Breath of Fresh Air

Scenario 1 - Fellowship

Scenario 1:
A brother, call him Tom, recently married off the first of two daughters – a big day for a guy, no doubt. On the eve of the wedding, he received 3 phone calls.

The first came from a business associate – a man whom Tom helped time and time again when he was in need, a man with no apparent religion but work and play. The message of this phone call: "Tom, I know tomorrow is a big day for you. And I want to help out. This latest business deal we had…I want you to take $10,000 from the pot and use it to have a wonderful day. I want you to have a fantastic time, and not think about the cost. In fact, make it $15k. Have a wonderful day, Tom – you really mean a lot to me."

The second phone call came from another business associate with whom Tom traveled from time to time – a Christian man, although one possessing doctrinal beliefs that differ from Tom’s. This man’s message was simple: “Tom, I don’t know what you need, but I want to help. I want to come over tomorrow (a Saturday which might have been spent with his young family of 4), and run errands/clean floors/wipe feet – whatever menial, thankless task you might have for me.”

The third phone call came from a fellow brother in Christ who was traveling a long distance (about a 15 hour drive) just to attend the wedding of Tom’s daughter. A longtime friend of the family, this brother simply called to let Tom know that he was thinking about him, was looking forward to the weekend, and was ready to help out in any way he could.

Who is my fellow? Obviously, it’s someone that I have a deep bond with. So what creates these deep bonds? Well – belief is certainly a part of it, but not all of it. Can we say that it's not very much of it?

Being around someone a lot is obviously a part, but not all. How about the following summary from Bro. Jeff Gelineau’s class at Ontario Christadelphian Bible Camp?

Cultivating real fellowship
1. Takes Honesty – just face the facts, and resolve bad situations (don’t ignore the 800-lb gorilla – I Cor. 5:3, 6, 11). In the end, people appreciate frankness over flattery.
2. Takes Humility – pride builds walls, humility builds bridges. Rom. 12:16 – “make friends with ordinary people.” (CEV) Humility is thinking about yourself less frequently, not thinking less of yourself.
3. Takes Courtesy – every group has at least one difficult person (think of a marriage) – real fellowship has NOTHING to do with compatibility – we are accepted because of mutual relationship with God – we are part of a family, so we DESERVE to be there. (and so does everyone else!)
4. Takes Confidentiality – people need a safe environment to share deepest weaknesses – doesn’t mean you keep silent; instead, keep “sensitive” issues inside a small group…God HATES gossip. GOSSIP DESTROYS FELLOWSHIP.
5. Takes Frequency – you need frequent, regular contact. Philippians 2:1-4

That's a lot of information to take home. There’s a really simple story in Luke 10.

Who is my neighbor? Depends…to whom do you act neighborly?

So what about "fellowship?" What about "friendship with the world is enmity with God?"

Matthew 18

The context of Matthew 18:15-17 is surrounded by the positive principles of recovery and forgiveness. The one, two, and ecclesia’s regimented responsibility toward Jesus’ message is the binding and loosing of transgression / sins by recovery through forgiveness. The importance of these individuals to the Kingdom of Heaven is stressed in the early portion of the chapter by introducing conversion and those interfering being drowned into the depths of the sea by a millstone.

Next, we find one of the first places we always go in the Scriptures when we’re talking about the boundaries of our “fellowship," verses 15-17.

The questions invariably arise: whom can we “fellowship,” whom can’t we “fellowship?” (which brings up another question: is “fellowship” even a VERB?)

And how do we deal with each other in “matters of fellowship?” What people are really trying to say with these words is “how tolerant of others should I be?”

Mat 18:15-17 But if your brother shall trespass against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. (16) But if he will not hear you, take one or two more with you, so that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. (17) And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he neglects to hear the church, let him be to you as a heathen and a tax collector.

So, in light of Jesus’ lesson of the Good Samaritan, you try to be the best neighbor you can be. You make every effort, in the prescribed manner – first you go by yourself, then with one or two others – to “bring the person around.” Finally, you take the matter before the entire group of believers in your area.

But the matter is so important, that you can’t let it drop. Jesus’ last instruction to us in this chapter is to “let him be to you as a heathen and a tax-collector.”

Do you remember how Jesus treated the heathens and tax collectors?

What about the man in Luke 18?

Luk 18:9-14 And He spoke this parable to certain ones who trusted in themselves, that they were righteous, and despised others: (10) Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a tax-collector. (11) The Pharisee stood and prayed within himself in this way: God, I thank You that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax-collector. (12) I fast twice on the Sabbath, I give tithes of all that I possess. (13) And standing afar off, the tax-collector would not even lift up his eyes to Heaven, but struck on his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner! (14) I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself shall be abased, and he who humbles himself shall be exalted.

What was Matthew’s occupation before he forsook all and followed Jesus? So Matthew speaks from personal experience when he says “let him be to you as a heathen and a tax-collector.”

He basically says “in your matters of fellowship with one another, treat each other as Jesus treated me.”

Jesus sees the tax collector of Luke 18 as JUSTIFIED (and no doubt Matthew as well)! In many other instances, we see Jesus eating and drinking with the tax collectors. The following passage gives us a clue as to why...

Luk 5:27-32 And after these things He went out and saw a tax-collector named Levi [this is Matthew], sitting at the tax-office. And He said to him, Follow Me. (28) And leaving all, he rose up and followed Him. (29) And Levi made a great feast in his own house for Him. And there was a great company of tax-collectors and of others who were reclining with them. (30) But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against His disciples, saying, Why do you eat and drink with tax-collectors and sinners? (31) And Jesus answered and said to them, Those who are sound do not need a physician, but those who are sick. (32) I did not come to call the righteous to repentance, but sinners.

After the lesson of Matthew 18:15-17 listed above, “Then Peter came to Him and said, ‘Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Until seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you, until seven times; but, until seventy times seven.’”

So here is the endpoint. You start with a millstone, you end up with everlasting forgiveness.

Scenario 2 - Fellowship

OK - there was a slight delay, but it's time for Scenario #2. See Scenario #1 and the concept of the fellowship category here.

Scenario 2 involves a young man, 18 years old, who has made a name for himself in the dramatic arts. Let's call him "Dustin."

At 18 years old, Dustin has earned his way to the world-famous show, called "Stomp."

Dustin finds the lifestyle about like you'd imagine - everything the world has to offer. All the side-benefits of "fellowship" with the world. Parties, fun, super-big accomplishments, great status in one of the greatest cities this world has ever seen, New York City.

And then he twists his ankle. He's out for a few weeks, so he heads back to see the family - the quiet life for a few weeks. While there, a friend suggests he hang out with a group of "believers" from Northern New Jersey. So he gives them a shot.

What he finds is enough to convince him to quit Broadway, pursue the life of a common laborer (like me), and pursue a deeper study of the Bible with his newfound compatriates.

WHAT DID HE FIND?

He found a group of people that love each other, and know how to act neighborly. It is as simple as that. He determined that fellowship with the light, where people love each other, had far more to offer than "the pleasures of sin for a season."

That is true fellowship - the kind of relationships that compel the world to come in - the kind of relationships that are unmistakable for their love - irresistable for their substance. Shouldn't all relationships "in the light" be like this?

Scenario 3 - Fellow-soldiers

The following is the last scenario I had been thinking about, relative to fellowship. It is from a soldier in Iraq...the lesson is simple, but rarely enacted in our lives of Christadelphian comfort and complacency:

Last monday morning, I was on a convoy to a large military camp west of Baghdad in Balad. We were at a very high threat level on this day, so the convoy commander decided to avoid a certain area and travel south and come through the city of Baghdad. We left later than we wanted and ended up stuck in downtown rush hour. We were stuck in traffic, two and three story buildings all around us, perfect for an ambush.

My eyes have never been more wide open as they were that morning, scanning the tops of buildings and streets. Interestingly, in the HUMVEE were two other soldiers that I knew very well. I had spent a lot of time with these two soldiers and knew them very well. These two soldiers are very critical and selfish people. I do not like their characters; I do not like hanging around them. They both come from different backgrounds and beliefs. I usually find myself avoiding them during the day back at the camp.

But here we were in this very difficult situation. One
was driving and the other was in the touret manning the 50 Cal.

In an instant I realized that I loved these guys. I was so concerned about their welfare and mental state at that moment. I saw the fear in their eyes and they were looking to me for leadership at that moment. I am about 8-10 years older than these to young soldiers. We bonded on this trip. They both know that I have a wife and little boy back home, and I knew that they were willing to do anything to get me through safely and vice versa.

We made it through that mess with only a few small incidents. We did not take any fire or hostile action, and I thank God for that.

Later on that day I had some down time and was contemplating the earlier events and God gave me a spiritual analogy, a lesson to be learned. Each child of God comes from different backgrounds and areas of the country and even world. We all have different ideas and personalities. But when it comes down to our spiritual family, if we do not love them, extend fellowship to them, take care of them, pastor them, lead them, submit to them...we might just forfeit our eternal life. It does not matter how annoying a person can be, or how they treat us, in a life or death situation, we need to love them and protect them.

As we staged our vehicles for the night trip back home, the three of us lay on top of the HUMVEE, staring at the stars, and at that moment I know these were my brothers. Since that Monday, there has been a warming between the three of us. A more friendly attitude and demeanor from all of us.

I guess what I am trying to say is this: When dealing with our brothers and sisters and matters of fellowship, WE ARE DEALING WITH LIFE AND DEATH. We do love our brothers and sisters and we need to act accordingly.

FRIENDSHIP (Fellowship?) WITH THE WORLD

How does our fellowship relate to our relationships in the world? James 4:4 says:

Jam 4:1-4 From where do wars and fightings among you come? Is it not from this, from your lusts which war in your members? (2) You desire, and do not have. You murder, and are jealous, and cannot obtain. You fight and war, yet you have not because you ask not. (3) You ask and receive not, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it upon your lusts. (4) Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever desires to be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

There is a deep need here…crying out to be explored is this concept of “in the world.” In the Greek, there are a couple of different words for “world.” (Have you ever considered God’s choice of languages, Hebrew and Greek, and the impact that their forms have on His ability to relay His Truth to us? The language is IMPORTANT. And FASCINATING, really)

The “world” in James 4:4 is the Greek word “Kosmos.” Let’s follow the word “kosmos” through the Bible. I’ll start with the first two occurrences, then patiently wait for someone to comment on this entry with the next occurrence(s), and their perspective on the use of the word in that passage. (I’m trying to encourage some interaction here!!!) After the next guy posts, I'd request he pass along the next passage in line to the person coming up with the following entry...

Mat 4:8 Again, the Devil took Him up into a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.

This passage gives us an idea of the “dominion” of the “kosmos” – the kingdoms, or nations, that have been arranged by man. It’s the little social nature we have – to want to be accepted and loved, that plays out in our forming nations.

Mat 5:14 You are the light of the world (“kosmos,” Strong’s 2889). A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.

This passage is great, in that it gives us a contrast to James 4:4. James 4:4 tells us what we can’t be: friends with the “kosmos.” Matthew 5:14 tells us what we have to be: a light to the “kosmos.”

Next two passages with “kosmos” are:
Mat 13:34-38 Jesus spoke all these things to the crowds in parables, and He did not speak to them without a parable, (35) so that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, "I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world (“kosmos,” Strong’s 2889)." (36) Then sending the crowds away, Jesus went into the house. And His disciples came to Him, saying, Explain to us the parable of the darnel of the field. (37) He answered and said to them, He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; (38) the field is the world (“kosmos,” Strong’s 2889); the good seed are the sons of the kingdom; but the darnel are the sons of the evil one.

Document

http://breathoffreshair.info/documents/fellowship.doc

Ridiculous Hospitality

Who are the Real Christadelphians?  Let me take you back a few years...

When I was in the 2nd grade at Ruby F Carver Elementary in Richmond, Virginia, I KNEW I was a Christadelphian.  And I was proud of it.  Not in the "nanny-nanny-boo-boo" way, but in a way that made me feel good.  I knew the purpose that God had for the earth.  I knew the purpose God had for my life.  And I knew that all Real Christadelphians were confident (not in the unteachable way) in the same understanding. 

But that's not all that made me feel this sense of pride in my Christadelphian identity.  All the Real Christadelphians I knew were also Ridiculously Hospitable. 

Have you met people like this?  The first time you meet them, you get this sense that you've known them forever.  Not the overbearing personalities that try to befriend everyone by changing their personalities to fit their present crowd.  Not the folks who get trampled all over to the point you feel like they're being taken advantage of.  These folks are in control, and they're heaping helpings of hospitality all over pure strangers.

(1Pe 4:9) Use hospitality one to another without grudging.

(Rom 12:13) Share what you have...and practice hospitality.

(1Ti 3:2) A bishop must be... given to hospitality...

(Tit 1:7-8) For a bishop must be... a lover of hospitality...

(1Ti 5:9-10) Let a widow be enrolled on the list of widows only if she... showed hospitality...

Are you discouraged?  Don't be.  Find a good Christadelphian, and even if you're a stranger, that guy or gal will make you feel more welcome, more at ease, than you feel in your own home.  I mean, it's the most important relationship guideline the Bible gives us, and Christadelphians are known for knowing their Bibles!

More on Real Christadelphians

One other thing I feel about Christadelphians, and it's bad news.  Yes, it's something that Real Christadelphians are not very good at. 

It's hard to face the music sometimes and accept your weaknesses.  I have a friend who recently ran into a bunch of problems at his church.  He says to me, "Dyron, I'm thinking I should just start coming to your church."  I told him, "If you're coming to our church to escape problems, you're barking up the wrong tree.  We've got plenty of our own." 

But it got me to thinking - Christadelphians, by and large, really understand what it's like to be human.  Some of us have even learned by experience!  Really, it's something we do well.  But that's not what I wanted to talk about.  No more patting yourself on the back about how human you are. 

What I'm talking about is something we do really bad.  I mean, we're not good at this at all.  And some say that we should be ashamed of it.  What is it?

Shunning. 

That's right, Real Christadelphians are not good Shunners.  If you find someone that calls themselves Christadelphian, but they don't make you feel welcome, they seem to be good at Shunning, you might wonder if they're Real.  Christadelphians are pretty consistent in their inability to Shun. 

Yes, sometimes Shunning is the easier thing to do:  I mean, if someone hurts your feelings, you could just give him the old Cold Shoulder Shun for the rest of your life, and you wouldn't have to risk having those feelings of betrayal, distrust, and disappointment ever again!  I mean, imagine seeing this person in the grocery store in your hometown, both of you just attending to life's necessities, and you get to pretend that the person isn't even there!  Doesn't that sound easier than putting yourself through the whole Un-shun process?  I mean, isn't forgiveness a PAIN?

If you've ever seen The Office, you've seen Dwight Schrute do a good "Shun, Unshun" routine.  I've never seen it, but I'm told it's good.  Dwight Schrute is apparently an efficient Shunner.  This is a clear sign that he's not a Real Christadelphian. 

Because Christadelphians are called, although sometimes reluctantly, to forgive.  And we sometimes forgive reluctantly, and permanently Unshun folks - get this - even if they don't deserve it.  Why, you may ask?  It goes back to that thing we do well - we know ourselves, and we know what it's like to be human...

Some of us even by experience.

Be a Uniter, not a Divider

I'm currently reading a book entitled Return of the Remnant.  It's about the revival of Messianic Judaism.  Aside from its poor treatment of the Trinity (it's a mystery), it's a very revealing book regarding the divisions caused by Christians and Jews alike, against each other.  It got me to thinking about how there are always people like that...

For example, John Chrysostom's divisiveness that he leveraged between Jews and Christians.  He basically wanted people to stop being Jewish.  What was wrong with the traditions of the Jews?  Were they evil of themselves?  Were they not a part of the true, historical body of believers, now responsible to embrace Yeshua, Son of the Living God?  Did that mean they had to cast off the celebration of the Passover, which Jesus Himself celebrated with His disciples? 

None of these are easy questions.  John Chrysostom came up with his answers to those hard questions.  I'm sure some of his arguments had merit.  But then, I think John Chrysostom became a control freak.  Unfortunately, it's what dedicated people often become.  They care so much about what they've learned or built or dedicated their lives to, that they forget how to do the right thing for others.  They forget to think about others before themselves. 

Why do people start divisions?  Why must it be a fact of life?  WHY CAN'T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG?  Well, the good news is, we can.  It starts with each of us.  Decide to be a Uniter, not a Divider.  You have the responsibility to not speak ill of your brothers and sisters, including those who are divisive.  You may have been hurt by someone else.  Jesus says pray for those who despitefully use you and persecute you.  But don't just sit back and take the beating!  Go out and build relationships.  Decide that, for every division that you see brought into the world, you're going to bring in a reunion.  Heal some wounds, bind up the brokenhearted.  There is much good work to be done, and many good reasons to do it.  God is good, and He has a plan for this Earth.  Let's not forget that, and let's be inspired by it to do our very best each day!