THE GIFT OF…

Thursday

Fellowship – Acts 2:41-47

41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

46 And 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,

47 Praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

EXAMPLE

    I want the whole Christ for my Savior, the whole Bible for my book, the whole Church for my fellowship and the whole world for my mission field.

                                                                                                                         John Wesley.

LESSON

      John Fawcett was preparing to move. At age 32 he was leaving the small Baptist church in Wainsgate, England, for the prestigious Carter’s Lane Church in London.

         Fawcett had worked hard. Orphaned at 12, he was forced to work fourteen hours a day in a sweat shop. He taught himself to read by candlelight and studied continuously. When he was ordained at age 25, he moved to Wainsgate. For seven years he served the tiny church of 100 members before receiving the invitation in London.

              However, Fawcett never moved to London. He couldn’t break “the tie that binds.” The last possessions were loaded on the moving cart as Fawcett began his goodbyes. Tearfully he bade farewell to those he had loved for the past seven years. They returned his tears and his love. It was too much for the young preacher. London would have to wait. Unloading the cart, he decided to stay in Wainsgate a little longer. Fawcett never moved to London; he never even left Wainsgate. He died there 54 years later.

                  Fawcett was destined to become one of England’s greatest preachers. He wrote hymns, published books and opened a training school for young ministers. His “Essay on Anger” so impressed King George III that he offered Fawcett “any benefit a king could confer.” His love for the people and their love for him not only kept him in Wainsgate, but it also prompted the writing of a hymn we sing even today.

“Blest be the tie that binds; Our hearts in Christian love;

The fellowship of kindred minds; Is like to that above.”

1. Read Psalm 133:1. What is said about Christian fellowship and unity?
2. According to Jude 1:3 and Titus 1:4, what two things should Christian fellowship be based on?
3. Read I John 1:3. How is fellowship mentioned?
4. Read I John 1:5-7. What do verses 6 and 7 tell us?