DCLM DAILY MANNA 24 MAY 2021 — FELLOWSHIP OR SOCIAL GATHERING?
TOPIC: Fellowship Or Social Gathering? (DCLM Daily Manna 24 May 2021)
TEXT: 1 Corinthians 11:17-22
17 Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse.
18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.
19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.
20 When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord’s supper.
21 For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken.
22 What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.
KEY VERSE: “For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.” – (1 Corinthians 11:18)
MESSAGE:
The idea of a fellowship is to provide a forum that gives every member a sense of welcome and belonging and promotes unity. It is supposed to be a place where all forms of divisions are lost and differences settled. But there are situations in which some fellowships merely expose the shame and weaknesses of members and drive people away instead of truly getting them together.
Also See: OPEN HEAVEN 24 MAY 2021 – WONDERS OF DIVINE VICTORY
Apostle Paul wondered what the fellowship of the Corinthian Christians was becoming. He was surprised to see the divisions and selfishness that characterised their gatherings. They used the opportunity of their feast to flaunt their wealth and shame the poor. They had different cliques and groups in the fellowship thereby fragmenting the unity of the body. As a result, their gatherings and fellowships no longer attracted the expected profits and blessings.
We find similar situations in some churches today and it is important we get rid of them quickly before more harm is done. Some are becoming too conscious of the dresses they wear to church. They dress to impress men. Some churches have become divided into several sects and groups that make it difficult for those who do not belong to these groups and cliques to stay. In summary, many of our assemblies have lost the spirit and essence of true fellowship. Such gatherings can no longer be termed as fellowships but social gatherings!
We must put away all differences in status, class, race, etc., and see ourselves as one. It is when we are thus united that the Spirit of life and power will move freely among us and our fellowships will no longer serve as covens of death but havens of rest and life.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Play your part to make Christian fellowship real and rewarding.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
1 Samuel 8-9
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
