Sermon Six - The Characteristics of Fellowship

Introduction

We are continuing our journey through John’s first epistle on the subject of fellowship. Last week we looked at “Fellowship’s Characteristics” and how they relate to our prospect or perspective. We said these characteristics relate to our purity. Tonight we are going to look at how they relate to our position & prayer.

In Relation To Our Position - (vv.4-18)

Righteousness - Sin is the transgression of the law. Literally sin is “lawlessness.” Lawlessness is used here in it’s broadest sense of the word and it is a defection from any of God’s standards. Look in (verse 6) the lifestyle of the believer who keeps God’s commands “abides” in Him. Which means they live in obedience to God and not sin. However, the lifestyle of the one who keeps on sinning demonstrates that they do not know God. In (verse 8) John uses the word “committeth” which means: “continually practices.” John is saying those who do not know God they only know sin as a regular way of life. He goes on in (verse 9) and tells us, those who are born of God does not commit sin. He literally says that, as believers we cannot live in habitual sin, because habitual actions indicate one’s character. John goes on and speaks to us about the “seed” which we have in us. This is the divine nature of God given to all who are born again. 2 Peter 1:4 “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” This nature prevents the Christian from habitually sinning.

Love - Self-sacrificing love is required of the believer. Though not many are called on to sacrifice their lives, all can give sacrificially of their substance. In (verse 17) John speaks of “this world’s good” which are the material necessities of life. He goes on and uses a second phrase concerning this Christlike love, “bowels of compassion” which is the heart. The bowels were considered the seat of tender affections. Today we say the heart.

In Relation To Our Prayers - (vv.19-24)

Answers - first of all we are “confident” concerning answers to our prayers because we believe all that Christ is. This belief is not concerning our salvation but the belief for answered prayers. Loving one another keeps prayer from being self-centered. Prayer must be a dialogue and not just a monologue. Secondly, when it comes to answered prayers, we are “obedient.” We live according to His commands and we pray according to His will. When we have heart to accept His will and not ours we have become obedient.

Conclusion

Do we possesses these characteristics of fellowship? If we do then thank God for who He is and the fellowship we have with Him and with His people. If you are lacking in these characteristics then open your heart that Christ may work in your life, and bring that joyful fellowship again to your heart.