The Basis of Fellowship

October 12,2023

Thursday Bible Study

MVBC

A Study on II Corinthians

The Basis of Fellowship

II Cor. 7:1-7

Theme: God gives us three components of fellowship.

Introduction: Many people wrongly confuse fellowship and association. There is a thought that fellowship is a common bond between with people. There are some things we may have in common with people, but it is not Biblical fellowship. We may live in a particular area, we may have a particular interest, or we may have political affiliation or even a common hobby, but that is not fellowship.

Biblical fellowship involves a deeper commitment to one another. We have a relationship with God through the Lord Jesus Christ. We are members of a family and to be members of a local church. Being a member involves accountability and love for each other.

The basis of our fellowship is Christ and we are interdependent on each other.

I. Personal godliness v..1

A. Involves cleansing

1. Because of God’s promises -v 6:18.

2. God can’t treat us like a real father when we fail to acknowledge or honor Him in our lives.

3. Many times we tend to get to the symptom of the problem rather than the root of the problem—a pet sin or that which feeds the flesh-an attitude or a jealousy or a lust.

4. Sins of the flesh-unholy, unbridled lusts or drunkenness.

“Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness!” (Habakkuk 2:15)

B. Involves consecration

1. Perfect means to mature in God’s holiness.

2. This means we have a holy love and respect for God that we grow in our obedience to what He says.

3. Our lives will be centered in holiness.

II. Practical encouragement vv. 2-4

A. Mutual respect v.2

1. They had rejected Paul for a time as if he had defrauded men and taught wrong doctrine.

2. He did not take up the offerings for personal gain.

3. The church should love love and respect to receive him, as we should towards others.

B. Unchanging commitment v.3

1. Paul said that he had a loyalty to them to where he would die for them.

2. His love was unselfish towards them where they were constantly on his heart.

C. Earnest loyalty v.4

1. He was even boasting of them to others because of the love and loyalty he had for them.

2. They brought him great joy and comfort during the difficulties.

3. True love will involve us speaking well about others.

4. Titus brought encouraging news from Corinth.

III. Perpetual comfort vv. 5-7

A. The conditions v.5

1. They were working in very difficult circumstances.

2. They were tired from the trials and struggles.

3. The trials seemed to be everywhere they turned.

4. They were battling for the cause of Christ and had many fears.

B. The consolations vv. 6-7

1. God comforted him through the ministry of the church.

2. There is a terrible world out there and people are people are fighting big problems.

3. People are encouraged by people v.8-negativity needs to be left outside the church doors-encouragements need to be inside the church.

4. The blessing of God working in people’s lives encouraged Paul and we should be encouraged.

Conclusion: These three important components gives us three Biblical truths of fellowship.