Christian Fellowship
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
As Christians, we are not alone in the world, nor are we supposed to be alone.
We are not saved to walk alone; rather we should have relationships with other Christians.
When we understand that we become saved by God through the faithful preaching of the word of God by faithful Christians, and we have lived our lives as enemies of God prior to being saved, we need the fellowship of others to help us grow in Christ.
Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?
Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?
Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said,
“I will dwell in them and walk among them;
And I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
“Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord.
“And do not touch what is unclean;
And I will welcome you.
what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.
These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete.
This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.
If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth;
but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
In Hebrews 10:25 (NASB95) — 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
And in 2 Corinthians 6:14 (NASB95) — 14 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?
We see the exhortation around who not to forsake and whom to interact with.
The recognition of the gift that has been given to us in salvation and our responsibility to grow in grace and the knowledge of Christ obliges us to seek those who will help us to fulfill this obligation.
Christian fellowship originates from the bible.
Fellowship is the usual translation of the greek word κοινωνια, which is an association involving close mutual relations and involvement. (Louw-Nida)
Fellowship means the act of sharing in the activities or privilege of an intimate association or group
So the type of fellowship we are talking about is not just any type of fellowship which people can have but the one that is called and formed in the name of the Lord to please the Lord.
Fellowship describes the unity and community of the church that can exist because of the gospel.
As such, it is important to note that fellowship with other Christians can exist because God took initiative to bring us into right relationship with him.
God the Father, through Jesus Christ and by the Spirit, has established, by his grace, a covenantal relationship with humanity. Those who believe the gospel are united in the Spirit through the Son to the Father (John 15:1–17; 17:1–26; 1 John 1:3–7).
This relationship leads to the reality of communion between man and God. Those who are thus “in Christ” are in communion not only with Jesus Christ (and the Father) in the Spirit but also with one another. This relatedness, relationship, and communion is fellowship. Fellowship did not begin among humans, however; it stems from Trinitarian realities, namely the eternal fellowship of the three persons in the Triune Godhead.
Below are reasons why we should seek and participate in the Christian Fellowship
Below are reasons why we should seek and participate in the Christian Fellowship
1. To Hear the preaching of the Word of God
1. To Hear the preaching of the Word of God
In 1 John 1:3 (NASB95) — 3 what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.
Apostle John advises his readers to fellowship with them as they proclaim what they have heard and seen
We should hear more of the word of God in a Christian environment where people are willing to obey God than elsewhere.
It is a way to measure our fellowship, are we encouraged to look into the bible more and challenged to study more, or is the bible left out of our discussions?
2. To encourage one another in the Faith
2. To encourage one another in the Faith
In Romans 1:12 (NASB95) — 12 that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine.
That is to urge others strongly in the faith while together. This is an example of why we should endeavor to meet with others for this opportunity to strongly encourage one another in the faith and another reason why we want to be members of a real church and not virtual/internet/TV church.
There is a church that I have had the privilege of visiting in the past, and I noticed that every time I am at that church, I have a strong desire to read more Christian literature and complete it within a week before the next Sunday because I am so sure there will be another "reading material" and not because anyone asked me to but because I can see that is what they are doing there and it is enjoyable
3. To walk in the light
3. To walk in the light
In 1 John 1:6–7 (NASB95) — 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; 7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
Our fellowship with one another and with Christ ensures we walk in the light, that is, to walk in the divine realm.
4: We learn how to conduct ourselves
4: We learn how to conduct ourselves
In Philippians 1:27 (NASB95) — 27 Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
By fellowshipping with others, learn to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel. Live as a citizen of heaven as some who discharges his or her responsibilities as a citizen of heaven...that is the richness of the word πολιτεύομαι, which is the word translated "conduct".
Older faithful Christians can encourage and model the way a young Christian can walk in the world as a believer.
Conclusion
Conclusion
We need the fellowship of the Christians because it is the gift of God to us.
We need to check that our fellowship with others is based on what the word of God says it should be based on, and as we obey and walk with others, we will grow in the grace of God and have our fellowship with the Spirit.