Sunday Morning Sermon

Preached by John Gaines at Leonard Street Church of Christ

July 6, 2003

1. We have failed to study the subject of fellowship as thoroughly as we should.

a. Some think of fellowship only in the sense of withdrawing fellowship -- and they think that means kicking someone out of the church.

b. Others think of fellowship in terms of eating. "Let's have a fellowship." They mean "Let's have an occasion where we get together and eat a lot of delicious food."

c. We talk about "fellowship halls" when we mean "cafeterias" (or as our non-institutional brethren like to call them "eating halls").

2. It is true that we might strengthen the ties of fellowship when we "break bread" together. The first disciples in the Jerusalem church broke bread from house to house [Acts 2:46]. It is a good thing for God's people to eat together, play together, visit together, and build up their relationships as brothers and sisters in the Lord. However, fellowship is far more than spending time together. Let's get into a Bible study on the meaning of fellowship.

I. RECOGNIZING WHAT FELLOWSHIP IS

A. Fellowship is sharing -- joint participation -- partnership. Used 16 times in NKJV Bible.

A. Participation in the blood of Christ [1 John 1:7 (NKJV) But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.]

1. Walking in the light is a requirement in order for this fellowship to exist. Those who walk in darkness but say they have fellowship with Christ are lying [1 John 1:6]. This allows us to be in communion with God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit.

a. 1 Corinthians 1:9 (NKJV) God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

b. 1 Corinthians 10:16 (NKJV) The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? Communion is koinonia, the same Greek word elsewhere translated fellowship.

c. Philippians 2:1 (NKJV) Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy,

2. God's people must not be in fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness [Ephesians 5:11 (NKJV) And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.] Look also at:

a. 1 Corinthians 10:20 (NKJV) Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons.

b. 2 Corinthians 6:14 (NKJV) Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?

B. Cooperation in the work of the gospel [Philippians 1:5 (NKJV) for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now,] Fellowship in the gospel is being:

1. Fellow workers [Philippians 4:3 (NKJV) And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.]

2. Fellow servants [Colossians 1:7 (NKJV) as you also learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf,]

3. Fellow soldiers [Philippians 2:25 (NKJV) Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need;] James, Peter, and John gave Paul and Barnabas "the right hand of fellowship" [Galatians 2:9]. This acknowledged that they were fellow soldiers servants the same Commander.

C. Sharing in the meeting of needs

1. 2 Corinthians 8:9 (NKJV) For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. Jesus is the Perfect Model in giving to help the poor.

2. 2 Corinthians 9:13 (NKJV) while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men, Sharing is the word koinonia -- fellowship.

3. Romans 15:26 (NKJV) For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem. Contribution is again koinonia -- fellowship.

II. REALIZING THE FELLOWSHIP GOD MEANS FOR HIS PEOPLE TO ENJOY.

A. An inadequate understanding of fellowship is one of the factors accounting for church members becoming unfaithful.

1. Fellowship implies an intimate relationship with God. When that fellowship is missing, the individual lacks a strong spiritual connection which keeps him faithful.

2. Fellowship also means close relationships with other Christians. I've heard discussions about whether the church ought to "withdraw fellowship" from members who just drift away and stop coming. Some say, "There's no fellowship there to withdraw." Sadly, that's true in many cases and that provides the explanation for why they became unfaithful. Christians must be bound together with strong ties if we are to withstand the storms of life and remain faithful to the Lord [1 Corinthians 15:58].

B. We strengthen the bonds of fellowship as we involve ourselves in the business of being Christians.

1. Worship [Acts 2:42 (NKJV) And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.] Some think "fellowship" as used here is a reference to giving. I don't think it's that specific. The Jerusalem disciples continued steadfastly in fellowship. As they were taught by the apostles and as they worshiped God, the "ties that bind" grew stronger and stronger. This explains the remarkable generosity these poor people demonstrated. People will do anything in the world for those they know and love.

2. Work

a. Benevolence [2 Corinthians 9:13 (NKJV) while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men,]

b. Evangelism [Philemon 1:6 (NKJV) that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.]

III. FELLOWSHIP RESTORED IS TO BE OUR GOAL AS WE DEAL WITH THE REALITY OF SIN IN THE CHURCH.

A. Sin creates a barrier to Christian fellowship. While "withdrawing fellowship" is not a phrase found in the Bible, it is a Bible idea.

1. Romans 16:17 (NKJV) Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.

2. 2 John 1:9-11 (NKJV) Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; 11 for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds. [Cf. Revelation 18:4 (NKJV) And I heard another voice from heaven saying, "Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.]

3. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 (NKJV) But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us.

4. See 1 Corinthians 5:11 for a specific list of sins. We are commanded not to "keep company" or "eat" with brethren guilty of these sins.

B. The ties of fellowship are cut by persistent sin (when Christians refuse to repent). Fellowship, however, can be restored. Our aim is to regain our lost brothers and sisters and re-tie the strings of fellowship. [James 5:19-20 (NKJV) Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.

CONCLUSION