B2B (Part 10): What Truly Matters? - We Value Christian Fellowship
Notes
Transcript
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
1) Distinction of Christian Fellowship!
1) Distinction of Christian Fellowship!
42 And they DEVOTED themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
By and large, people are created to be in fellowship and community with others.
This is why people are typically drawn to friendships and to be around one another.
This is why if someone never wants to be around people, we think they are kind of odd.
There is a difference and distinction between fellowship…and Christian fellowship.
What is Christian Fellowship?
It is a devotion to Christ and to one another.
The original word for “fellowship” is koinōnia.
It means “to participate with”.
Christian Fellowship is different than worldly fellowship.
Worldly fellowship is transactional.
I am in participation with you as long as I am getting something out of it from you.
Should that transactional process fade, generally the fellowship also fades.
People can often treat fellowship within the church this way, but that is not true nature of Christian Fellowship.
Christian Fellowship is not transactional…it is supposed to be devotional!
Christian fellowship is not derived from what value you add to my life…
Christian fellowship is a devotion and dedication to one another for the sake of what Christ has done and is doing in both of our lives.
2) Drive of Christian Fellowship!
2) Drive of Christian Fellowship!
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— 3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. 5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 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 his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Christian Fellowship with one another starts from our fellowship with Christ!
John writes that “our fellowship (participation) is with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ.”
The basis of our fellowship with one another is built on our mutual fellowship with God.
This is why the Church is the most diverse and eclectic gathering of people around the world.
This is why no matter where you go, you can sense a Holy Spirit connection with fellow brothers and sisters.
This is why you can gather as the Church and if we took the time to tell our testimonies, you’ll find all kinds of previous life experiences that apart from Christ would have nothing to do with one another.
The Drive of Christian Fellowship is not what can give to you or what can I get from you… the drive of genuine Christian fellowship is a shared love and devotion to Christ.
This shared love and devotion to Christ gives us a shared love and devotion for one another.
This is why when we are frustrated with one another, we can always come back to, “I know Jesus loves them, and I know they love Jesus. I know I am a work in progress and I know they are a work in progress, and it’s the Holy Spirit who is making the progress in both of us. So…this is hard, but with God all things are possible.”
This is why we can live out Colossians 3:12-17.
12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
When we devote ourselves to the Word and to One another we do so because of our love, devotion, and obedience to Jesus!
He is the one that makes all the difference!
Left to our own devices, our fellowship would never work.
When Christ isn’t the drive for our fellowship, we’ll find all kinds of excuses to let our fellowship with one another fade or cease altogether.
But if we will walk in the light, as He is in the light…we have fellowship with one another.
We won’t be perfect, we will sin, but we will find forgiveness in Him and we will be able to forgive one another and move forward together.
“You that are members of the Church have not found it perfect and I hope almost glad that you have not. If I had never joined a church til I found one that was perfect, I should never had joined one at all. And the moment I did join it, if I had found one, I should have spoiled it. For it would not have been a perfect church after I had become a member of it. Still, imperfect as it is, it is the dearest place on earth to us.” - Charles Spurgeon.
There is no perfect Church nor perfect Fellowship, but praise be to God that we have a perfect Savior who is the basis for our fellowship with Himself, and the basis of our fellowship with one another!
3) Display of Christian Fellowship!
3) Display of Christian Fellowship!
When we practice the Christian Fellowship that we value, here are some of the things we will display:
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Devotion to Christ and to One another. (v. 42a)
Communion and prayer. (v. 42b)
Awe and wonder at the power of God. (v. 43)
Unity of purpose and mindfulness. (v. 44)
1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Self-sacrifice for the good and sake of others. (v. 45)
Consistency (v. 46a)
19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Corporate Worship (v. 46b)
Life Interactions (v. 46c)
Thankfulness and generosity (v.46d)
Influence upon one another (v.47a)
Gospel impact and influence in our community (v.47b)
CLOSING
CLOSING
MAY WE BE A CHURCH THAT PROMOTES AND DEVOTES OURSELVES…
…TO THE DISTINCTION OF CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP…
…TO DRAWING NEAR TO CHRIST AS THE DRIVE FOR OUR CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP…
…AND TO DISPLAYING CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP IN OUR CHURCH!
