Newsletter May, 2004

Solid Rock Christian Church Newsletter

Winning to Jesus - Growing in Jesus

Craig Rippy
Preaching Minister Home Ph. 573-265-3793
E-mail address, rippy@fidnet.com

Office Telephone 573-265-5003

E-Mail Address, srcc@tigernet.missouri.org

Gene Scantlin and Alan Wynn, Elders.

Diane Daniel, Preschool Director.

P.O. Box 1
#1 Solid Rock Drive
St. James, MO 65559

  "FELLOWSHIP" By: Craig Rippy  

     We had a great fellowship experience with our brothers and sisters of the Forest City Christian Church on Sunday the 25th of April. The last I had heard there were over a hundred in attendance. There were several from the FCCC congregation I knew and enjoyed visiting with. There were others I had met for the first time or had known by acquaintance, but didn't know they were a part of the Christian family.

     One fellowship time didn't avail us with much time to get to know the FCCC folks well. We thought it be wise to have another joint fellowship time in another setting. So we have tentatively set June 6th as a date we will meet at the park to enjoy a picnic together.

     Fellowship is sweet when it accomplishes God's intended purpose. An hour around tables filled with food is not fellowship. The conversation that ensues between people around the table becomes limited fellowship.

     Fellowship could be defined as "involving ourselves in the lives of others for their benefit." Can you see how love and fellowship must merge to bring about God's intended results (Philippians 2:1-5).

     Fellowship must be guided by Spirit influenced love if it can truly accomplish the benefits God wants. I could attend a fellowship dinner and love the food, love the conversation, and love feeling good about myself because I did some clean-up afterwards. This doesn't qualify as participating in fellowship.

     Let's define fellowship. The word is used of the first congregation of Christians in Acts chapter 2 verse 42. It is one of the four essentials the early disciples devoted themselves to.

     *First, it is essential because God has called us into fellowship with His Son. 1 Corinthians 1:9, God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful. (NIV)

     *Second, it is essential because God wants us to enjoy fellowship with the Holy Spirit, 2 Corinthians 13:14, May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (NIV)

     *Third, it is essential because believers are mutually supported through fellowship. 2 Corinthians 8:3-5, For according to their power, I bear witness, yea and beyond their power, (they gave) of their own accord, beseeching us with much entreaty in regard of this grace and the fellowship in the ministering to the saints: and (this), not as we had hoped, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God. (ASV)

     Being in fellowship with Jesus Christ and His Spirit brings about a new perspective to life. Life is not self-centered. Life is Christ-centered. In Christ it is natural to fellowship with Him and His people. Fellowship is being Christ-centered.

     Just as Christ calls us to be "One" with Him we are to be "One" with those who are in Him, other Christians. (John 17:11 & 21-22; Galatians 3:28; Philippians 2:1-4)

     Oneness and fellowship go hand in hand. Each Christian is a part of the whole body of Christ. The Bible tells us that the body of Christ is to be one, or unified to function as one (Romans 12:4-5).

     As a natural part of the Body of Christ I should want to participate with the body to ensure the health of the body. Da, what did I say? You are one part of the whole body. If you remove yourself from the whole you will die! Remove your finger and the finger dies not the larger body. If the finger is attached and healthy it completes the whole and works to help the whole body. All those in Christ make up the whole functional body of Christ.

     Fellowship is participation with the other members of the body. Participation means to take part in something. What are you taking part in as a member of Christ's body? What are we to take part in?

     *The primary Greek word that is translated Fellowship, Contribution, Participation, Partnership, and Share in our English versions means to be a partaker with or commune with.

     *We are to be partners in the ministry of the Gospel. Philippians 1:3-5, I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. (NIV)

     *We are to contribute to the needs of others. Romans 15:26, For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. (NIV)

     *I suppose the best way of defining Fellowship is to remove the "Fellowship" and replace it with "Family." The church isn't a corporation governed by a board of wise individuals. It is a family headed by the Son of God and Empowered by the Holy Spirit. Each member of the family is dependent upon the head, Christ, and the other members, Christians. We not only need Christ, but we need each other (1 Corinthians 12:12-27).

     The Holy Spirit has connected those who have been forgiven through Jesus to one another. It is only natural for the forgiven to fellowship. To learn more of fellowship and the benefits of sharing with one another read Acts 2:42-47.

     *Fellowship eliminates need.

     *Fellowship produces gladness.

     *Fellowship is even evangelistic.

Philemon 6, and I pray that the sharing of your faith may promote the knowledge of all the good that is ours in Christ. (RSV).