Fellowship Part 2
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The Importance of Christian Fellowship
The Importance of Christian Fellowship
Review
We are designed for relationship
5 ways we struggle to embrace this relational design
individualism
self-sufficiency
narcissism
consumer mentality
2020 isolation
Common community is not enough
our need goes beyond simple friendship
—> it is good to have buddies, but are souls need something more
The priority of Christian fellowship
The Marks of Christian Fellowship
The Marks of Christian Fellowship
Unity
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
We live in a world that is marked by division—everything, everything is polarizing
we are living in a unique moment in American and world history
we are divided in our opinions about masks
the virus
political parties
Trump
the election
moral social issues
This is a time of deep and troubling division! And we are so tired of feeling it, dealing with it, thinking about it.
Christians are to be characterized by a unique—supernatural unity.
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. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
-so Christian love and togetherness is a means of showing Christ to the world
-conversely, disunity results in bringing the gospel into disrepute.
The benefits of unity are undeniable:
Loving an peaceful fellowship
Mutual protection against danger
A beautiful picture of God’s love and harmony
—>So how is unity achieved?
Back to Ephesians
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Here’s the logic: how you should live (manner)—> by (means)—> because/being (motivation)
1. Manner? Walk in a worthy manner—>in light of your calling
-Question: what is your calling? What makes it a high calling?
-Question: Do you think daily about what it means to have a high calling? How does it change the way you live day to day?
2. Means? Question—>What are the means that Paul identifies for living worthily?
-Humility and gentleness —> How does humility contribute to unity? What are ways you can show humility in the body of Christ? (Philippians 2:1-11)
-Does gentleness suggest an ability to disagree with others? If so, does it understand how we should disagree? What is the relationship between humility and gentleness?
-Patience and bearing with one another in love--
Questions: When might patience be required with other church members?
-when they are being immature (keep in mind, others are being patient with your own immaturity)
-when they are being unloving or unkind or uncharitable
-when their behavior is vexing (they might not even know)
Question: how does “bearing with one another in love” clarify our understanding of patience? (I think it means that outwardly tolerating what is inwardly driving us crazy is not enough—our heart motivation must be right!)
3. Motive? maintaining (guarding/keeping/protecting) unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace
-notice the attitude toward preserving unity: eagerness (zealousness)
-Question: when you dislike/disagree with something in the church, are you quicker to pursue unity or pursue what it is you want changed (think: worship style/dress/ doctrinal preferences/quirky things, etc)
-Question: If unity must be guarded/kept/maintained—what does that imply?
-Question: Does the idea of eagerly pursuing unity have a proactive or reactive connotation? How can you proactively pursue unity? How can you do that specifically?
2. Mutual Edification
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Logic: gifts given for edifying (means) —> so that a) unity and b) maturity in Christ (purpose) —>thereby a) not tossed about by false doctrine, b) but do build one another up in love (result).
A key element of fellowship in the church if edifying one another
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.
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.
Jude 1:20
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
What do you observe as characteristics of edifying one another?
It is intentional
there is no such thing as purposeless Christian fellowship
this is not a social club where everyone comes to make casual friends
this is not a community that you come and don’t engage with others!
It is mutual
You need others
Others need you (the body is hurt when you don’t contribute)
It is sanctifying
we are growing together in Christ (tagline for class)
we have the joy and privilege of being used by God to help one another grow in him
