STEEMCHURCH:A STUDY ON CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

in #steemchurch6 years ago (edited)

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INTRODUCTION
I John l :7, “But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another”
I John 1:3, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.” The secular meaning of fellowship is association of a friendly character; comradeship; common interest of those in fraternal orders; friendly companionship. Some say “fellowship” is “two fellows in the same ship”; this is false, for passengers on the same boat may not speak to each other for they have nothing in common. Christian fellowship is much deeper, sweeter than secular fellowship; Bible fellowship means spiritual communion, a joint partnership, a joint sharing, mutual partakers. College fellowships have little in common (same school, same hobby) but Christian fellowship is far more inclusive; it involves much more; it encircles whole life. All born of the same Father (John 1 :13); bought with the same price (I Cor. 6:20); members of the same Body (Col. 1:18); taught by the same Spirit (John l6: l3); walking in the same path (II Cor. 5:7); serving the same Master (Matt. 23:8); heirs of the same inheritance (Rom. 8: 17).
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I. BASIS OF FELLOWSHIP
Fellowship is conditional upon our walking in the light, I John 1:7 (quoted above). Sin breaks fellowship; broken fellowship can be restored by repentance and confession. Isaiah 59:2, “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God”.
IJohn 1 :7 provides the formula for restored fellowship cleansing in the Blood of Christ. This Blood application is not automatic; it comes as we confess our sins I John 1:9. Walking in the light means walking in obedience to the will of God; following His footsteps daily; when following His footsteps we have no sin I Pet. 2:21,22. Fellowship is based on an intimate family relationship to Christ and His family. Can two walk together except they be agreed? Amos 3 :3. Certainly not! They must be agreed on (1) place of meeting the cross; (2) the direction to go heavenward; (3) goal holiness with Christ; (4) pace or speed He sets the pace and we must follow. We have fellowship, for our status has changed from that of an enemy to that of a fellow citizen of that heavenly land.
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I. WITH WHOM DO WE HAVE FELLOWSHIP?

  1. With the father and the Son I John 1:3 (quoted in introduction), we are born into God’s family and now as a real member of the family we have heart-to-heart fellowship (I Cor. 1:9), “. .. called unto the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord”; the basic call is fellowship rather than sacrifice or service.

  2. With fellow Christians I John 1:3,7; fellowship with the apostles, disciples, believers. Christians love to be together; to talk together; to pray together ; to sing together; to laugh together; to weep together; just to be together. Christians love to
    come together to speak of the things of the Lord and to share experiences and testimonies. We need this fellowship for mutual strengthening and encouragement; the isolated Christian may be starved and lose out spiritually. First seek fellowship with the Lord in prayer and Bible reading, and then with His other sons and daughters; fellowship radiates in the face of the saint.
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    III WHY MUST WE HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH OTHERS?

Heb. 10:25, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some i8-” Fellowship is God's ordained order for mankind; God created man to labour six days and be free to rest, fellowship and worship on the seventh day. God recognized this principle in creation for He said in Gen 2:18, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him”. This primarily refers to marriage, but it is equally true in Christian growth as well. Jesus recognized this principle when He sent out His disciples two by two Mark 6:7. It is true that some Christians have matured while living in isolation or in prison, but they are the exception to the rule.

HOW DO WE HAVE FELLOWSHIP?

Ordinarily, by getting together for Church worship, we are into a sort of fellowship. However, there is also fellowship in prayer meetings, testimony meetings and street meetings. Students in colleges have fellowship in group Bible study and small prayer cells. Fellowship is often sweetest where two or three meet informally, as Jesus says in Matt. 18:20. Two riding together in a jeep or bus can have excellent fellowship; sweet communion. Two Christians on a work gang may fellowship together; Jesus and the two disciples had excellent fellowship on the Emmaus Road. Luke 24:32. Jesus drew near and their hearts were strangely warmed; this is a spiritual fellowship. Acts 2:42, “And they (the saints in the Jerusalem Church) continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” The early Church thrived on fellowship; they considered it absolutely essential. Fellowship is not a passive thing, it is not just attending a meeting; fellowship is when we contribute something to the meeting; it is a give and take process.
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THE PURPOSES OF FELLOWSHIP

  1. To strengthen one another; even if we do not need fellowship we owe it to others to give fellowship to them; in the process we too will be blessed.

  2. To encourage one another in the hard places of life; many with smiling faces are covering aching hearts and burdened souls; let us make their load a bit easier.

  3. To share experiences for the mutual benefit of all; our testimony may prevent someone else from making a similar error and suffering as we have done in our ignorance

  4. To manifest ourjoys that all may rejoice with us, Psa. 50:15, the fellowship's thrill of answered prayer. This will surely encourage others to keep praying.

  5. To weep with them that weep Rom. 12: 15; the fellowship of tears, o suffering.

  6. To enlighten the weaker brother in the mysteries of the Word of God. As , Share it, it will be impressed on your mind. You will be ready to learn more.
    7 To exhort the backslider to return to the Lord. Your offer of fellowship may remind him ofhappier days and create a longing to return to the Saviour and blessing.
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    V WITH WHOM IS FELLOWSHIP DENIED?

  7. Devils. I Cor. 10:20, “I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.” This would include witch-doctors, necromancer's spirit, mediums, all forms of demonism or spiritism.

  8. The unfruitful works of darkness. Eph. 5:11, “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” This would include night clubs, liquor outlets, criminal gangs, atheist clubs, communists, cells etc. See John 3:19.

  9. Unbelievers,unrighteousness,darkness, Belial and infidels this list is found in II Cor. 6:14-16; we may have business relations with unsaved people but not spiritual fellowship; we must witness to the unsaved, but not to enter into their wicked deeds. With whom then may I have fellowship? Fellowship is best and sweetest with those of like Christian faith; fellowship with an evangelical, fundamental, conservative Church.
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    V1. RESULTS OF CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

  10. We learn to walk in the light in obedience to the Lord's will, I John 1:7

  11. We learn to suffer together, Phil. 3:10; this fellowship can be very meaningful.

  12. We learn to serve together, Col. 4:7; fellow servants of the blessed Lord Jesus.

  13. We learn to comfort one another, I Thess. 4:18; by sharing the Word and experiences.

  14. We learn to pray for one another, I T hess. 5 :25; fellowship in sharing requests.

  15. We learn to bear one another's burdens, Gal. 6:2; sha ‘i ng joys and sorrows.

  16. We learn to rejoice with the joyful, Rom. 12:15; joy is happily contagious and invigorating '

  17. We grow and glow for the Lord, 11 Pet. 3 :18; we give and receive reciprocal blessings.

Vll. CONCLUSION

Begin the day with fellowship Godward in the Quiet Time, prayer and Bible study. Meditate much on the Word of God during the day; let the Lord be our predominant thought. Keep company with believers of like faith but constantly make contacts with the unsaved, waiting for opportunities to witness to them and invite them to be saved. What is the difference between listening to as great radio sermon and being in a Church? Basically, the difference is one of fellowship; it is good to listen to great radio and television preachers, but on Sunday morning we ought to be in our own Church, exuding fellowship.

Thanks for reading
Mikolo

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a good study on communion with God, well researched friend.
Reesteem
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Thanks so much

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Good communion with God is the basis for a good relationship with God
www.steemchurch.net
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Yes sir you are right. Thanks so much for dropping by

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you see that you are a very humble person of heart, remember to be in the next class in the discord

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