Where Am I in Fellowship with Others?
5 Questions about your Spiritual Growth • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 29:42
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· 285 viewsScripture teaches how to improve Fellowship which in turn improves our Spiritual Growth.
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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.
Introduction
Introduction
Our Bible reading plan for this week covers: Ps 133; Acts 2;42-47; Jn 13:35
1 Behold, how good and pleasant it is
when brothers dwell in unity!
2 It is like the precious oil on the head,
running down on the beard,
on the beard of Aaron,
running down on the collar of his robes!
3 It is like the dew of Hermon,
which falls on the mountains of Zion!
For there the Lord has commanded the blessing,
life forevermore.
35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
5 Questions concerning your spiritual growth
Where am I with God?
Where am I with God’s Word?
Where am I in terms of worshipping God?
Where am I in fellowship with others?
Where am I in terms of Evangelism?
I. Bible Teaching leads to Bible Fellowship
I. Bible Teaching leads to Bible Fellowship
Fellowship. The essence of the Christian life—fellowship with God and fellowship with other believers in Christ.
In the beginning, Adam was placed in the garden to enjoy friendship and communion with God.
When the creature chose to assert his own autonomy rather than live under the Creator’s gracious care, fellowship was broken. Hence Adam and Eve hid themselves from the Lord’s presence (Gn 3:8).
Yet God immediately sought them out (v 9) and revealed his plan for the ultimate restoration of sinners through the work of the Redeemer (v 15).
The OT tells how God began to draw a special people into fellowship with himself.
Enoch is described as a man who walked with God (Gn 5:22, 24).
Noah, likewise, walked in communion with the Lord (6:9).
And Abraham, the father of Israel, is called “the friend of God” (Jas 2:23).
No OT saint had deeper fellowship with God than did Moses during his 40-day encounter with the Lord on Mt Sinai (Ex 24).
Later in Israel’s history David wrote psalms that reflect a heart vitally in tune with the living God (Pss 16; 34; 40; 63).
As a result of Christ’s finished work on the cross, God now makes his permanent abode in the believer’s heart (Jn 14:23).
Hence the fellowship which now prevails under the new covenant is nothing less than the vital, spiritual union of the believer with Christ (Jn 14:20, 21).
20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.
21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”
Fellowship with God is the goal of the Christian life (1 Jn 1:3),
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.
and this relationship will be perfected forever when we see our Savior “face to face” (1 Cor 13:12),
when God dwells with his people in the heavenly kingdom (Rv 21:3).
The gospel restores fellowship not only with God, but among believers as well.
Jesus’ last supper with his disciples illustrates the relationship between the vertical and horizontal dimensions of fellowship (Mk 14:22–25).
22 And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” 23 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. 24 And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. 25 Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”
Following the cross and the outpouring of the Spirit the church was born, that new society of people in fellowship with God and with one another.
II. Divine principles for enhancing Fellowship
II. Divine principles for enhancing Fellowship
(1) Love one another with the same compassion that Christ displayed to his own (Jn 13:34, 35; 15:12). The law of the fellowship should be the rule of love (Heb 13:1).
(1) Love one another with the same compassion that Christ displayed to his own (Jn 13:34, 35; 15:12). The law of the fellowship should be the rule of love (Heb 13:1).
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.
35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
1 Let brotherly love continue.
(2) Cultivate that spirit of humility that seeks the other person’s honor (Phil 2:3–5).
(2) Cultivate that spirit of humility that seeks the other person’s honor (Phil 2:3–5).
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. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
(3) Lighten fellow believers’ load by bearing one another’s burdens (Gal 6:2).
(3) Lighten fellow believers’ load by bearing one another’s burdens (Gal 6:2).
2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
(4) Share material blessings with brothers and sisters in need (2 Cor 9:13).
(4) Share material blessings with brothers and sisters in need (2 Cor 9:13).
13 By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others,
(5) Tenderly correct a sinner while helping to find solutions to the problems (Gal 6:1).
(5) Tenderly correct a sinner while helping to find solutions to the problems (Gal 6:1).
1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
(6) Minister to a fellow believer in times of suffering (1 Cor 12:26).
(6) Minister to a fellow believer in times of suffering (1 Cor 12:26).
26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
(7) Pray for one another in the Spirit without ceasing (Eph 6:18).
(7) Pray for one another in the Spirit without ceasing (Eph 6:18).
18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
III. Bible Fellowship adds to the number of those being saved
III. Bible Fellowship adds to the number of those being saved
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.
God’s Invitation and Plan of Salvation
God’s Invitation and Plan of Salvation
Hear - Romans 10:17
Hear - Romans 10:17
Romans 10:17 ESV 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
Believe and Confess - Romans 10:9-10
Believe and Confess - Romans 10:9-10
Romans 10:9–10 ESV 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
Repent - Luke 13:3
Repent - Luke 13:3
Luke 13:3 ESV 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.
Be Baptized - Acts 2:38
Be Baptized - Acts 2:38
Acts 2:38 (ESV) 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Remain Faithful - Revelation 2:10
Remain Faithful - Revelation 2:10
Revelation 2:10 ESV 10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
New to the Faith?
First Principles
Have you fallen away from Faith
Need to be Restored
My Decision Today
I would like to be baptized today I would like to renew my life to Christ
I would like to learn more about Jesus and the Bible
Questions: What are my next steps?
Come forward to be baptized
Request a Bible Study to learn more
Attend Bible Class to grow and mature
Find a place to serve others
Apply today’s lesson to my life