Sermon Tone Analysis

This morning I want us to think about the important biblical idea of fellowship.

What is biblical fellowship?

Whatever it is, it has something to do with potlucks right?

Baptist buffet is probably part of the etomology of the Greek word of koinonia right?

What really is biblical fellowship?

Unity is a function of something that unites.

Fellowship is something that is held in common.

The location of Christian unity and fellowship, according to the New Testament, is the local church.

There is something that at a minimum unites us together, there is something that we all hold in common.

At minimum, the thing that unites the church, that thing that is held in common by all Christians is the gospel itself.

The moment a person believes in the good news of the gospel there is an inward spiritual reality that takes place that forms the basis of our unity and fellowship.

The Basis of Unity and Fellowship

The nature of our unity, our “oneness” is spiritual.

We enjoy a spiritual kind of unity.

“That they may be one even as we are one.”

What kind of unity does the Father and Son enjoy?

It is a spiritual unity.

Our unity that we enjoy with each other is the same kind of unity.

The nature and basis of our unity and fellowship is spiritual in nature.

How does one enter into this spiritual unity?

We enter into spiritual unity with each other by means of our spiritual baptism into the body of Christ.

We are one because we are all part of the one body of Christ.

How is one added to the one body of Christ?

How is one added to the one body of Christ?

By the blood of Christ, through the cross— it is in Christ.

Unity is a function of something that unites.

Fellowship is something that is held in common.

Minimal unity and fellowship among Christians is defined by the gospel itself.

Where the gospel is held in common, unity exists and fellowship should be recognized.

Where the gospel is denied (either directly or by denial of a fundamental doctrine of the faith), unity does not exist and fellowship should not be extended.

Illustration: meeting a stranger for the first time and discovering they are a believer.

Instant unity, instant fellowship.

That does not mean that all unity and fellowship is on the same level.

As you study the NT you discover that there are levels of fellowship.

The gospel is the outer boundary of Christian unity, but within that boundary is an entire system of faith and practice.

An Illustration of Christian Fellowship: Church Membership

Levels of church fellowship: Explain

Church membership is an important and serious level of fellowship.

I may have personal fellowship with many different believers with different systems of faith and practice.

I will gladly sit down for coffee with them, and pray with them.

But, I would not enter into church membership with them.

Why not?

Unity is a function of something that unites us.

At minimum all believers are united by the gospel.

But, when you get to the local church level unity becomes even more important.

Unity is not something that we can manufacture or create by wishing hard enough.

Unity is given to us by God through the Spirit, and it is maintained when the we the sheep follow our Shepherd.

As each one of us follows after Jesus to the best of our ability, we all begin to head in the same direction, and as we eagerly pursue Jesus together we maintain and deepen our unity and fellowship.

How do we eagerly follow after Jesus?

Much of that question has to do with our doctrine.

Our system of beliefs within the boundary of the gospel will determine how we follow Jesus.

So, to be a church member with another person requires a high level of agreement in doctrine, in faith and practice.

This idea goes right to the heart of what church membership is!

I believe that the responsibilities of church membership are define in Scripture in the “one another” passages.

The responsibilities of church membership even include church discipline!

The criteria for how we fulfill the one another passages has much to do with the doctrine that we hold dear.

That is why we have a doctrinal statement and church covenant.

When you become a member you are covenanting together with the people in this church to encourage, admonish, teach, instruct, and even discipline you according to the doctrine that we hold in common with each other.

It is a beautiful thing!

It is a necessary and God intended thing.

God wants you to have the spiritual oversight, accountability, and encouragement of being a member of a local church!

You need a local body of believers who will stir you up to love and good works- and so much more as you see the day approaching!

In just few minutes we are going to hear the testimony of five people who desire to covenant together with you all for church membership.

This is a wonderful illustration of unity and fellowship, and it is very important!

Let’s hear the testimonies of these saints and, if you are willing, enter into spiritual partnership with them!

Testimonies for Church Membership

An Illustration of Christian Fellowship: Missions

One of the purposes of today is to officially send off Alex and Nicole on their missions trip to South Africa.

This is another great opportunity for us to think on the importance of Christian fellowship!

Unity is a function of something that unites.

Fellowship is something that is held in common.

Alex and Nicole both profess faith in the gospel.

We are unified and we have fellowship with them because of the good news.

But, we are going to a deeper level of fellowship with them because we are sending them as missionaries from our local church.

This is an important level of fellowship!

Levels of Fellowship: Explain

To me partnering with missionaries is on or near the same level as church membership!

It is very important who you partner with!

And taking on missionaries for support and prayer is participating in fellowship.

Alex and Nicole, all of the saints here at Faith, have entered into a spiritual partnership with you!

We have commited ourselves to share in the ministry with you.

And you have commited to share in the ministry with us!

You are part of our obedience to the Great Commission.

You are our partners taking the gospel to the ends of the earth!

We want to be partakers with you of your ministry!

And we would not enter into this kind of fellowship with just anyone!

Why not?

“Even the most insignificant encouragement to someone who is proclaiming a false gospel bring one into fellowship with the evil that follows.

Apparently Christians can gain a share in the evil that apostates do.

The apostate and the one who encourages the apostate have a common stake in the results of the false gospel.”

—Dr.

Kevin Bauder

But the flip side is also true!

Paul states that when we enter into fellowship with missionaries, like Alex and Nicole, who profess the true gospel and who are likeminded in their doctrine and practice, we have a common stake in the results of their efforts!

Alex and Nicole, you are not going to preach a false gospel right?

Of course not!

We know that for certain!

They have lived and ministered and prayed with us in church membership.

We can have confidence that these are the kinds of Christians that we want to partner with.

Praise God for this opportunity of Christian fellowship!