Fellowship IS Needed!

As I was driving to school today, I saw a church sign that didn’t sit well with me. Here is what it said:

“Why go to church, 10:45 and Online”

I took this to mean, if you don’t want to come to church, just watch online. Now, I am in no way against broadcasting your church service online, in fact, I love it! But I believe that online church services should be watched if you cannot make it to church for some reason.

We are called to be in fellowship with other believers. There are many reasons why, but I have three in mind:

1. Encouragement

Hebrews 10:24-25 says this, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” We gather together to encourage other believers to love and to do good deeds. Sometimes we are having a bad day and we need someone to remind us that God still loves us or that there are people who love us and care about us. I know personally, without the encouragement I get from being in fellowship with other believers, I would probably go crazy!

2. Accountability

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 says this, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. 
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”  When you are in fellowship with other believers, you become accountable to one another. If one is going through a trial the other can be there to make sure you don’t fall, but if you do, they will be there to help you up. If one is struggling with sin, the other can be there to make sure you stay on track. If one has trouble staying on top of your bible reading, the other can be there to remind you to read. There are countless ways that fellowship can help you be accountable.

33. You ARE Needed!

 1 Corinthians 12:12 says this, “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.” Every believer in the church has a different function, just like every part of the body has a different function. Maybe you can sing, or maybe you are good with kids, maybe you love to clean, maybe you are good at organizing, maybe you are good with technology, etc. Whatever your talent is, you are needed! Everyone has a place and a need in the fellowship, whether you know it or not. The only way to know where you are needed or where you can be used is by being in fellowship.

All three of these things require you to be in fellowship, not just watching service online!