Biblical Fellowship (A Communion Sermon)

As we read through the New Testament, we can see that FELLOWSHIP is essential to God’s church. For a church to be a strong church, FELLOWSHIP IS ESSENTIAL. Let me give you an example how important it is.

Illus: Romanian orphans have a medical condition that many of them suffer from.

In Romania, there are so many orphans institutionalized that there isn’t enough food or medical supplies, or staff members to take care of them.

• The babies, often past toddler age, are still kept in diapers and placed in cribs because there’s no other way to take care of them.

• They are very seldom lifted out to be fed or even have their diapers changed.

These poor children have very little physical contact with other human beings, especially any of the cuddling and holding that babies need to develop normally.

They end up in a SEMI-CATATONIC condition and often die from a lack of human contact. This condition is called the, “Failure to thrive syndrome.”

It is terrible to live a life in a SEMI-CATATONIC condition where we lack human contact. Did you know the same thing can happen to us spiritually?

The key to avoiding this spiritual disease is through “Biblical Fellowship.”

The reason this New Testament church was such a strong church was partially due to the STRONG FELLOWSHIP THEY HAD WITH EACH OTHER. No doubt about it, THESE CHRISTIANS REALLY LOVED EACH OTHER. They were like a loving family. Look how they looked out for each other.

Look at Acts 2:41-47. "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."

Notice, the Bible said they continued in, “THE APOSTLES DOCTRINE AND FELLOWSHIP.”

Illus: It’s true that someone can be a Christian without attending a church. Going to church will not make you a Christian any more than going to a garage will make you a mechanic.

The effective Christian life is not meant to be lived alone. A Christian who lives a life away from other Christians will never mature or persevere in the faith without fellowship.

Many go to church for different reasons, but the Bible makes it clear why the early Christians attended church.

We see -

I. THEY MET TO HEAR THE TEACHINGS OF GOD

Look again at what the scripture says about this church, we read, "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship,….”

They loved to hear the teachings of God. One of the first indications that a person has been born again is that they will attend church to hear the Word of God TAUGHT and PREACHED!

Illus: Dr. Odell Belger said that before he was saved, he thought Christianity was for, “Old people that drove around in black Fords!” He said that he used to ride by churches when he was headed for the lake to go water skiing, and he would see cars in the church parking lots and he really felt sorry for those people. Why? Because he felt they had nothing to do but go to church. After he was saved, he understood why they went to church.

These New Testament Christians loved the Lord and they attended church to hear the Word of God taught. They wanted to learn all they could learn.

Illus: You can learn some interesting things when you study the Bible, such as:

• Q. Who was the greatest financier in the Bible?

• A. Noah. He was floating his stock while everyone else was in liquidation.

• Q. Who was the greatest female financier in the Bible?

• A. Pharaoh’s daughter. She went down to the bank of the Nile and drew out a little prophet.

• Q. What kind of motor vehicles are in the Bible?

• Jehovah drove Adam and Eve out of the Garden in a Fury.

• Q. How do we know that the disciples drove a Honda.

• A. Because the Bible says they were in ONE ACCORD.