A CALL TO FELLOWSHIP - PART 1 OF 5
As a fellowship of Believers, our Mission is tied up with our Vision; our vision is tied up with being, or becoming, the Church that the Lord wants.
This series touches that vision, which is one of ‘Bringing a Sick World to Christ’, with our particular emphasis being placed on this nation of Luxembourg.
1. INTRODUCTION
‘Fellowship’ is known in the New Testament as ‘koinonia’, i.e. meaning, ‘a close mutual relationship’; ‘participation’, ‘sharing in’; ‘partnership’.
1. The early church had four main priorities. In Acts 2:42, we have this account of the early church: “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
2. Today, many churches place great importance on being true to the Word of God (doctrine), observing the Lord’s Supper (breaking of bread), and being fervent in prayer.
3. These things are certainly important, but what of “fellowship”? Do we properly understand this area of the Lord’s church? Are we practicing it in a way consistent with the example of the early church?
4. So, beginning with this message :
a. we will examine the subject of “fellowship” in the light of scripture
b. We’ll do this with the objective of ensuring the proper understanding and application of this Biblical subject
2. THE PROBLEM OF SELF-CENTREDNESS
Let’s start by looking at ‘self-centredness’, a characteristic that can significantly affect true fellowship, true ‘koininia’. By ‘self-centredness’, we really mean an attitude that is looking inwards, not necessarily by deliberate choice, but one that can develop through time and circumstances. It is something we must guard against.
A. AS CAN BE MANIFESTED IN A LOCAL CONGREGATION:
1. What if an observer came to make a careful analysis of the church’s life in reference to fellowship, a person who would examine:
* How we relate to one another when we assemble for worship
* How we interact with each other away from our assemblies
* Our group loyalties (cliques)
* Our willingness to support each other in time of need
* The amount of time we spend in the company of others in the church, i.e. seeking to learn how well we know those whom we sit by each Sunday.
What would we expect him to discover?
2. Several years ago, some churches allowed themselves to be analysed in this way; here is what was discovered:
* The great majority of members knew a very small percentage of the people, even in smaller churches
* Those who gathered for worship were mostly an anonymous group of worshippers
* They were not a genuine community of souls prepared to bear one another’s burdens
* They expressed little interest in becoming more involved in each other’s lives, i.e., they came to worship only for the sake of their own spiritual life and personal salvation! The report said, “Many go to church in exactly the same way they go to the cinema.”
3. The main conclusions of the survey were:
* The churches in the survey consisted of members who were “self-centred”
* Therefore, very little fellowship of any sort was taking place!
Note: Please don’t jump to conclusions. I’m not suggesting that the same condition exists here.
But, as we grow in number, the potential is there for losing the kind of fellowship we should experience. The purpose of this study is to counter the kind of “self-centeredness” that can destroy the spiritual fellowship God would have us experience in church.
B. SOME REASONS FOR SELF-CENTREDNESS IN CHURCHES
1. Many of us lived through the “Me Decade”
a. The 1970’s were viewed as being distinguished by self-centred attitudes and self-indulgent behaviour
b. They were a time in which there was :
1) A rapid rise of crime against others - rape, theft, assault, murder
2) An increased use of drugs and alcohol as a way of escape
3) A turn to philosophies and religions which involve preoccupation with Self:
* “Looking Out For #1”
* Transcendental Meditation (TM), and Yoga etc.
4) An emphasis on consumerism and materialistic gain
c. But worse was to follow. The decade of the 1970s, the ‘Me’ decade, was followed by the “Greed Decade” of the 1980s and the ‘90s, ‘00s and ‘10s have just gone from bad to worse.
Such cultural trends have produced many self-centred people.
2. We live in a highly mobile society
* New families move in, and others move away
* Many live great distances from their place of worship, and from each other
* These facts do not prevent us from having proper fellowship, they just make it easier to become isolated from the fellowship unintentionally
3. Technology designed to bring us closer together, can easily move us apart
* Phones, email, etc., greatly increase our ability to communicate
* But we can become stretched out so thin through such technology, that we don’t develop any meaningful relationships
4. A failure to appreciate the Biblical teaching about “Our Life Together”
3. THE CHURCH: A FELLOWSHIP FREE FROM SELF-CENTEREDNESS
It is the last point, “Our Life Together”, that I want to expand in this message. While social trends may be nourishing the spirit of self-centeredness, God designed church to point us in a different direction.
A. THIS TRUTH IS EMPHASISED IN THE APOSTLES’ DOCTRINE
1. We are to be hospitable to one another
1Pe 4:9 Welcome people into your home and don't grumble about it.
2. We are to care for one another
1Co 12:26 If one part of our body hurts, we hurt all over. If one part of our body is honoured, the whole body will be happy.
3. We are to pray for one another
Jam 5:16 If you have sinned, you should tell each other what you have done. Then you can pray for one another and be healed. The prayer of an innocent person is powerful, and it can help a lot.
4. We are to restore one another
Jam 5:19,20 My friends, if any followers have wandered away from the truth, you should try to lead them back. (20) If you turn sinners from the wrong way, you will save them from death, and many of their sins will be forgiven.
5. We are to teach and admonish one another
Col 3:16 Let the message about Christ completely fill your lives, while you use all your wisdom to teach and instruct each other. With thankful hearts, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.
6. We are to serve one another in love
Gal 5:13 My friends, you were chosen to be free. So don't use your freedom as an excuse to do anything you want. Use it as an opportunity to serve each other with love.
B. THIS TRUTH WAS SHOWN IN THE EARLY CHURCH
1. By the church in Jerusalem
Act 2:42-46 They spent their time learning from the apostles, and they were like family to each other. They also broke bread and prayed together. (43) Everyone was amazed by the many miracles and wonders that the apostles worked. (44) All the Lord's followers often met together, and they shared everything they had. (45) They would sell their property and possessions and give the money to whoever needed it. (46) Day after day they met together in the temple. They broke bread together in different homes and shared their food happily and freely,
2. By the church in Antioch
Act 11:27-30 During this time some prophets from Jerusalem came to Antioch. (28) One of them was Agabus. Then with the help of the Spirit, he told that there would be a terrible famine everywhere in the world. And it happened when Claudius was Emperor. (29) The followers in Antioch decided to send whatever help they could to the followers in Judea. (30) So they had Barnabas and Saul take their gifts to the church leaders in Jerusalem.
3. By the churches in Macedonia
2Co 8:1-5 My friends, we want you to know that the churches in Macedonia have shown others how kind God is. (2) Although they were going through hard times and were very poor, they were glad to give generously. (3) They gave as much as they could afford and even more, simply because they wanted to. (4) They even asked and begged us to let them have the joy of giving their money for God's people. (5) And they did more than we had hoped. They gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us, just as God wanted them to do.
4. By the churches in Achaia
Rom 15:26 For it has pleased those of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints in Jerusalem.
C. SUCH FELLOWSHIP IS A NATURAL CONSEQUENCE OF THE TEACHING OF CHRIST
1. The kingdom consists of those who love both God and their brethren
Mar 12:28-34 One of the teachers of the Law of Moses came up while Jesus and the Sadducees were arguing. When he heard Jesus give a good answer, he asked him, "What is the most important commandment?" (29) Jesus answered, "The most important one says: 'People of Israel, you have only one Lord and God. (30) You must love him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.' (31) The second most important commandment says: 'Love others as much as you love yourself.' No other commandment is more important than these." (32) The man replied, "Teacher, you are certainly right to say there is only one God. (33) It is also true that we must love God with all our heart, mind, and strength, and that we must love others as much as we love ourselves. These commandments are more important than all the sacrifices and offerings that we could possibly make." (34) When Jesus saw that the man had given a sensible answer, he told him, "You are not far from God's kingdom." After this, no one dared ask Jesus any more questions.
2. So, the fellowship we are to enjoy in the church is both “vertical” and “horizontal”
a. With God:
1) We enjoy a “vertical” relationship - cf. 2 Cor 5:20
2Co 5:20 We were sent to speak for Christ, and God is begging you to listen to our message. We speak for Christ and sincerely ask you to make peace with God.
2) But, take care, for an overemphasis on this aspect can cause insensitivity to the needs of others
b. With fellow Christians:
1) We enjoy a “horizontal” relationship - cf. Eph 2:14-16
Eph 2:14-16 Christ has made peace between Jews and Gentiles, and he has united us by breaking down the wall of hatred that separated us. Christ gave his own body (15) to destroy the Law of Moses with all its rules and commands. He even brought Jews and Gentiles together as though we were only one person, when he united us in peace. (16) On the cross Christ did away with our hatred for each other. He also made peace between us and God by uniting Jews and Gentiles in one body.
2) But again, an undue emphasis on this aspect may cause one to neglect God
As in all things, the key to true fellowship is to develop a Scriptural balance and understanding.
4. CONCLUSION
1. As we continue in this series, we’ll further define:
* The fellowship that God intends His church to enjoyed
* The spiritual activities designed to nurture fellowship
* Elements necessary to preserve our fellowship
* Biblical limitations on the extent of our fellowship
2. But in this message, we’ve stressed:
* The importance of fellowship in the local church
* The danger of allowing “self-centeredness” to disrupt our fellowship
3. For now, here are some practical suggestions that will enhance our ability to provide proper fellowship:
* Learn the names of each member (make use of the church directory!)
* Take notice of the cares and the joys of fellow Christians (listen to the announcements!)
* Pray for those with special needs, mentioning them by name in your private prayers
* Let’s aim for a transparent lifestyle, where you aren’t afraid to let others know the ‘real you’, and where people feel comfortable in your presence.
