Adapted from Pastor Leroy Taylor II’s October 11, 2026 message at Hope City Highlands, continuing our “All In” series. Scripture focus: Acts 2:42–45 and 1 John 1:3–9.

When we hear the word fellowship, we may think of a meal, a church event, or time spent catching up with friends. Those moments can be meaningful. But what happens when someone at that table is hurting? Who notices when a familiar face disappears? Who is willing to listen, pray, and follow up?

Pastor T brought Hope City back to Acts 2:42 with a challenge: being devoted to fellowship means becoming invested in one another’s well-being. We are called into a shared life where love takes action and faith grows in relationship.

Build on what Jesus has given us

The first believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer. These practices continue to shape Hope City’s “All In” journey.

Pastor T reflected honestly on years of learning from large ministries and giving attention to how church should look. He described a renewed conviction that our foundation must be the Word of God and our aim must be to reflect Christ. Presentation can serve a purpose, but the life of the church must be formed by Jesus.

That calls for steady devotion to Scripture. We cannot treat the Word as something we reach for only when a crisis comes. We need it shaping our everyday choices—and shaping the kind of community people can turn toward when life becomes difficult.

Fellowship carries a responsibility

In Acts 2:44–45, the believers’ shared life included sharing resources to meet needs. Their devotion reached into practical circumstances. Someone else’s hardship mattered enough for them to respond.

Pastor T challenged us to move beyond approaching relationships for what we can gain. Christian fellowship asks what we can give: time, attention, encouragement, prayer, skills, or resources. It means caring whether a brother or sister is struggling and being willing to help.

We each remain responsible for following Christ, but we do not have to walk alone. The call to deny ourselves makes room for this kind of love. Sometimes it means setting aside convenience so we can be present for someone else.

That shared care also supports the church’s mission in the community. Giving and serving help the body respond to real needs and make the love of Jesus visible. Our participation contributes to work larger than any one person.

Walk in the light together

In 1 John 1:3–4, John shares what he has seen and heard so that others may join in fellowship—a fellowship rooted in the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. Our relationship with God and our shared life with other believers belong together.

John then brings that relationship into the light. God is light, and claiming fellowship with Him while walking in darkness contradicts the truth. As we walk in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and Jesus cleanses us from sin (1 John 1:5–7).

This is not a demand to pretend we have become flawless. The next verses confront that very pretense: if we claim to have no sin, we deceive ourselves. When we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse us (1 John 1:8–9).

Honest fellowship makes room for that humility. We can acknowledge where we need help, receive correction, and keep returning to Jesus. Loving accountability is mutual: we encourage one another to live what we profess, and we remain willing to hear the truth ourselves.

Let love reach the difficult relationship

Pastor T made the message personal by acknowledging how difficult it can be to love someone whose presence irritates us. He described recognizing that his reaction to another person revealed something in his own heart that needed to change.

His challenge was to let those moments lead us toward surrender. Before answering in anger or rehearsing resentment, ask: what would reflect the light of Jesus here? Can I speak with patience? Can I refuse to let irritation decide how I treat this person?

Love takes practice. We can be honest about disagreement while seeking another person’s good. We can ask God to change our responses and receive help from trusted believers who will point us back to His Word.

Pastor T also noted that shared life needs boundaries that protect one another. Devotion does not remove the need for wisdom, respect, or care with what someone has entrusted to us. Those things help relationships become places where people can grow.

Make room to be known

It is possible to appear strong while struggling privately. We can hide behind busyness, appearance, or the habit of saying everything is fine. Yet isolation can leave us carrying pain without the support God has placed around us.

Fellowship invites us to build trustworthy relationships over time. When someone is sick, we pray. When someone is discouraged, we stand beside them. When someone needs direction, we listen and return together to the truth of Scripture.

Pastor T shared the hurt of seeing people become disconnected and urged the congregation to take a concrete step: join a small group, participate in ministry, and serve. His stated desire was for our devotion to be rooted in God, so the church’s life would remain strong beyond any individual leader.

Belonging grows through participation. Being present, learning someone’s story, keeping a commitment, and checking in during the week all help turn a gathering into a community of care.

Practice fellowship this week

  • Read: Spend time with Acts 2:42–45 and 1 John 1:3–9. Notice how truth, generosity, confession, and relationship fit together.
  • Reach out: Contact someone you have not seen recently. Ask how they are doing and make time to listen.
  • Be honest: Share a prayer need with a trusted believer, and ask how you can pray for them.
  • Respond in love: Bring one difficult relationship before God. Choose a response that reflects patience and truth.
  • Participate: Use our Connect page to take a next step toward community, or explore how to join a serving team.

The previous message asked us to confess who Jesus is and follow Him with our lives. This week brings that devotion into our relationships. To be all in includes making room for one another: learning together, praying together, and putting love into practice.

A prayer for deeper fellowship

Father, thank You for bringing us into fellowship through Jesus Christ. Help us walk honestly in Your light. Forgive our selfishness, soften our resentment, and teach us to care for one another with patience and wisdom. Give us courage to ask for help and willingness to offer it. Make Hope City a church where people are known, prayed for, and encouraged to follow You. In Jesus’ name, amen.