Fellowship

Is your fellowship grounded in God’s Word?

In contrast to this story we find John had a message he wanted all to hear. He would not be guilty of withholding vital information from the child of God (vv. 1-2). There are three key words found in this message of I John. They are life, light and love. There are those who tell …

Fellowship by the Sea

Jesus already had his own fish and bread cooking over a charcoal fire (v. 9). John specifically told us that Peter denied Jesus thrice standing next to a similar charcoal fire (John 18:18). Jesus was preparing Peter’s heart for the lesson He was about to teach him. The presence of bread and fish …

Characteristics of the early Church

Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they questioned what they should do (v. 37). Notice how the Holy Spirit took Peter’s message and caused the listeners to be angry about their sin. He told them they must repent, turn to God, and be baptized (v. 38). Repenting means to change our mind …

The Brothers Bring Benjamin to Joseph

The story now focuses on Joseph’s plans. The brothers again went to Egypt and this time Benjamin was with them. As soon as they arrived, they were taken to Joseph’s house (vv. 16-17). They were frightened because they did not know what he would do to them (v. 18). Soon a servant brought …

Moab Rebels Against Israel

Jehoram, the second son of Ahab began reigning over Israel in the eighteenth year after Jehoshaphat began reigning as sole king of Judah. Moab’s rebellion during this time did not affect only Israel but was also a threat to the kingdom of Judah. Edom at this time was und …

We Are One Body in Christ

Spiritual birth must lead to spiritual growth as we become more like Jesus Christ (vv. 14-16). If we are maturing in Christ, we will show it by being able to speak the truth in love. Satan is a liar and a murderer (John 8:44) and has a difficult time being successful when believe …

Fellowship Needs to Be a Priority

We begin with the words “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens” (v. 19). Fellowship? is enjoyed by those in God’s family and with His people, however, today God dwells in people. The early Christians devoted themselves t …

IllustrationThe Prayer of a Child in Ravensbruck

Ravensbruck was a concentration camp built in 1939 for women. Over 90,000 women and children perished in Ravensbruck, murdered by the Nazis. Corrie Ten Boom, who wrote The Hiding Place, was imprisoned there too. The prayer, found in the clothing of a dead child, says: O Lord, r …

IllustrationStay together and stay warm

The German philosopher Schopenhauer compared the human race to a bunch of porcupines huddling together on a cold winter’s night. He said, “The colder it gets outside, the more we huddle together for warmth; but the closer we get to one another, the more we hurt one anoth …

IllustrationLittle boy said Jesus wasn’t there

I once heard the story of a little boy who was taken to a new Sunday School class by his parents. His mother told him, “They will play some games, sing songs and then you will be introduced to Jesus.” When he came home his father asked him how he got along in Sunday Sch …