Fellowship with Jesus means fellowship with others. Consider these three scriptures this week…
Ephesians 2:19-22 New Revised Standard Version
19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, 20 built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone.[a] 21 In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; 22 in whom you also are built together spiritually[b] into a dwelling place for God.
God is building something… His church! Do we allow ourselves to be shaped and molded by Jesus to accomplish His purpose? What does that look like in our lives? What do you enjoy about being in community. What do you dislike about being in community?
Hebrews 10:19-25 New Revised Standard Version
19 Therefore, my friends,[a] since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
As society is encouraging people to live individualistic lives, to think about our ourselves first, to pursue our own happiness first, the writer of this letter in Hebrews encourages us to think differently. This passage is meant to be an encouragement during difficult times. This passage is saying, let’s keep meeting tougher, because it is important. What do you value about being a part of a church community? What responsibilities do we have a s a member of a church community?
Mark 2:1-12 New Revised Standard Version
2 When he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. 2 So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the door; and he was speaking the word to them. 3 Then some people[a] came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 And when they could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and after having dug through it, they let down the mat on which the paralytic lay. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6 Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, 7 “Why does this fellow speak in this way? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 At once Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were discussing these questions among themselves; and he said to them, “Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and take your mat and walk’? 10 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— 11 “I say to you, stand up, take your mat and go to your home.” 12 And he stood up, and immediately took the mat and went out before all of them; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”
Who do you identify in this story. Are you the paralytic? Are you one of the friends who helped the paralytic. Are you one of the people in the crowd judging what is happening? How does this story fit with our theme of Unity?
Join us on Sunday as we discuss Unity and our need for community.
