CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

 

CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

1 John 1:3-7 New International Version

3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We write this to make our[a] joy complete. 5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all[b] sin.

The secular meaning  of the word “fellowship” means the association, camaraderie, togetherness and gathering of people who share common interests or calling, engagements and activities. Somebody said fellowship is two fellows in the same ship which is not entirely accurate because passengers in the same ship can avoid speaking to each other if they have nothing in common.

Christian Fellowship is much deeper than secular fellowship. Biblical idea of fellowship involves spiritual conviction, communion, Christian growth, mutual support, encouragement and sharing. Christian fellowship is derived from the fact that followers of Christ are members of the same body of believers, taught by the same Spirit, walk in the same path, serve the same Lord and joint heirs of Christ.

The Basis of Fellowship

The Fellowship of believers is based on the common identity that they walk in the light as mentioned in 1 John 1.  To walk in the light is a common metaphor in Christian culture. It means walking in the light of Christ. It means following Christ, growing in holiness and maturing in faith. It means walking in obedience to the will of God.

Amos 3:3 Can two walk together except they be agreed? They must be agreed. Christian fellowship is to be in agreement  in our Christian walk.

With whom do we have Fellowship?

1 John 1:3 ”… that you also may have fellowship with us and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.”  We have fellowship with God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

We have fellowship with fellow Christians. Christians have fellowship with one another in corporate worship, in prayer, in praising God, singing, learning, serving, sharing a meal, teaching, and caring. 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; an isolated Christian may become weak and vulnerable to the assault of the enemy.

Why the Need for Fellowship

Hebrews 10: 24-25 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Fellowship is God’s ordained order for mankind; God created man to labor for six days and be free to rest, fellowship and worship on the seventh day.

How do we have Fellowship

The early church thrived on fellowship. It is not only attending meetings. Fellowship is when we contribute something to the meeting; a mutual sharing and receiving. Ordinarily, we practice fellowship in worship, but there is also fellowship in prayer meetings, Bible Study, visitation, group meetings, and various assemblies of believers. There is also fellowship in small groups where the purpose is to encourage and uphold each other for spiritual strengthening. Two Christians talking about their life in Christ and their experiences is indeed Fellowship. And there is fellowship when believers gather together on special occasions and celebrations where God is praised and God’s word is shared. 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 Purposes of Fellowship

1 Fellowship among believers will strengthen them, and in the process will be a blessing to each other.

2 To encourage one another in the hard places of life, that the burdened souls may be lightened by the care and compassion for each other.

3 To share experiences and wonderful testimonies as to inspire the ones who are struggling and suffering.

4 To express the joys of answered prayers that others may be encouraged to keep praying.

5 To weep with them who weep. The fellowship of tears of sorrow and suffering is far more comforting than words.

6 To teach the weaker believer about God’s word and the mysteries of the Word of God to help them grow in knowledge and faith.

7 To exhort the backslider to repent and return to the fellowship of believers, as they are reminded of the joy, peace, missed blessings and contentment of walking again in the light of Christ,

With whom is Fellowship Denied

Christians are reminded not to have anything to do with the works of the devil and the workers of demonism and Spiritism

To have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness. Ephesians 5:11 “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” This would include worldly, sinful, lewd immoral, evil and perverse places and activities which debase the heart of the believer.

To have no spiritual fellowship with the unrighteous, unbelievers, worldly, and the unregenerate, but to witness to them, and be careful not to do, or be influenced by their unrighteous deeds.

The Results of Christian Fellowship

1 We learn to walk in obedience to God’s will

2 We learn to suffer together

3 We learn to serve together

4 We learn to comfort one another

5 We learn to bear one another’s burdens, joys, and sorrows           

6 We learn to rejoice with those who rejoice

7 We grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord.

Keep company with believers of kindred spirit and you will be amazed how much you feel the love of the Lord  exudes from them.