Grace, Love, and the Fellowship of the Spirit

Summary

The service opened with the apostolic blessing - the grace of Christ, the love of the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. Grace was pictured through Mephibosheth, the lame son welcomed to David's table for Jonathan's sake: an image of us, undeserving and crippled by sin, yet seated at the King's table because of Jesus, who now intercedes at the Father's right hand. The Father's love was seen in the prodigal son who 'came to himself,' rose, and returned, only to be met by a Father who runs to embrace him before the confession is even finished.

Fellowship with the Spirit is koinonia - a working partnership that bears real fruit. Like Ananias, who obeyed the Spirit's voice and went to the feared Saul, our obedience can launch ministry far beyond ourselves. A visiting missionary then testified of the work in Kenya - an orphanage, the rescue of street children, a shelter for abused girls, and a Bible school planting churches - all fruit of many prayers, with an appeal to pray for Israel and the peace of Jerusalem.

A closing word called the church from merely knowing about God to a living relationship with Him. Drawing on Elijah rebuilding the altar on Carmel, the contrast of the bride and the harlot, and Christ's letter to Sardis ('you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead'), the preacher urged believers to stay watchful, to carry the distinct glory of God's people - His law on the heart, the living guidance of the Spirit, and His faithful provision - and to overcome so their names are never blotted from the book of life.

Key Points

• Grace is undeserved kindness: like Mephibosheth, we are welcomed to the King's table for Another's sake.
• The Father runs to meet the returning child - draw near to God and He draws near to you.
• Fellowship with the Spirit (koinonia) is a partnership that produces fruit, not idle talk.
• Obedience like Ananias's can release ministry that blesses many; pray for missionaries and for the peace of Jerusalem.
• True service costs everything, like Elijah rebuilding the altar and the bride in birth pangs.
• Be watchful: a name that 'is alive but dead' must repent and overcome to walk in white.
• The glory of God's people is a distinct life - His laws, His living guidance, and His faithful care.