Each Sunday, as you read the back of the worship folder, we describe our FOCUS as "intentionally nurturing" our fellowship in Christ.  What does this statement mean? 

Start with "intentionally."  Whenever we want to intentionally do something it is because we want to do it.  This says nothing positive or negative about the "thing" itself, just the will of the one who intends to do something.  Intentionality is willful.  It is active.  "Nurturing" is what we are "doing" intentionally.  To nurture is to cultivate the growth or healthy development of the object.  Thus we are saying that we are willfully, actively seeking the nurture (growth towards healthy development) of our fellowship in Christ.  We do not have the ability to do this in our strength. For any of this to become reality, and if you understand Biblical Theology, we must rely on the Holy Spirit to accomplish this goal in and through us.

That's the "what."  The next question is "How do we intentionally nurture our fellowship in Christ?"  The Scriptures teach that we are to encourage one another towards love and good deeds.  In this case (in Hebrews 10), we accomplish that goal just by "showing up."  "Half the battle is showing up" or so they say.  I wish it were that easy.  More than physically arriving is the need to communicate that our hope is not in our current circumstances, or in our wealth, or the health of our children, or the goal of retirement, etc.  I need to know that our hope, my hope is in the promises of the gospel, the work of Jesus Christ.  In other words, the Bible teaches that when we value the fellowship of the church, when we "show up" and point each other to Jesus we are intentionally nurturing the fellowship.

As I help to lead worship from time to time, I am most encouraged by the eyes of those who share my hope that Christ would be lifted up.  It happens in singing with a whole heart.  In confessing our sin together.  In hearing and believing the gospel as it is preached.  I would offer that more than just being present, we nurture our fellowship in the manner in which we "show up."  The Apostle Paul was very careful in his selection of the imagery he used to communicate his desire to nurture the fellowship of Christ in the church:

“But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us. For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.”  (I Thessalonians 2:7-12)

Like parents caring for children, Paul is giving us an example of what it means to nurture our fellowship in Christ.  Does this example ring true to you?  Do you think the manner in which we "show up" and care for each other communicates our desire for growth in Christ?  It is my hope that others are encouraged as we gather for worship, or community groups, or small bible studies.  And I hope it is because they see their church family caring for each other as one who, like a parent, knows that development in Christ happens in an environment where the Scriptures are valued, Christ is honored, and love for the brotherhood is on display.  As the Proverb teaches, it is better to be openly rough with people than to hide your love away.  Our love for Christ and each other, like parents caring for children, needs to be apparent if we are to "intentionally nurture" our fellowship.  May the LORD Jesus encourage you as His people love you.