Now let’s remember we started with “The (amazing) grace of the Master, Jesus Christ;” leading us into “the (extravagant) love of God (the Father),” and now we’re ending up with “the (intimate) friendship (fellowship)” of the Holy Spirit.”
In “country boy language,” Biblical fellowship is the practical expression of “the extravagant love of God” we’ve already talked about!
Now can you imagine a baseball diamond in your cburch sanctuary?
We’re in the batter’s box at home plate near the altar, there’s first base over there to the pulpit’s right, second base is the door to the sanctuary, and third base is over to the pulpit’s left.
We begin in the batter’s box with prevenient grace and move to first base with “the (amazing) grace of the Master, Jesus Christ.” Then we move to second base as we discover the (extravagant) love of God (the Father).”
Finally, we move into “the (intimate) friendship (and fellowship) of the Holy Spirit) as we are filled with the “giving love” of the Trinitarian God and find our “entirely sanctified” place at home plate with “the body of Christ,” “the family of God,” or “the church.”
Our home! On July 24, 2002, nine miners were trapped 240 feet below ground in a flooded mine in western Pennsylvania. To survive, they tied themselves together so no one could slip away unnoticed and drown.
All nine vowed they would live together or die together. If one man grew tired, the others held him up until they were rescued.
Larry Neumeister, a reporter with The Associated Press, detailed their story for the world’s media under the headline: “Miners vow to live or die together.”
That's a remarkably good picture of “the intimate friendship (and fellowship) of the Holy Spirit” or “koininia.” We’re in this together and we all play a part.
All nine miners were miraculously rescued when massive drilling equipment broke into their tiny chamber, and a rescue capsule pulled them out alive.
Now we’ll close this look at the Trinity with the words of Paul in 2 Corinthians:
“And that’s about it, friends. Be cheerful. Keep things in good repair.
Keep your spirits up. Think in harmony. Be agreeable. Do all that, and the God of love and peace will be with you for sure. Greet one another with a holy embrace. All the brothers and sisters here say hello. (And now) The (amazing) grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, the (extravagant) love of God (the Father), and the (intimate) friendship (fellowship) of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you.”
— 2 Corinthians 13: 11-14 Charles “Buddy” Whatley is a retired United Methodist pastor serving Dawson Street Methodist Church in Thomasville, Ga. With wife, Mary Ella, they are missionaries to the Navajo Reservation.
