I hope you are able or were able to join me today at 11:00 AM for a message in the continuing Jonah sermon series.  If not, you should be able to find the message on the website or Facebook.

In this time of social distancing there is a lot of strange behavior by people.  I have heard of or seen reported action of people hoarding goods, fighting with people to obtain food items or paper goods, people just acting like lost people driven by self-centeredness, anxiety, or fear.  It seems to me to be a very hopeless and desperate state of mind.  Of course, there is evil and sometimes people are wicked in their actions out of spite or for profiting off dire circumstances.  That is the way of the world.  It is not right.

So, let’s talk about a different approach to life’s tough situations like what we face even now.  One of my favorite Greek words in the New Testament is koinonia.  Koinonia is a word that truly reflects the relationship of the community of believers, it is the essence of the Christian life – fellowship with God and fellowship with other believers in Christ.  It can also carry the idea of sharers or partakers in close mutual association and Jesus is the very heart of that association.  What is beautiful about koinonia is that it calls for a Christ-centered attitude and behavior that is the opposite of the world.  Here is what Acts 2:42-45 says “They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.  Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.  And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.”

Koinonia is the outworking of God’s love that comes from the genuine in-working of the Holy Spirit in believers.  In other words, believers have a different way of dealing with life regardless of the circumstances.  As a matter of fact, believers put others before themselves in order to demonstrate God’s love through genuine care.  Simply, we share all that we can so that Christ is magnified in everything.

Our lives as believers during this time of social distancing and uncertainty of the future is to be filled with sharing God’s love in any way we can, truly caring for the well-being of brothers and sisters in Christ.  Our church family has been good in checking in on one another and finding creative ways to encourage one another to stand firm in Jesus.  Keep showing the world that the koinonia we have in Christ is real and the best way to have joy and care for one another.  If any of our church family has a real need then let’s work together to meet their needs so that all may glorify God and be encouraged during this time of unknowns.