Fulfilling The New Commandment - Guest Writer Nick Oyer

JOHN 13:31-35

31Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said ..A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

GALATIANS 6

1Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. 3For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

How do we put this new commandment in shoe leather and make it walk?

What are some very practical ways to demonstrate the Love of God to our brothers and sisters, as well as those we hope to win?

The first century church demonstrated practical ways of fulfilling Jesus' new commandment.

ACTS 2:41-47

41Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 42And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

43And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

So it looks like, in the beginning, revival and growth started with fellowship.

UNITY - in one accord. It would be presumptive to think these people were all friends and family before the day of Pentecost. Thrust together by the Holy Ghost, that same Spirit is what gave them the power to have such unity. This is the same circumstance we have today. People from all walks of life, some similar to us and our backgrounds, some very different. But GOD has chosen all of us to be partakers in this great Kingdom!!So let’s not concentrate on the things that are different, let's focus on the things we have in common..

JOY - One aspect of the fruit of the Spirit is JOY. And when we embrace our brothers and sisters, and love them the way Jesus loved us, JOY is the natural outcome. We feel Joy because of the new spiritual brothers and sister we have, and they have Joy from the acceptance we have shown.

FELLOWSHIP, what is it? It is this!

ACTS 6:1-8

The Appointment of the Seven

1And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 2Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. 3Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 4But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. 5And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: 6whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. 7And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. 8And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

So, it looks like the church grew so quickly, and so many new members were added, that the Apostles had to get deliberate about fellowship. WHEN we have the growth God has planned for POK, and I believe we are already seeing the beginning of that growth, we will have to be intentional in fellowship, and caring for each other. It is very easy to overlook people in a church this size, and although we might hope the pastor always knows what we need and when we need it, we can see by the example of the book of Acts church that deliberate, intentional ministry had to be carried out by those who were not necessarily called to a preaching ministry.

HOW DO WE DO THIS?

1. Continue your fellowship with your circle of friends.

2. Invite new people into your circle of friends

3. Be sure small groups are effective by a) faithful attendance b) reaching out to and connecting with new members in your small group

4. Make friendly and meaningful conversation with our guests. Warmth and sincerity go a very long ways to giving new persons a sense that they belong.

What does fellowship look like today? It can have many forms, and not all are right for each person or situation;

1. Invite someone out for a meal after service (or on an off night, meet for lunch or coffee, appropriateness is key here)

2. Invite someone to sit with your family during service or one of our “fellowship services” (all nations, community days, etc)

3. Spend time in conversation with someone new at least one service a week. (Don’t have to be brand new people, just people you don’t usually visit with)

4. NEW CONVERTS - most of all, this group needs fellowship! Any of the above actions will go a long way to helping establish them in the Church.

“Kindness has converted more sinners than zeal, eloquence, or learning" - Frederick W. Faber