the importance of a biblical fellowship – part 2

The Importance of a Biblical The Importance of a Biblical Fellowship – Part 2Fellowship – Part 2

Who is my brother? To whom should we Who is my brother? To whom should we extend fellowship?extend fellowship?

• These kind of questions touch on These kind of questions touch on important but sensitive areas.important but sensitive areas.

• There is nothing more important than There is nothing more important than helping another person to give their lives helping another person to give their lives to Christ by being born again.to Christ by being born again.

• Even in this effort we must identify the Even in this effort we must identify the path to Christ and help a person see path to Christ and help a person see where they are at.where they are at.


• In the ministry of Christ people often were In the ministry of Christ people often were blind to their real condition and needed blind to their real condition and needed help to see the way to God. help to see the way to God. (Jn 3:3-5, 9-10)(Jn 3:3-5, 9-10)


• John 3:3-5John 3:3-5 - Jesus answered and said to - Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one unless one is born againis born again, he cannot see the kingdom of , he cannot see the kingdom of God." 4 Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a God." 4 Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be second time into his mother's womb and be born?" 5 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I born?" 5 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, say to you, unless one is born of water and unless one is born of water and the Spiritthe Spirit, , he cannot enter the kingdom of he cannot enter the kingdom of GodGod..


• John 3:9-10John 3:9-10 - Nicodemus answered and - Nicodemus answered and said to Him, "How can these things be?" said to Him, "How can these things be?" 10 Jesus answered and said to him, "Are 10 Jesus answered and said to him, "Are you the teacher of Israel, and you the teacher of Israel, and do not know do not know these thingsthese things??


• We do not want to put ourselves in the We do not want to put ourselves in the place of God. We simply want to do as place of God. We simply want to do as the apostles did and deliver the message the apostles did and deliver the message they received from God. they received from God. (1 Jn 1:1-3)(1 Jn 1:1-3)


• 1 John 1:1-31 John 1:1-3 - That which was from the - That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of lifeconcerning the Word of life -- 2 the life -- 2 the life was manifested, and we have seen, and was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and bear witness, and declare to you that declare to you that eternal lifeeternal life which was with the Father and which was with the Father and was was manifested to usmanifested to us -- --


• 3 that which we have seen and heard we 3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, declare to you, that you also may have that you also may have fellowship with usfellowship with us; and truly ; and truly our fellowship our fellowship is is with the Father and with His Son Jesus with the Father and with His Son Jesus ChristChrist..


• We cannot read mind and hearts but we We cannot read mind and hearts but we can plainly see the way to God.can plainly see the way to God.

• Today many want to make sincerity or Today many want to make sincerity or outward devotion the basis of fellowship. outward devotion the basis of fellowship. Paul was devout and sincere and very Paul was devout and sincere and very much lost! much lost! (Acts 23:1)(Acts 23:1)


• Acts 23:1Acts 23:1 - - Then Paul, looking earnestly Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, "Men at the council, said, "Men and and brethren, I brethren, I have have lived in all good conscience before lived in all good conscience before God until this dayGod until this day."."


• People and understandably very sensitive People and understandably very sensitive when another must make a judgment when another must make a judgment whether to extend fellowship to another. whether to extend fellowship to another. What does God want?What does God want?

Christians must make a judgment as to Christians must make a judgment as to whom we should extend fellowshipwhom we should extend fellowship

• When I speak of fellowship I speak of When I speak of fellowship I speak of those who God accepts and then those we those who God accepts and then those we should recognize and accept as should recognize and accept as Christians.Christians.

• Paul had both the church at Jerusalem Paul had both the church at Jerusalem and then the apostles make judgments and then the apostles make judgments concerning fellowship with him. concerning fellowship with him.


• The church at Jerusalem at first refused The church at Jerusalem at first refused fellowship and then learned that they fellowship and then learned that they should extend it. should extend it. (Acts 9:26-28)(Acts 9:26-28)


• Acts 9:26-28Acts 9:26-28 - And when Saul had come to - And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they they were all afraid of him, and did not were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciplebelieve that he was a disciple. 27 But . 27 But Barnabas took him and brought Barnabas took him and brought him him to the to the apostlesapostles. And he . And he declared to them how he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the roadhad seen the Lord on the road, and that He , and that He had spoken to him, and how he had had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. Jesus.


• 28 So he was 28 So he was with them at Jerusalem, with them at Jerusalem, coming in and going outcoming in and going out..


• The apostles after investigation extended The apostles after investigation extended “the right hand of fellowship” to Paul as an “the right hand of fellowship” to Paul as an apostle. apostle. (Gal 2:9)(Gal 2:9)


• Galatians 2:9Galatians 2:9 - and when James, Cephas, - and when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas me, they gave me and Barnabas the right the right hand of fellowshiphand of fellowship, that we , that we should go should go to to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.


• We are limited in this area. We can make We are limited in this area. We can make the wrong judgement because we are not the wrong judgement because we are not God. There are several reasons why we God. There are several reasons why we must do this!must do this!

• Local churches must determine who is Local churches must determine who is “among them” and who is an “outsider.” “among them” and who is an “outsider.” (1 Cor 5:1-2, 11-13)(1 Cor 5:1-2, 11-13)


• 1 Corinthians 5:1-21 Corinthians 5:1-2 - - It is actually It is actually reported reported that that there is there is sexual immorality sexual immorality among youamong you, and such sexual immorality as , and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles -- is not even named among the Gentiles -- that a man has his father's wife! 2 And that a man has his father's wife! 2 And you are puffed up, and have not rather you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed mourned, that he who has done this deed might might be taken away from among yoube taken away from among you..


• 1 Corinthians 5:11-121 Corinthians 5:11-12 - But now I have - But now I have written to you not to keep company with written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brotheranyone named a brother, who is sexually , who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner -- reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner -- not even to eat with such a person. 12 For not even to eat with such a person. 12 For what what have have I I to do to do with with judging those also judging those also who are outsidewho are outside? Do you not ? Do you not judge those judge those who are insidewho are inside??


• People can fool us as to where their heart People can fool us as to where their heart really is. Paul talked about “false really is. Paul talked about “false brethren.” brethren.” (2 Cor 11:26; Gal 2:4)(2 Cor 11:26; Gal 2:4)


• 2 Corinthians 11:262 Corinthians 11:26 - - in in journeys often, journeys often, in in perils of waters, perils of waters, in in perils of robbers, perils of robbers, in in perils of perils of my own my own countrymen, countrymen, in in perils of perils of the Gentiles, the Gentiles, in in perils in the city, perils in the city, in in perils in perils in the wilderness, the wilderness, in in perils in the sea, perils in the sea, in in perils among false brethrenperils among false brethren;;


• Galatians 2:4Galatians 2:4 - And - And this occurred this occurred because because of of false brethrenfalse brethren secretly brought in (who secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage),might bring us into bondage),


• A men or a group of men can seize control A men or a group of men can seize control of a church and cast out those who are of a church and cast out those who are true Christians. true Christians. (3 Jn 9-10)(3 Jn 9-10)


• 3 John 9-103 John 9-10 - I wrote to the church, but - I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, preeminence among them, does not does not receive usreceive us. 10 Therefore, if I come, I will . 10 Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, And not content with that, he himself does he himself does not receive the brethrennot receive the brethren, and forbids those , and forbids those who wish to, who wish to, putting putting them them out of the churchout of the church..


• If men can and do make mistakes then If men can and do make mistakes then should we avoid making these decisions? should we avoid making these decisions? No, we must with God’s instructions No, we must with God’s instructions determine who is part of the local flock. determine who is part of the local flock. (1 Pt 5:2)(1 Pt 5:2)


• 1 Peter 5:21 Peter 5:2 - Shepherd - Shepherd the flock of God the flock of God which is among youwhich is among you, serving as overseers, , serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly;dishonest gain but eagerly;


• When fellowship is extended where it When fellowship is extended where it should not be then the church will suffer. should not be then the church will suffer. (1 Cor 5:6; 11:18-19)(1 Cor 5:6; 11:18-19)


• 1 Corinthians 5:61 Corinthians 5:6 - Your glorying - Your glorying is is not not good. Do you not know that good. Do you not know that a little leaven a little leaven leavens the whole lumpleavens the whole lump??


• 1 Corinthians 11:18-191 Corinthians 11:18-19 - For first of all, - For first of all, when you come together as a church, I when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. 19 For and in part I believe it. 19 For there must there must also be factions among youalso be factions among you, that , that those those who are approved may be recognized who are approved may be recognized among youamong you..

Who is a Christian?Who is a Christian?

• A Christian is one who has trusted in A Christian is one who has trusted in Jesus as the Son of God. Jesus as the Son of God. (Jn 3:16, 36)(Jn 3:16, 36)


• John 3:16John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world - "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever whoever believes in Himbelieves in Him should not perish should not perish but but have everlasting lifehave everlasting life..


• John 3:36John 3:36 - "- "He who believes in the Son He who believes in the Son has everlasting lifehas everlasting life; and he who does not ; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."wrath of God abides on him."


• This belief is not in facts alone but in God This belief is not in facts alone but in God and His power. and His power. (Rom 1:16-17)(Rom 1:16-17)


• Romans 1:16Romans 1:16 - For I am not ashamed of - For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of it is the power of God to salvationGod to salvation for everyone who for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.Greek.


• Many have misunderstood what a living Many have misunderstood what a living faith means and as a result believe that faith means and as a result believe that they are in Christ when they are not.they are in Christ when they are not.

• A dead faith with substitute outward A dead faith with substitute outward actions and “contributions” for the power of actions and “contributions” for the power of a changed life. a changed life. (2 Cor 5:17; James 2:18-(2 Cor 5:17; James 2:18-20; Jn 3:36 NASV)20; Jn 3:36 NASV)


• 2 Corinthians 5:172 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone - Therefore, if anyone is is in Christ, in Christ, he is he is a new creationa new creation; old things ; old things have passed away; behold, all things have have passed away; behold, all things have become new.become new.


• James 2:18-20James 2:18-20 - But someone will say, - But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and me your faith without your works, and I will I will show you my faith by my worksshow you my faith by my works. 19 You . 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe -- and trembleEven the demons believe -- and tremble! ! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that man, that faith without works is deadfaith without works is dead??


• John 3:36John 3:36 NASV NASV - "He who believes in - "He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but the Son has eternal life; but he who does he who does not obey the Son will not see lifenot obey the Son will not see life, but the , but the wrath of God abides on him." wrath of God abides on him."


• A living faith must be nurtured and A living faith must be nurtured and protected.protected.

• A Christian is one who has turned his A Christian is one who has turned his heart completely to the Lord. heart completely to the Lord. (Acts 2:38)(Acts 2:38)


• Acts 2:38Acts 2:38 - Then Peter said to them, - Then Peter said to them, ""RepentRepent, and let every one of you be , and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.


• The greatest challenge we face is The greatest challenge we face is repentance. Do we really trust God?repentance. Do we really trust God?

• Repent Repent - strictly - strictly perceive afterwardperceive afterward… (1) … (1) predominately of a religious and ethical predominately of a religious and ethical change in the way one thinks .. change in the way one thinks .. repent, repent, change one's mind, be converted change one's mind, be converted (MT (MT 3.2); (2) as feeling remorse 3.2); (2) as feeling remorse regret.. regret.. (LU (LU 17.3, 4) 17.3, 4)


• Repentance comes from Godly sorrow Repentance comes from Godly sorrow that moves you to surrender.that moves you to surrender.

• This is not just a casual decision like This is not just a casual decision like deciding to join a club.deciding to join a club.

• Jesus is now viewed as Lord. What Jesus is now viewed as Lord. What constitutes true obedience? Consider constitutes true obedience? Consider the example of the son following his the example of the son following his fathers instructions. fathers instructions.


• Christian has made the good confession. Christian has made the good confession. (1 Tim 6:12)(1 Tim 6:12)


• 1 Timothy 6:121 Timothy 6:12 - Fight the good fight of - Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and were also called and have confessed the have confessed the good confession in the presence of many good confession in the presence of many witnesseswitnesses..


• When does faith save us? It can never When does faith save us? It can never save without repentance!save without repentance!


• God requires as a condition of initial God requires as a condition of initial forgiveness a specific verbal confession. forgiveness a specific verbal confession. (Rom 10:9-10)(Rom 10:9-10)


• Romans 10:9-10Romans 10:9-10 - that if you - that if you confess with confess with your mouth the Lord Jesusyour mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth and with the mouth confession is made confession is made unto salvationunto salvation..


• We see an example of this with the We see an example of this with the Ethiopian Eunuch. Ethiopian Eunuch. (Acts 8:35-38)(Acts 8:35-38)


• Acts 8:35-38Acts 8:35-38 - Then Philip opened his - Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to himpreached Jesus to him. 36 Now as they . 36 Now as they went down the road, they came to some went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, "See, water. And the eunuch said, "See, here is here is water. water. What hinders me from being What hinders me from being baptizedbaptized?" 37 Then Philip said, "?" 37 Then Philip said, "If you If you believe with all your heart, you maybelieve with all your heart, you may." And he ." And he answered and said, "answered and said, "I believe that Jesus I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of GodChrist is the Son of God." ."


• 38 So he commanded the chariot to stand 38 So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.down into the water, and he baptized him.


• Under John’s baptism there was a Under John’s baptism there was a confession of sins. confession of sins. (Mt 3:6; Mk 1:5)(Mt 3:6; Mk 1:5)


• Matthew 3:5-6Matthew 3:5-6 - Then Jerusalem, all - Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him 6 and were Jordan went out to him 6 and were baptized by him in the Jordan, baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing confessing their sinstheir sins..


• Mark 1:5Mark 1:5 - Then all the land of Judea, and - Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, River, confessing their confessing their sinssins..


• Why does God require this? We can see Why does God require this? We can see where one would not have been where one would not have been baptized without knowing if one believed. baptized without knowing if one believed. God did say to do this and we do not God did say to do this and we do not always know why God requires something! always know why God requires something! Naaman had to learn this lesson! Naaman had to learn this lesson! (2 Kings 5:10-13)(2 Kings 5:10-13)


• 2 Kings 5:10-132 Kings 5:10-13 - And Elisha sent a - And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, "Go and wash in messenger to him, saying, "Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and be restored to you, and you shall you shall be clean." be clean." 11 But 11 But Naaman became furiousNaaman became furious, and went , and went away and said, "Indeed, away and said, "Indeed, I said to myselfI said to myself, 'He , 'He will surely come out will surely come out to me, to me, and stand and call and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and wave on the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the place, and heal the his hand over the place, and heal the leprosy.'leprosy.'


• 12 "12 "Are Are not the Abanah and the Pharpar, the not the Abanah and the Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters better than all the waters of Israelof Israel? Could I not wash in them and be ? Could I not wash in them and be clean?" So clean?" So he turned and went away in a he turned and went away in a ragerage. . 13 And his servants came near and spoke to him, and said, "My father, if the prophet had told you to do something great, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, 'Wash, and be clean'?"


• The church in which I was raised did not The church in which I was raised did not take this seriously!take this seriously!

• Every Christian is baptized into Christ to Every Christian is baptized into Christ to be forgiven by the blood of Christ.be forgiven by the blood of Christ.

• In the great commission we learn about a In the great commission we learn about a wonderful conditional promise of God. wonderful conditional promise of God. (Mk 16:15-16)(Mk 16:15-16)


• Mark 16:15-16Mark 16:15-16 - And He said to them, "Go - And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 "every creature. 16 "He who believes and He who believes and is baptized will be savedis baptized will be saved; but he who does ; but he who does not believe will be condemned.not believe will be condemned.


• Forgiveness of sins is the goal of the Forgiveness of sins is the goal of the promises in the great commission. promises in the great commission. (Lk 24:46-47)(Lk 24:46-47)


• Luke 24:46-47Luke 24:46-47 - Then He said to them, - Then He said to them, "Thus it is written, and thus it was "Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 "and rise from the dead the third day, 47 "and that that repentancerepentance and and remission of remission of sinssins should be preached in His name should be preached in His name to all to all nationsnations, , beginning at Jerusalembeginning at Jerusalem..


• What was preached in Jerusalem? What was preached in Jerusalem? (Acts 2:38, 41)(Acts 2:38, 41)


• Acts 2:38Acts 2:38 - Then Peter said to them, - Then Peter said to them, ""Repent, and let every one of you be Repent, and let every one of you be baptizedbaptized in the name of Jesus Christ in the name of Jesus Christ for for the remission of the remission of sinssins; and you shall ; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.


• Acts 2:41Acts 2:41 - Then those who gladly - Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and received his word were baptized; and that that dayday about about three thousand souls were three thousand souls were added added to themto them..


• How did Paul receive the forgiveness of How did Paul receive the forgiveness of sins? sins? (Acts 22:16)(Acts 22:16)


• Acts 22:16Acts 22:16 - 'And now why are you - 'And now why are you waiting? waiting? Arise and be baptizedArise and be baptized, and , and wash wash away your away your sinssins, , calling on the name of the calling on the name of the LordLord.'.'

What if we extend fellowship where God What if we extend fellowship where God has not?has not?

• We could actually stand in the way of We could actually stand in the way of helping one find eternal life! helping one find eternal life! (Ezk 13:22)(Ezk 13:22)


• Ezekiel 13:22Ezekiel 13:22 - "Because with lies you - "Because with lies you have have made the heart of the righteous sadmade the heart of the righteous sad, , whom whom I have not made sadI have not made sad; and you have ; and you have strengthened the hands of the wickedstrengthened the hands of the wicked, so , so that that he does not turn from his wicked way he does not turn from his wicked way to save his lifeto save his life..


• When we give in to pressure because of When we give in to pressure because of the desire to please men, we have the desire to please men, we have become ashamed of the cross of Christ! become ashamed of the cross of Christ! (Gal 5:11; 6:12)(Gal 5:11; 6:12)


• Galatians 5:11Galatians 5:11 - And I, brethren, - And I, brethren, if I still if I still preach circumcisionpreach circumcision, why do I still suffer , why do I still suffer persecution? Then persecution? Then the offense of the cross the offense of the cross has ceasedhas ceased..


• Galatians 6:12Galatians 6:12 - As many as desire to - As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these make a good showing in the flesh, these would would compel you to be circumcised, only compel you to be circumcised, only that that they may not suffer persecution for they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christthe cross of Christ..


• We need wisdom in how we work with We need wisdom in how we work with others who believe they are following God others who believe they are following God but may not have understood and but may not have understood and responded to God’s conditional promises.responded to God’s conditional promises.

• What message are you conveying to your What message are you conveying to your religious neighbors and family?religious neighbors and family?

• How can we more effectively expand the How can we more effectively expand the fellowship of God?fellowship of God?

the importance of a biblical fellowship – part 2

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