The WARM programme of our church is about showing Christian love, and fellowship (or ‘koinonia’ in New Testament Greek) is a part of this. But is fellowship really necessary for all of us?

The early Christians seemed to think so. Acts 2:44-47 records: "And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."

Most Christians in third world countries will testify that fellowship is not only necessary but also very precious. Opportunities for fellowship are usually very well used and well attended. No one seems to be in a hurry to leave. They just love to gather for singing, praying, sharing testimonies, studying God’s Word, eating meals together and even for enjoying some good clean fun with fellow Christians! When you live in a land where circumstances are often very difficult, where one can be easily discouraged in living for Christ and serving Him because of poverty, hardship, crime, ill-health, trial and temptation, you will soon realize how much you need the fellowship and help of other Christians to keep going.

Perhaps one reason why we do not share their passion for fellowship is that with our comfortable self-sufficient way of life we do not feel much need for one another. Furthermore, our fast-paced busy lifestyle leaves us almost no time to fellowship with other Christians. Then we convince ourselves, "I don’t really need fellowship with other believers. I can grow spiritually without the help of others."

Dear Reader, without fellowship it is easy to lose your love for God and His Word; it is easy to become spiritually cold and to backslide. The importance of Christian fellowship can be learnt from observing a pile of burning pieces of coal. As long as the pieces remain together, they continue to burn well. But when one of them is removed from the pile and placed alone by itself, it soon stops burning and grows cold.

This may also happen to you if you are not careful. You face tremendous odds when you attempt to live the Christian life by yourself. The pressures of work and family, and the influence of your non-Christian colleagues and the mass media will overwhelm you. Without the support of Christian fellowship to refresh your spirit regularly, your resistance will be worn down by these things. When Lot was together with Abraham he and his family did quite well. But when they parted ways and Lot chose to live near Sodom, his family gradually came under its sinful influence and paid an awful price for it.

Elijah had a glorious victory over the priests of Baal at Mount Carmel. The work of revival in Israel was just beginning, but it was spoilt because he suddenly fled at the sound of a death threat from the queen. He became very depressed and even wished that he was dead! What happened? How could a spiritual giant who feared none but God suddenly turn tail and run? Let us learn from God’s instruction to him after that: He was told to anoint Elisha as his assistant. Henceforth he would have a close companion to fellowship with. Perhaps if Elijah had the moral support of someone like Elisha when Queen Jezebel had threatened him, he would have remained strong and steadfast!

1. Fellowship enables us to accomplish more for the Lord. It is the glue that enables us to work together for a common goal – The goal of glorifying the Lord. And much more can be done for the Lord by teamwork! Ecclesiastes 4:9 – "Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

2. Fellowship helps to sustain each believer’s spiritual life. Ecclesiastes 4:10,11 – "For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?"

3. Fellowship provides strength in our spiritual battles. There is strength in numbers. That is essentially the thrust of Ecclesiastes 4:12 – "If one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken."

4. Fellowship is pleasing in God’s sight. Psalm 133:1 – "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" Why does God take special delight in seeing us dwelling together in unity? Perhaps it is because such fellowship reflects the divine fellowship enjoyed by the three persons in the Godhead. Christian fellowship is a replica of that divine fellowship!

5. Fellowship is the natural outcome of our relationship with Christ. By being saved through Christ we have become linked together through Him. Fellowship is simply the outward expression of the link that already exists between all true believers (see 1 John 1:7; Ephesians 2:19; John 10:14-16). It is natural for fellow sheep to have fellowship with one another!

6. Fellowship is Christ’s expectation of His disciples. This expectation is seen in His commandment to love one another (John 13:34,35) and His prayer for their unity (John 17:11,20-23). This is perhaps the most important reason of all.

I hope that these six reasons are sufficient to convince all of us that Christian fellowship is indeed necessary. Finally, let us heed the instruction for fellowship given in Galatians 6:10 – "As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." May the Lord help us to minister actively one to another! —CS

VBS 2007 was a very special VBS in that I was given the special opportunity to experience once again God’s bountiful grace and blessings. Throughout the preparations for this special ministry of Life Church, I was reminded that God always provides. Having been given the role whereby I would have to help ensure the smooth running of the program for the Lowers group, I had to make sure that there was sufficient staff for all the classes. This became a test for me when on the Saturday before VBS we still did not have the required number of staff. This was due to the fact that some who signed up had pulled out due to various valid reasons. I had actually experienced difficulty in calling up various brethren to serve mainly because it was already the eleventh hour. However, it was also at the eleventh hour that some people pulled out.

God in His mercy gave me peace about this whole matter. I was reminded a few times during personal devotions that since He had given the VBS 2007 around 192 children, He would also supply. Truly God supplies all our needs. Especially needs pertaining to His work. On the evening of the Saturday before VBS, the Lord supplied the last teacher for VBS 2007 from the YF.

Another precious reminder that I had from the Lord during this VBS was the fact that He is always in sovereign control. I found that I had actually overlooked many areas during the preparations for this VBS. However, due to the prayers of many, the Lord in His grace and mercy sent faithful brethren along the way to help at the right time. God’s sovereign control over the entire VBS was evident in the fact that there were no mishaps during the three days of VBS. God held back extremely heavy rain till after VBS for the last two VBS days. God provided many brethren who did not sign up initially. These came and made themselves a blessing in one way or another.

In spite of the fact that there was a marked decrease in the numbers of children on Vesak Day, teachers were still able to minister on a one-to-one basis to the children who turned up on the second day for each of the 12 respective classes. God has also in His grace granted fruits for this VBS. Even though numbers do not matter, just for the record 23 asked Christ to be their Saviour from sin. Not a few asked to know more about Christ, many others had the opportunity to hear about God’s love for them through the thematic Bible stories and the review efforts of the teachers from the twelve classes for the Lowers group.

Throughout the three days of VBS, it was also encouraging to see the refreshment ladies labour to ensure that every student and teacher would be fed well. The transport team also played an important part in faithfully picking up children from their designated destinations and bringing them back home. The logistics team came even before the start of VBS to help prepare the tables and chairs needed for all the VBS classes. The games team enabled the children to enjoy the three days of VBS. A group of faithful ladies from the church helped with the preparation for the art and craft for VBS 2007. Truly VBS is a ministry for the Lord in which all involved play an important part.

On a final note, I would like to request prayer for the following up of the children who have trusted Christ as their Saviour during this year’s VBS. —Hannah Yeo

We praise and thank God for His leading as we have just crossed another significant milestone of the Beulah Project – URA has given us approval for the roof replacement and structural design! We also praise the Lord for helping us in our offering collection as we crossed the significant S$5 million mark!

Let us not be complacent with this milestone achievement in the Lord. We noted right from the start of the project in the words of Prophet Jeremiah, "Ah Lord GOD! Behold, Thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for Thee" (Jeremiah 32:17)! Let us stay focused and pray for the construction phase to commence soonest with the appointment of the various contractors. With the cost escalation in view, S$5.1 million is no more a target we want to aim for in our offering collection. In a very conservative market estimate, we should be prepared for a cost increase of another 30%. We are not making any announcement for the offering collection target because we are still getting the final estimate through our Quantity Surveyor by the end of June.

May the Lord continue to lead us as we pray and work together step by step to witness God’s house being built! All glory to His name!