Fellowship Of Believers

Walking with Jesus Fellowship of Believers A very wise man once said, “Let him who is not in community beware of being alone.” Ha! This is deep counsel, is it not? Consider for a moment what this means to you as a new Christian. Are you drawn to fellowship with other Christians or do you try to be a Christian all by yourself? See what this story says about fellowship with others and how it can help you grow in your walk with Jesus. (Singing) Jesus is a mighty God! He is a mighty God! Where is a mighty God? He is a mighty God! Ah, He’s a mighty God! He is a mighty God! Everybody bows before Him! He is a mighty God! Even the Chief bows before Him! He is a mighty God! Every leader bows before Him! He is a mighty God! (spoken loudly) Praise the Lord! Amen! Praise the Lord again! Amen! I am so glad you’re here. Remember, fellowship meetings are very important because the Lord God Himself commanded that His children should meet very often often in order to encourage, admonish and build each other up in the spirit. We are now a family of God. We are here to help and pray for one another and to learn the Word of God together! Praise the Lord! Amen! I would like us to share the story of Zaccheus, the short man who climbed a tree so that he could see Jesus who was going through his town. He really wanted to see Jesus. He never thought Jesus would see him but he was wrong! When Jesus saw Zaccheus, he already knew who he was, and everything about him. How he had wronged his community by extorting money from the people and taking away what did not belong to him. He knew how dejected he must have felt! But he stopped, and talked to him. The crowd went crazy about this encounter. But not only did Jesus stop and talk to him, he invited himself to his house to eat! Listen. I give half of my belongings to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will pay him back four times as much. I don't believe it, a tax collector paying back his taxes! Impossible! Can you see? The man Zaccheus in order to have the right fellowship with God promised to return what he had owed or wrongfully taken from people. A sign of true fellowship is to have a right relationship with man and God. The Bible says in Romans chapter thirteen verse eight, “Owe no man anything except to love one another.” It is also the will of God, for us to do our best, to be at peace with all men. God, wants us to make things right with those we have wronged. Now I would like to welcome Dauda. He gave his life to Jesus yesterday. He has something to say. Come up and talk to us Dauda. I want to thank Teacher for telling me about Jesus. I also want to thank Jesus Christ for saving my life and allowing me to be here with you, today. I really like this fellowship because everyone seems happy, and there is love everywhere. And I feel loved, unlike in the youth meetings where we argue and fight all the time. I thank Jesus. Thank you Teacher and thank you all. Dauda, I would like to talk to you after the meeting please. Now before we finish with a closing prayer, I want us to remember the main verse for today's fellowship which is Romans chapter twelve verse eighteen. Let us say together our memory verse: “If it is possible as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” And now we pray for journey mercies as we travel to our homes Lord. This we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen. Dauda is your father at home? Tell him I would like to see him. I don't think that’s a good idea Chief. My father might not want to see you. I would like to see him. Just tell him that. Chief, I don't think this is the right place for us to talk about this. What’s wrong Dauda? You seem upset? I was just asking about his father. Dauda, is there any conflict between the Chief and your father? Well. Yes. Chief, whatever the situation is, we need to resolve it. When you give your life to Christ, it is important to be at peace with others. But what do you mean by that? If you really want to be at peace with God, it is important that you sort out this problem between you and Yusuf I’m sure we can resolve it whatever it is. Sons of Yusuf, it is the stubborn flies that follow a dead body into the grave. And when you push a goat too far it bites. Then I take it to mean that you and your father are stubborn goats and that you deserve a thorough beating. Haven’t I warned you never to step into this land? Yes. But this land is ours. We’ve been farming on it for the last ten years. (angry) I hate listening to little boys who know nothing about the history of this land. Deal with them! Let them go. That is a warning! Tell that stubborn father of yours that the next time someone comes back to my land here, they might not walk out alive! I wronged the family. I took over their land. I took it over completely and barred them from entering the land. Since when? About two and half years now. I’ve planted and harvested maize from that land every year. In making peace with man and God it is important to give back what was wrongfully or forcefully taken from others. You mean I give the land back to Yusuf? You said you took it away by force. Well the family’s not happy with you and I’m sure that you are not at peace with yourself either. No I’m not. But Teacher, I… Chief! Do you realize that this one single act could stop Yusuf from coming to Jesus Christ? You have to make restitution. Give back that land to its rightful owner. But that’s going to be very, very, difficult, Teacher! But you told Dauda that he should tell his father that you wanted to see him! Yes, I did. But why do you want to see him? Well I just wanted to show him that, you know, we could still be friends, you know, that I have changed. But Chief, you can’t make peace with him unless you address the wrong that you’ve done him. Just give back that land. Teacher, that is going to be very very, very, difficult. Chief! Remember the story of Zaccheus that you just heard. It was very difficult for him to right all the wrongs that he had done, but in order to obey God, he took steps by giving back to the people what he had wrongfully taken away from them. And you also must give back what you’ve wrongfully taken away as part of your obedience to God. Goodbye Teacher. Goodbye Chief. How can I return that land? Me! After three years of using it? No. I know Zaccheus returned everything he owed. But me, I return the land? No, no, no, no. Teacher said I have to do it. Ah! Because I’m supposed to be at peace with my neighbors. But that is going to be very difficult. Ah ah, Ah ah! How was the fellowship? What is it? What is your problem? Nothing much How did you enjoy the fellowship? It was good. But I have so many things to worry about. I’ve got some worries on my mind too. Worries about what? I went to the farm today. Which farm? The one by the village river. The river farm? Why did you go there? I went to get some vegetables and I became so troubled in my heart. Troubled about what? I could not bring the vegetables home. Why not? (troubled) I remembered, how the land was taken away from Dauda's father. How we are feeding from the land and they are starving. I’m so sorry Chief, if I have spoken out of turn. Grace. What exactly are you suggesting? (scared) I was only expressing how I felt when I I went to the farm today. Alright, bring that food of yours. (confused) You’ll eat now? Yes, I’ll eat. Chief! Do you realize that this one single act could stop Yusuf from coming to Jesus Christ? You have to make restitution. Give back that land to its rightful owner. (loudly) Alright! Alright! I’ll do it. Good morning, Yusuf! Yes. Dauda told me that you wanted to see me. Yes. I heard that he belongs to that religious group of which you are a member. Yes. With all due respect Chief, that will be his first and last day of coming to those meetings. Now Yusuf, listen to me! No, I don't want to listen to you! Somebody spoke to me about you. Who? What? Look I don't want any problems. Since you took over our land, claiming that it belonged to your forefathers, we’ve moved on. We’ve given it up. So there’s nothing more to talk about! Yusuf please let me explain! I don't know what you talking about. I never sent anyone to you! You didn't send anyone to me but He sent me to you. Who is this person? Jesus Christ! (Stunned) Jesus Christ? Are you kidding me? He came to me last night, touched my heart and told me to give you back your land. Jesus Christ told you to give me back my land? And to apologize. Yusuf, I'm so sorry for what I have done, to you and to your family. I can't believe this! Tomorrow morning, you shall have your land back in your hands. But Chief, you’ve planted maize on that land! He told me to give you back everything. You can take the maize crop as interest for the three years I’ve used the land. I can’t believe this is happening! Jesus is now the Master and the Lord of my life. He is my chief, the chief of Chiefs! Yusuf, please let Dauda learn about Jesus and serve Him. He is a good master. I’ve done so many wrong things, to so many people. This is just the beginning. Jesus Christ? Hello Chief. You sent for me, and here I am. Welcome. Have a seat. Thank you. It’s been a very long and difficult struggle, but eventually I have given Yusuf back his land. And, I’m at peace with myself. Well done, Chief! God will bless you for hearing his Word. Amen. But there’s a little problem. My two wives, they are always quarreling. One says that I spend more time with the other, and the other one says that I prefer the other one’s food more. They are always quarreling. Quarreling! There must be something I can do. You owe it to both of them, to love them and to take care of them both equally. But, I’m finding it difficult, impossible, to love them both equally. That’s the problem with a situation like this. Let me read you about God’s plan for marriage. In Mark, chapter ten, verses six to eight it says, “But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife and the two shall become one flesh.” It is the two that shall become one flesh, Chief, not the three, or the four or the five. Jesus understands, Chief. He will give you the grace you need. Take care of your wives, but please don’t think of taking any more wives. I agree. But I really need Jesus to help me through this. Yes, and He will. (Singing) The blessing of God is so wonderful! So wonderful! The blessing of God is so wonderful! So wonderful! He is so good! So good! He is so loving! He is so loving! God is so good! So good! He is so loving! He is so loving! He is so good! He is so good, so good! He is so loving! We love Him, we love Him, oh we love Him so! Amen! Amen! Who would like to come up and share what Jesus has been doing in their lives? Who’s going to be first? Ah, yes, Mariam. I like coming here. I feel sad and lonely a lot of the times because I’m still waiting for a child. I have been married for six years and my husband doesn't seem to love me anymore. My husband's other mistresses are pushing him to send me out of the house. They don't love me at all. I’m always doing all the work alone with no one to talk to in the house. One day, I went to the village stream to fetch water and I sat down there dejected and frustrated. They spoke to me that afternoon and three days later, they came into my house and shared the gospel with me. I gave my life to Jesus. I want to say “thank you” to my two special friends who brought me to this wonderful fellowship, Esther and Kate. Everything changed. I am now so happy it is unbelievable! I have made friends and I have people to talk to and I have peace of mind. It’s a wonderful feeling. I want to learn more about Jesus. And I love coming to this fellowship. Thank you! Jesus told His disciples to come together in fellowship. They prayed, and sang, and shared the Word of God together. In the same way, it’s good for us to come together to pray, share the Word of God and give testimonies of what God is doing in our lives. Amen. Hello How are you, Mama? I have brought back your chickens. I’m very sorry for what I did. I have brought for you some maize. Amen I have brought your cow back to you. Thank you Chief. Thank you Jesus. Jesus Christ helps us have a right relationship not only with God, but also with other people. How did you see the chief grow in His relationship with God and others through his involvement in the Christian community? What are your own challenges being in community? Make time today to discuss this with other Christians. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the day approaching.