Fellowship Defined

Fellowship defined

Text: various

Intro: As time passes, different words both grow and fall in importance. Google keeps track of the different words searched every year. FaceBook was the number one searched word, but the most searched word for a definition was “Accuracy”. Words that are highly used and searched are called “Buzz words.” Back when my children were in high school the word “Belonging” had a long run as the most popular word. I bet when the stats are compiled on 2020 terms like “Social Distancing” will be near the top.

Theme: When we understand what fellowship is, we have more to enjoy. Fellowship is essential!

1. Fellowship Defined:

A. Fellowship— (1.) With God, consisting in the knowledge of His will (Job 22:21; John 17:3); agreement with His designs (Amos 3:2); mutual affection (Rom. 8:38, 39); enjoyment of His presence (Ps. 4:6); conformity to His image (1 John 2:6; 1:6); and participation of His felicity (1 John 1:3, 4; Eph. 3:14–21).

(2.) Of saints with one another, in duties (Rom. 12:5; 1 Cor. 12:1; 1 Thess. 5:17, 18); in ordinances (Heb. 10:25; Acts 2:46); in grace, love, joy, etc. (Mal. 3:16; 2 Cor. 8:4); mutual interest, spiritual and temporal (Rom. 12:4, 13; Heb. 13:16); in sufferings (Rom. 15:1, 2; Gal. 6:1, 2; Rom. 12:15); and in glory (Rev. 7:9). Easton, M. G. (1893). In Easton’s Bible dictionary. New York: Harper & Brothers.

· Long and detailed

· Backed up with a lot of scripture references

· Dual faceted to show the vertical and horizontal levels

B. FELLOWSHIP is communion with God, which results in common participation with other believers in the Spirit of God and God’s blessings. Elwell, W. A., & Comfort, P. W. (2001). In Tyndale Bible dictionary (p. 484). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

· Shorter and easier

· Places the importance of Christian fellowship because or who God is

· Lacks much description

C. Dictionary.com says:

1. the condition or relation of being a fellow: the fellowship of humankind.

2. friendly relationship; companionship: the fellowship of father and son.

3. community of interest, feeling, etc.

4. communion, as between members of the same church.

D. koinōnia, the Greek word most often used in the NT, was used in everyday life to mean close friendship, partnership or marriage, and also sharing with gods in a common meal.

koinōnia is also used in the Bible to mean: share or participate in the blessings. It will inevitably lead to a desire and determination to ‘pass on’ these blessings with others.

E. How the members of the church relate to one another.

· This definition leaves to much out and seems to imply that the only fellowship is Christian.

· It is easier to remember!

· It leaves out the fact that church problems are also filled with church people badly relating to each other.

F. God’s people sharing things that are held dear/ close as a group. Sharing together!

· This is the definition I most refer to. It is short. Easier to remember and still covers a lot.

· The second sentence does not exclude unbelievers as the original Greek word was not exclusive, but for our sermon purposes we will focus on Christians and people within the church a lot.

2. Fellowship’s source is God!

A. God is the perfect picture of fellowship.

· God wants us to enjoy fellowship because He knows how good it is!

· John 17.11 “Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.” ESV

B. God has called us to it.

· It is the Father’s faithfulness combined with the forgiveness found in Jesus Christ that makes Christian fellowship possible and urges us into “sharing things we hold dear as we live and serve together.”

· 1 Corinthians 1.9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. ESV

C. Fellowship with God is lifechanging!

· Fellowship is with one another and not something we enjoy all on our own off in some corner. Just like those Christmas chocolates, some things are best shared. Sure, we can hide in the pantry and jam them all in our mouth, but life is lonely that way and we miss out on the “one another” time.

The apostle John described it as walking together. We walk together with God by walking in truth.

· 1 John 1.6–7 “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.” ESV

o Sharing forgiveness is far better than sharing those Christmas chocolates!

o Sharing truth and light is the right thing to do! If it is pitch black and you have light and don’t share it with others who are walking with you, you are not kind!

Conclusion: Fellowship is essential! When we understand what fellowship is, we have more to enjoy.

In the weeks ahead we will see how this unfolds throughout Scripture. For God’s people, Fellowship is based in understanding who God is and how the trinity is the source of all quality fellowship.

1. Sermons are for learning together. Are we ready to learn about this topic this month?

2. Are we willing to adjust our thinking when needed so that we can enjoy the best God has in store for us?