August 2, 2019 -- I John 1:1-3 -- What is 'fellowship'?

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— 3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.

I John 1:1-3 English Standard Version

That weird word “fellowship” is used twice in our short text. What does fellowship actually mean? John the Apostle is writing to believers who have these things in common: they are reading John’s letter, they are receiving information about Jesus Christ, how His life, death and resurrection have caused believers in Jesus to be called sons and daughters of God. This is such a huge topic, such a big part of who we are that Christians, when we gather, can’t help but talk about Jesus, the blessing of belonging to Him, their latest bible reading and the glory of knowing the Creator of the Universe.

Fellowship is when two or more believers get together and talk about God. Fellowship happens when believers tell one another of the great things going on in their lives and the struggles they have staying true to Jesus. Fellowship means the believers pray, right there, on the spot, for each other. And our passage reminds us these elements of Christian fellowship lead us into deeper contact, communication and relationship with God, our Father and with Jesus Himself. The Holy Spirit uses these times of meeting together to increase our knowledge of God, deepen our love for God, whet our hunger for more of God in our lives and increase our desire to serve Him.

If this sounds dead boring to you, it is because the Spirit of God has not yet grabbed hold of your heart and your imagination with all the wondrous things Jesus has done. Believe me, there is no greater adventure, no higher joy and no more sustaining hope than knowing God and His love poured out for us in Jesus. I challenge you today, find a friend whose faith you admire, and ask him about his walk with God. Call a friend who obviously knows Jesus and talks with Him and ask her to explain to you why this faith she holds is so important to her. That is fellowship. And that is tremendous blessing.

God, Creator of the Heavens and the Earth, the vast universe and the complexities of DNA, thank You for the gift of the Bible by which we get to know Who You Are. Thank You for the Spirit of God Who helps us read and begin to understand. Thank You for the Spirit Who brings various people into our lives who shine the light of Jesus. Thank You, God of Wonders, that Jesus is the evidence of Your lasting love for and grace to us ruined sinners, such as we were (and such as some of us reading this still are). Spirit of God, make us bold enough to ask our friends why their faith means so much to them. Let our coffee times and get togethers become weighted with talk of Your glory Mighty God. Stir in us a faith that is living and growing in knowledge of and love for Jesus. Amen.