Power of Fellowship

We are continuing our series on Living in Power. The purpose of this series comes from Acts 1:8

Acts 1:8 NKJV

8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

The focus is that if you and I are filled with the Spirit of God, we are supposed to live - not in our own power but - in the power of the Holy Spirit.

There are Christians today who are living life without the power of God enabling them to walk in the Spirit. This is not God’s best for them, or for us.

DEFINE IT: In the Christian faith, Fellowship has to do with the connections between God’s People.

Acts 2:42 NKJV

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

This is something churches all around the world do many times per week.

Why?

Fellowship Brings Unity

Jesus is the great Unifier. The Bible says He is building His church!

1 John 1:7 NKJV

7 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.

Do you see the vertical and the physical relationship here?

Do you see how your relationship with God is meant to connect you to others with the result being a cleansing of sin?

Fellowship Brings Support

Galatians 6:2–5 NKJV

2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For each one shall bear his own load.

Understand this in context.

Fellowship Brings Accountability

Galatians 6:1 NKJV

1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.

How do we know that a brother or sister is overtaken in a trespass, or caught in sin?

This only happens through relationship.

We must have relationship with God to anchor ourselves and then we need each other to help when our brother or sister is falling.

Do you love your brothers and sisters? Do you know them?

***Path Story***

In order to see my path, you have to be on your path.

In order to speak to me about my relationship with God, you must have relationship with God and with me.

Why Power in Fellowship

1 Peter 5:8 NKJV

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

This passage begins chapter 5 speaking to the elders, then to the young people, in the relationship they have to one another. To submit to one another and to be clothed with humility for God opposes the proud vs 5.

The Holy Spirit moves in power through the unity of God’s people in fellowship.

The enemy has a harder time lying to you and gaining avenues in your life when we are together.

***Story of herds of animals keeping together***

How can we pray together? How can we know each other’s path?

Is there something we can pray together for?

Closing