Scripture Text: "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." Hebrews 10:25

Yesterday morning I was sweeping up a mess I made in the kitchen when my grand-daughter came in. She was sitting at the table putting her shoes on and I touched her knee with the end of my broom and said "I knee'd you". She said, "What?" I said, "I  knee'd you!" She quickly said, "I need you too grandpa." AH . . . that was neat - but wait  . . . there it is, that great big toothless smile! Now that made my day, and I hope it made hers!

Friend, I NEED YOU! We all need each other! The strength of the Gospel is  found in "like-testimony" of what the Living Christ means to you and what He's done for  you THIS WEEK! ... THIS DAY! ... THIS MINUTE!

You know - I just happened to think; many people like to "sweep the messes" of their lives into a neat little bin and hope no one sees what they've done. To be "found out" would just crush them and they would be so embarrassed they would never recover.

Well, let me tell you something about the original meaning behind the word "koinonia".

"Koninia" didn't have the meaning it does today - meaning the fellowship of those of  "like-faiths" and "like-interests", but it originally involved those of the Jewish faith and the Christian faith - world's apart in many ways since the Jews just couldn't receive Jesus as their Messiah, nor as the Son of God. Yet, what the early church did was to begin the first Koininia fellowship enjoining those that believed the Laws of Moses and did not follow the Christ who was crucified, and those that believed the Laws of Moses and found this Christ to be the fulfillment of the Law and the prophets. It was their desire to accentuate the positive if you will and to assemble together in love for God, and to be delighted, refreshed, comforted, instructed, edified, and perfected; perhaps even be convinced, converted, and brought to the knowledge and faith of Christ.

One might say that in today's world we are galaxies apart in our beliefs and in fact there are many faiths who take such a dogmatic approach to the Gospel that they actually separate themselves from the rest of the world and seek only fellowship with those of "like-mind", and "like" Biblical instruction. I too have found that with all of the false teachers that are surfacing according to the prophecies of our Lord and of the Apostles, that it is important that we are careful as we assemble in the instruction of our Lord. But, it is equally important to allow everyone to know how important they are to the body of Christ. Paul puts it this way:

"That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love." Eph 4:14-16 (KJV)

Let me make this challenge to you today. Go to church, and be amongst the brethren of your fellowship in the body of Christ. Experience the wonder of a sharing and being known as one of His - not perfect . . . but being perfected; not of your own strength, but through the blood of Jesus as it flows through the "koinonia of friendship". It's AWESOME!

Let's pray: Father, we need you and we need one another! Help us to remember that when we are lonely and drawn into a situation that we feel we cannot handle on our own, that there is a fellowship of believers that are just waiting to share their battles and their VICTORIES in the Name of Jesus. We give you the Glory In Jesus Name, Amen.