Letters – A Way of Communicating

Churches today have changed a lot in the way they communicate, largely via email and cell phone or text messages. Nearly every day I receive an email from the church my son pastors. New Song UMC had a special outdoor service this past Sunday for pets. Dozens of pets attended, there was a petting zoo, and dogs and cats were available for adoption. There was plenty of food for everyone, music, a sermon and a beautiful sunny day. To spread the word, dozens of emails were sent, notices were included for over a month in the bulletin, and posts were made on social media. All the communicating paid off, because the attendance was spectacular.

The Bible includes a collection of letters written by the disciples which have lasted over the centuries until today. These letters helped the original Christians understand their new life in Christ and are just as important today as they were 2,000 years ago. In I John 1:1, the disciple explains that he is writing about “that which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched.” In this letter, the Apostle John is telling the people about his encounter with the living Christ.

He wrote the three letters of John, and he also authored the gospel of John and the Book of Revelation. According to Matthew 4:21, John and his brother James were fishermen who became part of the chosen twelve followers of Jesus. John had a close relationship with Jesus and describes himself as the “disciple whom Jesus loved.” (John 13:23) Love was a central theme throughout all of John’s writings. John and Peter were the disciples who first entered the tomb. (John 20:8)

I John 1:3 says that John writes so his readers may “have fellowship with” one another, and with “the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.” Verse 4 says when we have fellowship together, our joy will be complete. Take time to read letters from the church today and the letters found in the Bible. Remember we are to have fellowship with one another – when we do, our joy will be complete.

Prayer – Thank you, God, for the fellowship we have with each other and the fellowship we have with you. Amen.

I John1:2 – “The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.”

By the Rev. Tommy Herndon

Images: Kelly Sikkema, Marcus Paulo Prado & Kimson Doan, courtesy of Unsplash