Today finds my wife and me in Ft Lauderdale,Florida. I’m preaching in a week-end meeting with the Northside church where my good friend Steve McAllister preaches. We’ve been with these fine brethren in the past and it’s a pleasure to return.
We are considering the theme “Belonging to One Another.” It is an emphasis on the “one another” passages in the New Testament. The lessons we are presenting speak to the need for closeness in our Christian community. Warm Fellowship. Right Relationships. A feeling of Family. Happy Comradeship. And mutual responsibilities.
Yet I am reminded on this day that it is all possible because we are one in Christ (Rom.12:5). Because He loved us when we were unlovable, humbled himself when we were haughty, and became obedient to the death of the cross when we were rebellious, we enjoy the wonderful privileges of fellowship. With one another. And with Him.
The supper we eat together today reminds me of this. “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread”. (1 Cor 10:1:6-17).
We enjoy a oneness of relationship. Of heart. Of soul. Of spiritual aspirations. And what is really neat and unique is how we can journey to various places around the country, and even the world, and share this same oneness. The same unity of the spirit in the bond of faith, hope and love. Lord willing, I will be in Kettering,Ohio, next week. The following week in Kansas City, Missouri. And I will commune with them. In Christ.
On this Lord’s day, where ever we worship, and with whom ever we worship, may we always be mindful of who we are. And what the Lord has done for us. Yes, we “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” But we have been “justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” (Rom 3:24-25.
Thank you, Lord, for this day of remembrance. Communion. Fellowship. And thank you for providing us an opportunity to belong. To belong to one another. And to belong to You.
–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman
ThePreachersWord 