Pastor Tom Johnson, April 11, 2021
Our reading from Acts begins with the early church brothers and sisters who would not allow any of their members to suffer want. They had everything in common. The word for common is the root of the word for fellowship—koina in koinonia. Koinonia occurs four times in our reading from First John. The Apostle John reminds us that we have fellowship with God the Father and his Son Jesus. We have fellowship with one another. In our Gospel reading from John, the disciples are in fellowship with one another—sharing the same home and sharing an encounter with the risen Lord. They were breaking bread as they shared meals together. In 1 Corinthians 11, Paul calls this breaking of bread Communion—the same word, koinonia—a sharing of—a participation in the Body and Blood of Jesus as we break bread together and pass the cup of blessing.
Psalm 133 is a celebration of koinonia. “How good and pleasant it is to live together in unity!” How wonderful and a joy it is when we live in loving community! How great a blessing when the people of God are a true family! After more than a year of physical distancing and social isolation we see how, in our effort to protect our physical health, it can be devastating to our mental health. In the creation account in Genesis, God says that what he made is good. On the sixth day, he said it was very good. But even before humanity’s fall into sin, he said it was not good for Adam to be alone. So he made Eve so that they both could experience the goodness and pleasantness of fellowship.
Perhaps more than ever, we realize how good and pleasant it was—to be in person—to extend a hand of fellowship, and to see each other’s faces. How good and pleasant it was. How good and pleasant it will be what we may have taken for granted. One of the things we learned from the recent congregational survey, is how much people miss coffee hour—a time dedicated to fellowship, friendship, and conversation. We recently had a virtual coffee hour and plan to again in a few weeks where we can enjoy this once again. I hope you all can join us. But this is not just being together—it is dwelling together in unity—to be in genuine, authentic community of unconditional love—a place where people can be themselves and accepted—a place where no one feels judged. We need genuine friends and companions in life’s journey—people who are truly interested in you—who really do pray for you—who encourage and cheer you on!
How high a call it is for us to love one another as Christ loved us—self-sacrificially—laying one’s life down for others—selflessly giving of yourself to your sisters and brothers in Christ—and to always be ready for another friend! How beautiful it is when the power of the Resurrection transforms us, heals broken relationships, and keeps us close to our heavenly Father! How precious is the evidence of the Holy Spirit working in the lives of his people! “How good and pleasant it is to live together in unity!”
How sad and disappointing it is when we live in disharmony! How tragic it is when we cannot resolve conflict in a God-pleasing way! How disheartening it is when we are less church more like a social club! How shameful it is when the church has junior high politics—when we have cliques, gossip, and don’t settle disagreements as children of light—with the faith that every conflict we have is an opportunity to glorify God. How discouraging it is when we major on minors—choose our battles unwisely—where being right or winning an argument is more important than winning a friend. How much it grieves the Holy Spirit when we harbor bitterness—when we lack the courage to face conflict head on—when we do not trust God to bring about peace which the world cannot give. How tragic it is, in the words of the writer of Hebrews [10:25], to “neglect to meet together, as is the habit of some.”
“How good and pleasant it is to live together in unity!” It is like the consecration of the high priest—the pouring of oil on Aaron’s head. It’s so lavish that it drips down his beard, saturates the collar of his robe, and anoints his ephod which has the twelve stones representing the twelve tribes of Israel—the whole family of faith. Togetherness in Christ’s Church is like wine spilling over the brim of the cup of blessing that runs over into everyone’s life. The Word Messiah and Christ means the Anointed One. As the Baptized—those who receive the lavish washing of water, the Word, and the Holy Spirit—we are also now the anointed ones—that is what the words christen and Christian mean.
“How good and pleasant it is to live together in unity!” It is like the dew of Hermon flowing down on the hills of Zion. Mt. Hermon in the north is always saturated with moisture unlike the dry, arid hills of Zion. Life together in Christ is like living in a desert oasis. Our fellowship together as the people of God is like a lush garden in the middle of a dry and barren wilderness. The world may think it is a mirage. But we know it to be a miracle of God. The family of God is the strong tower of refuge from this embattled world—it is the living proof that the Kingdom of God is among us—the manifestation of the Gospel for the world to see—as Jesus said, “They will know you are my disciples by your love for one another” (John 13:35).
“How good and pleasant it is to live together in unity!” For it is in this place—the gathering of the people of God—where God has uttered his decree and commanded the blessing—life forevermore! It is in our assembly where the power of the resurrection is put on full display. It is here at the font where God washes away our sins and declares that we are his royal, adopted children. It is here at the pulpit where his Word goes out and does not return void but assures us of his grace and forgiveness. It is here at the Table where Jesus gives his Body and Blood with the bread and the wine. He assures us of forgiveness and strengthens our faith. It is in this sweet koinonia—where we confess in the communion and fellowship of the saints—where God has commanded the blessing, life forevermore!
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