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Church Fellowship Church Fellowship a Bible study course for adultsa Bible study course for adults

Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary

Professor John F. BrugProfessor John F. Brug

for the WELS Council of Presidentsfor the WELS Council of Presidents

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Church Fellowship Church Fellowship a Bible study course for adultsa Bible study course for adults

PowerPoint: Angi Kinsley, Pastor Mark A. PowerPoint: Angi Kinsley, Pastor Mark A. CordesCordesNew Life Evangelical Lutheran ChurchNew Life Evangelical Lutheran ChurchShoreview, MinnesotaShoreview, Minnesota

Church Fellowship, pp. 23-31

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GoalsGoals

1.1. To see that contending for true To see that contending for true doctrine is a key point of Scripture.doctrine is a key point of Scripture.

2.2. To learn what attitudes we need to To learn what attitudes we need to practice Biblical fellowship practice Biblical fellowship principles.principles.

3.3. To grow in our willingness to To grow in our willingness to practice this teaching faithfully in practice this teaching faithfully in our church and personal lives.our church and personal lives.

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Opening Prayer

Lord, as we study your Word together, open our eyes that we may see your will concerning the doctrine of church fellowship. Open our hearts so that we will gladly practice the principles taught in your Word. Amen.

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ReviewReview What fellowship do we enjoy

as members of the one holy Christian Church?We enjoy fellowship with…

God and …with all who believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior.

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Why does God want his

people to assemble together in Christian

congregations and synods?

To express our fellowship in Christ.

Review

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To enjoy fellowship blessings…

• sharing the means of grace

• encouragement in worship

• Christian admonition

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• joint mission work

• training pastors, teachers, staff ministers

• supporting Christian schools

To enjoy fellowship blessings…

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RememberRemember!!

Church Fellowship refers to every activity in which members of visible churches join together to express their unity of faith and doctrine.

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TruthTruth and and lovelove—the two pillars of —the two pillars of the practice of church fellowshipthe practice of church fellowship

How does the Bible define love? Romans 5:8 1 John 4:10, 11 Romans 13:9,10

Love is acting in a way that benefits our neighbor.

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Truth and love—the two pillars of the practice of church fellowship

Learn real love by…

• Looking at God’s example.

• Listening to how his Word defines love in both…

…law and gospel.

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Two Pillars: Two Pillars: TruthTruth and and lovelove (cont.)(cont.)

Only God’s Word can make us wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. So the most unloving things we could do to a person would be… 1 Corinthians 13:6 Romans 12:9

Withhold God’s Word from anyone.Fail to warn against error.

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Two Pillars: Two Pillars: TruthTruth and and lovelove (cont.)(cont.)

What is the most loving thing we can do for a person?

Share the whole truth of God’s Word:1. Warn against every teaching and

action that is against God’s Word.2. Comfort sinners with Christ’s

forgiveness.

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Truth and love together

“The Rescuing Hug” Separated twins were not expected to live. A nurse broke all the

rules to put them together. Healthier one embraced her

sister who stabilized and lived.

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Two Pillars: Two Pillars: TruthTruth and and lovelove (cont.)(cont.)

Why must truth and love always be kept together in the church?

Our love does people no good unless it leads us to share God’s truth with them.

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Two Pillars: Two Pillars: TruthTruth and and lovelove (cont.)(cont.)

Truth must be shared in a loving way.

Warnings must also be guided by love.

See illustrations on pp. 27-29 in Church Fellowship.

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Working together for the truthWorking together for the truth

Read 2 John. (anti- = “instead of”) How many times does John mention

the two pillars of church fellowship – faith and love?

Why not show love by welcoming a false teacher into your home?

Is it wrong to let Jehovah’s Witnesses or Mormons come inside?

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Working together for the truthWorking together for the truth

Read 3 John.John praises the recipients of 3 John

for practicing church fellowship by helping fellow Christian brothers. He encourages them to continue.

According to 3 John 8, God-pleasing fellowship is……working together for the truth.

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Working together for the truth

How did John and his friends work together for the truth? (See 3 John 5,6,8,12.) Sending out true missionaries. Supporting them financially. Recommending them to

others. Welcoming them.

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Working together for the truth

Read 2 Corinthians 13:8. How does one work against the truth?

Teaching false doctrine. Support anyone promoting false

teaching. Working with false teachers. Giving financial support. Recommending them to others. Welcoming them.

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Why are false teachers so popular?

2 Timothy 4:2-5

2 Timothy 3:1-9

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Opposing false teachers Opposing false teachers in a spirit of lovein a spirit of love

How do we recognize enemies of How do we recognize enemies of the truth?the truth? 2 John 9-11 2 John 9-11 Matthew 28:18-20Matthew 28:18-20

How must we react to them?How must we react to them? 1 John 4:1,5,61 John 4:1,5,6

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Opposing false teachers Opposing false teachers in a spirit of lovein a spirit of love

Describe the manner and spirit Describe the manner and spirit with which we should oppose with which we should oppose error.error. 2 Timothy 2:23-262 Timothy 2:23-26

What does it mean to avoid What does it mean to avoid “word battles”?“word battles”? 2 Timothy 2:142 Timothy 2:14

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What is always our goal when we What is always our goal when we oppose false teaching?oppose false teaching?

1 Timothy 1:3-51 Timothy 1:3-5 LoveLove does not resent errors as does not resent errors as

personal insults or attacks. personal insults or attacks. LoveLove remembers that God’s remembers that God’s

Word is at stake, not our honor. Word is at stake, not our honor.

LoveLove is competent to teach the is competent to teach the truth clearly, gently, without truth clearly, gently, without hostility.hostility.

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Opposing false teachers Opposing false teachers in a spirit of lovein a spirit of love

How can a pastor prepare to How can a pastor prepare to battle against false teaching?battle against false teaching?

1.1. Be a devoted Bible student.Be a devoted Bible student.2.2. Pray for wisdom and courage to Pray for wisdom and courage to

teach the whole Word of God.teach the whole Word of God.3.3. Be informed about false Be informed about false

teachings and false teachers teachings and false teachers that threaten Christ’s flock.that threaten Christ’s flock.

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How can members help Pastor in How can members help Pastor in the battle against false teaching?the battle against false teaching?

1.1. Be devoted Be devoted Bible students Bible students to understand to understand warnings warnings against false against false teaching. teaching.

2.2. Be “Bereans.”Be “Bereans.” (Acts 17:11) (Acts 17:11)

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Help Pastor battle false teaching….Help Pastor battle false teaching….

3.3. Pray for your Pastor Pray for your Pastor

4.4. Encourage your Pastor.Encourage your Pastor.

5.5. Support his time to Support his time to study and pray.study and pray.

6.6. Support Pastor’s Support Pastor’s continuing education.continuing education.

Seminars, Conferences, Seminars, Conferences, Seminary Summer Seminary Summer QuarterQuarter

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Many Christians claim that showing Many Christians claim that showing love and admonishing against false love and admonishing against false teachings are opposite activities.teachings are opposite activities.

Describe a time when Describe a time when you experienced this you experienced this attitude. attitude.

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““Love” versus admonition?Love” versus admonition?

Why is this attitude so Why is this attitude so common in our day?common in our day?

1.1. Less knowledge of God’s WordLess knowledge of God’s Word2.2. Less concern for God’s WordLess concern for God’s Word3.3. People want teachers who will People want teachers who will

condone their evil lifestyles.condone their evil lifestyles.4.4. Sentimental misunderstanding Sentimental misunderstanding

of “love.”of “love.”

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““Love” versus admonition?Love” versus admonition?

5.5. Churches fail to Churches fail to teach scriptural teach scriptural doctrine of doctrine of fellowship.fellowship.

6.6. Many absolutely Many absolutely believe there is believe there is no absolute no absolute truth.truth.

7.7. We are living in We are living in the Last Days.the Last Days.

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Why did the apostles lovingly Why did the apostles lovingly oppose false teachers by nameoppose false teachers by name??

3 John 9,103 John 9,10 1 Timothy 1:201 Timothy 1:20

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Why must we oppose error by Why must we oppose error by name, not just in general?name, not just in general?

False teachers disguise False teachers disguise themselves.themselves.

False teachings are generally False teachings are generally disguised as true.disguised as true.

Christ’s love compels us to Christ’s love compels us to show specific ways false show specific ways false teachers go against Scripture. teachers go against Scripture. (1 Timothy 4:6)(1 Timothy 4:6)

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People need People need help to help to detect false detect false teaching: teaching:

Roman Roman Catholic Catholic denial of denial of justification justification by faith by faith alonealone

Baptists’ Baptists’ denial of denial of infant infant baptismbaptism

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SummarySummary Churches Churches

join in join in fellowship fellowship to to work work together together for the for the truthtruth..

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SummarySummary

Fellowship is built on Fellowship is built on truth, for without the truth, for without the truth of Christ no one truth of Christ no one can be saved. can be saved.

Fellowship is also built Fellowship is also built on love, for unless on love, for unless Christians love others Christians love others they will not speak the they will not speak the gospel to them. gospel to them.

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SummarySummary

True love speaks True love speaks and defends, the and defends, the truth. It warns truth. It warns against anything against anything contrary to the contrary to the truth, always truth, always desiring desiring salvation for all.salvation for all.

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Closing PrayerClosing Prayer

We thank you, Lord, that in your Word We thank you, Lord, that in your Word you have given us clear directions to you have given us clear directions to separate from all error. Thank you for separate from all error. Thank you for a deeper understanding of the a deeper understanding of the doctrine of church fellowship. Give us doctrine of church fellowship. Give us and our pastor the love, courage, and and our pastor the love, courage, and wisdom to practice this teaching wisdom to practice this teaching faithfully. Help our pastor to lead us faithfully. Help our pastor to lead us safely in our Christian walk with you. safely in our Christian walk with you. Amen.Amen.

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During the week During the week

1.1. Read 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus.Read 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus. These letters instruct us to defend These letters instruct us to defend

the truth against falsehood. the truth against falsehood. Paul displays the proper attitude Paul displays the proper attitude

for pastors and people in this vital for pastors and people in this vital work.work.

2.2. Read Read Church FellowshipChurch Fellowship, pp. 40-42., pp. 40-42.

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Credits• Slides 4, 7, 8, 37 – Logo in round window at New Life Ev. Lutheran Church,

Shoreview, MN (trademarked, use by permission only)• Slide 6 – Worship at New Life Evangelical Lutheran Church, Shoreview, MN

• Slide 11 – Martin Luther statue, source unknown• Slide 14 – picture received by email, source unknown

• Slide 19 – WELS Stewardship 2001 (?)• Slide 22 – picture received by email, source unknown

• Slide 27 – “The Sower” (p. 28, NTNET, used by permission)• Slide 28 – WELS clipart

• Slide 29 – picture received by email, source unknown• Slide 32 – picture received by email, source unknown

• Slide 34 – Martin Luther: Man of God (Schroeder, NPH – out of print)• Slide 35 – Pastor Mark Cordes (9/30/90 – 1st Worship at New Life

Evangelical Lutheran Church, Shoreview, MN)