Food And Fellowship:The Church That Marches On Its

StomachJon Wright

25th Dec 2005

Joe and Jenny, Dec 31st 2pm 9F

December 25th

• A day set by a Pope in ~200AD to celebrate the birth of Jesus

• Jesus was probably born sometime in late Sept/early Oct around the feast of tabernacles

• Started ministry at ~30, was put to death (probably on a Thursday!) at ~33, rose after 3 days and ascended to Heaven after 40 days

Jesus baptized at 30: Matt 3:16-17

• 16As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. 17And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

• 16 耶穌受了洗，隨即從水裡上來。 天忽然為他 開了， 他就看見神的靈彷彿鴿子降下，落在 他身上 17 從天上有聲音說：這是我的愛子， 我所喜悅的。

Jesus knew the importance of fellowship.

• He spent a lot of time with his disciples

• He ate with them (Matt 12:1-8)

• He trained them (Matt 5-7)

• He sent them out (Matt 10:1-2)

• Only through fellowship can we counsel/equip/train and have a Godly relationship with each other

Jesus ate/fellowshipped with Sinners

• Zacchaeus the cheating tax collector, (Lk: 19)• Many were angry that Jesus ate with a sinner (Lk:

19:7) however Jesus knew the importance of sharing bread/time/love with people (Lk 14:12-14)

• By spending time in fellowship with Zacchaeus, he became saved ‘v10: “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”’

• Jesus didn’t come and die for just a select ‘good’ few he came for all to have a chance to know him.

Luke 14:12-14• "The next time you put on a dinner, don't just invite

your friends and family and rich neighbors,.. invite some people who never get invited out, the misfits from the wrong side of the tracks. You'll be & experience a blessing. They won't be able to return the favor, but oh how the favor will be returned -at the resurrection of God's people."

• 耶 穌又對請他的人說：你擺設午飯或晚飯，不要請你的朋友、弟兄、親屬，和富足的鄰舍，恐怕他們也請你，你就得了報答。你擺設筵席，倒要請那貧窮的、殘廢的、瘸腿的、瞎眼的，你就有福了！因為他們沒有甚麼可報答你。到義人復活的時候，你要得著報答。

Jesus is the bread of life John 6: 25-40

• V27: Do not work for food that spoils

• V29: The work of God is to believe in Jesus

• V32: Bread is provided by God the Father

• V35: Jesus declared “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.”

• V40: All who look to Jesus will be raised up on the last day by the Father.

The Great CommissionMatt 28:18-20

• 18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

• 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

• 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

The Great CommissionMatt 28:18-20

• 18 耶穌進前來， 對他們說：天上地下所有的 權柄都賜給我了。

• 19 所以 ，你們要去，使萬民作我的門徒，奉 父、子、聖靈的名給他們施洗（或作：給他們 施洗，歸於父、子、聖靈的名）。

• 20 凡我所吩咐你們的，都教訓他們遵守，我 就常與你們同在，直到世界的末了。

Jesus did things at Gods’ timing not mans’ John 11:1-43

• The message said “Come Quick” Lazarus is sick• Jesus waited before going,• The disciples 1st said “Its dangerous - lets not go”;

2nd said “Okay if He’s going to die then lets all go die together”

• Mary/Martha complained “You’re late you could have saved him”

• Jesus called Lazarus out from the tomb• God timing is never late, do not be forced to run

after man, instead follow the call from God

Summary

• Jesus knew his disciples by spending time with them

• He fellowshipped with sinners and disciples alike

• He is the bread of life, who will not let you go hungry or thirsty

• All who look to Him will be saved on the last day

• The great commission tells all of us to go and share the good news