Biblical Fellowship

This will be the last message in the short series that we've been preaching through on the local church and Lord willing will be back in the gospel of Mark preaching through the gospel of Mark. Next Sunday, Hebrews chapter 10 and verse number 24. Says, I'm let us consider one another in order to stir up, love and good works. Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as is the manner of some, but exhorting, one another and so much the more as you see the day approaching and this series thus far, we have looked at the local church, which is a family of faith. We have seen that the local church is an amazing body. The body of Christ we have seen the local church and its purpose, its Mission. And then last Sunday, we saw the local church. Is there redeemed people who are called to remember and then this Sunday when we looking at the local church, a Biblical Fellowship. Let's pray together. Once again, our father, we are thankful Lord for this church or thankful Lord. For the many blessings that you have bestowed upon us. where most of all the blessing of Salvation that you have blessed us with, Father, I pray that is we go for out this study as we go throughout this hour of listening to your word, father, I pray that the Holy Spirit would do his work in us. Sanctifying us, making us and molding us more to the image of your dear son, the Lord Jesus Christ. And father I pray that the Holy Spirit would not only work on the Christian but Lord would draw the center to your son. Jesus Christ that they today would be saved by the power. Have your spirit transforming them. From the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of Light. Father, I pray that you give his listening ears, Lord help us to be receptive and Lord help us give us hearts. That are that receive your wording in meekness today. Mold us and make us what you have is to be. We ask all these things of Christ name, amen. Hebrews 10:24. And 25 is an exhortation

to Believers to gather together regularly for corporate worship. We are to gather together on a regular basis to not only corporately worship, but we are to corporately Fellowship together.

So that there can be receiving and a teaching of God's word. And that there can be the participating in the ordinances that Christ has given his church. The ordinance of the Lord's Supper in the Lord, It's ordinances of baptism. But another reason we are called To Worship together is because we have the responsibility to encourage one another in the Christian faith.

This including stirring each other up. Are provoking one, another towards love and good works as he tells us in Hebrews 10:24. That is living out their faith, our faith. In practical ways, we are to encourage one another to do that. So we're call to what we're called to come together. And so In this passage of scripture and many others and scripture, we are we see that living some type of an individualistic Christian Life. Is totally foreign from the Bible. God has not called us to live with. Some will, some will call like The Lone Ranger Christianity? No, he has called us into a family is called us into a community of Believers there. It should not be an independent individual mindsets of a Community of Faith. There must be a coming together if we are to encourage one another, if we are to provoke one another in love and good works where to do that together. Which takes us to today's subject, biblical Fellowship. I wanted this morning to look at the meaning of biblical fellowship and I want us also to see the importance of it. Very, very important one that I believe taken lightly today. The first thing I want you to notice with me this morning is this, the explanation of Fellowship? The explanation of of Fellowship, the very essence of life in the church is relational. And not in a superficial way but in a very intense and deep way it is relational. Love lesson. God created us. He created us as relational beings rights

He created us relational. God himself is relational. I mean, even the model of this is seen in the trinity. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit in that Eternal relationship of love. And we being made in the very image of God are made relational, we're made for relationships.

Of course the purest and best of those relationship categories exist in the life of those who belong to God, who share in his life. But God has created us, relational. I mean, even before the foundation, or even before sin came into the world, God said in Genesis, then the Lord God said it is not good for the man to be alone. It's not good for man to be alone. God created us him knowing that he created us, relational. Now, our greatest need is, what is to have a right relationship with our creator, right? But there is also a need for having a relationship with others.

more more the culture in which we live in, Is not relationship friendly. Not. What we call social media? Is really developing a culture that is antisocial.

It's really crazy. We say we have been interacting with folks all week, but in reality, we've only been doing it through our phones. We have cyber relationships. We have cyber friends. We have cyber relations. There are studies that show an increase of depression and even an increase of loneliness.

For those who are most active on social media. So the social-media thing is really not helpful, socially speaking. but what we really need, whether we fail or succeed or not is biblical Fellowship, Because Don Wireless with that need for relationship. When he created us.

notice the meaning of Fellowship, the meaning of Fellowship. Now we know that the word Fellowship is not a word that is used only in the church. We use the word at all, kinds, of settings. The dictionary defines Fellowship as companionship. Or friendly Association. As the world uses the word Fellowship. It means getting together with people. We like for the purpose of having an enjoyable time. And there's nothing necessarily wrong with that at. All right? But that's not biblical Fellowship that's not biblical fellowship and as with so many other words like hope and love and faith, we get into trouble when we take the world's definition of a word used in Scripture. The Greek word that is translated. Fellowship is the word Koinonia? The basic definition of cornea is that, which is common. Or share. And the first use of this word in the, in the New Testament is Acts chapter 2 and verse 42.

Rick says, they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles teaching and to Fellowship Koinonia to the breaking of bread and to prayer. And so we see the word Fellowship Conan the carries a very rich meaning that goes beyond just social interactions or casual friendship. Now in this context, he refers to having a deep intimate relationship relationship showed and share by believers. It's a Biblical Fellowship.

Is a shared Fellowship. It involves partnership. Or a common participation in the Christian Life. An example of this is found in Luke 5:10.

Where it says. And so also we're James and John the sons of Zebedee who were partners. Assignment that word translated Partners comes from the root word Koinonia. And then we'll look at it Philippine 1:5.

Recess, because of your partnership. In the gospel from the first day on pill. Now, Another emphasis on the word Koinonia is sharing together sharing together. It is sometimes communicated in the word with the word communion. Communion refers to communicating or sharing with one another on a close personal and spiritual level. It's much more than just superficial conversation. This goes deeper personally, spiritually. It may be the sharing of a cruise from scripture or sharing the word of God to encourage another believer. Sometimes a shearing is is sometimes a physical sharing to meet the needs of a brother or sister in Christ. We see this aspect of fellowship and Acts chapter 2 and verse 44. Says in all those who had believed were together. And had all things in common. And they began selling their property and possessions and we're, and we're sharing them with all as anyone might have need. I like the way Phil Jones. Summarizes biblical Fellowship. He says this.

Fellowship. Involves partnership in a common life. Christ life, a common purpose, the glory of God, a common love to love the Lord. Our God with all of our heart and soul and mind, and strength, and loving our neighbors as ourselves. And then having a common Mission making disciples of all people groups, Of course it goes on. This partnership, includes a sharing of friendship encouragement and even material possessions, when there is a need But here's the thing, I want you to see. Here's the issue. Biblical fellowship at its very essence, is not an activity. Biblical fellowship at its very essence, is a relationship. It's a relationship. Biblical Fellowship is a relationship that emphasizes that True Fellowship is grounded, in a personal relationship with Christ. Which then extends to the authentic relationships among believers.

Sadly, beloved. Many Christians long for relationships, like what I have just described but they have not put themselves in a place where those relationships can be found and forged.

And the difference is this? There are some church doors, some church members who have the mindset of their just coming to observe. And then there are church members, and church goers attenders who had the mindset that they want to participate. And there's a difference in how you.

Form and Forge relationships.

Listen, when you join a church.

When you join a church to pour out your life for others, you will most always find Sweet Fellowship. When you attend church and you go to church to to pour out your love and pour out your encouragement, through God's word to others, you will find Sweet Fellowship but when your focus is on yourself, you will likely visit be disappointed with the fellowship that you experience. Why? Because a self-centered heart will never be satisfied.

And listen, you will never find genuine biblical Fellowship just sitting in a worship service.

if you just come in, Right? When the service starts at 11, And you leave just as soon as you have the opportunity, you're never going to be able to find and Forge biblical relationships. You can't do it like that. It's not possible.

and one way you can Branch out,

Is to get involved. Start here. Get involved in his Sunday school class. Very important. A smaller setting. Allows you to Fellowship more. With fellow believers. And I don't believe we fully recovered I at all. From what covid took from us. And, and that's Really seen in the small groups in the Sunday School area, or we have gotten used to not meeting together and those settings, and now that had just spilled over, even well, after covid has passed. As we think about the essential Foundation of Fellowship, I want to share something that is. So often missed by people who are disappointed with church.

And it's this essential Foundation of biblical Fellowship. Involves with this. Having an understanding that you, when you enter into a church, when you become a member of the church, you are making a covenant. Oh Relationship.

So many people go through life looking for something they call Fellowship, but they are approaching it. As in this manner, having a consumer seeking, like a, like a consumer who is Seeking a contract. A consumer has the mindset of what can you do for me? What can I get out of this? A consumer mindset mouth that may be good if you're if you're going to buy car, right? And that's perfectly fine to have a consumer mindset when you're going to a restaurant. But having a consumer mindset is a destroyer in the ram of Fellowship in the church. And I say that because a consumer mindset in relationships is a at the very essence of a self-centered approach. And what I mean is a consumers consumers, operate from a contractual mindset. But I relationships with one another and the church are to be Covenant oil. Not contractual. LMAO illustrate. This difference between Covenant, a land contract rule by using marriage as an example. And we know that the Bible teaches that marriage is a covenant, right? Not a contract. I got said through Malachi though. She is your companion.

She is Your Wife by Covenant. And a covenant is a promise that depends on the faithfulness of the one making the Covenant a contract is when both parties make an agreement but when one party doesn't come through, the other can get out of the contract because it has been broken. I think about our wedding vows. Do they say? I take you as my wedded wife or husband until you burn the biscuits.

And because of that, I'm going to sever the marriage. Now, that would be a contract, right? But a covenant, marriage says this I take you for Better or For Worse for richer or poorer in sickness or health to love to cherish until death does us part and beloved think about this, your relationship with the church is compared to what in marriage. Ephesians. 5:24 says, but as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives off to be to their husbands and everything. Husbands love your wives just as Christ. Also loved the church and gave himself up for her. I listened to him. It is certainly correct. It is certainly writing it appropriate to find a church. That is theologically sound to find a church that is biblically-based but once you find it, You need to adopt a covenant mindset mindset in jump in and pour your life into them, ministering to others. And setting an example of friendliness. Is very important that you have this coming into a mindset of not a contractual mindset. You see, if you have the contract mindset, you will say something like this. More than our churches. Our church is not friendly the friendliest Church in the world.

I'm just going to leave here and find me another church. That's having a contract mindset. If you have a covenant mindset, you will say this our church is not the friendliest Church in the world. So I'm going to raise the bar and I'm going to find at least five people to greet, and at least five people to who, I don't know that well and get to know them better. That's having a covenant approach to it. If you have a covenant mindset, you'll say you don't, no one has invited me out for lunch. It's over for the next several weeks. I'm going to invite people into my home. I want to open up my home and be cordial to them and love them. Maybe invite them out to eat. If you have a covenant mindset, you'll say, you know, I could use some encouragement with a with a week at that with the week that I've had, but no one has encouraged me. But I'm going to raise the bar and I'm going to find people. Each week to encourage you. See the difference? Having a contract mindset and having a covenant old man said you're pouring your life into others, you're not looking to just what what's in it for me. You're looking out for us to one is the consumer contract. That is the approach of the world. The other is the Covenant others. First approaches scripture,

I love what Charles Spurgeon said while talking about the problems in the shortcomings in all churches. He said the church is the dearest place on Earth. The church is the dearest place on Earth and I say, Amen to that. I love Christ Church. I love this church.

It is far from perfect. It has far from perfect Elders. Leading it. But in spite of our flaws, the church, this church is the dearest place on Earth.

Listen to me. You do realize that every church has flaws, right? Every church is flawed.

It's just that some people don't realize that until they've left one Church. and then entered into another church and later to find out that that church as soon as just likes to the other Church to us. But listen. as hard as it is for me to say, I have been a pastor long enough to to know this that there will be times if you are a member here that you will be disappointed.

You will at times be offended. There will be times that you might be hurt. Like I said that would be true. True anywhere you go.

But instead a lot of allowing those things to cause you to leave. Allow those disappointments to be used as Don spiritual growth enhancer and you can learn to love. Like Jesus loves only when you have been disappointed and hurt as he himself was hurt. so determined that with the church, But you're going to persevere and you're going to set the bar for loving others and refused to have this consumer mindset, you're having a covenant of mindset that you're putting others before yourself. Notice lastly.

The application of Fellowship. The application of Fellowship.

Understanding the meaning of Fellowship is a great start, but we need to get really practical. What does Fellowship really look like? What does biblical Fellowship look like? Well, tell you what, it looks a whole lot like hospitality. It looks like hospitality. Fellowship is applied through Hospitality. Look at Romans chapter 12. And one of the clearest pictures in the Bible of Fellowship looks like Romans 12:9. Rick says let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor. What is evil cling to what is good be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Give preference to one another in honor, not blocking behind and diligence fervent in spirit serving the lord, the Lord rejoicing in whole persevering and tribulation devoted to prayer contributing to the needs of the Saints. Practicing hospitality Now listen, we can take a whole series and preach through versus these verses in Romans chapter 12 as a picture of the church as what it was meant to be.

You'll be a church that loves without expecting anything in return. That is what God's love is like to love someone. Listen to love someone for what you can get out of that relationship is not biblical, love at all.

The healthy church is one where its members are what devoted to one another. Always doing what is best for those that they are in Covenant with. A healthy church is a church that really, really pleases God and puts others in their needs above their own. Last we seen Romans chapter 12, verses 12 through 13. This kind of Fellowship that practices biblical love. Will be a rejoicing church at Hope field shirts and persevering Church. What prayer is priority? Priority erised. Practical needs or regular be regularly being Mets. This passage describes with what is as close to Heaven as we can get in a fallen world, but notice how verse 13 ends, it almost seems out of place. Closes with that statement. Practicing hospitality

It may be very well that the ingredient that is most missing in churches is hospitality.

Just plain simple hospitality.

Are multiple passages and in the New Testament that Mitch and Hospitality Hebrews 13:2.

Hebrews 13:2 says, do not neglect to show Hospitality to strangers. For by this, some have entertained angels without knowing it. Hospitality is one requirements for elders in the church 1st Timothy. 3:1 says it is a trustworthy statement. If any man aspires to the work of overseer, it is a fine work. He desires to do. An overseer then must be above reproach. The husband of one wife temperament prudent respectable hospitable and able to teach. The elders are simply to model, what the whole congregation should be doing. Now, what is hospitality? Will Hospitality in their original language is a word translated in from a compound word. One part is the Practical kindness that is to be shown to guests and strangers and show is it is showing practical time this compared to those that you don't know how. Well, our don't know, well at all.

and listen, no one should feel like a stranger at the church that they are in a covenant relationship with We are to seek out strangers. We are to seek out, visitors people that we don't know, or don't know as well and maybe sit with them fellowship with them. It is so easy for us to get into our own little habit, even on Sunday morning, and one way that we can,

Helping this area as Phil Jones.

Described in his book. One way we can do this. Is to change where we sit every eight weeks. Now, I know that's taboo. And I know that is crazy Usain brother way you lost your mind.

I know that it's hard as habits and ask her addition, we've always sat there, we've always done it this way. I had one lady, tell me. It's been a few years ago. She said, I'm not at all caught up in Traditions, I'm not caught up caught up in habits. I said, ma'am, you have sat in the same place for 30 years, you're really, really going to tell me that.

But listen, moving around, it does help for you to have a better opportunity to meet other people. Listen, there are people on this side of the church. That doesn't know who these people are. And though they are members here. Yeah, I just wave though they are members, hear you don't know each other because you have sat in that one spot forever and you go about your Your your way as you depart here. You don't try to make it over there before the service is over. And it's so really at, that's something to think about and it just it just think about this the Christians of old or burned at the stake. Okay. They suffered for Christ. Moving your seats for every eight weeks would not be that big of a deal, right?

Yeah, we don't want anybody lost. Okay? And but really, if you want to throw up, preacher off a pastor off, you just move around like what in the world is happening?

Let me give you a few more suggestions. I'm how we can show hospitality. Number one, we mention that just briefly opened up your home.

Open up your home. This is something that has faded away in time. I'm old enough and I've been passing long enough to remember, when church members would have me and Amanda over For roast. I Fried Chicken. And sadly those days are gone.

Now it is a different time. But they're there used to be Fellowship. There used to be a love to having people in their homes and even just The day and time to change. But again, covid, if there was any of that and absolutely stopped it. Open up your home. It's a good way to invite those within the church that you already know. But it's within, it's a great way to get to know them better. But opening up your home is not just for those who that you let you do know is good to open up your home for those that you do not know at all. One of the best ways. That you can bring others to Jesus Christ. If I'm building a relationship with them. Inviting them into your home. You don't have to preach to them, you don't have to, you know, share the gospel them, the entire time, love and warm and in this day and time that's unheard of Open up your home. You don't have to have a palace to do so you don't have to have a castle of the home. God has blessed you with what you have in order for you to show hospitality.

Heaven neighbor. that is troubling, you Offer him to come. Fix him a steak dinner. Show Christ to him. And then genuine care is a way we can show Hospitality, just genuine care. Believers can demonstrate genuine Care by taking the time to listen.

Emphasize in support of others who are having joyous times and do and those who are struggling. Pray for them. Just being there when they need you most, that is showing hospitality

How about Church Fellowship?

That is actively participating in the life of the church. Is another way to express hospitality. It is not you getting here at 11 and then leaving Is you trying to Fellowship? Without those. Engage yourself in Sunday. School Church fellowships when we having Fellowship meal, make sure you stay. You want to you want to Foster an environment of mutual love and support among fellow believers? Quickly welcoming strangers.

I'm speaking specifically here about showing Hospitality to strangers by reaching out to those who may be new to the community. New to the area.

I understand that there's supposed to be a large subdivision being built in downtown Vilonia that's going to be a great opportunity for us as a church.

To introduce ourselves showing Hospitality to them. Sharing the gospel.

Sharing the gospel. Is a way of showing hospitality.

Intentionally engaged, engaging in conversations about faith offering to pray for others. And again, inviting lost people into your home. It leads eventually to having gospel conversations.

And the church for the most part has that has lost this intimacy that we are to have with the world. We as the church are to be what the Salt and Light. We have failed to do this and we would can't be salted. We never interact with those who are lost We can't be a lie to those and we have no interaction at all.

And then finally cultivating humility and unity. Hospitality requires humility and a willingness to set aside personal preferences for the sake of others.

Avoiding divisions and striving for genuine Fellowship. That reflects the love, and grace of Christ. Listen to Dave. I am calling you. I'm challenging you to be all in with Biblical Fellowship in Hospitality. Joe Hospitality right? You do not have to have a mansion or Castle to show Hospitality in your home. You just need to have a heart that burns in love to love and encourage one another.

Jesus said this.

Have you speaking about hospitality? When we demonstrate practical, love for the stranger and even the Saints among us, we reflect our heavenly father. He said, this is Matthew Chapter 5. He said for if you love those who love you, What reward do you have? Other words, it's not hard to love others, who love you. he goes on to say, if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? If you only invite, if you only show Hospitality to those that, you know, and of those, that you have some type of relationship with

What more are you doing, then? Others. Jesus said, Our heavenly father gave his son in order to meet our greatest, need their forgiveness of our sins. He reconciled us to himself while we were strangers, right? Strangers who are also enemies. The Bible tells us that Romans 5:8, but God commendeth his love toward us. He demonstrated his love for us that even though, while we were yet, sinners Christ died for us. As we reflect upon God's grace to us and Christ, Our Hearts off to swell with a commitment to hospitality. We ought to reach out to others. And whether you are an introvert. Or an extrovert. You're commanded to show Hospitality even to the point of sacrifice just like our Lord. Let's pray together.

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