Right at the start of the Church, in Acts 2, we are told of four activities which were essential to growth: the apostles' teaching, the fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer. Today we look at 'Fellowship'. But what is 'fellowship'? The Greek work 'koinonia' means sharing, participating, active involvement. Fellowship is neither a solo nor a sedentary activity – it happens only when individuals do things together and for each other. So how do we make fellowship happen? What do we need to do? 1 Peter 4 gives us a clue. Verses 1–6 remind us of the past, and verses 7–12 give us guidance for the future. We are called to leave behind the old ways of pagan futility and to live a new life of constructive fellowship.

"The end of all things is near" – God's redemptive plan is complete. There is nothing more that needs to happen before the end of the age. God is delaying in order to redeem his people and build his church. Our Christian fellowship is part of his plan for building and equipping his people not just for this life but for Heaven and service there.

Six things for us to know and do:

1. The importance of prayer. Prayer requires a clear and self controlled mind. It is a thoughtful activity. We must control our minds so that we can pray effectively. We must be informed so that we can pray intelligently. We should be praying for and with each other. We contribute towards our mutual fellowship when we pray for and with each other.
2. Love one another. "Agape" love is an earnest, reliable love – the love God has first shown us. It implies unconditional acceptance without condoning sin. It "keeps no record of wrongs", and actively desires the best for its object. Can we rely on each other to go on loving even when we stumble? We contribute towards our mutual fellowship when we love each other.
3. Show hospitality. A Christian home is useful both for evangelism and for "one another". It should be an environment for godly conversation, encouragement and prayer. Hospitality without grumbling: how do we react if someone arrives unannounced? Are our homes somewhere where people can come and find a welcome and encouragement in Christ? We contribute towards our mutual fellowship when we show willing hospitality to one another.
4. Recognise and use our gifts. We all have gifts, and we have them so that we can serve one another. However, they are not about self fulfilment but about building up the church. God, through us, wonderfully equips the church with what it needs to function for him. Like some great orchestra, when everyone comes together and plays his or her part, the result can be dramatic! We contribute towards our mutual fellowship when we all use God's gifts to us.
5. Live, work and speak as serving the Lord. Speaking includes preaching but isn't limited to it. In conversations over the phone, in e-mails, in social dialogue, as we teach, instruct, encourage, exhort, even rebuke, is our manner godly? Serving – and there are myriad ways in which we can serve – is to be done in God's strength too. Our works are not to be merely enacted, they are to be effective, and that can happen only by the Holy Spirit's power. We contribute towards our mutual fellowship when we engage in godly speech and serve others in God's power.
6. Make sure God gets the credit. At the end, Peter brings us back to the beginning. The basis of our fellowship is Jesus Christ, and what God has done for us through him. We owe him everything, so nothing could be more important than making sure he is our focus and gets all the credit. We contribute towards our mutual fellowship when we unitedly seek God's glory.