Introduction

Good morning, church family! I am thrilled to be here today and to dive into some precious truths found in God's Word. Today, we're going to be exploring a topic that I believe is absolutely vital for every believer - fellowship with God.

We're going to be exploring this from 1John 1: 1-4. Let me read that to you now:

"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 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. We write this to make our joy complete."

In this passage, John invites us to have a deeper fellowship with God and with each other, promising that in this fellowship is fullness of joy.

As A.W. Tozer once said, "To be right with God has often meant to be in trouble with men." In the same way, to seek deep fellowship with God often requires us to push past our comfort zones, to reach out in new ways, and to truly seek Him with all our heart, soul, and mind.

So before we dive into this precious truth, let's invite the Holy Spirit to guide our understanding. Would you bow your heads with me?

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for this beautiful day and for every person here. As we delve into Your word, we ask for insight and understanding. Open our hearts to receive Your truths and help us to grasp the depth of fellowship with You. May our lives reflect an intimate relationship with You, and may our joy be full as we draw nearer to You. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

The Nature

The nature of fellowship with God is not a mere religious exercise or a routine that we perform out of obligation. Rather, it is a dynamic, living, and personal relationship with the Creator of the universe. It is an intimate communion with God, where we share our deepest thoughts, feelings, and desires, and in return, we experience His love, grace, and guidance in our lives.

Its relational aspect: This is not a distant, impersonal relationship. It is a close, intimate, and personal relationship. In John 15:15, Jesus said, "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you." This is the kind of relationship God desires to have with us - a relationship of friendship, where there is mutual love, respect, and understanding.

Its transformative nature: Fellowship with God is not a static experience, but a dynamic one that changes us from the inside out. As we spend time in God's presence, we are transformed into His likeness. In 2 Corinthians 3:18, Paul writes, "And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." This transformation is not a one-time event, but a continuous process that happens as we maintain our fellowship with God.

Its reciprocal nature: It is not a one-way relationship where we are the only ones talking or the only ones receiving. It is a two-way relationship where we both give and receive. We share our hearts with God, and He shares His heart with us. We express our love for Him, and He expresses His love for us. We listen to His voice, and He listens to our voice. This reciprocal nature of fellowship with God makes it a deeply satisfying and fulfilling experience.

Its voluntary nature: God does not force us into fellowship with Him. He invites us, but it is up to us to accept His invitation. In Revelation 3:20, Jesus says, "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me." This shows that God respects our free will. He does not impose Himself on us, but patiently waits for us to open the door of our hearts to Him.

Its eternal nature: Our fellowship with God is not limited to this earthly life. It extends into eternity. In John 17:3, Jesus prayed, "Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." Knowing God and having fellowship with Him is not just for the here and now, but for all eternity.

The Benefits

Peace: When we are in fellowship with God, we experience a peace that surpasses all understanding, a peace that guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7) ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO