True Fellowship

Dear Brethren,

Do we really need to fellowship?  Exactly what is fellowship and what is its purpose?  What is true fellowship?  With the people of God so widespread today, it would be easy to give up and say, "There is nobody around here for me to fellowship with."  With whom should the saints of God fellowship?

We should realize that our fellowship rightly begins with God the Father, and then extends to Jesus, and then continues to include all the brethren in the Body of Christ.  Notice the words of John.  "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."  (1John 1:3) 

We are warned not to claim fellowship with God if we do not walk in all His ways.  "If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth."  (1John 1:6)  How do we as Christians avoid walking in darkness?  The answer is that we must continuously come out of sin and be obedient to every word of God - it is called walking in the light - and it is absolutely necessary in order to have Godly fellowship with the saints of God.  "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."  (1John 1:7) 

God the Father called us into the express relationship of fellowshipping with our elder brother, Jesus.  Paul wrote, "God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord."  (1Cor 1:9 )  Since Jesus Christ lives in each member in Spirit, (Galatians 2:20) our fellowship with Christ extends to all who have His Spirit.  True fellowship and pure religion must include not only contact with God, but with all who are led by God's Holy Spirit.

Jesus Christ explained that, in order to be a part of the Kingdom of God, we must maintain this close fellowship with Him and the Father and be productive members.  He says that we must "bring forth much fruit."  Jesus says that we must be productive members - or be cut off.  Please notice here, the entire fellowship progression emanates from the Father to the Son and to all who love one another.  Christ is not speaking here of grapes when He mentions fruit - He is showing the obligation for Christians to fellowship extensively in love for one another.  Jesus explains the entire beneficial relationship beginning with how He is the Vine and we are branches in His Father's vineyard.

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: [productivity is a must].  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: [our fellowship must be increasing] for without me ye can do nothing... As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love... This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you... [genuine fellowship]  Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends... These things I command you, that ye love one another..."  (John 15:1-17)

Christian friends fellowship with each other because they truly love one another with a Godly love.  They encourage each other.  They lift a fallen brother or sister.  They pray for and come to the aid of those who are weak.  A true Christian fellowship transcends casual get-togethers such as choir practices and social gatherings, and extends to include a deep personal regard for all the saints of God.  "Then they that feared the Lord spoke often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it."  (Malachi 3:16 )

Paul has some wonderful instructions to help us form the right kind of fellowships.  "If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind."  (Philippians 2:1-2)

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Sermon:

"The Christian Sabbath"