Derek Smith
Lead Pastor
1 John 1:3-4
that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
Lions are some of the most ferocious hunters around. When hunting their prey, these massive cats crawl on their bellies along the ground of the African grasslands almost completely undetected, waiting patiently until just the right moment to attack. Then with split second quickness they pounce from the ground and sprint after the unsuspecting animal. Usually the ones who get eaten are the loners, the ones who wander outside their pack to graze or explore. The strength and protection of the herd proves an effective deterrent to the advance of the predator.
The same is true in the Christian life. We have a real enemy named Satan who prowls around like a roaring lion seeking to destroy lives (1 Peter 5:8), and it’s the loners who usually get taken. The ones who wander away from the community of faith and the true fellowship of the body are the ones who end up in the belly of the enemy. Fellowship means much more than just spending time together around a meal. Fellowship means praying for one another, digging into God’s Word together, bearing one another’s burdens, and holding one another accountable in the faith. It is the strength of the faith community that strengthens and protects us as well.
So, have you wandered away from the fellowship of the body? Have you stepped away from Christian community to graze somewhere else? If so, it is time to get back to the herd, because there is a lion lurking and he is hungry. Get back in Bible study, prayer, and fellowship with your church. It is here you will find strength and protection for your daily life.