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Are We

To Fellowship?

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Devoted to Fellowship!“And they devoted

themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and

the prayers!” (Act. 2:42 ESV)

* * 0How many of us here have ever been

devoted to something before?

●Maybe it was to training to become better at something, running, football, or something else!−How did we feel about it? Was it

important? Did it take up our time and did we do it anyways and willingly?

●Devoted = feeling or displaying strong affection or attachment; having been consecrated; dedicated; loving someone or something very much (Webster)

* * 0 The congregation this year is working on the theme “devoted

to fellowship!”●Each month I have presented a

lesson on the theme of “fellowship!” and today we will be looking at our overall subject as our theme! ●I believe this is a great place for us to

do this seeing we are halfway done already!

* * 0 Now I would like for us to see

how the early church was engaged in this & it’s result!●I do not believe you will ever find a

time that the church grow faster than it did in the beginning!−Acts 2:41 = 3,000 souls added!−Acts 4:4 = 5,000 men + women & children!−Acts 5:14 = Multitudes, both men & women!−Acts 6:1 = Disciples increased in number!−Acts 6:7 = Number multiplied greatly!

* * 0 I. Fellowhip Builds Faith!

Act 2:42-43 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And fear

came upon every soul; and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.

●How important is faith?−Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to

please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

●How does faith come? (Rom. 10:17)

* * 0 Fellowship helps us build faith

in God & one another!●We each need to learn to fully trust

and rely on God and to trust one another!●It will always be hard for me to trust in

one that I do not know, this being God or man!●Each of us also must learn to live in a

trustworthy manner!●Fellowship helps bring faith in God &

faith in others!

* * 0 The Christian life must both

begin & end with faith!●Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been

saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.●Rev 2:10 Do not fear what you are

about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw so of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

* * 0 II. Fellowship Builds

Friendships! Act 2:44-46 Now all who believed were together,

and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them

among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking

bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart.

●We are better together!−Eccl 4:9 Two are better than one, Because

they have a good reward for their labor.

* * 0 The early church became

friends with God & friends with one another!

●They learned to “all” work together! Have we learned this lesson? If not, why not?●It has been said that, “first we make

friends and then our friends make us!”−Is friendship important? Should we been

concerned with who are friends are?–Js. 4:4–Pr. 22:24-25

* * 0 II. Fellowship Builds

Followers!Act 2:47 praising God and having favor with

all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

●Godly fellowship done right is “contagious!” It spreads like a wild fire!

●This reminds me of a passage we studied last week!−Joh 13:35 "By this all will know that you are

My disciples, if you have love for one another." (Cf. Jn. 13:34 “as I have loved”)

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Everyone is going to want to get in on this!

●This fellowship is so compelling you are going to want to tell your family and friends about it!●This is too good not to share!●Notice in these last few verses the

word “daily”−“So continuing daily with one accord” 46−“And the Lord added to the church daily” 47

* * 0 Godly fellowship will always

bring about these three things!It builds faith, friendships & followers!●May we never forget how blessed we are

to be in fellowship with God and with one another!

●Let’s never forget the need to walk with God and the need to be together!−1 Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He is

in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

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Conclusion:●Truly it is good to be a Christian, to be

in the fellowship of God!●We must learn to live in such a way

that everyone wants to get in!●Have you come to know Jesus?

Have you come to know what the fellowship of God is all about? If not, why not? Today is the day, tomorrow maybe too late! Come now and join the excitement!

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