True Fellowship

Introduction

Good morning,

I pray you all are doing well and excited as we wrap up our Firm Foundation Series. Throughout this series, we have focused on building our lives on what matters most: Loving God and Loving People. This theme isn’t just a series, it’s our mission. Here at Sardis, our motto is: Love God, Serve People, Share the Good News. If we truly embrace these truths, we will grow into the kind of church Christ died to build.

Today, we come to a powerful reminder that we are not meant to walk this journey alone. Our world champions independence. But God calls us to interdependence. The Christian life is meant to be lived in community.

You may have heard the phrase, “I don’t need to go to church to be a Christian.” While salvation is indeed by grace through faith in Christ alone, God never designed the Christian life to be lived in isolation. He saved us into a body, a family, His church.

Hebrews 10:24–25 calls us back to this essential truth. True fellowship is not optional. It is a vital part of spiritual endurance and growth. It is the lifeline of a thriving church.

Let’s define what we mean by “fellowship.” The biblical word is koinōnia, which means more than socializing or friendship. It is a Spirit-born connection among believers that involves shared life, shared mission, and mutual accountability. Biblical fellowship is the gospel lived out in community—deep, spiritual unity rooted in Christ.

Context

Before we unpack these verses, let’s understand the background.

The book of Hebrews is a theologically rich sermon-letter written to Jewish Christians who were under pressure, socially, politically, and spiritually. They were tempted to return to the safety of their old religious traditions under Judaism.

The original readers were Jewish Christians likely living in Rome or another major city, facing both persecution and isolation. The temple system was still visible, but the author of Hebrews calls them to see that Jesus is the fulfillment. And in the face of cultural pressure, the temptation was not just to reject doctrine but to withdraw from the people of God. The writer is making the case: because Jesus has opened the way, we don’t just draw near to God personally, we also draw near to one another corporately.

Hebrews declares with power:

Jesus is better, better than Moses, better than the priests, better than the sacrifices, and better than the law.

In chapter 10, the author builds to a climax:

Jesus, our Great High Priest, has opened a new and living way through His blood (vv. 19–21).

Therefore, the author gives three “let us” commands

Let us draw near to God (v. 22),

Let us hold fast to our hope (v. 23),

And let us stir one another up to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together (vv. 24–25).

So verses 24 and 25 are not disconnected commands, they flow directly out of the gospel.

Fellowship is the fruit of Christ’s finished work and the foundation for our faithfulness in the last days.

Hebrews 10:24–25 NIV

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 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.

Big Idea: True fellowship is a gospel-driven, Spirit-empowered commitment to intentionally build up one another in love, through consistent gathering and urgent encouragement, as we await Christ’s return.

Point 1: True Fellowship Is Intentional

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds…” (v. 24)

The word “consider” (Greek: katanoeō) means to fix your attention, to observe attentively. This is not a passing thought—it is deliberate, focused care. Fellowship begins with mindful intention.

The phrase “spur on” (Greek: paroxusmos) means to provoke or stir up—even to agitate. It carries the idea of jolting someone into action. Fellowship isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes it means pushing one another toward holiness.

True fellowship isn’t just sharing a meal or chatting in the hallway. It means knowing each other well enough to speak truth in love, to call one another to Christlikeness.

Personal Illustration

I remember as a child, when my home life was rough, godly men in my church stepped in. They didn’t just pat me on the head. They invited me into their lives, mentored me, and encouraged me. Even small things like helping grill chicken for a fundraiser became intentional acts of discipleship.

Application

Do you come to church asking God how you might build someone else up?

Do you know your church family well enough to help them grow?

Do we care enough to make this a priority in our lives?

As we stated last week, all of this is worship

Creating a culture of mentorship

Deposit time

I am who I am because of the intentional pouring in of others

They were Christ-like examples

One was key in helping me through the process of coming here

This is all done in love

Illustration

Picture a fire pit. If left alone, the flames die down. But stir the coals, and the fire reignites. Fellowship is that stirring flame. It revives our hearts.

Transition

But intentional fellowship doesn’t happen just once. It requires ongoing, faithful commitment. Let’s now look at how true fellowship is not only intentional, but consistent.

Point 2: True Fellowship Is Consistent

…not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing… (v. 25a)

The phrase “giving up” (Greek: egkataleipō) means to abandon or desert. The writer warns against a slow fade from community—turning away from the gathering of believers.

We must guard ourselves from this

Even in the early church, some had fallen into this habit. Maybe due to fear, persecution, or apathy. Sound familiar?

We live in an age where online church is convenient, and community is replaceable. But Scripture is clear: Gathering with the body is non-negotiable.

We believe in regenerate church membership—that every member is born again and committed to the local body. That means active participation, not passive attendance.

Church membership isnt a pass to the “cool kids club” or about the right to vote on church policies and plans. It is obedience to our call to live together in fellowship. If you know of any inactive members, those you havent seen, reach out to them, call your deacon, let us know. May we be a church built to grow the body through the personal invitation.

I know what its like to fade away, to lose yourself.

Look in the mirror and not recognize the person you are anymore.

Being a part from the body allowed the drift to widen.

During college, I drifted from regular church involvement. And it impacted me spiritually. I felt isolated, distant from God and others. But when I returned to faithful fellowship, my walk with Christ deepened.

Illustration

A coal removed from a fire cools quickly. So does a Christian removed from biblical fellowship. We are not meant to burn alone.

Application

Is church attendance a priority or a preference in your life?

What does your calendar say about your commitment to God’s people?

If these men would have only doe this once, what are the chances it would have stuck?

Just like inviting people to church, we must be consistent

Bible reading, study, prayer

We will be starting Fellowship events, regularly scheduled events for us, as a church, to fellowship together. They will be consistent, and may we never grow weary of being together.

Creating a consistent calendar of Fellowship

As a church, this is our purpose and goal

We hope that you will take part and grow with us

It is easy to do something once, but consistency is hard. It takes commitment to be consistent. But it is a commitment to God.

Transition

As we remain consistent in gathering, we discover the heart of fellowship—mutual encouragement in light of Christ’s return. This leads us to our final point.

Point 3: True Fellowship Is Encouraging and Urgent

…but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (v. 25b)

The word “encouraging” (Greek: parakaleō) means to come alongside, to comfort, to exhort. It’s the same root word used for the Holy Spirit. True fellowship is Spirit-empowered encouragement.

Application

And there’s an urgency: “the Day” is approaching—the return of Christ. In a dark and hostile world, we need each other more, not less.-

The world is dark, and only growing darker, we know this to be true through scripture.

We look around and wouldnt be surprised for the Lord to come back at any minute, and how glorious would it be if he comes back while we are in fellowship together.

This is the cure to the mental health crisis

Consistent, urgent fellowship

Alyssa and I need this

Church should be a place where we build each other up, not tear each other down, sadly we see thats not the case in a lot of places.

Some churches have forgone true fellowship for cliques and gossip

May we never fall prey to this

My goal is to always encourage you, to lead you to where your gifts can be used by the Lord in the most powerful way. That’s my call.

Who are you encouraging in the faith right now?

Who in your life needs a word of truth or a hand of help?

Identify them today and allow yourself to be used in a mighty way

Some of the greatest encouragement in my life came from people in the church. Older ladies who said from the time I was little, “You’ll be preaching one day.” Their faith in me helped shape my calling. My mom’s example, and encouragement in ministry

Alyssa’s encouragement

Doing what we do for Eli

We need each other

Illustration

Think of a marathon runner hitting mile 20. Tired. Weary. But the crowd cheers—and it gives strength to keep going. That’s what biblical fellowship does. It keeps us in the race.

Christ-Connection

This kind of fellowship is not man-made—it is blood-bought.

Hebrews 10:19–20 reminds us that Jesus opened a new and living way through His body and blood. He didn’t just die to save individuals; He died to create a community, a people, a church.

Ephesians 2:19 says, “You are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household.”

Because of Jesus:

We are reconciled to God.

We are united with each other.

We are empowered to live as His family.

So let us:

Stir one another up.

Show up faithfully.

Speak encouragement daily.

Until He comes again.

Conclusion

Are you investing in true fellowship, or just attending events?

Are you connected deeply, or coasting spiritually?

Are you encouraging someone today, or waiting for someone to encourage you?

Imagine a church where no one walks alone, where encouragement flows like a river, and where the gospel is not just preached from the pulpit—but lived out in every relationship. That’s the kind of church Christ died to create.

Maybe you’ve been drifting. Maybe you've been attending, but not engaging. This morning, God is calling you back, not just to church attendance, but to true, biblical fellowship. Take the first step today. Get to know someone. Sign up for our new D-Groups, Come on Wednesday Night. You get out what you put in. Be the encourager you’ve been waiting for.

Let’s be a church that lives Hebrews 10:24–25.