Fellowship with Christ
Fellowship with Christ13
'Follow Me'; the Holy Trinity; Life and Prayer; Perseverance in Prayer;carnal or Spiritual
By Andrew Murray0MAT 26:71MRK 3:14LUK 5:10JHN 15:27ACT 4:13ROM 13:141CO 11:12CO 3:6GAL 5:241TH 1:6Andrew Murray emphasizes the necessity of continuous fellowship with Christ for effective ministry and soul-winning, highlighting that true discipleship involves being in close communion with Jesus. He explains that the Holy Trinity plays a vital role in this relationship, with God as the source of love, Christ as the visible grace, and the Holy Spirit as the empowering force. Murray stresses that prayer is not just a personal endeavor but a powerful means to intercede for others, urging believers to align their lives with their prayers. He contrasts the carnal and spiritual states of Christians, advocating for a life led by the Spirit through persistent prayer. Ultimately, he calls for ministers and believers alike to fully surrender to God, allowing Him to transform their lives and ministries.
Our Daily Homily - 1 Corinthians
By F.B. Meyer01CO 1:91CO 2:101CO 3:101CO 4:41CO 5:71CO 6:191CO 7:241CO 8:131CO 9:271CO 13:13F.B. Meyer emphasizes the profound partnership believers have with Jesus Christ, highlighting that we are called into fellowship with Him in His redemptive work and glory. This partnership assures us that Christ's interests are our own, and we can rely on His resources to meet our needs. Meyer encourages believers to recognize their bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit and to build their lives with care, ensuring that every action contributes to a structure of gold, silver, and precious stones. He also stresses the importance of love as the greatest virtue, which binds all other qualities together and reflects God's nature. Ultimately, Meyer calls for a life lived in constant communion with God, where every aspect is dedicated to His glory.
The Fellowship of His Son
By G.W. North01CO 1:1G.W. North emphasizes the significance of being called into the fellowship of God's Son, as highlighted in Paul's message to the Corinthians. He explains that while the Corinthians possess many spiritual gifts, these gifts can only be truly spiritual when exercised in fellowship with Christ. Without this fellowship, gifts may become carnal or even demonic, lacking the divine power Paul refers to. North stresses the importance of understanding one's calling, the nature of that calling, and the purpose behind it, which ultimately leads to a deeper relationship with Christ and a more effective witness in the world.
The Pathway of the Cross
By Jessie Penn-Lewis0JOB 2:4MAT 16:25JHN 12:24JHN 15:16ROM 6:5ROM 6:171CO 12:62CO 4:7PHP 2:17COL 3:3Jessie Penn-Lewis emphasizes the necessity of experiencing the Cross subjectively to bear fruit in the Christian life, illustrating that true fellowship with Christ involves dying to our natural life to allow the life of God to manifest through us. She explains that while many believers focus on victory over sin, they often overlook the deeper call to lay down their natural life for the sake of spiritual fruitfulness. The process of dying to self is likened to a grain of wheat that must fall to the ground to produce much fruit, highlighting the importance of surrendering our desires and relying on the Holy Spirit for true spiritual power. Penn-Lewis encourages believers to embrace this path of death, trusting that it leads to a more profound union with God and a life that bears eternal fruit. Ultimately, she calls for a commitment to follow Christ in this sacrificial journey, assuring that such a life will be marked by divine fruitfulness and impact.
Christ's Longing for Fellowship
By David Wilkerson0PSA 27:8MAT 28:19JHN 4:7JAS 4:8REV 3:20David Wilkerson emphasizes Christ's deep longing for fellowship as illustrated in His encounter with the Samaritan woman at Jacob's Well. Through their conversation, Jesus reveals His identity as the Messiah and demonstrates that true fulfillment comes from doing God's will rather than physical sustenance. The disciples are surprised by this interaction, highlighting the importance of spiritual nourishment and the work of witnessing to others. Wilkerson encourages believers to seek quality time with Jesus, assuring that He desires to communicate with those who come to Him with honest and seeking hearts. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a deeper communion with Christ in our daily lives.
Grow Up
By C.H. Spurgeon0PSA 23:1ISA 58:11MAL 4:2JHN 10:9EPH 4:15PHP 1:9COL 1:10HEB 5:121PE 2:22PE 3:18C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the importance of spiritual growth in his sermon 'Grow Up', encouraging believers to leave behind the confines of despondency and embrace the joy and confidence found in fellowship with Christ. He likens this growth to young calves that thrive in the open pastures, urging the faithful to seek the abundant life that Jesus offers. Spurgeon calls on the congregation to rise from spiritual immaturity and to actively pursue growth in grace and knowledge, reminding them that they have the nurturing care of their Redeemer. He encourages believers to respond to the light of the Sun of Righteousness and to expand their hearts in faith.
The Fellowship of Christ's Sufferings
By G. Campbell Morgan0ISA 53:3MAT 5:10JHN 15:18ROM 8:172CO 1:5PHP 3:10COL 1:242TI 2:12HEB 4:151PE 4:13G. Campbell Morgan emphasizes the profound connection between believers and Christ through the fellowship of His sufferings, illustrating that in our pain and struggles, we are never alone as Christ shares in our suffering. He explains that this fellowship brings a unique joy, rooted in the understanding of sin and the purity it demands, which leads to a deeper relationship with God. Morgan highlights that our emotional responses to sin, misunderstanding, and the plight of others stem from our intimate knowledge of God and His love, reinforcing that our suffering is intertwined with His. Ultimately, he presents the paradox that true joy can be found in the shared experience of suffering with Christ.
All the Days of My Appointed Time Will I Wait
By C.H. Spurgeon0PSA 27:14ISA 40:31ROM 8:182CO 4:17PHP 1:212TI 4:7HEB 12:1JAS 1:121PE 5:10REV 21:4C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the value of enduring life's trials as a means to deepen our fellowship with Christ and to prepare us for the glory of heaven. He suggests that our struggles on earth enhance the sweetness of eternal rest and that our suffering can serve a greater purpose in ministering to others and glorifying God. Spurgeon encourages believers to view their earthly experiences as opportunities to reflect Christ's honor, asserting that even the most difficult trials can be a light price for the privilege of sharing in His kingdom. He concludes by reminding us to patiently await our appointed time, trusting in God's eternal plan.
Psalm 23 Series (Session 4)
By Joseph Carroll2532:07PSA 23:1PSA 90:1MAT 6:33JHN 10:27JHN 15:4ACT 17:28ROM 7:41CO 1:9PHP 4:61PE 5:7Joseph Carroll emphasizes the importance of cultivating a personal relationship with Christ as our true dwelling place, rather than merely seeking His blessings. He warns against the distractions of culture that lead us away from intimacy with God, urging believers to prioritize fellowship with Jesus above all else. Carroll highlights that true achievement in the Christian life is not about statistics or gifts, but about devotion and love for the Lord. He encourages the congregation to be conscious of Christ's presence, casting their cares upon Him and engaging in quiet time for spiritual growth. Ultimately, he calls for a return to the simplicity of life centered on fellowship with Christ, which brings clarity and peace amidst life's complexities.
Sitting at the Table With King Jesus
By Thomas Brooks0SNG 1:12MAL 4:2MAT 5:16JHN 15:52CO 2:15GAL 5:22EPH 2:6PHP 1:11COL 1:101PE 2:9Thomas Brooks emphasizes the profound impact of being in the presence of King Jesus, illustrating that His companionship enhances our spiritual graces, likened to a perfume that spreads its fragrance. He explains that when we sit at the table with Christ, we experience deep friendship and fellowship, which invigorates our faith and other virtues. Just as sunlight causes flowers to bloom, the presence of Christ brings our graces to life, allowing them to flourish and be fully realized.
Fellowship Between Christ and His Church in Testimony
By T. Austin-Sparks0JHN 17:81CO 15:51EPH 1:19EPH 5:301TH 4:171TI 3:161PE 3:182PE 1:4T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the profound fellowship between Christ and His Church, illustrating how the Divine nature was manifested in Christ and continues through His Body, the Church. He highlights the Church's calling to be a living testimony of Christ's presence in the world, maintaining a witness of resurrection life amidst a hostile environment. Sparks warns against reducing the Church's purpose to mere religious activities, urging believers to embody the essence of Christ and reflect His love to the world. He concludes with the hope of the Church's future glory, affirming that believers are called to participate in the divine mystery of being received up in glory, just as Christ was.
Taking Up the Cross
By Andrew Murray0MAT 10:39MAT 16:24MRK 8:34LUK 9:23ROM 6:5GAL 2:20GAL 5:24GAL 6:14Andrew Murray emphasizes the profound meaning of taking up the cross as a call to self-denial and surrender to Christ. He explains that the disciples initially struggled to understand this concept, but it ultimately signifies recognizing the death sentence on our sinful nature and the necessity of crucifying our flesh. Murray highlights that true fellowship with Christ involves living in the awareness of our crucifixion with Him, as expressed by Paul in his letters. He encourages believers to seek daily communion with the crucified and living Lord, understanding that the power of the cross is not just for salvation but for ongoing spiritual fellowship. The sermon calls for a deeper engagement with the cross, leading to transformation and a life that glorifies Christ.
Marital Union
By T. Austin-Sparks0ROM 7:1T. Austin-Sparks explores the profound nature of the marital union between Christ and the Church, emphasizing both the legal and spiritual aspects of this relationship. He explains that while believers are legally united with Christ, the ultimate spiritual union is yet to be fully realized, culminating in the marriage supper of the Lamb. Sparks highlights the importance of companionship and fellowship in this union, illustrating how the Church is called to be a vessel for Christ's life and purpose. He draws parallels between earthly marriages and the divine relationship, stressing the need for mutual growth and unity. Ultimately, the sermon calls for believers to seek a deeper, more intimate relationship with Christ, moving beyond mere legal standing to a vibrant spiritual union.