JOY IN FELLOWSHIP THAT TRANSFORMS
THE SECRET TO IGNITING FELLOWSHIP IN THE CHURCH
PHILIPPIANS 1:4-8 ALWAYS OFFERING PRAYER WITH JOY IN MY EVERY PRAYER FOR YOU ALL, 5 IN VIEW OF
YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THE GOSPEL FROM THE FIRST DAY UNTIL NOW.6 FOR I AM CONFIDENT OF THIS VERY
THING, THAT HE WHO BEGAN A GOOD WORK IN YOU WILL PERFECT IT UNTIL THE DAY OF CHRIST JESUS. 7 FOR
IT IS ONLY RIGHT FOR ME TO FEEL THIS WAY ABOUT YOU ALL, BECAUSE I HAVE YOU IN MY HEART, SINCE
BOTH IN MY IMPRISONMENT AND IN THE DEFENSE AND CONFIRMATION OF THE GOSPEL, YOU ALL ARE
PARTAKERS OF GRACE WITH ME. 8 FOR GOD IS MY WITNESS, HOW I LONG FOR YOU ALL WITH THE AFFECTION
OF CHRIST JESUS.
INTRODUCTION: TODAY, BEFORE WE MOVE FORWARD, I WANT TO TAKE A STEP BACK AND LOOK AT THE
ISSUE OF FELLOWSHIP. THIS GREETING OF PAUL RECORDED IN THE VERSES SERVES AS A VIVID REMINDER OF
THE FELLOWSHIP WE SHOULD ALL HAVE AS FOLLOWERS OF JESUS CHRIST.
CHRISTIANS WERE THE FIRST TO DO AWAY WITH THE COMMON BARRIERS OF THE DAY: RACIAL, WEALTH,
EDUCATIONAL, CULTURAL, JEWS AND GREEKS, AND GREEKS AND ROMANS.
FOLLOWERS OF JESUS CHRIST RALLIED AROUND ONE LORD AND ONE SALVATION. WERE THERE BARRIERS IN
THE EARLY CHURCH? YES, THEY WERE PRESENT. THE EARLY CHURCH CHOSE TO IGNORE THEM. IN THE LIFE
OF THE CHURCH, BARRIERS WERE NOT IMPORTANT!
TRANSITION: THE JOY EXPERIENCED BY THE PHILIPPIAN CHURCH WAS, IN PART BASED ON THEIR EMBRACING
THE FELLOWSHIP OF THEIR ONENESS AS A CHURCH IN CHRIST, THEIR SINCERE WELCOME OF OTHER
BELIEVERS, AND THEIR GENUINE LOVE FOR THE BODY OF CHRIST
PROPOSITION: WE NEED TO REVERSE THE TREND OF JOYLESSNESS IN OUR CHURCHES BY
REDISCOVERING OUR FELLOWSHIP.
WE REVERSE THE TREND BY:
1. PRAYING FOR EACH OTHER
a. TWO ASPECTS TO PRAYING FOR EACH OTHER
i. PRAYING FOR EVERYONE
ii. PRAYING WITH EVERYONE
b. PRAYER IS SIMPLY CONVERSATION WITH GOD
c. PRAYER IS A METHOD OF COMMUNICATING WITH GOD
i. WE NEED TO COMMUNICATE OUR ADORATION OF GOD
ii. WE NEED TO COMMUNICATE OUR AREAS OF WEAKNESS TO GOD
iii. WE NEED TO COMMUNICATE OUR GRATITUDE TO GOD
iv. WE NEED TO COMMUNICATE OUR NEEDS TO GOD
d. UNDERSTANDING THE DYNAMICS OF PRAYER
i. THE NEED FOR PERSONAL PRAYER
1. THERE ARE TIMES IN OUR LIFE WHEN WE NEED TO CALL OUT TO GOD
2. THERE ARE TIMES IN OUR LIVES WHERE GOD NEEDS TO CALL OUT FOR USMATTHEW 6:6 "BUT YOU, WHEN YOU PRAY, GO INTO YOUR INNER ROOM, CLOSE YOUR DOOR AND PRAY TO
YOUR FATHER WHO IS IN SECRET, AND YOUR FATHER WHO SEES WHAT IS DONE IN SECRET WILL REWARD
YOU.
a. WHEN YOU CALL OUT TO GOD – TIME OF PERSONAL PRAYER
b. GO INTO YOUR ROOM – PLACE OF PERSONAL PRAYER
c. CLOSE THE DOOR – PRIVACY IN PERSONAL PRAYER
d. PRAY TO YOUR FATHER – DIRECTION OF PERSONAL PRAYER
e. GOD WILL REWARD YOU – ANSWER TO PERSONAL PRAYER
ii. THERE IS THE NEED OF CORPORATE PRAYER
1. GOD PROMISES HIS PRESENCE IN CORPORATE PRAYER – WHERE TWO OR THREE
ARE GATHERED TOGETHER, ….
2. CORPORATE PRAYER IS PRAYER WITH POWER
EXODUS 2:23 NOW IT CAME ABOUT IN THE COURSE OF THOSE MANY DAYS THAT THE KING OF EGYPT DIED.
AND THE SONS OF ISRAEL SIGHED BECAUSE OF THE BONDAGE, AND THEY CRIED OUT; AND THEIR CRY FOR
HELP BECAUSE OF THEIR BONDAGE ROSE UP TO GOD.
MATTHEW 18:19 "AGAIN I SAY TO YOU, THAT IF TWO OF YOU AGREE ON EARTH ABOUT ANYTHING THAT
THEY MAY ASK, IT SHALL BE DONE FOR THEM BY MY FATHER WHO IS IN HEAVEN.
3. GOD ANSWERS CORPORATE PRAYER
ACTS 12:5 SO PETER WAS KEPT IN THE PRISON, BUT PRAYER FOR HIM WAS BEING MADE FERVENTLY BY THE
CHURCH TO GOD.
ACTS 12:7 AND BEHOLD, AN ANGEL OF THE LORD SUDDENLY APPEARED AND A LIGHT SHONE IN THE CELL;
AND HE STRUCK PETER'S SIDE AND WOKE HIM UP, SAYING, "GET UP QUICKLY." AND HIS CHAINS FELL OFF HIS
HANDS.
ACTS 12:11 WHEN PETER CAME TO HIMSELF, HE SAID, "NOW I KNOW FOR SURE THAT THE LORD HAS SENT
FORTH HIS ANGEL AND RESCUED ME FROM THE HAND OF HEROD AND FROM ALL THAT THE JEWISH PEOPLE
WERE EXPECTING."
4. IT IS GOD’S WILL THAT WE HAVE CORPORATE PRAYER
ISAIAH 56:7 EVEN THOSE I WILL BRING TO MY HOLY MOUNTAIN AND MAKE THEM JOYFUL IN MY HOUSE OF
PRAYER. THEIR BURNT OFFERINGS AND THEIR SACRIFICES WILL BE ACCEPTABLE ON MY ALTAR; FOR MY
HOUSE WILL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER FOR ALL THE PEOPLES."
MATTHEW 21:13 AND HE *SAID TO THEM, "IT IS WRITTEN, 'MYHOUSE SHALL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER';
BUT YOU ARE MAKING IT A ROBBERS' DEN."
MARK 11:17 AND HE BEGAN TO TEACH AND SAY TO THEM, "IS IT NOT WRITTEN, 'MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLEDA HOUSE OF PRAYER FOR ALL THE NATIONS'? BUT YOU HAVE MADE IT A ROBBERS' DEN."
LUKE 19:46 SAYING TO THEM, "IT IS WRITTEN, 'AND MY HOUSE SHALL BE A HOUSE OF PRAYER,' BUT YOU HAVE
MADE IT A ROBBERS' DEN."
a. WE CANNOT EXPECT GOD’S HOUSE TO BE IN ORDER IF WE HAVE MADE
HIS HOUSE SOMETHING OTHER THAN A HOUSE OF PRAYER
b. WE CANNOT HAVE FELLOWSHIP IN GOD’S HOUSE IF GOD’S HOUSE IS NOT
IN ORDER
c. WE CANNOT REVEAL OUR DIFFERENCE FROM THE WORLD IF WE DO NOT
HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH EACH OTHER.
ONE OF THE REASONS THE CHURCH STRUGGLES IS THAT IT HAS ABANDONED THE PRIORITY OF CORPORATE
PRAYER!
2. HAVING CONFIDENCE IN GOD
a. CONFIDENCE IN GOD HAS TWO DIRECTIONS
b. PAUL SAYS IT WAS RIGHT FOR HIM TO FEEL THIS WAY ABOUT THE PHILIPPIANS.
i. IT WAS RIGHT FOR PAUL TO FEEL CONFIDENT ABOUT THEM.
c. THE ATTITUDE OF PAUL WAS THAT GOD WAS AT WORK IN THEIR LIVES AND THAT GOD WOULD
PERFECT THEIR LIVES THROUGH WHAT HE WAS DOING IN THEM.
d. THE ISSUE TODAY HINDERING FELLOWSHIP IS OUR CONCLUSION ABOUT OTHER BELIEVERS;
THAT THEY ARE GOING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.
i. OFTEN THE ISSUES ARE TRIVIAL, AND DO NOT AFFECT THE FOUNDATIONS OF OUR
BELIEF, ONLY THE COMFORT OF OUR PRACTICE.
ii. WE WILL EMBRACE THE ISSUE OF SOVEREIGNTY, YET AVOID ITS PERSONAL APPLICATION
TO OUR SITUATION.
e. LACK OF CONFIDENCE
i. DOES NOT ALLOW US TO CHANGE
ii. DOES NOT PERMIT US TO ADAPT
iii. DOES NOT PERMIT US TO RESPOND OR ACCEPT OTHERS IN GRACE
iv. BLINDS US TO THE FACT THAT GOD IS AT WORK JUST AS MUCH IN THEM AS HE IS IN US.
v. BLINDS US TO THE POSSIBILITY THAT WE ARE THE ONES WHO NEED TO CHANGE!
f. THE PURSUIT OF CONFIDENCE
i. REQUIRES INTROSPECTION
Psalm 139:1 O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts;
24 And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.
ii. CONFIDENCE IN GOD REQUIRES ASKING THE TOUGH QUESTIONSiii. CONFIDENCE IN GOD REQUIRES SEEKING THE RIGHT ANSWERS
iv. CONFIDENCE IN GOD REQUIRES FOLLOWING THE CORRECT PATH
IF WE WILL NOT DISCERN THE WORK OF GOD AND ACCEPT IT, WE CANNOT EXPECT GOD TO BLESS OUR
ENDEAVORS, EVEN IF THEY ARE FOR HIM! – “I NEVER KNEW YOU” – WE ONLY THINK WE ARE ENDEAVORING
FOR HIM!
3. SHARING IN THE GRACE GOD HAS GIVEN US
a. WE ARE ALL PARTAKERS OF THE GRACE GIVEN TO PAUL – NOTICE HE USES THE PHRASE “WITH
ME” – TOGETHER
b. WHAT WERE PAUL’S GRACES?
i. PAUL WAS SENT BY GOD – IF WE ARE TO PARTAKERS OF GRACE WITH PAUL, WE ARE
SENT. WHEN IS THE LAST TIME YOU WENT?
ii. PAUL WAS TO PREACH – SHARE THE WORD OF GOD. WHEN IS THE LAST TIME YOU
SHARED THE WORD OF GOD WITH SOMEONE. BY THE WAY, PAUL’S PREACHING WAS
NOT EXCLUSIVELY TO BELIEVERS!
iii. PAUL PRESENTED THE GOSPEL – WE ARE TO SHARE THE GOSPEL TOO – WE CANNOT
EXPECT THE BEST GOD HAS WHEN WE IGNORE OUR PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY.
c. WE HAVE EACH BEEN GIVEN THE SAME GRACE TO SERVE THE LORD
THE ISSUE IS WHAT WE CHOOSE TO DO WITH IT, OR NOT DO WITH IT
4. LONGING FOR EACH OTHER.
a. WE CANNOT JUST TOLERATE OTHER BELIEVERS
b. TOLERANT BELIEVERS ARE INTOLERANT FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST
i. CHRIST WAS MORE THAN TOLERANT
ii. CHRIST WENT OUT OF HIS WAY TO BE APPROACHABLE
c. WE NEED TO LEARN TO ENJOY THE COMPANY OF OTHER BELIEVERS
d. WE NEED TO ALL BECOME MODELERS OF ENJOYMENT.
i. ARE YOU WILLING TO CHANGE YOUR PLANS
ii. ARE YOU WILLING TO SPEND TIME
iii. OFTEN WE WANT PEOPLE TO SPEND TIME WITH WHAT WE ENJOY DOING BUT WE DO
NOT WANT TO SPEND TIME WITH WHAT THEY ENJOY DOING.
e. PAUL MODELS THE LONGING OR ENJOYMENT OF OTHERS IN THE END OF ROMANS
Romans 16:21-23 Timothy my fellow worker greets you, and so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my
kinsmen. 22 I, Tertius, who write this letter, greet you in the Lord. 23 Gaius, host to me and to the whole
church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer greets you, and Quartus, the brother.
i. TIMOTHY WAS HIS FELLOW WORKER
ii. LUCIUS, JASON AND SOSIPATER WERE HIS RELATIVES
iii. TERTIUS WAS A SCRIBEiv. GAIUS WAS HIS HOST – A WEALTHY MAN
v. ERAS
vi. ERASTUS WAS THE CITY TREASURER – A MAN OF GREAT INFLUENCE
vii. QUARTUS WAS A SLAVE
f. EVERYBODY EXPRESSED THEIR GREETING
g. EVERYBODY WAS IMPORTANT TO PAUL
h. EVERYBODY WAS WORTH HIS TIME, TALENT AND CONSIDERATION
5. IMPORTANCE DID NOT MATTER, A HOUSE TO SHARE DID NOT MATTER, MONEY DID NOT MATTER,
INFLUENCE DID NOT MATTER
6. WHAT MATTERED WAS THEIR ONENESS IN CHRIST
John 13:35 "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
THE SECRET TO IGNITING FELLOWSHIP IS
PRAYING TOGETHER
HAVING CONFIDENCE TOGETHER
SHARING IN GRACE TOGETHER
LONGING TOGETHER
WITHOUT IT THE TRUE DISTINCTIVE OF THE BODY OF CHRIST – OUR ONENESS IS LOST
WHAT ARE WE WITHOUT THE DIFFERENCE CHRIST MAKES IN US? HMMM….
AS WE CLOSE IN PRAYER TODAY, MAYBE WE NEED TO ASK GOD IF WE ARE WHO WE NEED TO BE INORDER
FOR THE CHURCH TO BE WHAT SHE NEEDS TO BE!
