Fellowship with Us
Fellowship • Sermon • Submitted
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· 16 viewsA message that explains the practice of fellowship.
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That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;
(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)
That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Pre-Sermon Ice Breaker
Pre-Sermon Ice Breaker
Sara Mckeefer shared this story: A man went to the movies and was surprised to find a woman with a big collie sitting in front of him. Even more amazing was the fact that the dog always laughed in the right places through the comedy. “Excuse me,” the man said to the woman, “But I think it’s astounding that your dog enjoys the movie so much.” “I’m surprised myself,” she replied. “He hated the book.”
Introduction
Introduction
What do you think about when you hear the word “fellowship?’
Being Baptist, I most often think about the times we gather together for food. Potlucks, fellowship dinners, the 1st Sunday Breakfasts we used to hold, One church we attended always did a Wednesday Night Fellowship with burgers and hot dogs. But Fellowship is much more than an excuse to put our feed bag on.
The word fellowship in our passage today is the Greek word “Koinonia” The word appears 19 times in the New Testament. It speaks of having things in common, of participating, of making contribution. It is one of the reasons I believe that you can’t be a good Christian and not take part in the life and ministry of the local church.
Today we will look at Fellowship with new eyes through the lens of the Apostle John and see it’s significance and application to our lives and how it will help us to be better Christians.
The Apostle John wrote the second most books in the New Testament, behind the Apostle Paul. John wrote the Gospel of John, 1st, 2nd and 3rd John, and the book of Revelation.
John wrote the gospel specifically with unbelievers in mind
But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
He writes 1 John with Believers in mind
These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
As believers what can we learn about Fellowship from John in 1 John 1. Let’s look together.
Body
Body
I. The Foundation of Fellowship, vs. 1-4
I. The Foundation of Fellowship, vs. 1-4
What is the basis or foundation of our Fellowship, our commonness, our participation, our contribution to the body of Christ the church?
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Our fellowship cannot be based on programs, on people, it must be based upon Jesus. Look at vs. 4.
Programs, will come and go. People are good and bad. People will disappoint, Only Jesus truly brings joy.
II. The Formula of Fellowship, vs. 5-7
II. The Formula of Fellowship, vs. 5-7
The formula for Fellowship pertains to our walk.
The Word walk is the Greek word “Peripateo.” Literally it means to tread all around. But it is used throughout the New Testament figuratively to speak of how we live, how we deport oneself.
A contrast is painted here between walking in darkness and walking in light.
It is a theme that John has spoken of before.
In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
Sin causes separation. Isa 59:2
But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, And your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
There are places that I could not go to worship, that I could not maintain fellowship, why because of how they walk. If you choose sin over the savior, the world over the word, wrong over right. Darkness over light there is no fellowship there. And the reality is they can’t fellowship with you either.
Look at the testimony of the word. 1 John 2:19
They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
III. The Forgiveness of Fellowship, vs. 8-10
III. The Forgiveness of Fellowship, vs. 8-10
Forgiveness is the path to fellowship.
Jesus said, Take Heed that no man deceive you. that includes yourself.
First look at the means of forgiveness - Blood. back in verse 7.
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
Next, notice the method of Forgiveness - Confession.
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Finally, see the measure of Forgiveness - All.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Conclusion
Conclusion
As a believer, when there is sin. Our relationship with Christ is not broken, but our fellowship is. Confession and repentance bring forgiveness and the reestablishment of Fellowship.
Today the first question is? Are you a believer, are you in fellowship with God and his church? Have you placed yourself upon the foundation of fellowship, Jesus Christ?
You say yes. I am a Christian, I believe in Jesus.
The second question then is: Are you walking in Light or in Darkness? If you are not in fellowship, it is an indicator, it is like a warning light on the dash of your car. Everything may seem okay, but really, it’s not. You must deal with the sin problem. Identify, confess and receive forgiveness. So that fellowship can be restored.