Fellowship

What Is Fellowship?

The Greek “koinoneo”

To come into communion with

To become a sharer

To be made a partner

Thayer says: “Fellowship, association… communion, joint participation… in the NT, the share which one has in anything, participation in the benefits of Christ’s death… the intimate bond of fellowship that unites Christians”

1 Corinthians 10:16 NASB95

16 Is not the cup of blessing which we bless a sharing in the blood of Christ? Is not the bread which we break a sharing in the body of Christ?

Fellowship is a BLESSING!

MORE than just PEOPLE coming together… but Christians

It’s our bond in the unity of the Spirit

It’s the result of Christ’s death on the cross

The Bible warns us of WHOM… we fellowship

On the Basis of God’s Word

The truthfulness of God’s Word provids the basis of fellowship

If Christ had not died… then Biblical fellowship CANNOT be had

It relies upon the truthfulness of God’s word

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.

The “light” upon which we are to walk in order to have fellowship with God, is His word

Psalm 119:105 NASB95

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

Psalm 119:130 NASB95

130 The unfolding of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.

The people who stand in opposition to God’s word, cause the opposite… confusion, disunity, a lack of fellowship

Romans 16:17–18 NASB95

17 Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. 18 For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.

No Fellowship With Unbelievers

Fellowship doesn’t embrace everybody

2 Corinthians 6:14–15 NASB95

14 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?

We cannot compromise truth, in order to be in fellowship with someone who doesn’t believe in God or believe His word

Psalm 14:1 NASB95

1 The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds; There is no one who does good.

We have no part or sharing or fellowship with unbelievers

Does this mean we can’t have friends who are unbelievers?

No

But Christian be warned now… for many… it’s not wise

Their influence, their worldview… CLASHES with ours

And those weak in spirit… weak in faith,,, easily persuaded, be on guard

In regard to fellowship? Absolutely not!

But can I go fishing with an unbeliever in hopes that he turns to Christ?

Can I work beside someone who is an unbeliever? Sure

Can I be friendly, or even friends with those people? Depending on the person, sure

But if someones entire worldview is COUNTER to yours, they repudiate the gospel, they live in unrighteousness… for my own souls sake, it’s wise not to be bestest of friends… okay? Cool lol!

READ 2 Thes 3:6-15… 1 Cor 5:9-13

No Fellowship With Idolatry

2 Corinthians 6:16–18 NASB95

16 Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I will dwell in them and walk among them; And I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 17 “Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord. “And do not touch what is unclean; And I will welcome you. 18 “And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” Says the Lord Almighty.

No Fellowship With Satan

2 Corinthians 6:15 NASB95

15 Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?

No Fellowship With Judaism

No Fellowship With The World

1 John 5:19 NASB95

19 We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.

No Fellowship With False Teachers

Matthew 7:15–20 NASB95

15 “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

1 John 4:1–6 NASB95

1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Acts 20:28–30 NASB95

28 “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 “I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.

No Fellowship With Denominations

Theres a reason I don’t preach in the baptist church, presbyterian, etc

Out of the 50 MAIN ones… I can’t find them in the Bible!

But the church of christ… well thats a description not a title

Galatians 5:19–21 NASB95

19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, 21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Jesus prayed against division John 17

No Fellowship With False Doctrine

Romans 16:17–18 NASB95

17 Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. 18 For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.

2 John 9–11 NASB95

9 Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; 11 for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds.