Fellowship

Intro:

Acts 2:42–47 ESV

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Fellowship

Gk: literally partnership or sharing

Sharing life in Christ with each other

1 John 1:3 ESV

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.

Show admiration and appreciation for each other.

Rom 12:10

Romans 12:10 ESV

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

2. Stimulate to righteousness and obedience

Heb 3:13; 10:24-25

Hebrews 3:13 ESV

But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

Hebrews 10:24–25 ESV

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 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.

3. Be truthful with each other

Colossians 3:9 ESV

Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices

Eph 4:2, 25; 5:21

Ephesians 4:2 ESV

with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

Ephesians 4:25 ESV

Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.

Ephesians 5:21 ESV

submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

4. Pray for each other

James 5:16 ESV

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

5. Encourage each other

Hebrews 3:12–13 ESV

Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

6. Build each other up

1 Thessalonians 5:9–11 ESV

For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Romans 14:19 ESV

So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.