Transformative Power of Grace-Driven Fellowship
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Today, we gathered to worship, pray, and learn from God's Word. We also had the opportunity to celebrate Kathy Schoeling's contributions to our church as she prepares to move to Washington. Our focus today was on the importance of fellowship within the Body of Christ. We began with a story about an old monastery that was revitalized through the extraordinary respect and love the monks showed each other, inspired by the words of a hermit who told them that one among them was a special apostle of God. This story illustrates how powerful and transformative Christian fellowship can be.
We explored how a grace-driven fellowship can lead to spiritual growth, joy, and unity within the church. Acts 2 and Acts 4 were our guiding scriptures, showing us that the early church thrived because of their commitment to fellowship, breaking bread together, and praising God with glad and sincere hearts. Jesus emphasized the importance of loving one another, which is second only to loving God. This love and unity are essential for attracting others to the faith and for maintaining a healthy church community.
We also discussed how true fellowship is a reflection of God's grace. It should be a place where people feel accepted, loved, and valued. This kind of fellowship is not just about being happy all the time but having a deep-seated joy that comes from knowing and serving God, even in the midst of trials and suffering. Unity in the essentials of our faith and love in all things are crucial for maintaining this fellowship.
In conclusion, our church is a place of growth, gladness, unity, and grace. We must guard and nurture our fellowship to ensure it remains strong and vibrant, just as the early church did. Let us continue to serve one another with love and respect, reflecting the grace of God in all that we do.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Power of Respect and Love in Fellowship: The story of the old monastery teaches us that extraordinary respect and love among believers can transform a dying community into a thriving one. This respect should be rooted in the belief that each person is valuable and potentially a special apostle of God. [33:14]
2. Grace-Driven Fellowship Leads to Growth: A church that emphasizes grace in its fellowship will naturally experience spiritual growth. Acts 2 and Acts 4 show us that the early church grew because they devoted themselves to fellowship, breaking bread together, and praising God with glad and sincere hearts. [54:39]
3. Joy in Fellowship Amidst Trials: True Christian fellowship is characterized by a deep-seated joy that persists even in the face of trials and suffering. This joy is not the same as happiness; it is a profound sense of well-being that comes from knowing and serving God. [56:01]
4. Unity in Essentials, Freedom in Non-Essentials: Unity in the church does not mean uniformity in all things. We must have unity in the essentials of our faith, freedom in non-essentials, and love in all things. This balance helps maintain a healthy and grace-driven fellowship. [01:00:59]
5. Grace as the Aroma of Fellowship: Grace should season our relationships within the church, making our fellowship attractive to others. Just as the smell of a hot meal draws people into the kitchen, grace draws people into the church. We are stewards of God's grace, and our fellowship should reflect that. [01:02:58]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[03:00] - Announcements
[19:11] - Opening Prayer
[20:47] - Prayer for Kathy Schoeling
[22:11] - Congregational Prayer
[25:21] - Scripture Reading
[33:14] - Story of the Old Monastery
[40:26] - Importance of Fellowship
[42:23] - Jesus' Commandment on Love
[51:32] - Fellowship and Spiritual Growth
[54:39] - Joy in Fellowship
[56:01] - Joy vs. Happiness
[57:39] - Unity in the Church
[01:02:58] - Grace in Fellowship
[01:11:13] - Closing Worship and Benediction
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Acts 2:46-47: "Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."
2. Acts 4:32-33: "All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all."
3. John 13:34-35: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
### Observation Questions
1. What were the daily practices of the early church as described in Acts 2:46-47?
2. According to Acts 4:32-33, what was the attitude of the believers towards their possessions?
3. In John 13:34-35, what command does Jesus give to His disciples, and what is the intended outcome of following this command?
4. How did the story of the old monastery illustrate the power of respect and love in fellowship? [33:14]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the practice of breaking bread together and praising God with glad and sincere hearts contribute to the growth of the church? [54:39]
2. What does it mean for a church to have "unity in the essentials, freedom in non-essentials, and love in all things"? How can this balance be maintained? [01:00:59]
3. How can the concept of grace-driven fellowship, as seen in Acts 4:32-33, be applied to modern church communities?
4. Why is it important for Christian fellowship to reflect the grace of God, and how does this attract others to the faith? [42:23]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced deep-seated joy in fellowship despite facing trials. How did this experience impact your faith and relationships within the church? [56:01]
2. In what ways can you show extraordinary respect and love to fellow church members, believing that each person is valuable and potentially a special apostle of God? [33:14]
3. How can you contribute to maintaining unity in the essentials of faith while allowing freedom in non-essentials within your church community? [01:00:59]
4. Think of a specific instance where you can extend grace to someone in your church this week. What practical steps will you take to make this happen? [01:02:58]
5. How can you help create an atmosphere of gladness and joy in your church, especially during times of collective worship and fellowship? [54:39]
6. Identify one person in your church who might feel undervalued or overlooked. What can you do to make them feel accepted, loved, and valued this week? [42:23]
7. Reflect on the story of the old monastery. How can you apply the lesson of treating yourself and others with extraordinary respect in your daily interactions? [33:14]
Devotional
Day 1: The Transformative Power of Respect and Love
True Christian fellowship is marked by extraordinary respect and love among believers. This respect should be rooted in the belief that each person is valuable and potentially a special apostle of God. The story of the old monastery illustrates how a community on the brink of collapse was revitalized through the monks' newfound respect and love for one another. They were inspired by the words of a hermit who told them that one among them was a special apostle of God. This belief led them to treat each other with extraordinary respect and love, transforming their community into a thriving one. [33:14]
In our own church, we can experience similar transformation by recognizing the inherent value in each member of our congregation. When we treat each other with respect and love, we create an environment where people feel valued and accepted. This kind of fellowship can lead to spiritual growth, joy, and unity within the church. It is a powerful testimony to the world of the love of Christ.
Romans 12:10 (ESV): "Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor."
Reflection: Think of someone in your church community whom you may have overlooked or taken for granted. How can you show them extraordinary respect and love this week?
Day 2: Grace-Driven Fellowship Leads to Growth
A church that emphasizes grace in its fellowship will naturally experience spiritual growth. Acts 2 and Acts 4 show us that the early church grew because they devoted themselves to fellowship, breaking bread together, and praising God with glad and sincere hearts. This grace-driven fellowship was marked by a deep sense of community and mutual support. [54:39]
When we extend grace to one another, we create an environment where people feel safe to be themselves and to grow in their faith. This kind of fellowship is not about being perfect but about being real and supportive. It is about walking alongside each other in our spiritual journeys, offering encouragement and support. This kind of fellowship leads to spiritual growth and a deeper sense of community.
Acts 2:46-47 (ESV): "And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved."
Reflection: How can you contribute to a grace-driven fellowship in your church? What specific actions can you take to support and encourage others in their spiritual growth?
Day 3: Joy in Fellowship Amidst Trials
True Christian fellowship is characterized by a deep-seated joy that persists even in the face of trials and suffering. This joy is not the same as happiness; it is a profound sense of well-being that comes from knowing and serving God. [56:01]
In the midst of trials, it can be easy to lose sight of this joy. However, true Christian fellowship can help us to maintain our joy even in difficult times. When we come together as a community, we can support and encourage one another, reminding each other of the hope we have in Christ. This kind of fellowship helps us to keep our focus on God and to find joy in serving Him, even in the midst of trials.
James 1:2-3 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness."
Reflection: Think of a recent trial you have faced. How did your church community support you during this time? How can you support others who are going through trials?
Day 4: Unity in Essentials, Freedom in Non-Essentials
Unity in the church does not mean uniformity in all things. We must have unity in the essentials of our faith, freedom in non-essentials, and love in all things. This balance helps maintain a healthy and grace-driven fellowship. [01:00:59]
In a diverse church community, it is important to recognize that we may have different opinions and preferences on non-essential matters. However, we must remain united in the core beliefs of our faith. This unity in essentials allows us to maintain a strong and healthy fellowship, while freedom in non-essentials allows for diversity and individuality. Above all, we must show love in all things, treating each other with respect and grace.
Ephesians 4:3-6 (ESV): "Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
Reflection: Reflect on an area where you have had a different opinion from someone in your church. How can you show love and respect in this situation, while maintaining unity in the essentials of your faith?
Day 5: Grace as the Aroma of Fellowship
Grace should season our relationships within the church, making our fellowship attractive to others. Just as the smell of a hot meal draws people into the kitchen, grace draws people into the church. We are stewards of God's grace, and our fellowship should reflect that. [01:02:58]
When our relationships are marked by grace, we create an environment that is welcoming and attractive to others. This kind of fellowship is a powerful testimony to the world of the love and grace of God. As stewards of God's grace, we have the responsibility to extend that grace to others, creating a community where people feel accepted, loved, and valued.
Colossians 4:6 (ESV): "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."
Reflection: How can you be a steward of God's grace in your relationships within the church? What specific actions can you take to make your fellowship more welcoming and attractive to others?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "It is such a blessing it is such a privilege that through Jesus Christ and our faith in him we are adopted as children of God and as his children he invites us to come directly to him with our prayers our prayers are requests our prayers of thanks our prayers of praise." [19:11] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Well, I love this story because it illustrates how powerful the fellowship between a group of Christians can be. Any church with a healthy, grace-driven fellowship will grow and even flourish. But without it, any church will literally die on the vine." [38:27] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "I love the words of the writer of Hebrews in Hebrews chapter 10 verse 25 when he says let us think of one another and how we can stimulate one another's growth in loving and doing deeds and even more as the day is approaching fellowship is a byproduct of spiritual growth if Christians devote themselves to the work of the Lord Jesus Christ then they will be able to grow spiritually they will have wonderful healthy fellowship." [51:32] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "If the church is actually the family of God it ought to be a place of laughter a place of joy a place where people like to go and a place where people want to be too often in churches that's not the case maybe it's the preacher who talks in a trembling voice that makes people feel like the heavens are going to fall or maybe in some churches the choir sings at such a slow tempo and with such scowls on their faces that the music actually sounds like a funeral dirge." [53:07] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So when you go into a bar, after multi- ? ? ? ? ? Instead of grace, escape rather than reality. But it is a permissive, accepting, and inclusive fellowship. It is unshockable. You can tell people secrets, and they usually don't tell others or even want to. bar flourishes because God has put into the human heart the desire to know and the desire to be known, to love and to be loved. And so many people seek a counterfeit at the price of a few beers." [01:04:01] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Well, as they contemplated in this manner, the old monks began to treat each other with extraordinary respect on the off chance that one of them might actually be a special apostle of God. And on the off, off chance that each monk himself might be the apostle spoken of by the hermit, each monk began to treat himself with extraordinary respect." [36:43] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "As the incident with the monastery shows, people are attracted to a local body of Christ whose members affirm one another. But the opposite is also true. People are repelled when this quality is painfully absent. But Jesus, of course, knew this and gave us a special, vitally important commandment, one that is second only to the command to love God." [40:26] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Unity comes from our knowledge that even though we are one but we are all different we do have one thing in common our acceptance of and our dependence upon the grace of God and unity in spite of diversity is a powerful magnet to draw lost people to God on the other hand disunity drives people away." [58:51] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We are stewards. We are stewards dispensing grace. We, who have experienced God's grace, tell the whole world about it. And in so doing, we quench their thirst for grace that all people have." [01:05:19] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We have a great fellowship. Here at Quincy Community Church. I see people growing spiritually here every week. Christian maturity is something we strive for. Christian maturity is something we, as a church, value. And I would say this is a glad place. A church with a positive, can-do attitude. I'm reminded, from years ago, we might be few, but we are mighty. And we are mighty not because of us. We are mighty because we serve a mighty God." [01:10:32] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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