Lifelines That LastSample

Lifeline of Fellowship

I love a community garage sale because it's a huge opportunity to go treasure hunting and buy more stuff! I love stuff. Old stuff. Unique stuff. Your stuff. My stuff. We all love stuff.

My dad used to tell me not to lend something to someone if I wasn't willing to never see that thing again. Pull the layers back on that onion, and you know what he was teaching me? You need to value people more than you value stuff. That, my friends, is fellowship. People first. Love God, Love People. Stuff doesn't even make the equation.

I remember clearly stopping to repeat what my dad taught me in my head when a friend asked if he could borrow my brand-new camera for a trip he was taking. I remember holding my camera, hearing my dad say you better be willing to not ever see this camera again, and consciously choosing to lend him the camera. I remember saying to myself, 'If it gets stolen, broken, or just not returned, I will not let this camera be more important to me than this relationship.' Fellowship is a lifeline.

The early church had this understanding, too. In Acts 2:45, we see them living this out. They sold their property (meaning they had a huge garage sale and got rid of their stuff) and shared the proceeds with those in need. That's fellowship, sharing with those in need, and they were devoted to it.

Fellowship to the early church also meant worshiping together, sharing meals together, taking communion together, being generous with each other, and expressing joy together. Fellowship is so much deeper than friendship. It's a deeply rooted connection that is built on our relationship with Jesus. Fellowship transforms the way we do life.

Our lifeline is strengthened when we do life together, in fellowship. We are linking arms when we are praying for each other. We are linking arms when we are taking care of those in need. We are linking arms when we enjoy a meal around the table together. We are linking arms when we celebrate wins and cry together over losses. Fellowship strengthens our lifeline.

Application Questions

1. Imagine you were part of the early church and someone sold what they had in order to give you what you needed. How would that make you feel? How would you respond to them? What would that do for your sense of belonging and security?
2. In what ways are you experiencing fellowship today? Is your fellowship healthy and strong? Why or why not?
3. How can you deepen your fellowship with someone from your church this week? What specifically will you do to make this happen?