On June 6, Pastor Bai Yu'e shared the fifth in a series on the church’s revival online, saying that the theme of this installment focused on fellowship.
1. Have Fellowship with God
We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. (1 John 1:3)
Paul said:”I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. A person who does not know that Christ died for him cannot be a servant of the Lord.” (Galatians 2:20)
Only those who are always thinking, grateful in their hearts, and determined to live for the Lord can become a dedicated co-worker in the church. Every servant of God must establish a relationship with God, and all members must be connected to Jesus Christ.
2. Co-workers have Fellowship with believers
We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. (1 John 1:3)
Fellowship means communicating with each other in spirit and sharing the benefits of serving together. Co-workers share what they have received from God with believers, and believers hope to find pastors who model themselves after Jesus. “He is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters.” God's faithful servants are not like hired workers who only work for money and do not do their best. Faithful servants are committed to the sheep that Jesus has entrusted to them, always think of them, provide spiritual nourishment and may even live together.
3. Co-workers have Fellowship with Others
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (Philippians 2:1-4)
The fellowship between co-workers is not self-serving, but rather workers are to be humble, not ambitious and proud. It is important to be together as one if the church wants to experience revival. Can those who are of different hearts and minds walk and work together? “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Peter 4:8-10)
4. Believers have Fellowship with God
Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? (1 Corinthians 1:13)
Learn to build relationships with God and worship Him. Do not trust the shepherd in the church more than God. Believers can receive help from pastors, but it is more important to rely on Him. Worshiping God is not following people or worshiping others. The worship and following of people has not replaced our worship of God.
5. Believers have Fellowship with Others
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:1-3)
Believers must love, connect with, forgive, and unite with each other. This was the command of the Lord. Do not rely on feelings, but keep the unity through the Holy Spirit. The churches should communicate and learn from others' strong points to offset their own weaknesses.
We need to establish a relationship with God and with others. Two things are required of the believer in this life, one is to love God, and the other is to love others. “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Our prayer is that our love for God will increase, and that our love for people will be more sincere.
- Translated by Elaina Wu
