Wednesday, July 18, 2012

B - FELLOWSHIP - 2


B – FELLOWSHIP – 2

In considering the importance of fellowship with God, Christ, Holy Spirit, and each other, the thought comes to mind that we cannot fellowship with just anyone.  Remember, fellowship is not just being together at times; it is sharing and participating in a common interest or goal.  Therein lies the difference of fellowship with a Christian brother or sister and befriending a neighbor in the sense of anyone outside of Christ.  Otherwise, we could not spread the gospel to win souls to Christ or sense needs to minister to others.  The common expression, “We are in the world but not of the world” is very true.  Jhn.17:15,16  

What are some of the dangers of fellowship with the wrong people?  We cannot share and participate with unbelievers.  It is important that we befriend them, pray for them, minister unto their needs; however, we cannot share and participate in a common interest that is spiritual or with a spiritual goal.  2 Cor.6:14,15   This Scripture is often used with regard to marriage but it is also true of intimate friendships.  A common interest may be experienced in something of the world that is not objectionable in the sight of the Lord.  A common interest might be in sports, crafts, etc.  This common interest could be used to become a trustworthy friend and so be able to be a testimony for the gospel.  Not to be forgotten is the fact that we are a temple of the Holy Spirit and of God.  2 Cor.6:16,17   Our belief and standards of living that would please our Lord must forever come first.  It doesn’t take much leaven of Satan to encompass the whole loaf or life.  1 Cor.5:6

To fellowship with the immoral would indeed be dangerous.  This could easily lead us back into our past life of sin.  Eph.5:3,4   We can be deceived and led astray.  Eph.6:11   Although speaking of anger, the idea brought forth in Eph.4:27 is important to remember.  We can give the devil a foothold in our associations if we aren’t careful.  We may think we are strong but here is a warning to us.  1 Cor.10:12   Perhaps this is the reason many go two by two.  One Christian strengthens the other for we know that bad company can change us with constant association.  1 Cor.15:33  If we befriend an immoral person to win them, we cannot be partakers with them.  Eph.5:5-7   The following poem is so true.  “Sin is a monster of frightful mein;/ To be hated, needs only to be seen,/ But seen too often, familiar with its face,/ Is first to pity, then endure, then embrace.”

Another person or group that is dangerous to fellowship would be those that are following a man-made religion.  A lot of very good people have been deceived by man-made religions that have departed from the Bible plan, both of salvation and organization of the church which is the body of Christ.  Gal.1:6-8   Through the centuries man had considered his own ideas as good as God’s commandments.  Consequently, many groups of worship have been and still are being formed without consideration of the plan of Christ for His church.   Matt.16:18   What if you hired contractors to build a house and they followed their own plan instead of yours?  You would not be happy.  1 Cor.3:11   We may have friends in these groups but our sharing and participation is with those in the church that Christ built.  Eph.4:14   In making an altar for God the Israelites were to use no tool in building it or it would profane that altar.  Ex.20:25   Human ideas are used to profane the church which belongs to Christ.  It is His body and He is the head.  Col.1:24; Eph.1:22,23

As we fellowship with the family of God, many hindrances occur.  One of these is the lack of forbearance.  We look at others and find so many faults in them.  We grumble and complain that it should be done this way or that way.  Could we do better?  We must think so. What are we doing?  Could it be that we are sitting by to watch.  We always have our binoculars at hand ready to find some fault.  Eph.4:2,3   We want others to look over our faults and help us.  We are all imperfect.  How sincere and deep is our love and tolerance for our brother in Christ?  Do we really love one another and want that bond of peace?  Jhn.13:35   Our love and togetherness is a witness to the world.

Too often our pride gets in the way of true fellowship.  We set ourselves on a pedestal and look down at others.  We are all equal in the sight of God.  Rom.2:11   We have nothing that we were not given.  1 Cor.4:6,7   Pride is not a virtue.  We may have the ability to do something that someone else can’t do.  They may have gifts that we do not possess.  Pride is sin.  We can be deceived that we do not have pride.  That is a deception of Satan.  Ps.31:18   Pride causes us to find fault and complain.  We are not to quarrel in our fellowship with one another.  2 Tim.2:23   Proverbs tell us that pride produces quarrels.  Prov.13:10  

Another hindrance to fellowship is the lack of forgiveness.  We all make mistakes as we are all sinners.  Rom.3:23   Our salvation is not based on what we have done but on the forgiveness we received as we were born again and continue to receive as Christians.  Our forgiveness continues as we forgive others.  Matt.6:14,15; Col.3:13   “I’ll forgive them but I won’t forget.”  Is that real forgiveness?  If we keep remembering, our fellowship is wrecked.  This is not the way of God.  Here are some Scriptures that relate the full forgiveness of God.  Mic.7:19   hurled into the sea  Jer.31:34   remember no more  Ps.103:12  as far as east is from west...removed sins. 

Gossip, covetousness, envy and many more hindrances could be named.  May our fellowship remain sweet and deep as we remember these things.  Our fellowship affects the work for the Lord which is of first importance.  As we love one another, may we follow 1 Cor.15:58.  



  



Saturday, July 14, 2012

A - FELLOWSHIP - 1


A – FELLOWSHIP – 1

The word, “fellow”, is used in various ways.  If one speaks of a fellow-soldier, it means that both are soldiers.  In the case of a fellow-laborer both would labor together.  Fellowship is a mutual sharing or a mutual participation.  One person cannot do it alone.  It involves holding a connection with another through something held in common.  It also involves companionship.  With Christians, fellowship is a circle of sharing and participation through spiritual things held in common.  It begins and ends with God.  God has fellowship with His Son.  Jesus has fellowship with Christians.  Christians have fellowship with one another.  Then Christians have fellowship with God.  It goes forward and backward.  God – Jesus – Holy Spirit - Christians – One Another – God   So we begin the circle again.

As a Christian our new life is hidden with Christ but it is in God thus forming a fellowship with God.  Col.3:3   We are God’s fellow-workers.  1 Cor.3:9   As we have been given gifts, they all fit together for the growth of God’s people in winning more souls for Him.  God is still the ultimate factor in giving the increase.  1 Cor.3:6   If the gifts we receive are not used for God’s glory, then His grace has been given in vain.  We work with God but it is through Him we receive what we need to accomplish His purpose.  2 Cor.6:1   In this circle of fellowship, we work together for the Truth.  3 Jhn.8   This is a sharing for a common purpose with participation together.

The above is so true in many aspects.  God sheds His love to us as we in turn love Him.  Thus, we have fellowship with God in love.  1 Jhn.4:19   Fellowship with God is possible because we have access to Him.  Eph.2:18  If we had no access to Him, there could be no fellowship.  In our fellowship with God, we also have salvation, peace, and hope through our faith.  Rom.5:1,2

As we get to know the love of Christ, we can be filled  to all the fullness of God.  This develops our fellowship with both God and Christ.  1 Cor.3:19,20,23   If Christ dwells in our hearts, there will be fellowship.  Eph.3:17   Just imagine Jesus knocking at your door in order to come in and eat with you!  Rev.3:20   We must open the door for that fellowship to happen.  The circle of fellowship with both God and Christ is expressed in Jhn.14:21,23  

As God and Christ make their home in us from the above Scripture, it brings to mind that our bodies are temples for the Holy Spirit.  1 Cor.6:19,20   With the Holy Spirit inside of us, we share and participate in a common purpose for we are given help to be pleasing to the Lord in every phase of our life.  Paul mentions fellowship of the Holy Spirit in Phil.2:1.   The term “communion of the Holy Spirit” is used in 2 Cor.13:14.  Communion and fellowship come from the same Greek word.  Corporately as the church together becomes a temple for the Lord in which God lives in us by the Holy Spirit.  Eph.2:21,22  

Mention of the corporate church brings in another section of our circle of fellowship—our Christian brother.  Certainly in communion we have fellowship with our Lord and our brother as well for we are sharing and participating in something common and important to us.  1 Cor.10:16,17   John wanted to have fellowship with other Christians as he expressed in 1 Jhn.1:3.  This was an important topic to John through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.  1 Jhn.1:7   Peter gives us a brief but important command.  1 Pet.2:17  

The fact that the term “Brother” is often used indicates the fellowship of family—the family of God.  Rom.12:1; Gal.6:1   Christians are not just brother and sister by name but in their response to the needs of their Christian family.  Heb.13:1 

 Brotherly love is important to remain in fellowship.  Jesus gave brotherly love as a command.  Jhn.13:34   Christians are to serve one another in love.  Gal.5:13   Even though the Thessalonians were known for their love for one another, they were encouraged to do so more and more.  This is applicable for us as well.  1 Thess.4:9,10  We are not to just like one another.  We are to love one another deeply and from the heart.  1 Pet.1:22    Our love for our brother is an indicator of whether we really are a child of God.  1 Jhn.3:10   We would never expect to deny Jesus for we believe Him to be the Son of God, yet this is tied to our love of one another.  We must search our hearts to be sure that we love all of our brothers and sisters in Christ.  1 Jhn.3:23

As we love our Christian family, we sense their needs as we fellowship with them.  If we never spend time with them, how will we know their needs?  We can read a bulletin but that is not knowing their needs as we love them.  We are emotionally involved with them.  We fellowship or share in suffering and in joy.  1 Cor.12:25,26  

One way of helping our brother is as an example.  Never do we want to become a stumbling block as we fellowship.  1 Cor.8:9,12   We need to be careful of ourselves for too often we become slack with our armor.  1 Cor.10:12   Our fellowship must be helpful to our brother. We may think no one sees or cares but this is not true. Rom.12:3,16

As we complete our circle of fellowship with God, Christ, Holy Spirit, may we remember the importance of our fellowship with our Christian brothers and sisters.  Rom.12:15







Tuesday, July 3, 2012

F-THE EMPOWERED CHRISTIAN-6


F – THE EMPOWERED CHRISTIAN – 6

Do we realize the power that we possess?  It isn’t our power.  It is the power of the Holy Spirit that resides in us as a Christian.  This power is beyond what we can imagine.  It is the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead that will some day give life to our mortal bodies…if Christ is in you.  Rom.8:10,11   If the Spirit of God is in us, then we are no longer controlled by sin but by the Spirit.  If we don’t have the Spirit, then we don’t belong to Christ.  Rom.8:9   We can have a great assurance if we have the Son.  Some say “I hope I get to heaven.”  1 Jhn.5:11-13   If we really believe, then we will obey.  We may be citizens of a certain state or country, but our real citizenship is in heaven.  Phil.3:20,21   Here we are strangers and pilgrims passing through.  Heb.11:13

The Holy Spirit strengthens a Christian in our new life in Christ.  Eph.3:16   Paul had learned from Epaphras of the love in the Spirit of the Colossians.  Paul prayed that they would walk in such a way to please the Lord in all respects and be strengthened with all power.  Col.1:8,10,11  

There are times when we bemoan our weakness but Paul used it as a time to show the power of God as he was weak.  2 Cor.12:9   Paul also said he could do anything—not by his own power but by the strength that comes from God.  Phil.4:13   We are told to be strong in the power of the Lord.  Eph.6:10   Too often we are fearful.  That is because we are trusting in ourselves.  2 Tim.1:7  The Holy Spirit is within us to strengthen and uphold us as we follow our Lord.

The Holy Spirit helps us accomplish things for God.  He is a treasure in jars of clay.  We are just common earthly beings as jars of clay, yet we hold a great treasure in us.  That treasure shows that the power is from God and not from us.  2 Cor.4:7   We are to bear fruit.  We are to do good works as the result of this power given us as we were saved.  Eph.2:10   The Holy Spirit was not given for nothing. 

Our will to do and to act in such a way as to please our Lord is prompted by the Holy Spirit.  Phil.2:13   The Holy Spirit lives in us.  That fact has been established.  God also lives in us.  1 Jhn.4:12,15   Christ lives in us as well.  Gal.2:20; Eph.3:17   How careful we must be with our lives but what help to do His will is there for us. 

One part of that help comes from the Word written by the Holy Spirit’s inspiration that must dwell in our hearts (our mind).  Col.3:16   As the Word dwells in our hearts, praise and thanksgiving pour forth.  One way is through song.  Sometimes we can’t say what we can sing.  Our thoughts follow with the song in ways we could not express.

Conviction comes through the Word but also as the Holy Spirit is working with power to convict.  1 Thess.1:5   The example of those that brought the gospel also had an effect on these people as they became Christians.  Paul prayed that the purposes and acts that were prompted by their faith would be fulfilled through His power.  2 Thess.1:11   We are not left with just our own power.  Jhn.15:5

An essential part of the Christian life is prayer.  God talks to us through His Word but He wants to hear from us just as we want to hear from our children.  Many times our hearts are so full that we do not know how to put our emotions into words.  The Holy Spirit does this for us.  What an interceder!  Rom.8:26,27   We are to pray in the Spirit.  Eph.6:18   We need to be alert for the needs of others and be persistent (keep at it) in our prayers for the saints as we pray in the Spirit.

The Holy Spirit helps us have access to God.  Eph.2:18   Since we have gained this access, we rejoice in hope.  We are not disappointed because the Holy Spirit has been given us because God loved us.  Rom.5:2,5  

When Moses came from the mountain, his face shone so bright that the people could not look upon his face.  The Holy Spirit will be even more glorious.  2 Cor.3:7,8   Those who were trying to be saved by the law had fallen from grace but through the Holy Spirit we wait for that hope of righteousness through faith.  Gal.5:4,5

Several times the fellowship of the Holy Spirit is mentioned.  What is fellowship?  It is a sharing, communication with what is in fellowship.  That is what we enjoy with the Holy Spirit.  2 Cor.13:14; Phil.2:1,2   Things were very different with the first tabernacle.  Heb.9:8   Now Christ has offered  Himself through the eternal Spirit.  This needed to be done only one time, not yearly, so we can be cleansed to serve God.  Heb.9:14

The provision of the Holy Spirit was expressed by Paul as he was imprisoned in Rome.  He knew that Christ would be exalted through their prayers and the provision of the Holy Spirit whether he lived or died.  Phil.1:19,20   So may we always remember the power of the Holy Spirit within us for He is able to do far more than we ask or think.  Eph.3:20