KOINONIA

As we celebrate the 21st year of Mosaic Church this week, there are several thoughts to consider about what being a part of the church means. 

In part, at Mosaic, we are living in koinonia, a Greek word used to describe the type of life that the church is to share in Christ.  As the original church began, fellowship meant Jews and Gentiles, who had been enemies for centuries, became one in the body of Christ. Those who before would not speak to one another now worshiped together in one church.  Let’s look at some characteristics of koinonia:

Unity

Philippians 2 (ESV) 1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 

But unity is not uniformity.  If we all said this phrase together, all of our voices would be different when we said it. Still, it would be louder and stronger because it is in unity.  We don’t have to be all the same to have unity.

Acceptance

Philemon 1 (ESV)17 So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me.

This is a letter from Paul to Philemon about another friend, Onesimus – asking one friend to welcome another, even though one had been a slave to the other.  

Giving

2 Corinthians 8 (ESV) 8 We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, 2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4 begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— 5 and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.

Lord’s Supper

We fellowship with other believers and with Jesus when we take communion.

Celebrate koinonia – celebrate Mosaic!