Sermon Tone Analysis

Fellowship or Foolishness

Act

As we look at the NT church as it was starting we see key traits of its success and vitality.

Remember, these people are from a Jewish back ground and have been accustom to temple life and practices.

So much of what we see if the beginning of the NT church are things that they have been doing for a long time.

There are things that are much different though.

The Sacrificial System is done away with.

Why? Jesus was the completion of this system.

The person of Jesus Christ and his identity are now the focus of their worship, teaching, fellowship, and everyday life.

This continues to be a source of contention with the Pharisees, and the upper ranks (Sadducees) of the Jewish Temple.

The Jewish faith is very similar to the Christian faith in almost every aspect except when it comes to Jesus.

Even when it comes to Jesus we still align with them on that.

They just don’t believe he has come yet.

The NT Church continued with faithful loyalty in the teaching of the Apostles.

This is the core of what we believe today.

Remember, most of this is summed up in the Apostle’s Creed.

Teaching the Word of God should be something that we all engage in whenever the opportunity presents itself.

At home with the kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews.

They all need to hear about Jesus.

Even spouse, relatives.

It should be taught in public school.

We would see a lot of thing change in our communities and around our country if Bible was part of each child’s lessons.

It is our job to teach.

We all have a responsibility to do this.

That is the purpose of Sunday schools, Wednesday Bible studies and prayer meeting, VBS, Epworth League, Awana, Child Evangelism Fellowship, and the list goes on.

I was saved because of one of these teaching programs aimed at children.

Besides being faith to teaching the Word of God, the NT church was faithfully engaged in another activity.

The NT Church continued with faithful loyalty in Fellowship

What is this fellowship?

1: companionship, company looking for the fellowship of friendly people

2a :  community of interest, activity, feeling, or experience

3:  a company of equals or friends : association a youth fellowship

4:  the quality or state of being comradely meaningful communication for building trust and fellowship

Definition of fellowship for English Language Learners

: a friendly relationship among people

: the relationship of people who share interests or feelings

: a group of people who have similar interests

Related Words affable, agreeable, approachable, good-natured, good-tempered, gracious, nice, sweet; clubby, convivial, folksy, gregarious, hospitable, sociable, social; jolly, jovial, merry; extroverted (also extraverted), outgoing; brotherly, fraternal, sisterly; close, familiar, intimate; adoring, affectionate, devoted, fond, lovesome, loving, tender, tenderhearted

Does it seem foolish to be any of these?

Most of us would say that this is how everyone should be when it comes down to it.

These are qualities of being a good neighbor, wouldn’t you think?

So when it comes to fellowship there are some key things that I want to highlight for us this morning that will be helpful in our roll in the NT church and being faithful to keeping them.

Fellowship is about encouragement.

Acts 4

Encouragement

Ford Encouraged By Edison

Henry Ford once said that the ability to encourage others is one of life’s finest assets.

The auto inventor and manufacturer knew the power of encouragement.

He had learned of it as a young man.

Memorable to him was the time, at the beginning of his career, when he made a drawing of his newly-built engine for Thomas.

A. Edison.

Young Ford had endured criticism and ridicule.

Most mechanical experts of that day were convinced that electric carriages would be the popular passenger cars of the future.

But attending a dinner one evening at which Edison was present, Ford began explaining his engine to men nearest him at table.

He noticed that Edison, seated several chairs away, was listening.

Finally the great man moved closer and asked the young inventor to make a drawing.

When the crude sketch was complete, Edison studied it intently, then suddenly banged his fist on the table.

“Young man,” he said, “that’s the thing!

You have it!”

Years later, Ford recalled, “The thump of that fist upon the table was worth worlds to me.”

—Jack Kytle

Ford Encouraged By Edison

Henry Ford once said that the ability to encourage others is one of life’s finest assets.

The auto inventor and manufacturer knew the power of encouragement.

He had learned of it as a young man.

Memorable to him was the time, at the beginning of his career, when he made a drawing of his newly-built engine for Thomas.

A. Edison.

Young Ford had endured criticism and ridicule.

Most mechanical experts of that day were convinced that electric carriages would be the popular passenger cars of the future.

But attending a dinner one evening at which Edison was present, Ford began explaining his engine to men nearest him at table.

He noticed that Edison, seated several chairs away, was listening.

Finally the great man moved closer and asked the young inventor to make a drawing.

When the crude sketch was complete, Edison studied it intently, then suddenly banged his fist on the table.

“Young man,” he said, “that’s the thing!

You have it!”

Years later, Ford recalled, “The thump of that fist upon the table was worth worlds to me.”

—Jack Kytle

Ford Encouraged By Edison

Henry Ford once said that the ability to encourage others is one of life’s finest assets.

The auto inventor and manufacturer knew the power of encouragement.

He had learned of it as a young man.

Memorable to him was the time, at the beginning of his career, when he made a drawing of his newly-built engine for Thomas.

A. Edison.

Young Ford had endured criticism and ridicule.

Most mechanical experts of that day were convinced that electric carriages would be the popular passenger cars of the future.

But attending a dinner one evening at which Edison was present, Ford began explaining his engine to men nearest him at table.

He noticed that Edison, seated several chairs away, was listening.

Finally the great man moved closer and asked the young inventor to make a drawing.

When the crude sketch was complete, Edison studied it intently, then suddenly banged his fist on the table.

“Young man,” he said, “that’s the thing!

You have it!”

Years later, Ford recalled, “The thump of that fist upon the table was worth worlds to me.”

—Jack Kytle

Encouragement goes along way doesn’t it?

When you are going through a difficult time with your health isn’t it nice to be encouraged by a network of people who love and care?

Or is it a bunch of foolishness?

When you are grieving the loss of a loved one?

Is it nice to have those hugs and words of ENCOURAGEMENT, and the food and flowers and support during that time from a network of people who love and care?

How about when life throws you a curve ball or you fall on hard times?

Isn’t it nice to be helped back up again by a network of people who love and care?