Christian Fellowship

Christian Fellowship

INTRODUCTION 1 John 1:7, “But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another."

1 John 1:3, “...that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.” The secular meaning of fellowship is association of a friendly character: comradeship; common interest of those in fraternal orders: friendly companionship.

Some say "fellowship" is "two fellows ill the same ship"; this is false, for passengers on the same boat may not speak to each other for they have nothing in common.

Christian fellowship is much deeper, sweeter than secular fellowship: Bible fellowship means spiritual communion, a joint partnership, a joint sharing, mutual partakers.

College fellowships have little in common (same school) (same hobby) but Christian fellowship is far more inclusive; it involves much more; it encircles whole life.

All born of the same Father (John 1:13); bought with the same price (1 Corinthians 6:20); members of the same Body (Colossians 1:18); taught by the same Spirit (John 16:13) walking in the same path (2 Corinthians 5:7); serving the same Master (Matthew 23:8); heirs of the same inheritance (Romans 8:17).

Fellowship is conditional upon our walking in the light, 1 John 1:7 (quoted above).

Sin breaks fellowship; broken fellowship can be restored by repentance and confession.

Isaiah 59:2, "But your iniquities have separated between you and your God." 1 John 1:7 provides the formula for restored fellowship-cleansing in the Blood of Christ. This Blood application is not automatic; it comes as we confess our sins--1 John 1:9.

Walking in the light means walking in obedience to the will of God; following His footsteps daily; following His footsteps we do no sin--1 Peter 2:21-22;

Fellowship is based on an intimate family relationship to Christ arid His family. Can two walk together except they be agreed? Amos 3:3. Certainly not! They must be agreed on (1) place of meeting-the cross;

(2) the direction to go-heavenward;

(3) goal-holiness with Christ;

(4) pace or speed--He sets the pace and we must follow.

We have fellowship, for our status has changed from that of an enemy to a fellow citizen of that heavenly land.

1 Corinthians 1:9, "... called unto the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord"; the basic call is fellowship rather than sacrifice or service.

Christians love to come together to speak of the things of the Lord and to share experiences and testimonies.

We need this fellowship for mutual strengthening and encouragement; the isolated Christian may be starved and lose out spiritually.

First seek fellowship with the Lord in prayer and Bible reading and then with His other sons and daughters; fellowship radiates in the face of the saint.

Hebrews 10:25, "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is." Fellowship is God’s ordained order for mankind; God created man to labour six days and be free to rest, fellowship and worship on the seventh day.

God recognized this principle in creation for He said, Genesis 2:18, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him"; this refers to marriage but it is equally true in Christian growth as well.

Jesus recognized this principle when He sent out His disciples two by two--Mark 6:7.

It is true that some Christians have matured while living in isolation in prison but they are the exception to the rule.

Ordinarily by getting together for Church worship; but there is also fellowship in prayer meetings, testimony meetings and street meetings.

Students in colleges have fellowship in group Bible study and small prayer cells.

Fellowship is often sweetest where two or three meet informally as Jesus says in Matthew 18:20. Two riding together in a jeep or bus can have excellent fellowship; sweet communion.

Two Christians on a work gang may fellowship together; Jesus and the two disciples had excellent fellowship on the Emmaus Road--Luke 24:32.

Jesus drew near and their hearts were strangely warmed; this is a spiritual fellowship, Acts 2:42, "And they (the saints in the Jerusalem Church) continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." The early Church thrived on fellowship; they considered it absolutely essential.

Fellowship is not a passive thing; it isn’t just attending a meeting; fellowship is when we contribute something to the meeting; it is a "give and take process."

With whom then may I have fellowship? Fellowship is best and sweetest with those of like Christian faith; fellowship with an evangelical,fundamental, conservative Church.

CONCLUSION Begin the day with fellowship--Godward in the Quiet Time, prayer and Bible study.

Meditate much on the Word of God during the day; let the Lord be our predominant thought. Keep company with believers of like faith but constantly make contacts with the unsaved waiting for opportunities to witness to them and invite them to be saved.

What is the difference between listening to a great radio sermon and being in a Church? Basically, the difference is one of fellowship; it is good to listen to great radio preachers but on Sunday morning we ought to be in our own Church, exuding fellowship.

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