Fellowship 101

1. Without truly biblical fellowship, we’re sunk! Without truly biblical emphasis / practice of fellowship, we CANNOT legitimately lay claim to being the people of God!
2. Think of Acts 2:42. Right doctrine and right practice without right relationship with God and one another in God’s family – Impossible!
3. This study deals with the meaning of and some basic truths about fellowship.
4. The term for fellowship occurs 19 times in 17 verses; it is SUCH an important concept.
   1. Acts 2:42
   2. Galatians 2:9
   3. Romans 15:26
   4. Philippians 1:5
   5. 1 Corinthians 1:9
   6. Phil. 2:1
   7. 1 Corinthians 10:16 (2x).
   8. Phil. 3:10
   9. 2 Corinthians 6:14.
   10. Philemon 6
   11. 2 Corinthians 8:4.
   12. Hebrews 13:16
   13. 2 Corinthians 9:13
   14. 1 John 1:3 (2x)
   15. 2 Corinthians 13:14
   16. 1 John 1:6-7
5. Four concepts converge studying fellowship
   1. Communion
   2. Community
   3. Cooperation
   4. Contribution
      1. Practically and biblically elaborate upon each concept.
      2. Please especially notice that the first 2 have to do with identity/belonging and the second 2 especially with actions/participation.
6. To summarize – FELLOWSHIP IS A COMMON BOND AND COMMITMENT IN CHRIST TO THE WILL, WORK AND WALK OF GOD. YES! Without it, we have no right to claim to be His people (Acts 2; 1 John 1:3).
7. There is a vertical sense – fellowship with God (1 Cor. 1:9).
   There is a horizontal sense – fellowship with God’s people as we walk in light (1 John 1:3, 6-7). What a fellowship! The Family of God.
8. Note these basic truths
   1. Initiated by God – 1 Corinthians 1:9; 1 John 1:3
   2. Provided by Christ in the Gospel – Phil. 3:10; 1:5
   3. Beautified / fortified by the Holy Spirit – 2 Corinthians 13:14; Phil. 2:1
   4. Exhibited in the body / bride of Christ – Acts 2:42; Heb. 13:16; 1 John 1:6-7
   5. Related to the world in holiness and righteousness – 2 Cor. 6:14
9. How serious are we at (the particular congregation) about
   1. Fellowship as a strong sense of communion?
   2. Fellowship as a strong sense of community?
   3. Fellowship as a strong sense of cooperation?
   4. Fellowship as a strong sense of contribution?
10. Not only should this be applied congregationally, but also in an individual sense. Do I display true fellowship in the way I relate to the people of God and the will, work & walk of Christ?

Outline provided by Mike Vestal