and development of the church and the service the church renders individually and collectively. The purpose of spiritual gift is stated in Ephesians 4:11-13″ 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
These gifts are to be used for God’s glory and achieve the purpose of edifying His church and working the ministry. It is not to be used as a performance or entertainment where we respond emotionally without any obvious transformation and Christlike behavior. Such lack the backing of the Holy Spirit which brings conviction to sinners in our midst and edification of the body of Christ thereby being unproductive and unfruitful.
Seek to develop the gift in you by becoming a member of one of the church groups which you have a genuine, sincere, godly passion for and start exercising your gift. There are many ministries in the church like -children’s ministry, singing group, bible teaching, evangelism etc. Serve God genuinely in any of these areas as we are encouraged to do. 2 Timothy 1:6-6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind’. Ensure that as you grow and mature in the Lord that your gift is exercised to the glory of God.
You might encounter problems in the Church but do not be discouraged:
We should understand that the church or Christian fellowship is a gathering of imperfect human beings therefore we should not expect perfection from them. When we step into each other’s lives, we might have differences and sometimes misunderstanding; do not let this discourage you and cause you to step back. However, pray for the Grace of God to help you and bring healing and teaching in any area of your life that has been hurt in the fellowship. Apply the word of God and walk-in wisdom by knowing what the Lord wants you to do in a particular circumstance. Treat others how you would like to be treated and if you determine that a change is needed, prayerfully ask God to be the agent of that change. Again, do not be discouraged because God will strengthen you and empower you to do what He has called you to do.
May His Grace help and abide with us. Amen.
