The Friends You Need.

  

Fellowship has become watered down in the church.  

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 sin.

-1 John 1:7

  

Fellowship originates from the Greek word Koinonia.

Two meanings of Koinonia: 

     •  To share together in the sense of joint partnership or participation.

     •  To share as in giving what we have to others.

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

-1 John 1:3

True fellowship starts with a relationship, not an activity.

  

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

-Acts 2:42

  Are you devoted to fellowship?

For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

-Ephesians 2:18-22

The first step to authentic fellowship is a relationship with Jesus and KNOWING & EXPERIENCING the Holy Spirit. 

True fellowship is found in a partnership in God’s work.

  

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now....

-Philippians 1:3-5

True fellowship is found when people work together to bring people far from God, near to God. 

True fellowship is found when Christians build one another up.

  

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

-Colossians 3:15-17

  

True fellowship involves concrete sharing of resources.

  

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

-Hebrews 13:16

  If you want to keep the change, you need to do fellowship as the bible directs. 

  

     

   

  

What is your main take-away from this message?

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