It’s Picnic Season, here are some thoughts to prepare our hearts as we prepare those “side dishes to share”.
Thanks to my mother-in-law, Becky Albrecht, for these!

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“We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our lives as well, because you had become dear to us.” (I Thessalonians 2:8)

The gospel: “I am accepted through Christ, therefore I obey.”

Three aspects of the Gospel:

1. The gospel is news about what God has done in history to save us, rather than advice about what we must do to reach God. The gospel is news that Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection in history has achieved our salvation. We do not achieve it, only accept it. Jesus does not just bring good news; He is the good news.

2. I am more sinful than I dared believe but more loved and accepted in Christ than I dared hope, because He lived the life I should have lived and died the death I should have died. Rest in his finished work.

3. The gospel is: the way up is down, the way to power is give up power and serve, the way in to God is to go to the margins in repentance and faith. The gospel is: God loves to work through the weak, the marginal, the poor.

Source: Dr. Tim Keller, in the article “Centrality of the Gospel”

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“Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, a nd that He appeared to Peter, and to the Twelve.” (I Corinthians 15:1-5)

“[God] made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.. (II Corinthians 5:21)

“I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.” (Isaiah 61:10)

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

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What does Biblical Fellowship include?

LOVE AND ACCEPTANCE: seeking the highest good of another person. (John 13:34-35)

HONESTY AND HUMILITY: developing honest, unguarded and open relationships with one another. (Ephesians 4:14-16, 25)

CONCERN AND RESTORATION: treating the one who strays with loving confrontation, prayer, and time spent giving him or her assistance with purpose of restoration. (Galatians 6:1, 2)

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS: courageous willingness to admit wrong and deep need to confess in an atmosphere of freedom and security. (James 5:16)

ENCOURAGEMENT AND AVAILABILITY: mutual support of one another; knocking down all competition within our ranks, and developing co-operation. (Hebrews 10:23-25)

SPONTANEITY AND FLEXIBILITY: fresh attitude to stretch our ways of doing things to avoid routine methods. (Hebrews 13:1-2)

(Source: Charles Swindoll)

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Characteristics of true biblical fellowship among believers:

1. AUTHENTICITY — We must be able to share our true feelings, both good and bad, with each other.

2. HONESTY — We must be able to lovingly speak the truth with each other, and not deflect or ignore issues that matter. To confront conflict if necessary and to be frank, without malice.

3. MUTUALITY — We must promote and encourage each other.

4. SYMPATHY — We must understand and support each other.

5. MERCY — We must be forgiving of each others’ mistakes and faults.

6. COURTESY — We must accept and respect each others differences and opinions

7. HUMILITY — We must be aware of and admit to our own weaknesses.

8. CONFIDENTIALITY — We must be discreet with shared confidences within our community, and we should inspire a safe environment of trust and closeness among believers.

9. FELLOWSHIP — We must have a conviction for regular fellowship with each other to build relationships that will solidify the church community

(Source: Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life)

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This post also appears at www.sarahjoyalbrecht.com