August 9, 2023 - Koinonia

     In Acts 2 Luke tells us what the believers did after the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.  “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”
     I don’t think that list is in order of priority; I do think it is a list that needs to be reality in the life of every believer.
     During these last six months Daybreakers have loved me enough to keep their distance from me on Sunday mornings.  Hugs have been few and handshakes not many more.  That has been rather challenging for me.
     On Sunday afternoon Teresa and I invited Daybreakers to our home for a picnic.  Kids swam in the pool and the swim spa, several kids and Frank fished off the dock.  Morgan caught her first fish and was more than proud about it!
     But mostly folks sat and shared with one another.  In an outdoor setting I had the opportunity to get closer to folks than I have since the treatments began.
     Fellowship is vitally important in the life of believers.  Fellowship has been described as fellows in the same ship.  Fellowship is far more than having a fellowship dinner in the Fellowship Hall.
     The word translated fellowship in the original is the word koinonia.  It is familiar enough that my spellcheck knew the word.  Koinonia is the sharing of life together.  It is translated in the New Testament as fellowship, participation, community, and communion.  It is often associated with the familiar words “one another.” 
     One of the most difficult things of covid was that koinonia was almost non-existent. 
     Those Daybreakers who were able to come on Sunday experienced koinonia as I believe Jesus intends in the life of the His Church.  We shared life.  I was greatly encouraged, knowing that this was the last opportunity that I would have for this kind of fellowship until maybe the Christmas season.
     There are benefits of large churches.  But there are also some great benefits of smaller churches.  Koinonia is one of them.