Christian Fellowship

Today we are taking a break from Proverbs, even though Pastor John is giving the message. It comes from 1 Corinthians 16: 5-12

This is a subject that I am passionate about, yet missing in my own life because of how we live right now. I am slowly building online relationships with godly people, and that’s great, but I miss personal meetings. I miss being in a church family I love and want to do things with and people I want to do things for.

God wants fellowship to be similar to what you would find in a bar…minus the alcohol 🍺. Not that it’s wrong to come together for a drink, but fellowship is more than “hanging out” watching a game, it needs to be gathering for a common purpose.

It needs Tobe interactive, unshockable, nurturing, and done with love.

When Paul was in Ephesus, he wrote to the church at Corinth saying how much he missed them and wanted to be with them. He wanted to spend time with them.

1. Our Desire to be With Each Other Reveals the Special Nature of Fellowship. (16: 5-7)

”Koinonia”

Fellowship, communion, sharing, participation, distribution, something given to relieve the poor. The Greek prefix “koinos” means common.

• Common Identity
• Common Experience
• Common Purpose

2 Corinthians (6: 11-14 says in part, “We have spoken openly to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you.As a fair exchange, I speak as to my children – open wide your hearts also.”

Actively listen and ask follow-up questions when people do open up in flock group or anywhere else. Don’t use it as a springboard for you to talk about your own comparisons or experience.

Paul faced much opposition in Ephesus. He told the Corinthians that he had to stay there until Pentecost. He was doing good, changing hearts, but there were riots, and many Jewish leaders opposed his teaching.

2. We Experience FellowshipWhen We Do The Work of Ministry Together Despite Hard Work or Opposition. (16: 8-9)

We must have a purpose and promote service. And you should expect hurt and disappointment sometimes.Do it anyway. Confront them as an individual and that is how you become closer because you dealt with it in the proper way. Forgive and encourage.

Paul wanted Timothy and Opollos to go ahead to Corinth and be treated properly. Timothy was younger and shy, so Paul asked that they not scare him. Opollos wanted to stay but said he would be along when he had an opportunity.

The norm of other-centeredness and fellowship are all these things and more.

3. The Act of Fellowship Advances Others. (16: 10-12)

Be on your guard, stand firm in the faith, be courageous; be strong. (16: 13)

Do everything in love. (16: 14)

If your church has something like a “flock” group, join them, pray with them. Support each other and your missionaries also. They should grow and change when new people join as well.

Fellowship enhances sanctification because it creates disciples.

Until I can be back in a home and have a membership in a church, I will continue to share my Sunday message, study through my Bible app and try to recruit friends and share it with others.

I’m so happy some of you are reading the book I shared the other day! I haven’t seen or talked to Mike in a couple of days due to my injury (I’ve been resting and recooperating) but he will be so happy to learn new people are finding his book. Please share it when you have finished by sharing the link with a friend.

Read online for free at God-Evidence-Truth.com