The Fellowship Factor

This morning, we continue the series The Power of God with a sermon that is going to look at something very important: Fellowship. We are going to talk about the fellowship factor.

What we do in our services… is important. In fact, it is essential in our walk with the Lord.

When we come together as the body of Christ, we do so for important purposes.

One, we come together to worship the name that is above all names, Jesus Christ.

Jesus is the reason for this fellowship… for this congregation. He is the tie that holds us together. He is the head of this body and we are the members.

He is worthy of our highest praise! We celebrate who God is and what God has done for us!

Two, we come together to hear the Word and to apply the Word to our lives.

We are disciples of Christ. A disciple is a follower or a student of another.

We learn the ways of Jesus, we live the ways of Jesus, and we teach the ways of Jesus.

Three, we come together to connect with God and each other on a deeper level.

This means we encourage one another, we pray for one another. We care for one another.

This means we engage each others needs, we carry each others burdens, we celebrate each others wins, and we grieve together in times of hardship and loss.

But most importantly, we come together because the Word of God instructs us to.

Hebrews 10:23–25 NIV

23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

How many believe today that we are living in the last days?

What are the last days? Those are the days between Jesus’ ascension to heaven and His imminent return. Jesus is coming soon! In fact, I believe we are living in the last of the last days!

IF we believe that, then we need to hear the word given in Hebrews 10. The closer we get to the return of the Lord, the more we are going to need this fellowship, this opportunity to gather together.

In that gathering, we pray for one another, lift each other up. We help build the faith of others as ours is built up as well. We give encouragement, offer a shoulder to cry on, and give when others have need. This is what the body is to do.

Look at the passage again. Each instruction given is not given to an individual, it is given to a group… to the church. (Read passage with emphasis)

So why would God place an urgency in this area? Why fellowship? Why togetherness? Why is attending church and being a part of its ministries so important in these last days?

Because God’s power moves in this fellowship! Because the presence of Jesus is with us when we are with others!

Matthew 18:20 NIV

20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

This is a POWERFUL truth! We must be quick to clarify something very important. When two or three gather is NOT the only “qualification” given here… Jesus said when two or three gather IN MY NAME.

We can “gather” for a lot of different reasons… but there is only one reason that includes the presence of Jesus… that is gathering in the name of Jesus.

Now… is Jesus only present when we gather with others?

We know that the Holy Spirit resides within the hearts of EVERY BELIEVER. Jesus completed the work required by grace that we might be forgiven at set free of all sin.

So long as we remain in Christ, the Spirit of God remains within us. In fact, our main verse speaks of God’s power working in this way.

Ephesians 3:20–21 NIV

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

God’s power is continually working within us… but let us never forget that His power is also at work AMONG US. His power is in this room… His presence is in this room… why do I know this? BECAUSE HIS PEOPLE ARE IN THIS ROOM GATHERING TOGETHER IN THE NAME OF JESUS!

Here’s the deal… as a believer in Jesus, you need to be connected with the body of Christ.

In this day of live streaming and instant access to online services, we must NEVER believe that such could ever serve as a substitute for fellowship in the church.

I am GLAD for these online ministries. They absolutely serve a purpose and give people the opportunity to be a part of what is going on.

But hear me today… if you are watching online and you are within driving distance of this church and you are physically able to make the drive, we would LOVE for you to be here with us today! YOU BEING HERE MAKES US BETTER AND STRONGER!

If distance or ability limits you to watching online then know I am super glad you are tuning in!

We need connection to the body of Christ.

This might sound kind of obvious but hear me out… a believer can exist without a church… but the church cannot exist without believers.

Going to church does not make you a Christian… but because you are a Christian… YOU ARE A PART OF GOD’S CHURCH and God has a place JUST FOR YOU.

And I am going to ask you a serious question… and I want you to answer honestly.

How many feel… out of place? How many attend but have not yet found God’s placement for you within His church?

This might be for various reasons… but I want you to know that I see you and I want to help you get connected where God would have you serve.

HEAR ME: THERE IS A PLACE FOR YOU IN GOD’S CHURCH! YOU ARE AN IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL PART OF THE BODY OF CHRIST!

God designed His church to be a body in motion… to be a light in this dark world. Even before we had buildings, budgets, and programs, God’s church, the body of Christ was in motion together.

Acts 2:42-47 shows us how the early church did EVERYTHING together and within this fellowship, God added to their number DAILY those who were being saved!

FELLOWSHIP IS ESSENTIAL. GOD’S POWER MOVES THROUGH THIS FELLOWSHIP and today I want to show you a few examples of how His power moves.

God’s Power MOVES US To Unity.

Unity is not something that happens on accident. Unity is something that happens on purpose.

Unity is something that is worth protecting. Why? Because nothing will bring down the house faster than division.

Division is spreading in our society like wild fire. I’ve never seen anything quite like it. It would appear that the more “informed” we become through social media and the internet… the more divided we are as a nation.

As this division spreads, we need to make sure it finds no open door to bring disunity within God’s church.

With this in mind, we need to consider a couple of warnings found in Scripture.

First, God HATES the sowing of discord. “Pastor, that words hates seems kind of strong… are you sure that God actually hates something like discord?” That is not my word of choice… it is the word given to us in Scripture.

Proverbs 6:16–19 NKJV

16 These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: 17 A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, 18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, 19 A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.

Discord defined is disagreement among people. Now, it would be silly to think that there could never be disagreement within the body… in fact we see disagreement in the NT church in Scripture. Disagreement will come and go… it is HOW we deal with it that matters to God.

Stirring it up, spreading it, or sowing it are actions that the Lord… hates.

Secondly, Jesus tells us that division will bring down the house.

Matthew 12:25 NIV

25 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.

Division or discord brings destruction. Period.

I once lived in a community that was full of churches… one on every street corner… some next to each other… others across the street from each other. I thought this was a good thing… until I realized that many of them were born not out of mission… but out of division. Very few of them were healthy.

This was not good for the church, nor was it good for the community. Christ did not call for a divided body, He calls for a unified body.

Now it would be crazy to think that the church would never have to deal with disagreements. Remember… the church is made up of… people! We all agree in the saving power of Jesus Christ… but sometimes disagreement on other things can rise up! And can I throw this thought at you real quick… most of these disagreements are based on personal preference… or the way WE want things.

But what if disagreement moves into another realm… what if disagreement moves to sin? Well, Jesus gave us the answer for this as well! Jesus not only wants a unified body… He calls for a purified body.

Just before His declaration of two or three, Jesus gave instruction on how to handle this in the church. Matthew 18:15-17 gives us a system of how to deal with someone who sins against you.

First, go to them directly.

Second, bring a witness.

Third, bring it before the church.

Lastly, if they refuse to listen, they are to be treated as a “pagan or a tax collector.” I like how The Message Bible says it, “If he won’t listen to the church, you’ll have to start over from scratch, confront him with the need for repentance, and offer again God’s forgiving love.”

The aim in this passage is repentance and resolve. Jesus moves the church AWAY from gossip, bad reports, sowing discord, stirring up division… Jesus moves the church AWAY from operating like the world! He moves the church toward repentance and resolve!

AND.. as these meetings take place, per the Word given by Jesus.. HE IS IN THE MIDST OF THE CONVERSATION.

IF the meeting happens for the sake of proving a point or pushing an agenda… you’re gonna be stuck in your own power, authority, and understanding.

HOWEVER, IF you meet in the name of Jesus for His cause… then the presence of Jesus will be there with you to bring guidance, repentance, healing, and resolve.

Jesus literally gives us the steps we need to take to protect not only the unity but the spiritual purity of our fellowship!

Why does He do this? BECAUSE HIS POWER AND PRESENCE IS IN FELLOWSHIP! How so? Look at where Jesus goes next in Matthew 18 as we look at…

Examples of Power in Fellowship

Matthew 18:18–20 NIV

18 “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

After reading this passage… can you begin to understand why the enemy would want to disrupt the fellowship among the brethren?

The first example is found in verse 18 - whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven. Whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

What does this mean? It means that if repentance and resolve is achieved, the repentant individual is loosed or unbound from his/her sin. But, if the person remains unrepentant, that person is still bound in his/her sin.

The goal is to move that person BACK TO JESUS through caring and loving FELLOWSHIP.

The goal is NOT to push an agenda, an opinion, a preference, or a perspective. The goal is help restore that person back to fellowship in Jesus. The goal is to reconnect them with Christ!

The second example is found in verse 19, look at the power spoken of when agreement is achieved! “If two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by [our] Father in heaven.”

Alright! So I need a couple of people to come into agreement with me that God is going to give me a super sports car with ALL the features!

Uh… that is NOT AT ALL what Scripture is suggesting… yet we often treat God in this way.

Such action moves us back into our agenda. We stand not on what we come up with regarding agreement. We come into agreement with this standard, with this story, with this plan, WITH GOD’S WILL.”

God’s standard for His church is UNITY. God’s standard for His church is FELLOWSHIP When we stand in agreement for these things, God is going to move in us and through us! But if we stand divided in this sense, we can expect God to begin closing doors of opportunity. THERE IS NO POWER IN DISCORD OR DIVISION.

Closing

Think about it, church… the whole design and concept regarding God’s church is… RELATIONSHIP. God desires for us to have a relationship with Him… and a relationship with others. God’s power moves in and through relationship.

Relationship is the very reason God gave His Son for us.

In our sin, we stood apart from the Lord. Sin created a gap or a divide with God that we could not overcome on our own. We simply did not have the power to do so.

But… God in His infinite power and love did what we could not do… as we understand there is NOTHING our God cannot do.

He sent Jesus to die for our sins… that the power of sin would be destroyed… and so that our fellowship with God could be restored!

Before we talk and pray about our fellowship in here… how is your fellowship… your relationship with God? Do you have a relationship with the Lord? Have you been cleansed from all sin by the blood of Jesus?

If the answer is no… would you like to be forgiven today? Would you like to take this opportunity to give your life to Jesus?

PRAYER - Salvation.

The blood of Christ is what restored our fellowship with the Father… and it is what holds this body of believers together today.

And before we say thank you to the Lord for what He has done for us through Jesus, I have a very serious word to give.

Maybe… you’ve been hurt. For whatever the reason might be… maybe the church did something you didn’t like. Maybe someone said something that you didn’t appreciate. Maybe things did not go the way you thought they should go. Maybe the preacher… this preacher… missed something or said something or goofed up something.

First off let me say… I’m sorry for your hurt. I’m sorry for the pain it may have caused you. But I implore you today: DO NOT LET THAT STOP YOU FROM EXPERIENCING GOD’S BEST FOR YOU. The enemy would love to take that hurt and divide you from the church. He does it all the time.

Church, we are people. Imperfect people. But we serve a PERFECT Savior. And our Savior wants us to forgive others… as He has forgiven us. In fact, He included that phrase in His example prayer in Matthew 6:12-13

Matthew 6:12–13 NIV

12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’

I included verse 13 in there for good reason… we might be tempted to NOT forgive. We might be tempted to hold on to the hurt. Again can I encourage you… do what it takes to find forgiveness. Have the conversation, make the phone call. SEEK RESOLVE. And the best part is… you don’t have to do this on your own. Jesus WILL be with you.

Christ gave His life for forgiveness, that we might be reconciled to God. And… He instructs those who have been forgiven… to forgive as well.

Why? For the sake of fellowship… for the sake of Koinonia - for the sake of protecting and investing in the unity of the body.

So as we are served the elements that represent what Jesus did for us so that we could be forgiven… would you reflect on areas… or people… to whom you might need to extend forgiveness to?

Communion

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 NIV

23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.