Koinonia is a Greek word for participation on an intimate level. Our koinonia with one another is based on our common koinonia with Jesus and it is from our love of Jesus that our agreement in service springs forth. Each one of us have different issues … some of us are angry, perhaps we hide it well. Some of us are frustrated, and we hide it. Some of us are bitter, and we hide it. Still others are joyful, cheerful, enthusiastic about life. Some of us hide that, too. Some of us are on a spiritual mountaintop and we feel like God is speaking to us every day. Others of us feel as though we are in a dark valley and God is no longer speaking to us. We remember the green pastures that Jesus once led us to. But now the grass has been replaced with rocks and the fields are gone. Yet the Bible says that Jesus takes us to both places … He is our Shepherd in the valley of the shadow of death just as He is in the green pastures. His plans for us are good everywhere that He leads us. There is purpose in both places. We are blessed in both places. We grow in God in both places. And it’s in the valley that we have the opportunity to minister to the multitudes.

But it’s also a difficult place … I know that because I’m so often there, yet I rarely talk about it. The point is that we are all here, today, together in fellowship and yet we may not even know what one another is going through. Someone once said, “One can endure sorrow alone, but it takes two to be glad.”

We share a common bond through faith in Christ … the koinonia, the oneness of the Body of Christ. We must commit ourselves to those things that God tells us go along with koinonia. What are those things? First, we have a responsibility to consider one another … how our actions or words might affect one another. Are we inspiring one another to temptation or to love and good works? Secondly, we have a responsibility to forgive one another. I don’t know about you, but I can make mistakes and sometimes I make mistakes that hurt others. When we hurt one another, we must be willing to ask forgiveness, give forgiveness and receive forgiveness. Finally, we have a responsibility to serve one another. Fellowship is not just hanging out having witty conversations. Fellowship happens when leaders serve and servants lead. All of these things are well wrapped up in Romans 12:

Romans 12:9-13 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.