Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction:

Paul addressed Philemon by acknowledging his faith and love towards the saints -

Then he uses an interesting phrase, “the fellowship of your faith” -

Fellowship is an often misunderstood concept and idea.

Questions of fellowship and its proper application can be some of the most challenging to our work and progress as a local congregation of God’s people.

Because of this, it is especially important for us to study these questions!

Defining Fellowship

To understand a concept correctly, we must define the term correctly

close association involving mutual interests and sharing, association, communion, fellowship, close relationship

attitude of good will that manifests an interest in a close relationship, generosity, fellow-feeling, altruism

participation, sharing

What Fellowship Is & What It Is NOT -

What Fellowship Is & What It Is NOT

Based upon the above definitions, fellowship is...

...having mutual interests...

...associating with one another...

...close relationships...

...love...

...participation...

...sharing...

...communion...

…in spiritual matters (worship, brotherly love, truth, doctrine, sufferings with the Lord, and faithfulness!

-

Fellowship is NOT (in the strict biblical way):

Entertainment

Social meals

Social

Our Fellowship

God and His Son - ; ;

The apostles had fellowship with the Father

The mutual fellowship with the Father and Jesus Christ, becomes the basis of fellowship between fellow Christians

God has called us into fellowship with Him through Jesus the Lord

Fellowship with Jesus requires conformity to His death - cf.

Holy Spirit - ;

Just as Christ gives grace and the Father gives love, the Holy Spirit gives fellowship and life!

Fellowship that the Spirit gives is through baptism into the one body -

We do not have fellowship with any who have not been baptized into the one body.

The Christian’s relationship with the Holy Spirit requires a life of holiness and righteousness -

The Gospel -

The brethren at Philippi loved Paul and were especially devoted to him because of his preaching of the gospel—they were partakers of the same grace (), standing firm in the spirit and faith of the gospel (), their obedience (), holding fast the word of life ().

Monetary support (shared, 4:15) for workers in the kingdom -

The preacher/church relationship is a picture of biblical fellowship.

The employee/employer relationship is not the idea of the church/preacher.

We are working together in spiritual matters of faith, grace, devotion, worship, prayer, obedience, teaching others and spreading the gospel.

Church -

Aiding those who are poor and needy - ;

Righteousness (not unrighteousness) -

We are to expose the works of darkness -

Conclusion

Fellowship is one of the great blessings we have from God!

We have fellowship with fellow Christians.

We have fellowship with Jesus our Savior and God our Creator.

Our fellowship we enjoy is built upon righteous living, opposing darkness, and sharing in the gospel of Jesus Christ!

Let us be faithful to this fellowship and do nothing that might cause harm to this fellowship we have in Christ Jesus.