KOINONIA - THE CHURCH TOGETHER Acts 2:41-47 I John 1:3-10 Intro: ie. There is an old story about a farmer who one morning decided to plow the south 40 acres. His tractor needed oil, so he started for the barn to get it, but on the way he noticed that the pigs hadn't been fed. Near the corncrib was a pile of sacks, reminding him that the potatoes were sprouting. But on his way to the potato pit, he passed the woodpile and remembered that the kitchen stove was burning low. While picking up wood, he saw that one of the chickens was ailing, so he dropped the wood to doctor the chicken . . . and so it went till the end of the day, and he still hadn't oiled the tractor or plowed the south field. "Koin-o-nia" - strange word. Greek describing the church's relationship one to another. Used 15 x: Fellowship, Communion, Contribution, Distribution, Communciate The church is NOT an organization (franchise, denomination, club, building) It is an "organism" that is it is a living organism - alive and functioning interactively. Koinonia is what we do one to another when Jesus Christ is present. "When two or three are gathered together in Jesus name." Koinonia is me and thee. You are a part of me. Sharing a part of self. i.e. Blood brothers Koine Greek is the language of the common folk - shared by all. i.e. Common "COIN" - penny, nickel, dime, quarter The Problem The problem with some churches today - they are not fellowships, they are auditoriums, preaching centers, entertainment centers, sports centers, day care centers, etc. Individualism and isolationism of American society can work against God's purpose and desire for the church to have true communion, that is "Koinonia." There are things that are NON-KOINONIA - Lie one to another - Question one another - Accused one another - Argue one with another - Despise one another - Go to law one with another - Be unequally yoked together 1. Know one another - Not strangers, get acquainted - 120 people - Acts 1:15 - Cell Groups of 12 people, multiplied by 10 - How can you love those you do not even know? 2. Be Together - spend time in homes - House to house - The church in his house -"Ekklesia" = Assembly, the gathering - Hebrews 10:25 Forsake not the assembling together... - Acts 13:44 Whole city came together 3. Eat Together - Practice hospitality - Acts 2:42 Breaking bread from house to house - I Peter 4:9 Practice hospitality one with another w/o grudging 4. Talk Together - Fellowship I John 1:7 - Spoke often one with another - Malachi 3:16 - Edify, exhort, admonish, comfort, strengthen, encourage 5. Pray Together - Acts 12:12 Mary's house, the mother of John Mark - Weaknesses/Struggles - James 5:16 - Sorrows - Romans 12:15 Weep with those who weep Conclusion: The conclusion must be a personal one. What am I doing to make the church a "Koinonia?" Do I go out of my way to know the Family of God among us? Is my home open to the Family of God? Is their a church in my house? Am I inviting the Family of God to eat in my home? Am I gathering together regularly with them in home and church? Do I share openly (candidly) with members of the Family of God? Am I praying with the Family of God? "Koinonia" Questionnaire 1. I entertain fellow Christians in our home (check one) a. frequently (at least twice a month) b. regularly (about once a month) c. occasionally (5-10 times a year) d. infrequently (less than 4 times a year) 2. Of those I do entertain, what percent are other than my close friends? (check one) a. 10% are new people to my home b. 25% are new people to my home c. 50% are new people to my home d. 75% are new people to my home 3. The reason I do not entertain more is ... (check any that apply) a. I am anti-social (don't like visitors in my home) b. My spouse is not in agreement c. I am too busy, too tired d. Our home is too small, modest, or inadequate to have guests e. I am afraid to have guest in my home f. It is too much trouble cleaning house and getting things ready 4. How do you feel about the "Koinonia" happening in this church? (check any) a. It isn't happening for me b. I just want to go to church on Sunday a.m. nothing more c. I don't want to get to know new people d. People are basically unfriendly to me e. No one ever invites us over to their house 5. When I see someone at church I do not know, I want to speak, but often feel hesitant because: a. It is hard to talk to new people. b. I am not always sure they are really new people. c. I feel they may not really want me to speak to them. d. I don't know what to say e. I don't like to talk to people f. I never have trouble speaking to strangers at church. 6. When I see a stranger and a friend standing in the foyer I... a. I find it easiest to speak to the friend b. I sometimes speak to the stranger c. I talk to the stranger if he/she talks to me d. I usually try to introduce the person to some others 7. How many people did you speak to (greet) this morning whom you do not know? a. None b. One or two c. Quite a few d. Most people that I saw e. only to those who spoke to me first Word Study: Fellowship - "Koinonia" - Strong's number 2842 Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship <2842>, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. Romans 15:26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution <2842> for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. 1 Corinthians 1:9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship <2842> of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 10:16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion <2842> of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion <2842> of the body of Christ? 2 Corinthians 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion <2842> hath light with darkness? 2 Corinthians 8:4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship <2842> of the ministering to the saints. 2 Corinthians 9:13 Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution <2842> unto them, and unto all men; 2 Corinthians 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion <2842> of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. Galatians 2:9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship <2842>; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship <2842> of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: Philippians 1:5 For your fellowship <2842> in the gospel from the first day until now; Philippians 2:1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship <2842> of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Philippians 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship <2842> of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; Philemon 1:6 That the communication <2842> of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. Hebrews 13:16 But to do good and to communicate <2842> forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. 1 John 1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship <2842> with us: and truly our fellowship <2842> is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship <2842> with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship <2842> one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. Partakers - "Koinonia" - Strong's number 2844 Matthew 23:30 And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers <2844> with them in the blood of the prophets. Luke 5:10 And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners <2844> with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. 1 Corinthians 10:18 Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers <2844> of the altar? 1 Corinthians 10:20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship <2844> with devils. 2 Corinthians 1:7 And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers <2844> of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation. 2 Corinthians 8:23 Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner <2844> and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ. Philemon 1:17 If thou count me therefore a partner <2844>, receive him as myself. Hebrews 10:33 Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions <2844> of them that were so used. 1 Peter 5:1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker <2844> of the glory that shall be revealed: 2 Peter 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers <2844> of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.