Today I continue our new series entitled, “Power of Fellowship.” For over a week we have been looking at how Jesus fellowshipped with the Father. He had a true and intimate relationship with Him. This is a picture of what our life is supposed to look like. Today we will take a look at the concept of fellowship in a broader sense.
I had not given much thought to the concept of fellowship over the years. But as I started hearing more teaching on it and studying it myself, I was intrigued by the deep nature of the relationship God is calling us into. The reason why I started this series with looking upward to God before we look outward to others, is because I firmly believe that your relationship with God greatly influences how you manage relationships with others. If your relationship with God is strong and stable, you will be in position to also have strong and stable relationships with others.
The word translated fellowship in the New Testament is the Greek word koinonia. When the discussion of fellowship is introduced in most churches, people have a tendency to picture a social gathering. I, for one, would often picture a potluck dinner, where Christians brought a dish and gathered around to enjoy each other socially. While this is part of it, Biblical fellowship is much deeper than this.
The Greek root word for koinonia is koinós. This word means: common. True fellowship with God is about connecting in the areas that you have in common with Him. The same is also true when connecting with others. But if you develop the areas that you have in common with God, you will be in a great position to have fellowship with others, because you will be able to see them the way God sees them.
To get a better understanding of Biblical fellowship, today we will take a look at three scriptures that translate the word koinonia differently. We will discuss how they apply to us and what we have in common with God.
So what does this mean to you today? Let’s see.
1. In Acts 2:42 the Bible says, “’The believers spent their time listening to the teaching of the apostles. They shared (koinonia) everything with each other. They ate together and prayed together.” Here we see New Testament, early church, believers coming together. They were enjoying what they had in common with each other. The underlying bond was God Himself. This is a picture of fellowship. This gives us an image of the type of fellowship we should enjoy today across the Body of Christ. In my years in the military I always enjoyed being able to get on a plane to go just about anywhere in the world, knowing that when I got there I could find brothers and sisters in Christ, whom I could fellowship with. What we have in common is God. Sure, we may have a few differences in our practices, but we have too much in common to be uncommon with one another.
2. In 2 Corinthians 9:13 the Bible says, “‘The way in which you have proved yourselves by this service will bring honor and praise to God. You believed the message about Christ, and you obeyed it by sharing (koinonia) generously with God’s people and with everyone else.” While Acts 2:42 was a picture of the more “common” use of the word fellowship, this scripture gives us more insight. Here we have a group of believers who provided financial support to the Apostle Paul. The Greek word koinonia is used to describe the spirit in which they gave. It’s not just that they gave, but their willingness to do is an expression of the heart of God. This willingness was birthed out of their fellowship with God Himself. For us today, this is a reminder that when we have true intimacy with God, and we enjoy the things we have in common with Him, it will be seen in all that we do. Even when we give, the heart of God will be expressed because our giving will be a celebration of what we have in common with a God who gave His best.
3. In Philippians 3:10 the Bible says, “‘All I want is to know Christ and the power that raised him from death. I want to share (koinonia) in his sufferings and be like him even in his death.” We looked at Acts 2:42, where the word fellowship was used to describe believers coming together and breaking bread. Then we looked at 2 Corinthians 9:13, where the word fellowship was used to describe believers who gave financial contributions to ministry. Here, in Philippians 3:10, we see the same Greek word being used to describe a willingness to partake in the sufferings of Christ. When you truly fellowship with God, and you open your heart to all that you have in common with Him, you are willing to be the visible expression of our invisible God on this planet. You are willing to live like Jesus lived, even if that means suffering like Jesus suffered. Your desire to be like God, in this world, trumps all else. Even the opposition you will face because of it. The good news is that you know you will never face it alone. You are fellowshipping with God and He is fellowshipping with you. He will be with you every step of the way. He will never leave you, nor forsake you. He is more committed to you than you are to yourself. God want you to enjoy what you have in common with Him. This is called fellowship.
Today I wanted to give you a broader understanding of the word fellowship. Please open your heart to all that you have in common with God and one another.
Declaration of Faith:
Father, I thank You for teaching me the importance of true fellowship. I love You and I know You love me. The closer I get to You, the more I realize how much further I have to go, and the more I die to self. As my sinful and selfish ways die off, what is left is a heart that looks like the heart of my God. This heart helps me to enjoy what I have in common with You and with others. My fellowship with You is literally transforming me into Your image and likeness on this planet. I shall live the remainder of my days as a visible expression of my invisible God in this world. I can say this with confidence, because my life is now birthed daily out of my fellowship with You. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
