Spiritual Discipline Of Fellowship Series

Spiritual Discipline: Fellowship

August 22, 2021

I’m not sure if you’ve noticed but America is totally lost! We don’t like one another. We can’t agree on anything. We can’t talk about anything. We can’t even disagree with respect. We’re split politically, we’re mask on or mask off, we’re for vaccines or we’re against them, we only watch certain news stations.

We’re pro-Trump or anti-Trump; pro-Biden or anti-Biden. It seems like there’s no middle ground. And I haven’t even mentioned gender issues, sexuality and social justice issues.

I hope I have your attention!! Today ends our series on Spiritual Disciplines. I’m going to be talking about the last of the disciplines and next week will be a recap.

Why such a negative start to the sermon? Because, honestly, that’s where our country is. As I’ve been reading through the OT, I’ve been struck at the similarities and the proclamation by God that the people would be cast into exile. Life was going to get miserable. I wonder if we’re headed that way.

So, how do we combat this? I believe it’s a simple answer. On paper, it’s really, really simple . . . the answer is Jesus! There’s no other name, other than Jesus. But we differ on how to worship and what we believe in. Which puts us in another bind, but that’s for another day.

The only answer and only hope for our world, especially our country is Jesus Christ and His church. We’re the only hope, because we have the belief, faith, trust and hope found in Jesus. The church cannot stand or exist, if it is split, divided and fighting.

Now, let me comfort you, this isn’t us . . . but it could be. The church can’t argue over the color of the carpeting or paint on the wall. They can’t argue over certain negotiable doctrinal issues. I read about a pastor who’s retiring after over 20 years of being in 1 church and he asked the board if he could keep the laptop they bought him 5 years ago. They had to discuss it. Shame on them!

We worry over too many things that really don’t matter!! The church needs to major in the majors and minor in the minors. Worry about what’s really important

So, today, we’re talking about FELLOWSHIP. Fellowship is absolutely vital in the church. Without fellowship, we’re totally lost. Seriously, we need one another more than we realize. That’s why this men’s conference and ministry is so important. Men are you listening? We need one another!

So, what’s fellowship? It comes from a Greek word that maybe you’ve heard - - KOINONIA. Literally, kononia consists in the fact that Christians are partakers in common of the same mind as God and Christ, and of the blessings which come from that relationship.

Now, that may sound a little deep - - but it’s really a great definition. Fellowship means we have a relationship with one another which is based on the common belief and faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. You see, if you don’t believe Jesus died for your sins as He took them upon Himself, if you don’t believe He rose from the dead - - - then we can’t have fellowship - - impossible.

Let’s be honest, we wouldn’t have these friendships and relationships with one another in the church, if it wasn’t for a common belief in Jesus. We may vary on some issues of theology, but when it gets down to the root, we could proclaim the Apostles Creed and pretty much be in agreement. Let’s say it together - - -

I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth,

And in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord,

Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the Virgin Mary,

He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried.

He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead;

He ascended to heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;

From there He shall come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit; The Universal Church, the Communion of Saints;

The Forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen

When we look at the Apostles Creed, which is the oldest known creed, from around 140 AD, we’re pretty much in agreement. For me, everything starts with something like this creed. I don’t care if you’re Baptist, Methodist, Reformed, Presbyterian, Catholic, Pentecostal . . . or whatever. If we can agree on this, we have a great starting point, because we are brothers and sisters in Christ.

So, fellowship starts with the fact that we have this common and shared faith.