Untitled Sermon (102)

When You Commit to and Embrace Fellowship with God’s people:

You demonstrate a sincere love for Jesus. 1 John 4:19-20; Romans 12:9-16

You receive the encouragement of harmony. Rom. 15:5

You experience mutual acceptance among radically different people. Rom. 15:7

You benefit from mutual instruction, encouragement and correction. Rom. 15:14

You gain opportunities for joy, mutual comfort, unity, encouragement and peace. 2 Cor. 13:11; 1 Th. 4:18; 1 Th. 5:11

You use your newfound freedom for the loving service of others. Gal. 5:13

You receive God-given opportunities to develop patience. Eph. 4:1-2

You become aware of God-given opportunities to grow in kindness and forgiving others. Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:13

You receive mutual encouragement and growth that comes from corporate worship before God. Col 3:16

You demonstrate reverence to Christ. Eph. 5:21

You put yourself on God’s pathway for cultivating spiritual growth. Col. 3:7-10

You gain opportunities to see God’s answers to prayer especially in the lives of others. 2 Th. 1:3 cf. 1 Th. 3:11-12

You receive confrontation from others, making yourself less vulnerable to the hardening deceitfulness of sin. Heb. 3:13

You stir up others to love and good works, while being stirred up by others to love and good works. Heb. 10:24-25

You gain many opportunities to put to death your judgmental spirit. James 4:11, 5:9

You are freed to confess your sins to a brother or sister and benefit by their prayers for you. James 5:16

You grow in humility. 1 Pet. 5:5

You make the Gospel more visible to a dark world. John 13:35; 1Th. 4:9; Titus 3:3; 1 John 3:11, 23; 1 John 4:7, 11-12; 2 John 5

you will learn what the Greek word koinōnia (fellowship) means you will discover the 7 types of fellowship in the New Testament

Koinōnia

Bible’s definition:

fellowship, association, community, communion, joint participation, intercoursethe share which one has in anything, participationintercourse, fellowship, intimacy

the right hand as a sign and pledge of fellowship (in fulfilling the apostolic office)a gift jointly contributed, a collection, a contribution, as exhibiting an embodiment and proof of fellowship

One Greek scholar defined koinōnia as: “joint participation in a common interest or activity”Fully invested and given to the same endCommon purpose, focus, unity, and intention Communion (see 1 Cor 10:16) – sharing and celebrating the death and life of Christ with the body

2 Corinthians 6:14 – Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship (metochē – to take part in, participate) has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion (koinonia) has light with darkness?

7 Types of Fellowship (Koinōnia) in the Bible

1. The fellowship of the Gospel

Philippians 1:3-5 – I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now,

2. The fellowship of the Body of Believers

Acts 2:42 – And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Galatians 2:9 – … and when James, Peter, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.

1 John 1:3 – … that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; …

3. The fellowship of the Spirit

Philippians 2:1-2 – Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

2 Corinthians 13:14 – The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.

4. The fellowship of the Son

1 Corinthians 1:9 – God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

5. The fellowship of the Father

1 John 1:3 – … that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.

6. The fellowship of His sufferings

Identifying with Jesus Philippians 3:10 – … that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, …

7. The fellowship of the Mystery

Ephesians 3:8-11 – To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, …

Additional Resources

DeVern F. Fromke (worked with T. Austin-Sparks) – quote from his book: The Ultimate Intention“So our Father is ever seeking to move man beyond the shallows to the ocean depth itself—from living only in our purposes, to become alive to His purposes.

Notice the progression of our fellowship with Him and with others. First, we are called into the “fellowship in the gospel” (Phil. 1:5).

This is wonderful, for we share in the common experience of God’s wonderful grace. But it is only a beginning. Then as we learn to walk, we are led into the “fellowship of the Spirit” (Phil. 2:1), and thus we recognize the call to walk after and be filled with the Spirit. But the Holy Spirit lives only to make Christ more real, and so we are called into a (deeper) “fellowship with His Son” (1 Cor. 1:9).

What could be more wonderful? But as we share His mind and grow in this fellowship, we are, like Paul, called into a “fellowship of His sufferings” (Phil. 3:10).

Here is the call to those who would enter into a fruitful ministry, like the Lord Jesus, living unto the Father and sharing His resurrection power and authority.

We are convinced that none will continue long in this “fellowship of sufferings” unless they have, as Paul exhorted Timothy, moved into a larger fellowship in the Father Himself and His own purposes.

Accordingly, Paul unveils his own deepest concern in calling “all men to see what is the fellowship of the mystery” (Eph. 3:9).

Here is the ultimate in fellowship. Yet there are many who are content to leave it a mystery.”

1 John 1:6-7 – If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.