What role does fellowship play in strengthening our faith community today? The Joy of Personal Presence 1 Corinthians 16:17 — “I am glad that Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus have arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you.” • Paul’s gladness centers on real people showing up in real time. • Fellowship is first a ministry of presence; distance closes, hearts unite, faith is encouraged. • When believers gather, Christ’s body becomes visible (Matthew 18:20). Supplying What Was Lacking • “Supplied” points to a deficiency now made whole. • No congregation possesses every gift at every moment (1 Corinthians 12:4–7). • Fellowship allows the gaps in one believer to be filled by the strengths of another. • Practical result: shared wisdom, pooled resources, balanced perspectives, mutual protection (Ecclesiastes 4:9–12). Refreshing the Saints Verse 18 continues, “For they refreshed my spirit and yours as well.” • Greek nuance: to rest, revive, re-inflate. • Fellowship restores spiritual stamina the way rest restores the body. • Linked passages: – Philemon 7 — “the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.” – Proverbs 27:17 — “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” Biblical Pattern of Strengthening Community • Acts 2:42 — early believers “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship.” • Hebrews 10:24-25 — assembling stirs believers “to love and good works.” • Romans 12:10 — “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.” • Galatians 6:2 — “Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Practical Ways to Live It Out Today Spiritual: • Share testimonies of God’s faithfulness; faith multiplies when spoken aloud. • Pray aloud for one another; hearts knit together under a common burden. Relational: • Eat together; hospitality turns acquaintances into family (Acts 2:46). • Visit the isolated; presence dismantles loneliness and temptation. Missional: • Serve side-by-side in outreach; shared labor for the gospel cements unity (Philippians 1:27). • Pool resources for those in need; generosity declares Christ’s love (2 Corinthians 9:12-13). Results We Can Expect • A church marked by joy and resilience. • Believers equipped to resist error and discouragement. • Witness to outsiders: genuine love verifies the message (John 13:35). • God glorified as His design for community is displayed in daily life. |
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