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Stillmeadow Church of the Nazarene 400 Stillmeadow Lane York, PA 717.764.4888
God's Big Idea

God's Big Idea
Session #3 - God’s Love Expressed

Sunday October 3rd

I John 1:6-7

10/03/10 from Stillmeadow Church on Vimeo.

Introduction

God’s Big Idea:Love God . . . love others.

Now “other” includes everybody in the world.But the New Testament puts a special emphasis on loving other Christians.(I John 1:6-7 READ)

The Greek word used here is koinonia – fellowship.And this expression of love is what God wants to exist in each and every church that bears His name.

Story.Henry Blackaby (p.27-28 of Experiencing God Together.)
An ordinary working couple came to our church.Nobody knew them until they joined, for the greater Los Angeles area had created many anonymous individuals.They joyfully entered into the church family and enjoyed the fellowship among the people.They often commented on the fact that they had never been loved in any church as they were experiencing in this one.

At Prayer Meeting many months later, the man began to weep.His brother had been injured in another part of the country and was left in a coma, not expected to live.His brother was not a Christian, and it broke his heart to think he was about to slip into eternity without any hope.If only he could get to his brother and share the gospel, but he did not have the finances to make the trip.Immediately people in the church began to respond and soon the plane fare was provided.One couple even cashed in some of their retirement funds to help pay his way!

As our church prayed, the man went to be with his brother and sought for an opportunity to share the gospel with him.Miraculously, his brother suddenly came out of the coma.He was able to share with him, and the brother prayed to receive Christ as his personal Lord and Savior.For the first time the two men rejoiced together as brothers in Christ.Then almost as suddenly as he awoke, the brother slipped back into a coma and never recovered.

Although sad at the loss of his brother, the man came home happy in the Lord.We rejoiced together as a church family, knowing that God had been gracious to one of our own.That moment was a powerful time in this man’s life, forever grateful to the church for walking with him and praying for him during such a difficult time.But that is what God’s people are supposed to do!We have a love that began in the heart of God and is expressed between members in the family of God.The greatest evidence that a person has been born again, is their love for one another within the family.

I.What Is Koinonia?

1.“A practical expression of God’s love toward His people.”It is agape love in action.”

2.I Philippians 1:3-7

3.Example:FIN

II.Where Can I Find Koinonia?
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