KEY SCRIPTURE: Joh 4:40 KJV “So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days.”

When the people of Samaria came to Jesus, and heard Him speak, they pleaded with Him to stay two extra days, so they could hear. The Lord Jesus is the Living word of God. Whenever a person is truly converted, he would have a strong desire for the word of God and to fellowship with the brethren. When the apostles won the initial converts they did the following, Acts 2:46 KJV “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,” Please note the scripture said they were daily in the temple. The temple was the public place of worship, and they met for the times of prayer, that is at nine o’clock in the morning, which is called the third our and again at three o’clock in the afternoon, which is the ninth hour in the Jewish daily time.

They also met in their homes to share meals and to break bread. Everyone who is sincerely converted loves to fellowship with other brethren. When a brother looses the sense and essence of fellowshipping with other brethren, he is backslidden. There may be some brethren who do join others to fellowship. Such people are also losing the fires of conversion. The people of Samaria with every excitement would not want Jesus to depart right away. Be mindful of the fact that, that arrangement was not planned for, yet because they had genuinely repented or converted, they wanted to fellowship around the word of God.

The word of God enjoins us not to neglect the assembly of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but we should keep admonitioning one another as we see the day approaching (Heb 10:25) Whenever you notice your brother or sister is staying away from the fellowshipping of the brethren, then quickly be alarmed and do everything to help him or her into the fold. No Christian can survive and sustain his faith without fellowshipping with the brethren. We are one body and always need one another to survive.

There are a number of reasons that make brethren distance themselves from the assembly of the household of faith. Some of these are

1. A sinful life

2. Offence by a member, a leader or the Pastor

3. I don’t have money syndrome

4. Shear lack of enthusiasm

5. Unanswered prayer

6. No definite reason

7. Owes a church member

8. Some T V program takes that time

9. any other reason

 Please note that, the underlying reason for not participating in church is lack of love for Jesus or a Spirit of backsliding that is drifting you away. Repent and address the cause and get unto fellowship with the brethren.

THOUGHT: ONE SIGN OF REAL VITALITY IS YOUR DESIRE FOR FOOD.

FURTHER STUDIES

Acts 2:42 KJV “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

1Peter 2:2 KJV “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:”