TEXT: Various
TITLE: Fellowship - What is it?
TOPIC: Fellowship, unity
OCCASION: Burnside Christian Church, September 5, 2010
PROP.: It’s time to fully enjoy the companionship of your church family, because we were never meant to be alone!
INTRODUCTION: I need to ask you a question: What are you doing here? I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’m pleased as pink punch that you are here. But why?
I mean there are literally dozens of churches to choose from; so why did you end up at Burnside Christian Church?
Is it because we have a contemporary worship service? Is it because we have a great youth program for your kids? Is it because the preacher is so intelligent and spiritual? All of these things are true of Burnside Christian Church…but you can find these things at other churches, did you know that?
Well before I convince you to go somewhere else, I want to remind you why you’re here today. 2 reasons why you are here: You are here at Burnside Christian Church because we preach and teach God’s truth in an uncompromising yet practical way. That is hopefully what got you started coming to Burnside. But you are also at Burnside Christian Church because of FELLOWSHIP.
We are on an ever constant journey to become the church that Jesus desires us to be. The focus for September will be for us to become more committed to fellowship. This month, I am focusing all of my energy, time, effort and creativity into fellowship!
So what is fellowship? I mean if that’s in part, why you’ve chosen Burnside Christian Church over all of the other conservative, Bible believing churches…we better study it.
Here is a definition: “The intimate sharing of our lives together under the rule and reign of Christ."
I have no doubt that the reason you are here is because you have developed some relationships with other believers in this body. You have close knit friendships and bonds with the people you are sitting next to. And that’s AWESOME! Because it’s those tight relationship bonds that will keep you here. EVEN WHEN THERE’S CONFLICT. Even when the preacher is long winded.
But here’s the deal - I want you to have a close knit bond with not only the people you are sitting next to, I want you to have this close knit bond with EVERYONE in the church. And it’s not just my desire - it’s God’s desire!
And maybe you’re like, “Well I’m doing pretty good at that!”
Here’s a few questions you can ask yourself to gauge your level of tight knit bonds…
1. Do you know the names of at least 90% of your church family?
That’s 9 out of 10 people here today. How would you do with that?
2. Do you interact with people from church more than just on Sundays?
Bible studies? Meals? Movies? Games? Do you call people up and just hang out during week?
3. Do you have at least 5 church friends you can call on if you needed something?
When tragedy strikes or when you have a problem that needs fixing at your home, do you have at least 5 church people you can call RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW?
So how do we promote “The intimate sharing of our lives together under the rule and reign of Christ."
One thing that we have done in the past that has helped promote fellowship - is CIRCLE 8 GROUPS. Raise your hand if you were involved with the circle 8 groups in the past? Ok good. Then you know what to expect. But for those who might be new, I want to tell you what these groups are all about…
We will form groups of no more than 8 people (this can be couples and singles)…once you sign up, we will randomly assign you to be in a group. These groups will meet 4 times with people in the group taking a turn to fix and host a meal in their home. If there are two singles in the group, those two singles can fix the meal together in one or the other’s home.
The only thing spiritual will be a prayer that said before eating the meal. This will be an effective way to get to know people in this body on a deeper level. You will get to see where they live, eat food they’ve prepared and talk about small stuff. If this is confusing, don’t worry, those who sign up will get a letter explaining all of this in great detail.
But have you ever wondered why fellowship seems to include food? It’s because when you eat you are the most relaxed. Fellowship doesn’t ALWAYS include food. Fellowship doesn’t always have to be a bible study. Fellowship is intended get beyond the surface and develop deeper, more trusting relationships within this body of believers known as BURNSIDE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
One of the greatest joys about being a youth minister was what took place within our youth group. There was a sense of fellowship like none other! It was often times those hours spent in the van on the way to Mexico that made the bond of our group stronger!
T.S.: Let’s explore 3 truths of fellowship…
First of all
1. Fellowship is centered on FAITH (1st John 1:3-7)
There is a tight bond between people who have something in common. Motorcyclists do the motorcycle wave…soldiers have a brotherhood bond that is unbreakable…It’s that ‘sameness’ that bonds those people together. The same is true for the Christian. But here’s how it’s different for Christians: when followers of Jesus Christ get together to share life together, our ‘sameness’ is based on something eternal! The things not of this world! Our fellowship isn’t based on some silly hobby or something that is temporary.
(Listen to 1st John 1:3,4)
3We 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. 4We write this to make our joy complete.
Our Faith in Christ gives us:
A. fellowship with God
--Christ our mediator:
Because of What Christ has done, you and I have access to God! We have the ability to share a close knit relationship.
LISTEN TO: 1st Timothy 2:5
For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.
--GARDEN OF EDEN
You see, there was a time when God and man had perfect fellowship. But then sin entered the world and the fellowship was broken…so Christ had to come and repair the fellowship between God and men.
And Because of what Jesus has done for us, we can be called Children of God!
Where once we were outsiders…we are now on the inside! We now have fellowship with God!
But notice in 1st John that our faith in Christ not only gives us fellowship with God, Our faith in Christ also gives us…
B. fellowship with one another (1st John 1:5-7)
5This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7But 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[b] sin.
Our BELIEFS in things Spiritual have united us. It’s what connects us. It’s what allows us to have fellowship! There are a lot of differences between you and me. We may have nothing else in common, but our beliefs in Christ are what’s important, and we have that in common! Fellowship is a celebration of sameness! It is why when I go on vacation that I can walk into a church and immediately have something in common with those people! Why is that? It’s just like Paul was telling Timothy in Ephesians 4...
Ephesians 4:4,5
4There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
We may be different, but we have the same Spirit, Love the Same God, and serve the savior!
ILLUSTRATION: bag of M&M’s. You open up a bad of M&M’s and you’ll get different colors…some even have smiley faces and eyes and talk…But you know something? They are the same on the inside! It’s what’s on the inside that makes them an M&M and not a skittle! So too, we as Christians come in different shapes, colors…but it’s what is on the inside that makes us Christians!
TRUTH #1: FELLOWSHIP IS CENTERED ON FAITH!
Truth #2:
2. Fellowship feels like FAMILY
The Early church was much like a family. They ate together, they were in one another’s homes…they valued those relationships because all they had were each other! (read Acts 2:42ff)
In a family…
A. Needs are met
You have protection in a family. You have shelter in a family. You have basic needs met. You know that you can always count on family. The first church knew this…they were dedicated to one another…so much so in fact that listen to what verse 45 tells us of Acts 2...
45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.
Do you know why they sold their possessions? Because they wanted to. They loved one another so deeply, that if someone had a need, they wanted help their church family!
Also, in a family:
B. Blood is thicker than water -
You’ve heard it said that blood is thicker than water. What does that mean? That means that family…your blood relatives mean more than just the average Joe. IN THIS FAMILY…the CHURCH family, we have the Blood of Christ…and His blood is what gives us our strong bond!
--Church membership
This seems like as good a place as any to talk about Church membership.
1 Cor. 12 tell us that there are many parts…but one body! Christ is the head of this body. Christ is what brings this body together. Why should you place membership with this body? Because when you place membership here, you become connected to the body! If you are merely a faithful attendee, you are loosely associated with the body. Let me illustrate this way:
ILLUSTRATION: If my hand gets stuck someplace, I’m gonna do all I can do to retrieve my hand! The rest of my body will react in great concern! Why? Because my hand is connected to my body! It’s a part that is a member. Now, take my wedding ring. Is it a part of my body? Well, it’s loosely associated to my body. It’s usually with me wherever I go. But my wedding ring isn‘t attached to the rest of my body. It can come and go. It can fall off. It can get lost.
All of that to say this:
How meaningful is this church family to you? By placing membership at this church, you are declaring to your brothers and sisters that you are going to be there for them through thick and thin. And when you place membership here, it also places a greater responsibility on the rest of us to you! You are now apart of this body. If you are not a member of Burnside Christian Church, would you talk to me or one of the other elders and consider placing your membership with us? It’s a public commitment that you are going to be committed to your brothers and sisters here at Burnside Christian Church!
Also, in a family
C. love covers everything
The Bible tells us that love covers a multitude of sins. No where is that better displayed than in a family! And no where should that be BETTER displayed than in a CHURCH family. Unfortunately, there are too many church splits, arguments, and disputes.
People are going to mess up. People will irritate us. People will disappoint us. But our love for one another should be what keeps us together!
In your family, you can’t just get upset and leave when things aren’t going your way. You must choose to forgive…because guess what? You’re stuck with them. They are a part of you and you’re a part of them!
ILLUSTRATION: Psalm 68:6 “God sets the lonely in families” I want you to know that God has placed you today at Burnside Christian Church for a reason. And perhaps that reason is because you feel lonely. Well you shouldn’t feel lonely; you are surrounded by God’s people…your family!
Enjoy the fellowship…it feels like family.
Before we move on to our last point…I want to ask a question about fellowship
If Fellowship is like a family, shouldn’t we at the VERY least know one another’s names?
3. Fellowship looks like FRIENDSHIP
Being in student ministry for 7 years, there is one thing I can tell you, and that’s this: FRIENDS MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD.
I’ve met hundreds of students who’ve had problems and issues they’ve needed help with…and 8 times out of 10, those problems resulted in their choice of friends: Who they are choosing to hang out who they are not choosing to hang out with. Friends make all the difference in the world. And one thing those students realize in the end is that those people who will be there through thick and thin are who their true friends are. And most of the time, those friends are church friends.
-- David & Jonathan - If you don’t know the story of David and Jonathan you should read about it! What you need to know is that these two were really really close friends. And I hate the way that the felt boards portrayed David and Jonathan. They portray them as effeminate little sissy boys. These two were anything BUT girly men! You have David who killed a bear and a lion! Who slayed a giant with a sling. David was a mighty warrior!
Then you have Jonathan 1st Samuel 14. He was no slouch himself. He and his armor bearer went out LOOKING for some Philistines to fight. He climbed a mountain and then proceeded to fight! 1st Samuel 14 tells us that Jonathan and his armor bearer killed 20 men!
Do you get the picture? David and Jonathan weren’t weak at all!
They were two manly men! And yet, they loved each other. They were best friends. I say this to our men here today…there’s nothing, not a THING, wrong to love your friends. To love them so much that you express it. And fellowship with them.
Friends are…
A. Loyal - Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for
adversity.
I think this obvious when we are seeking friendship. We want someone who will say the same things around us as when we aren’t there. We want someone who will be there through the valleys. Jonathan was loyal to David. You understand that Jonathan was KING Saul’s son…the PRINCE. Next in line to the throne. But it was ordained by God that David was to be the next King of Israel. And yet, Jonathan cared more about his friend David than about becoming king. He was loyal to David!
B. Helpful - Ecclesiastes 4:10 If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But
pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!
Saul wanted to kill David. But Jonathan was helpful to David and saved his life! Helpful is an adjective that mildly describes Jonathan’s friendship! Where would David had been if it were not for Jonathan?
C. How to make friends at church:
You need to get to know people! So how do you get to know people?
--Attend Sunday School and get involved in a Sunday school class!
--Attend a small group Bible study…we have several that I am aware of.
--Attend adult Sunday night study!
--Go to a conference (women of faith…promise keepers!)
--Sit in a different section of church! J
--Take advantage of special get-togethers: Fellowship dinners, scrap and snack (once a month), knit and crochet, volley-ball, church softball, church basketball…do you get the picture? GET INVOLVED!
--You know something? I have several special friends…and you know how I have come to have those special friends? I’ve gotten to know them: playing air soft wars, playing Halo 2 at the church, stuffing my face full of Chinese food, praise team practices, elder’s meetings, volleyball, youth team meetings…I have formed special friendships with people
CONCLUSION: I want to conclude this morning’s message with a section from Bill Hybel’s book: REDISCOVERING CHURCH:
The Bible says true fellowship has the power to revolutionize lives. Masks come off, conversations get deep, hearts get vulnerable, lives are shared, accountability is invited, and tenderness flows. People really do become like brothers and sisters. They shoulder each other’s burdens - and unfortunately, that’s something that few of the people in the church ever experience.
In many churches it just doesn’t seem legal to tell anyone you were having a problem. Families that sat in the same pew for years would suddenly disappear, because the husband and wife were in turmoil over marriage problems. Instead of coming to the church for help and prayer and support, they fled the other way, because they didn’t feel the freedom to say, ‘We love Jesus, but we’re not doing very well. Our lives feel like they’re unraveling. We need some help!’
The implicit understanding was that you shouldn’t have a problem, and if you did you’d better not talk about it in the church.
I learned that lesson well. When I got old enough to stand on the church patio after services, someone would say, ‘So, Bill, how are things in high school?’
And I’d give the response that I thought was expected. ‘Fine, Ben,’ I’d say. ‘They’re just great.’
I didn’t feel I could tell him that my heart was being ripped to shreds because my girlfriend and I had broken up. Or that I was flat-lined spiritually. Or that I had and older brother who was drinking too much and driving too fast, and I was scared about where his life was heading.
I didn’t say anything, because I felt that a good Christian just didn’t admit to having those kinds of real-life difficulties. And in many churches, that’s called fellowship.
It shouldn’t be.” (Rediscovering Church, p. 159-160)
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The true motive behind fellowship is for us to feel like we can share the intimate details of our lives with one another! To seek support when we need it the most! To occasionally cry together. To laugh together. To connect. I realize that this kind of deep fellowship won’t happen over night. But perhaps these circle 8 groups might be the start of a beautiful friendship! Because we were never meant to be alone! IF you are interested in that kind of relationships, please sign up in the fellowship hall.
We come now to our time of decision.
