Church Fellowship a Bible study course for adults By Professor John F. Brug PowerPoint: Angi Kinsley, Pastor Mark A. Cordes New Life Evangelical Lutheran Church Shoreview, Minnesota

Lesson 8 The Practice of Fellowship III: Working with Others Church Fellowship, pp

Goals 1. To apply the principles of church fellowship to some difficult cases. 2. To learn to apply the principles of church fellowship evangelically. 3. To conclude the course with a review of the principles of church fellowship.

Opening Prayer Thank you, Lord, for teaching us the principles of church fellowship from your Word. You have given us these principles for the good of your church and individual souls. Now create in us the wisdom and love to apply these Word-principles to difficult and emotional situations in our individual lives and as a church. Amen.

Working with others With whom may we worship?  Only with those in complete doctrinal agreement with us. Why might an orthodox Lutheran be at a service in a heterodox church?  Witness event (wedding, baptism)  Observe the service for accurate information about the group.

Working with others What precautions should a person take at heterodox services?  Should not partake in worship  If known by members of heterodox group, make it clear that he is not participating in heterodox worship.

Working with others What are some dangers in attending a school run by another religious denomination?  Expose our student’s faith to dangerous false teaching  Give offense to other Christians as if false teaching is not serious.

Working with others What practices must orthodox Lutherans avoid if attending such schools?  Must not participate in heterodox worship sponsored by the school.

Working with others Can a Christian be employed by a heterodox organization?  Yes, if it involves service for a fee.  No, if it involves orthodox Christian in heterodox religious activity. (Brug, pp. 141f)

Working with others Under what circumstances would we present theological lectures to non- orthodox groups?  If we can present testimony to the truth without joining in heterodox worship.

Working with others What limitation would we have to observe in attending such meetings?  We could not participate in worship or prayer with a heterodox group. (Brug, p. 144)

Working with others What further precautions should we observe if we attend such meetings?  Explain our actions to fellow Christians who might be offended if they hear about our attendance at these meetings. (Brug, p. 146)

Working with others What should we do if we hear fellow Christians participated in a meeting which we would not have attended?  Don’t jump to conclusions.  Give benefit of the doubt.  In a brotherly way ask about their participation; express concerns.  Be cautious about judging decisions people make in hard cases. (p. 146)

Family and friends What principles of fellowship cover relationships with family and friends?  Same principles for all fellowship: 1. Patiently warn and admonish weak brothers and sisters in the faith. 2. Do not practice fellowship with those who persist in error.

Family and friends What one difference may there be between private / public relations?  In private we may consider their private confession if it reveals oneness with us.  If they defend error, we may not worship and pray with them even privately.

Civic religion Why don’t we participate in civic religious ceremonies?  They treat true and false religions as equals.  They offend against the truth.  They endanger the weak.

Civic religion What pitfalls ought we avoid in political action religious groups?  We cannot worship or pray with groups of mixed religions.  We should speak against religious activities for members of different religions.

Civic religion Pitfalls – political action groups (cont.)  Such groups often confuse roles of church and government promoting good morality. (Brug, pp. 153f)  Such groups often intend to promote false, ecumenical unity. (Brug, pp. 154f)

Civic religion Under what circumstances should the church lobby the government?  To preserve the freedom to carry on its mission. (Brug, p. 155)

Miscellaneous What about lecturers from outside our fellowship for events sponsored by organizations of our church?  Invite lecturers for information / expertise but not for worship or spiritual instruction.  Clearly define and explain situation to not give offense to guests or to our own members. (Brug, pp. 155f)

Miscellaneous items What principles should our organizations follow when asked to help publish outside our fellowship?  We have to be united in doctrine to write materials together.  Non-member materials may be promoted if they are orthodox and can benefit our members.

Conclusion What is our goal in all our practice of church fellowship principles?  To show true love for… God’s Word Those in error Their victims All who need to be protected from their error, including ourselves.

Scriptural principles to guide all decisions about church fellowship? 1. We should “work together for the truth.” 2. “We can do nothing against the truth.”

Conclusion What are some of the “bad attitudes” that we must guard against as we practice church fellowship?  Pride, self-righteousness, tactlessness, impatience, fear, and cowardliness. (Brug, p. 160)

Conclusion What are some blessings we enjoy practicing good fellowship principles?  A high decree of peace and unity.  More fine Christian literature.  Good confidence transferring from congregation to congregation and from pastor to pastor.

Conclusion It gives us great sorrow whenever we lose members, pastors, or congregations because they no longer are one with us in doctrine, but their departure or removal is the only way our unity can be preserved.

Summary In this lesson we have applied the principles of church fellowship to several hard cases. When Christians find themselves in these situations, they have the twin responsibilities of patient admonition, followed by separation from those who persist in error….

Summary …In all cases, the practice of church fellowship must be dealt with as a unit:  Fellowship requires agreement in all doctrines;  All expressions of fellowship require full unity of doctrine.

Closing Prayer Lord, thank you for your Word teaching us principles to follow in our relations with other Christians. Help us always remember this gift is for our good. Teach us to apply these principles lovingly and firmly to do everything possible to give clear testimony to the whole truth of your Word….

Closing Prayer …Give us the strength to always place obedience to your Word ahead of human loyalties and emotions. Give us patience as we admonish the weak. We can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth. Help us continue to work together for the truth. Amen.