Sunday, July 31, 2016 am
OTHERS 24
Fellowship With One Another
We have begun a study of the interaction of Christians to one
another. In the past 3
lessons we have addressed how we are the family of God (brethren), and
some of the blessings associated with that brotherhood.
Today we want to begin the bulk of this portion of our theme by
addressing many of the “one another” passages as learn how we are to
treat each other as brethren.
Today we begin with 1 John 1:7, “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship
with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from
all sin.“ I have chosen
this “one another” passage because we need to understand exactly what
fellowship is and see how it is used in scripture.
We mentioned this in our lesson last week, but I want us to focus
on it in this lesson. It is
imperative that we understand fellowship as it is used in scripture if
we are to understand how we are to apply this in our relation to one
another, when we are assembled together and toward God.
a.
The Greek word for
fellowship is, (κοινωνία, koinōnia), and deals with having things in
common or sharing. We
sometimes define this as “joint participation.”
It is derived from the Greek word Koinos which means common or
ordinary – hence the idea of sharing something, such as a partnership
(cf. Luke 5:10 where James and John were partners).
BDAG defines it as close association involving mutual interests and
sharing. Sometimes the word
sharing or communion is used and helps us understand the word.
If I understand correctly the word was used commonly to deal with
associations of various sorts, including social interaction.
However, in scripture, the various contexts in which it is found give a
more limited definition. it
is used a number of times and its usage is related to our faith and
association with God and one another.
It is not used to describe church social gatherings, even
though as Christians we are to share with others and have social
gatherings (Acts 2:46, Heb. 13:16).
b.
Fellowship begins with
God –
when we obey the gospel. 1
Corinthians 1:9 speaks of how we are called into fellowship with His
Son. Galatians 3:27 – we
are baptized into Christ and put Him on.
When we obey the gospel, we are added to His church (Acts 2:47).
2 Peter 1:4 speaks of our being partakers of His divine nature,
having escaped the corruption in the world.
Our fellowship with God continues as we are obedient to Him – 1 John
1:3, 6-7. We keep waling in the
light as He is in the light.
1 John 2:3-5 – we know that we are in Him by keeping His commandments
(see also John 14:21, 23).
That fellowship must remain – Hebrew 3:14 – we are partakers with Christ
if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end.
c.
That fellowship ought to be the foundation of OUR fellowship as brethren.
1 John 1:6-7.
Fellowship with him will lead to fellowship with one another as well.
Hebrews 3:1 says, “Therefore, holy
brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and
High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus,”
Galatians 3:27-29 - we are all one in Christ.
Ephesians 2:19-22 – we are fellow citizens and members of the household
of God.
Ephesians 3:8-9, Paul was commissioned to preach among the Gentiles the
unsearchable riches of Christ and to “make all see what is the
fellowship of the mystery” which he has identified that Gentiles are
fellow heirs of the same body
d.
As brethren we have
things in common
(koinos) –
i.
Titus 1:4 – a common
faith
ii.
Jude 3 – a common
salvation
iii.
Acts 2:44 – they had all
things in common (they shared with one another)
e.
As brethren, we are
“fellows”
i.
Another interesting
word. The Greek word,
“fellow” is not akin to “fellowship”, rather its is συνεργός,
(synergos), from which we get our word synergy, which means a
combination of entities that working together create greater
effectiveness. IN the New
Testament it was often a prefix describing relationships of brethren.
ii.
We are fellow workers –
1 Corinthians 3:9
iii.
We are fellow heirs -
Ephesians 3:6
iv.
We are fellow citizens –
Ephesians 2:19
v.
We are fellow soldiers –
Philippians 2:25 (Paul used this to describe Ephaproditus, his brother.
vi.
Paul referred to
Aristarchus as his fellow prisoner (Col. 4:10), and several as fellow
laborers (Philemon 24)
vii.
Finally, Peter spoke of
himself as a fellow elder – 1 Peter 5:1.
He is also a partaker (koinonos) of the glory to be revealed
viii.
Together, this is yet
another word that describes how we work together because we have
something in common – our salvation and hence fellowship in Christ.
But what does this fellowship mean as we consider one another?
Let us notice a few passages that help us answer this:
a.
Fellowship is based upon
truth –
the first point we must realize!
There has to be a standard that we all seek to follow.
Philippians 2:1-2 finds a call for total unity that is based upon our
consolation in Christ, comfort of love, fellowship of the Spirit as well
as affection and mercy. We
have already established that fellowship with God is based upon
obedience of His word.
Galatians 2:9. Paul and Barnabas given the right hand of fellowship for
going to Gentiles, when determined it was the truth.
2 John 9-11, warning us, even as individuals, if one comes into our
midst not abiding in the doctrine of Christ (which would include His
teachings, the teachings of His followers and OBEYING those teachings)
he is not to be received. To
“greet him” is to share (koinonei) in his evil deeds.
When error was being taught about circumcision (to the Gentiles), Paul
and others did not yield to it, even for an hour (Galatians 2:4-5).
The churches at Pergamos (Rev. 2:12-16) and Thyatira (Rev. 2:18-20) were
condemned for tolerating those teaching and those practicing error in
their midst.
b.
We worship God together
in fellowship with one another
– Acts 2:42 – fellowship
is mentioned and associated with their worship.
A study of worship emphasizes how it is an act of fellowship:
Every act of worship, while directed toward God, involves all of us in
some way.
Our prayers are offered for one another and with spirit and
understanding. (1 Cor. 14:15) Even though one leads us in these prayers,
we all should be able to say “amen” (1 Cor. 14:16)
Giving is an act where together we lay by in store (1 Cor. 16:1-2)
Ephesians 5:19 – our singing is teaching and admonishing one another
And the Lord’s supper clearly uses the term fellowship – 1 Corinthians
10:16 – as we break the bread and bless the cup, it is a communion with
the body and blood of Christ.
This is why Paul expresses such concerns of its abuse in 11:18,
20, 23-29, etc.
c.
We seek the purity of the church together
-
As Christians be reminded that we are part of the body of Christ.
He purchased the church with His own blood – Acts 20:28
He loved the church and gave Himself for her that He might sanctify and
cleanse her, and that He might present her to Himself as a glorious
church, not having spot or wrinkle, but rather that she be holy and
without blemish (pure) – Ephesians 5:25-27.
Our task is to keep her pure.
AS a part of the body of Christ, our task is to keep her pure.
That involves purity with her AND within our own lives.
The church at Corinth was rebuked for its tolerance of immorality (1
Cor. 5:1-2, 6)
Earlier, in 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 Paul warns the church that they are
the temple of God and are not to defile it.
God would destroy him who did.
As individuals, we too
need to be pure as it affects the purity of the church!
1 Corinthians 6:18-20 calls for us as individuals to flee
fornication (sexual immorality).
2 Cor. 6:14-17 – Paul warns against fellowship with unbelievers &
darkness. We are to come out
from among them and be separate.
In Ephesians 5:11, Paul warned, have no fellowship with unfruitful works
of darkness, but rather to expose them.
d.
Practicing discipline
for the purity of the church –
when impurity is found in the church, it must be purged out.
We sometimes call this an act of discipline.
1 Corinthians 5:3-7 – the church at Corinth was told to deal with
its immorality. Paul noted this was not good and it had to be addressed.
To fail to do so was to corrupt the whole church (as leaven,
leavens the whole lump).
IN Matthew 18:15-17 we find the procedure for discipline.
It eventually involves the church.
For discipline to work, the congregation has to work together with the
hopes that the unfaithful brother will repent and return.
We need to withdraw ourselves from those who are teaching error and
failing to consent to wholesome words (1 Timothy 6:3-5).
e.
We share with each other
–
Our final observation this morning is to know that we need to prefer one
another (Romans 12:10).
A word that actually means we outdo one another in honor and love.
Because of our brotherhood and fellowship, we choose to be with
one another over the world.
Romans 12:13 calls for us to distribute (koinōneō) to the needs of the
saints.
Heb. 13:16 – we must not forget to do good and to
share (this would
certainly include our brethren)
1 Timothy 6:18 – the rich are to be willing to share (koinonikous)
Acts 4:32, Barnabas and others sold land to share with the needy.
Vs. 32 says they had all things in common (koina).
Other passages use the term fellowship to apply to helping brethren with
needs in other places (Romans 15:26-27) AND for the support of preaching
the gospel (Philippians 1:5, 4:14-15, etc.).
Time will not permit addressing these at this time.