Close To Thee - Fellowship

Text: I John 1:1-10

Place Preached - (Mississauga International Baptist Church)

Date Preached - (01/19/03)

Introduction:   

What could come closer to encapsulating the thought of closeness to the Lord in one single word?  FELLOWSHIP!!  -  That’s the Word!  Blessed Fellowship!

FELLOWSHIP – Def.  (Take Time EXPLAINING)

Our understanding of this good Bible word has been limited and distorted in this day.  When we hear the word fellowship we think of after-church socials, potluck dinners, activities and outings. 

The Greek word translated fellowship is Koinonia meaning sharing in common, or the participation in a common endeavour, cause or event.

The idea is that we have a common goal, purpose, effort or work to be engaged in.

There must be agreement in fellowship.

Amos 3:3  Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

Other words that communicate a similar idea "communion, sharing, in common, contribution, partnership, partaker or companion.”

ILLUS: - You are invited for Dinner.  The cook is anxious for your participation.

Similarly true with God and our identification with Christ.

Also true in our giving and service for God.

LOOK UP & READ John 4:34-38

There are two strands of fellowship as illustrated above, not unrelated to each other, but intertwined with one another.

The one is fellowship with God and the other fellowship with the saints. (Who are Saints? EXPLAIN).

Let’s begin with our fellowship with God, for this is where John begins.

And what he is saying is that our fellowship with one another as believers arises out of – has its basis – its foundation in our fellowship with God.

So how important is that?

Our fellowship with other believers is anchored to Fellowship with the Heavenly Father and His Eternal Son Jesus Christ (vs.3).

No fellowship with God – No true fellowship with the saints.

Two OT men are said to have walked with God.  Enoch and Noah.

God’s testimony of Moses with whom He spake face-to-face.

Exodus 33:17  And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.

David was considered a man after God’s own heart.

How the LORD longs for sweet fellowship with us!!

Colossians 1:27  To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

1 Thessalonians 5:9-10  For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

10  Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

A verse in Romans says “Whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s”

Life is not about the accumulation of things – it is about fellowship with God.

ILLUS: Some people say religion is a crutch.  Everyone has a crutch.  Needs a crutch (We are broken people).  Why not have the one crutch that even death cannot kick out from under you?

Luke 22:15  And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:

What a sad picture we see in Revelation 3:20.  Christ outside the door of His church.

Revelation 3:20  Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

The result of pure and true, - GENUINE fellowship with God is fulness of JOY (Vs.4)

Not a joy like the world’s joy.

That joy is temporary, and it is tied to circumstances and things and people, and it is lacking any real depth.

I. Fellowship with God

I think here is something we often take for granted.

We forget who it is we have been called to fellowship with.

I mean we can walk and talk with and have a personal relationship with the great God of our salvation, the Creator etc.

We can actually enjoy fellowship with Him on a daily basis.

I mean if you really seek to wrap your mind around that one, you’re going to have a tough time getting over that!!

Now what are some characteristics of the one with whom we have this divine fellowship?

John identified at least three great truths concerning Christ that ought to cause us to rejoice.

A. He is the Eternal One

1 John 1:1  That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;

John 1:1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Everything in our material world, in the confines of time, everyone and everything has a beginning, but not God.

Grapple with that,  You a finite being, have fellowship with an eternal God!!

B. He is the Eternal Son

1 John 1:2  (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)

He came....

From the heart of the Father

No one had closer fellowship with Him.  Did always those things which please Him.

He is very God of Very God.

C. He is the Manifest One

John said this is the Divine and Eternal Life.

We have seen it, we have heard, have looked upon, have handled etc.

Without Christ we could not know God as He intended to be known by man.

He had to be made manifest!!

II. God Made Fellowship Possible

What actions of His were necessary for us to enter into a full and joyful fellowship with Him?

A. His Revelation

1 John 1:1  That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;

Luke 24:32  And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?

1. The Progressive nature of Revelation

2. The Power of Revelation

3. The Purpose of Revelation

B. His Incarnation

1 John 1:2  (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)

He had to be made flesh in order to....

Identify with us / Suffer for us

C. His Humiliation

Accomplished through His Submission and complete fulfillment of the Father’s Plan.

SEE Phil 2:5-8

1 John 1:3  That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 10:16  The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

SEE Phil. 3:10

D. His Declaration

1 John 1:3  That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

Romans 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

E. His Impartation

His gift to us is the Holy Spirit of God.

1 John 3:24  And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

2 Corinthians 13:14  The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

Conclusion:     (Review)

NEXT WEEK – Part II

We will answer a couple more questions in regard to our fellowship with God.

1). What are God’s prerequisites of us?

We saw what was necessary on His part in order that we have fellowship with Him.  What is necessary on our part?  What does He require of us?

2). How does our fellowship with fellow-believers (Saints) relate to our fellowship with Him?