Open Door, Test 3: Fellowship

An open door for 2024

Website update:

last time I reported 12k

last 28 days 30K Visitors to KingdomWay.ca

most popular are our scripture verse lists

Humor

Where was Solomon’s temple located? – On the side of his head. Duh!

“Mom, are bugs good to eat?” asked the boy. “Let’s not talk about such things at the dinner table, son,” his mother replied. After dinner the mother inquired, “Now, baby, what did you want to ask me?” “Oh, nothing,” the boy said. “There was a bug in your soup, but now it’s gone.”

A Kindergarten teacher was observing her classroom as the children drew pictures. The teacher would occasionally walk around and see each child’s artwork. As she approached one little girl who was working especially hard, she asked what the drawing was.

The little girl told her: “I’m drawing God!”

“But sweety,” the teacher replied, “no one actually knows what God looks like.”

Automatically, the little girl continued drawing and said: “well, they will in a minute!”

Super Bowl Fan

A man saved up money to attend a Super Bowl one year.  It was very expensive, and he was so excited to go.  Once he arrived at his seat, he noticed an empty seat next to him.  He asked the man next to him, “Is this seat not taken?”

The man sitting next to him said, “yes.  It used to be my wife’s seat, but she is now dead.”

The man asking said, "I am so sorry for your loss!"

The man thinking of how valuable the seat was asked the man next to him, “Could you have given this seat to one of your friends or relatives?”

The man next to him said “No.”

The man asked, “Why?”

The man next to him said, “They are all at her funeral.”

Intro

Today we continue our miniseries on the Open door for 2024.

The tests we must overcome to prepare for the next amazing move of God around the globe

I hope you realize by now God is testing His people so they will be ready for the next shift in expanding His kingdom on the earth.

You are most likely being tested right now,

maybe one of these areas, or maybe something completely different.

The reason I choose to focus on these particular tests

is because these are the weapons the enemy tried to destroy during the lockdowns

Today’s topic is particulary an important aspect of growing our Church.

so please pay special attention to what the Holy Spirit reveals to you today!

Todays test is the test of Fellowship

Test 3: Fellowship

Philippians 2:3–11 NASB95

3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

reminder this is why I call unbelievers: prebelievers

Over the lockdowns, as a church we were able to fullfill most aspects of the church online,

but one very critical aspect of the church that we were unable to replicate is the need for fellowship

This was very concerning for me.

So much that we spent most of last year focusing on the “one Anothers” of the Bible.

The Bible has a whole lot to say about being a community of beleivers.

And I beleive this to be a critical loss for the modern church

Its something I beleive the modern church has lost touch with.

I believe its something we need to focus on and put into practice.

remember from last week. the book found right after the Gospels Is called the book of Acts

not the book of beliefs.

Yes its good to believe, but a true belief needs to be put into action.

James 2:14–26 NASB95

14 What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? 17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. 18 But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” 19 You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. 20 But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? 22 You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,” and he was called the friend of God. 24 You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

So you can see, its not good enough to have the belief that fellowship is a good thing in a Church.

We must actively pursue it.

Yes it will cost you time, energy, and other things,

but what in life do you desire that costs nothing.

Don’t say Love....Love comes at a very high price!

so let’s get into this topic with the expectation, that we are each going to do something about it!

Def

What is Fellowship?

The word fellowship is derived from the Greek word koinonia.

Koinonia can be defined as “holding something in common”

and is specifically used 20 times in the New Testament

Philippians 2:1–2 NASB95

1 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.

Acts 2:42 NASB95

42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

1 John 1:6–7 NASB95

6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; 7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Koinonia describes the unity of the Spirit that comes from Christians’ shared beliefs, convictions, and behaviors.

When those shared values are in place, genuine koinonia (biblical fellowship) occurs.

This fellowship produces our mutual cooperation in God’s worship, God’s work, and God’s will being done in the world.

Why Is Fellowship Important?

Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 NASB95

9 Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. 10 For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. 11 Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? 12 And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.

You probable heard the phrase over the last few years

“We’re all in this together”

I found it laughable when people living in a multi 1000’s square foot house with everything they needed were telling those who they’d never meet and have nothing… we’re in this together

really? are we.

Again words are meaningless unless the actions backs it up.

So when I as a Pastor say those words, I’m hoping and praying we are a community that backs it up.

I realize that only occurs when we’ve taken the time prior to build the relationship to a point where they can withstand the coming challenges

The early Church new this principle. In fact without following they would have ceased to exist.

The contrast amazes me between the early church and the modern church.

Today, we get together for a few hours on a Sunday morning,

very few Christians even attend weekly, so you may see each other a few times a month

You may converse with a few people…sharing plesentries

then go about your regular routine for the remainder of the week.

but look at the early church.

Acts 2:42–47 NASB95

42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. 44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; 45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. 46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

devoted themselves

Together and had all in common

Sold their property

Eating together House to House

results: and Lord added to their numbers day by day

What are the Benefits for Fellowship

The Bible tells us In Hebrews

Hebrews 10:25 NASB95

25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

but what are the benefits of investing in Fellowship?

Here are just a few of the many benefits

Spiritual Growth:

Fellowship provides an environment where believers can learn from one another,

share insights from Scripture, and grow spiritually through mutual encouragement and accountability.

Emotional Support:

In times of joy, sorrow, or difficulty, fellowship offers a network of support and comfort. Being surrounded by a community of believers who care for one another fosters emotional well-being and resilience.

Unity and Harmony:

Fellowship promotes unity among believers, fostering a sense of belonging and shared identity in Christ. Through fellowship, differences can be bridged, and unity in faith can be strengthened.

Service and Ministry:

In fellowship, believers can discover and use their spiritual gifts for the edification of the body of Christ. Serving together fosters a sense of purpose and fulfillment as believers work collectively to advance God's kingdom.

Accountability: Fellowship provides a context for accountability, where believers can hold one another to biblical standards of living. This mutual accountability helps guard against sin, promotes personal growth, and strengthens the integrity of the church community.

Encouragement and Inspiration:

Fellowship offers opportunities for believers to encourage and inspire one another in their walk with Christ. Through shared experiences, testimonies, and prayers, believers can uplift and motivate each other to persevere in faith.

Witness to the World: A vibrant fellowship community serves as a powerful witness to the world of God's love and transformative power. By demonstrating genuine love, unity, and care for one another, believers reflect the character of Christ and attract others to the gospel.

John 13:35 NASB95

35 “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

How can we increase Fellowship in our Church?

Kings Table- Meal together

Small Groups

Hospitality - Invite someone over for a meal or coffee....board games etc.

Serve Together - Join together and do something for someone else

Social Activities - plan a games night or gather together to watch a Hockey game

Pray Together

Social media, join conversations on our Kingdom Way Connections group

Conclusion

stop thinking you’re all alone in this

We need to learn how to work together

then and only then will we see the fulfillment of Gods promised

Membership Survey