We need each other!

Ephesians 4:1-6 Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.

Ephesians 4:2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.

Ephesians 4:3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.

Ephesians 4:4 For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.

Ephesians 4:5-6 There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all.

INTRODUCTION

I want to look at the need and the purpose for fellowship.

God never intended His people to live in isolation or separated from each other.

Instead, His purpose was to that they be rightly related to one another in unity and flowing together in a bond of togetherness.

So that they can carry out as a corporate body the ministry to the whole world.

So a question tonight: What does the word “Fellowship” mean?

The answer: The actual meaning of the Greek word, translated “fellowship” in the New Testament is “the act of using a thing in common.”

It means to be a sharer, or a partner in something.

Now In relation to the people of God it describes the partnership, communion or relationship that believers enter into by virtue of their common experience of salvation and mutual participation in the Body of Christ.

What are the two aspects of Christian fellowship?

The answer: Fellowship for the believer is seen in two directions: Vertically and horizontally.

1 John 1:3 We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

The Vertical fellowship is fellowship God-ward.

Fellowship with God is the foundation for all other Christian fellowship. Fellowship with God is established when we lay down our will and accept God’s authority in our lives on the basis of the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:9 God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Now look at this:

Ephesians 2:14 For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us.

Ephesians 2:15 He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups.

Ephesians 2:16 Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death.

Ephesians 2:17 He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and peace to the Jews who were near.

Ephesians 2:18 Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.

This fellowship is cultivated in prayer, praise, and worship in Spirit and in truth.

John 4:23 But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way.

John 4:24 For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”

Now let’s look at the horizontal fellowship>

Horizontal fellowship is man-ward.

Once fellowship with God has been established, we can have proper fellowship with one another.

When God is truly our first love and our desire is to please Him, then the way is open for the Lord to break down all barriers that separate us from one another.

This fellowship is cultivated in our inter-relating one with another in the Body of Christ.

Act 2;42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.

Let me ask you another question:

What are some of the ways Christian fellowship is expressed?

There are two ways of expressing Christian fellowship:

Here some spiritual avenues of fellowship:

a. Praying one for another.

James 5:16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

b. Exhorting one another.

Hebrews 3:13 You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God.

Hebrews 10:25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

c. Edifying one another.

Hebrews 14:19 So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.

d. Bearing one another’s burdens.

Galatians 6:2 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.

e. Singing, praising, and worshipping together.

Colossians 3:16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.

f. Comforting one another.

1 Thessalonians 4:18 So encourage each other with these words.

g. Forgiving one another.

Ephesians 4:32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

2. Some practical avenues of fellowship.

a. Receiving one another into friendship.

Romans 15:7 Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.

b. Serving one another in practical ways.

Galatians 5:13 For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.

c. House to House fellowship.

Act 2:46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity.

d. Showing hospitality to those in need.

Romans 12:13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

e. Being considerate one of another.

Ephesians 4:32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

f. Helping the needy financially.

1 John 3:16 We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.

1 John 3: 17 If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person?

1 John 3:18 Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.

g. Getting to know and appreciate each other.

John 13:34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.

John 13:35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”