​SECOND FOUNDATIONAL PILLAR: FELLOWSHIP (ACTS 2:42)
Are you devoted to Fellowship? 
For most Christians today you say fellowship and they think potluck. Like did the banana pudding make it, or I may not come. Nope that’s not what we are talking about “fellowship” comes from the Greek word "koinonia" means community to share which one has in anything, participation. We actually admonish each other with the word, prayer, love, encouragement and faith. 

In the Book of Acts especially in Acts we see something very important they’re fellowship was relational; God designs it that way to live life together.
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Acts 2:43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. [44] And all who believed were together and had all things in common. [45] And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.

So, fellowship isn’t just serving and spending time on Sunday. It is being devoted to commit to gathering and discipleship as a church and to meet the needs the community, and that is the community surrounding us in Devine, Texas. 

Koinonia (Fellowship ) is agreeing with one another, being united in purpose, and serving alongside each other. Our koinonia with each other is based on our common koinonia with Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:9 
God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

For the early church it was practical they would just spring into action helping each other out of love. Meaning Spirit led them to help who they could help. Many were becoming followers of Jesus. They were losing their jobs, houses and being removed from their families because they were following Jesus. 

Acts 2:45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.

A powerful example of what koinonia should look like can be found in a study of the phrase “one another” in the Bible.

Romans 12:10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

Romans 15:7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

1 Peter 4:9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.

Fellowship should be discipleship, We learn the word, apply it and grow but yet teach it to others. We should and need more church. Our churches should be open to community and to one another. No one should stand alone through crisis, illness, family troubles, sickness or death being together through the hardship, suffering or even joy. It’s being together with God’s people.

So be steadfast in fellowship “koinonia” is helping others and consistent in helping the church. We help are brothers and sisters in need when we can. I also need to be responsible for what God provides for me. Fellowship is love, unity and us pressing towards the goal of sharing life, love and labor together to see Jesus move it is awesome. Fellowship isn’t just a potluck, it’s coming together as a body being imitators & sharing God, we have common life, common load and love that makes fellowship and should be a sweet fragrance.

Ephesians 5:1-2 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.  And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

In church we should eagerly attend it, Sharing the Gospel of Jesus we defend it and by sharing our faith we extend it by evangelizing. Think you will share about a great movie or restaurant but will share about Christ. We will you open the doors of your home. Would you share life with those in the church? Or you the first one out the door as soon as church is over? Be eager to share fellowship with one another. Let us grow together as church family in fellowship. 

God Bless 
Pastor Michael 

Acts 2:42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

The early church in the Book of Acts show us the four pillars for us as church. They devoted and followed these four foundational pillars. The Word of God, Fellowship, Breaking of Bread and Prayers. 
Being “Devoted” Steadfastly single-hearted single minded for Jesus. To be in constant readiness for one, wait on constantly.

Philippians 2:2 Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

Let us look this week at the First foundational pillars the Word of God. 

They were Devoted to the Word: 
Why do I believe, read, and apply the Bible in my life? I choose to believe the Bible because it's a reliable collection of historical documents written down by eyewitnesses during the lifetime of other eyewitnesses. They report to us supernatural events that took place the fulfillment of specific prophecies. We know the writings are divine rather than human in origin. Its God breathed, sixty-six books written over a period of approximately 1,550 years, with at least 40 human writers, most of whom did not know each other and were from different backgrounds. Three different languages. The Bible is the most important book in the history of mankind it is without error, and it is complete. Nothing needs to be added to it or taken away from it. 
If the Bible is true, then it holds the answers to life’s biggest questions: “where did I come from?” “Why am I here?” and “What happens to me when I die?” But with all that the Bible has one unified message of Jesus the Messiah. 

2 Timothy 3:16-17 
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God[a] may be complete, equipped for every good work.

The Greek word translated inspired is literally “breathed out by God.” Our God communicates, and he has worked supernaturally through the Holy Spirit to communicate perfectly to us. When we read the Bible, we are reading the very words of the living God.

Hebrews 4:12 
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
It penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” The “word of God” here is the written or spoken Word. The English Standard Bible says that the Bible is “living” and active. The living Word is active in the lives of those who receive it.

Bible cannot be ignored as if it were dead or obsolete. The Word of God is still powerful and very much alive.
1. Learn it- What if you tell me I can’t understand, that’s not true? I was in the same boat, but I prayed and asked for help.

John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

Nehemiah 8:1-3 ESV
And all the people gathered as one man into the square before the Water Gate. And they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses that the LORD had commanded Israel. [2] So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could understand what they heard, on the first day of the seventh month. [3] And he read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand.

 And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law. Water is a symbol of the Word of God. Therefore, it’s appropriate that the people gathered at the water gate.

Psalm 119:9 How can a young man keep his way pure?

    By guarding it according to your word.

John 15:3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.


Ephesians 5:26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word.

2. Live it-and act on the word, it is better live the truth than just know truth. Live your life on what is based on the Word of God. When we apply the water of the Word to our lives, then the Spirit can work and bring the help we need. It is refreshing to the soul when you receive the Word and allow the Spirit to teach you.

How does that look practically? Let us look at the Book of Joshua. 
Joshua 1:8 ESV
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall (learn it) meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to (live it) do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
It is conditional promise you will be blessed and have good success if you meditate on the word day and night but also live it do according to all that is written. 
My prayer for you is that would allow the Word of God to guide your life daily. This is one of the first foundational pillars of the early and church as well us our church here in Devine, Texas. Give God some time daily to read, observe, interpret, and apply His word daily in your life. It will change everything. 

God Bless 
Pastor Michael 

“And if I am committed to the Lord, I will also be committed to His Word and His ministry, to serve others.” Chuck Smith 

We just started reading through Calvary Chapel Distinctives this past Wednesday night. One thing that stood out to me is the word “commitment”, I have seen so many over the years that are fully committed to Lord, let me just say you can learn a lot from them. The three things that I loved in each of those leaders was their commitment to the Lord  (Their Relationship with Jesus), their service to others and their humility. 

First-Our relationship with the Lord needs total commitment. This is the area where many struggle. Just think about a relationship with a spouse, if you only spoke to them once a week, never spent time together but on Sunday for little over an hour and then you leave. Your marriage would be in deep trouble, you would have two people living different lives instead of becoming one you would be divided. When I talk about being committed to the Lord let us look at Levi (Apostle Matthew).
 
Luke 5:27-28 ESV
After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, “Follow me.”  And leaving everything, he rose and followed him.

Jesus said follow me, and I love what Levi does “leaving everything, he rose and followed him.” Levi leaves it all. The money, the protection of the Roman government and his position which he couldn’t return too. Is there something of the world that you haven’t given up yet? We leave everything cause Christ is all we need. Pastor Chuck was extremely successful businessman but we he decided to answer the call to become a pastor he left everything and did just that. For us spending time with the Lord is essential. One commitment in our relationship with the Lord is being in the word of God daily. Today many will come to church and expect to be spoon fed the word of God by the pastor but never open the Bible the other six days of the week. God’s word gives light and understanding to help guide our lives. Yet we do not spend time in it, why? 

Psalm 119:130 ESV
The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.

Leaving everything means giving up your time to spend in his word, in prayer, and in fellowship on daily basis. Many do not grow because the things of the world have taken priority over Christ. So, what are you just a fan of Christ or a follower willing to leave everything to follow Jesus? A follower is someone who obedient and applies the word. Is a man or woman of prayer, like Nehemiah. Follower does not neglect fellowship and attending church. The follower commits his or her relationship with Christ first in their life. 

Second- Becoming a follower of Jesus means we serve others. In this culture everyone wants to be served and wants to be first. I heard a Congresswoman say that she was too important to the work in congress, not to have a $200k private security team, while she wants to cut your police department. So, her security is more important than yours, it is very prideful. That is the attitude of people today, especially those in leadership in the world, it’s all about me and my needs. In the Kingdom of God that doesn’t work. You are least. 

Mark 10:45 ESV
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

If Jesus came to serve and you are to be like Christ, why aren’t followers of Christ serving others? We have to have a commitment to serve. There is this great acronym JOY (Jesus-Others-You) meaning you find joy by placing Jesus first, placing serving others second and then you come last. The church has ample opportunity to serve. We have people getting sick left and right in the city again. Would you be willing to take someone caldo (soup)? Make them meals. Watch the kids. Sit and pray with them?  It is important. Jesus is the example, and he didn’t ask his disciples to do something he wasn’t willing to do himself. We have become so divided in the church arguing over everything in the news. We get divided and we stop serving. So, stop complaining about the world, abide in Christ and start serving again. 

1 John 2:6 
whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

Third- Humility teaches me that I am to obey the Lord, love my Jesus, and point people to Jesus. We need to approach those goals with humility instead of a concealed pride.

Philippians 2:3-4 
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. [4] Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

I Love that verse because Paul is pointing us to care more about others than ourselves. But not to be conceited, be humble. “Do nothing” that means nothing out pride but be committed to humility always. That is tough because we live in a very “look at me society”, right now. Every aspect of my life needs to be posted, everyone needs to broadcast their day on every social networks, every bit of shine (stuff). We think everyone is dying to see every part of our day. It can become very narcisistic.  It is funny I remember my grandfather playing and singing a song title “Lord it’s hard to be humble, when I am perfect in every way.”, pride comes before the fall. The Word of God says we should clothe ourselves with humility.  

1 Peter 5:5 ESV
Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

If I am honest, my own opinion doesn’t matter as much as I think it does. Guess what? Neither does yours. The only thing that matters is Jesus and our relationship with him. We have to get to place of humility, don’t look for the applause of men. Don't look for people to say, "Oh, thank you. Oh, you mean so much to me, your best thing since slice bread.” You point them to Jesus. God gives his grace to humble. 

James 4:6 ESV
But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Philippians 2:8 ESV
And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

God teaches you humility, keeps you dependent upon Him, shows you how to follow Him, and protects you from pride through trials. Remember people will try to puff you up with compliments and that is just hot air into a balloon which one day if you let fill your head it will pop. Jesus humbled himself to what? Being obedient to God, committed and humbled to die on the cross. I know it is so easy to want to be heard. We all have an instrument in hands and in our homes that will allows us to broadcast our opinions and life. Put down the phone, turn off the laptop and walk away from those prideful arguments that hurt others. Be committed to share Christ humbly. 
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So be committed to Christ leave everything and follow Him. Be committed to your relationship with Christ, to serve others and be committed to be humble. 

God Bless 
Michael Petit