Vineyard Church of Knox County
The Importance of Engaging and Expanding
Jesus told his followers that he would be with them whenever two or three were gathered in his name (Matthew 18:20). Does this mean that when we are alone Jesus is not with us? Of course not! God is always with us. But Jesus is making an important point, that there is something special, something unique in the kingdom of God, happening when Christians gather together to share their lives and share God's life with each other.
So, what is unique when we gather with fellow Christians? First, unlike when we are alone, we can receive a physical touch that heals and/or comforts. The early church “laid hands on” one another a lot because they knew that God works through physical touch. When we gather together as a group, we want to involve appropriate physical touch that comforts and heals because we can’t receive that when we are alone.
Secondly, when we gather together we can hear an audible voice that speaks the words of God to us. Certainly God can use an audible voice to speak directly to us (as He did at Jesus’ baptism), but it is clear that He most often speaks to us audibly by using other people’s vocal chords and mouths. What a privilege it is to be used by God to speak words of comfort, peace, or encouragement to our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Hebrews 10:24-25 tells us to continue meeting together for the purpose of encouraging one another and spurring one another on in our Christian lives.
Finally, when we leave our individual spaces - our homes, our yards, our gardens, our work benches - and gather together in groups, we shine brighter than when we are alone. Jesus described his followers as a “city on a hill that cannot be hid.” Think of an individual light bulb on a hill trying to shine brightly for all to see. It wouldn’t be very effective, would it (except to those who are directly beside it)? Now think of a whole city, a whole group of people who bring their individual lights. It becomes a bright influence on people both far and near. When we gather together, bringing our individual gifts, skills, and faith, we make up an effective tool to reach our community with the love of God.
Gathering together as Christians is not optional, only for the social extroverts. Christian fellowship is a necessary and important activity in the life of a church ? for all of us, introverts and extroverts alike. We gather to heal and encourage one another; and we gather to reach out to the community as a city of light. So, please make every effort to join with us as much as you can this summer as we provide opportunities to engage in relationships and expand God’s kingdom in this county.
