1 Church Fellowship a Bible study course for adults Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary Professor John F. Brug for the WELS Council of Presidents

2 Church Fellowship a Bible study course for adults PowerPoint: Angi Kinsley, Pastor Mark A. Cordes New Life Evangelical Lutheran Church Shoreview, Minnesota Church Fellowship, pp

3 Goals 1. To see that contending for true doctrine is a key point of Scripture. 2. To learn what attitudes we need to practice Biblical fellowship principles. 3. To grow in our willingness to practice this teaching faithfully in our church and personal lives.

4 Opening Prayer Lord, as we study your Word together, open our eyes that we may see your will concerning the doctrine of church fellowship. Open our hearts so that we will gladly practice the principles taught in your Word. Amen.

5 Review What fellowship do we enjoy as members of the one holy Christian Church? We enjoy fellowship with… God and … with all who believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior.

6 Why does God want his people to assemble together in Christian congregations and synods? To express our fellowship in Christ. Review

7 To enjoy fellowship blessings… sharing the means of grace encouragement in worship Christian admonition

8 joint mission work training pastors, teachers, staff ministers supporting Christian schools To enjoy fellowship blessings…

9 Remember ! Church Fellowship refers to every activity in which members of visible churches join together to express their unity of faith and doctrine.

10 Truth and love—the two pillars of the practice of church fellowship How does the Bible define love? Romans 5:8 1 John 4:10, 11 Romans 13:9,10  Love is acting in a way that benefits our neighbor.

11 Truth and love—the two pillars of the practice of church fellowship Learn real love by… Looking at God’s example. Listening to how his Word defines love in both… …law and gospel.

12 Two Pillars: Truth and love (cont.) Only God’s Word can make us wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. So the most unloving things we could do to a person would be… 1 Corinthians 13:6 Romans 12:9 Withhold God’s Word from anyone. Fail to warn against error.

13 Two Pillars: Truth and love (cont.) What is the most loving thing we can do for a person? Share the whole truth of God’s Word: Warn against every teaching and action that is against God’s Word Comfort sinners with Christ’s forgiveness.

14 Truth and love together “The Rescuing Hug” Separated twins were not expected to live. A nurse broke all the rules to put them together. Healthier one embraced her sister who stabilized and lived.

15 Two Pillars: Truth and love (cont.) Why must truth and love always be kept together in the church? Our love does people no good unless it leads us to share God’s truth with them.

16 Two Pillars: Truth and love (cont.) Truth must be shared in a loving way. Warnings must also be guided by love. See illustrations on pp in Church Fellowship.

17 Working together for the truth Read 2 John. (anti- = “instead of”) How many times does John mention the two pillars of church fellowship – faith and love? Why not show love by welcoming a false teacher into your home? Is it wrong to let Jehovah’s Witnesses or Mormons come inside?

18 Working together for the truth Read 3 John. John praises the recipients of 3 John for practicing church fellowship by helping fellow Christian brothers. He encourages them to continue. According to 3 John 8, God-pleasing fellowship is… …working together for the truth.

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20 Working together for the truth How did John and his friends work together for the truth? (See 3 John 5,6,8,12.) Sending out true missionaries. Supporting them financially. Recommending them to others. Welcoming them.

21 Working together for the truth Read 2 Corinthians 13:8. How does one work against the truth? Teaching false doctrine. Support anyone promoting false teaching. Working with false teachers. Giving financial support. Recommending them to others. Welcoming them.

22 Why are false teachers so popular? 2 Timothy 4:2-5 2 Timothy 3:1-9

23 Opposing false teachers in a spirit of love How do we recognize enemies of the truth? How do we recognize enemies of the truth? 2 John John 9-11 Matthew 28:18-20 Matthew 28:18-20 How must we react to them? How must we react to them? 1 John 4:1,5,6 1 John 4:1,5,6

24 Opposing false teachers in a spirit of love Describe the manner and spirit with which we should oppose error. Describe the manner and spirit with which we should oppose error. 2 Timothy 2: Timothy 2:23-26 What does it mean to avoid “word battles”? What does it mean to avoid “word battles”? 2 Timothy 2:14 2 Timothy 2:14

25 What is always our goal when we oppose false teaching? 1 Timothy 1:3-5 1 Timothy 1:3-5 Love does not resent errors as personal insults or attacks. Love does not resent errors as personal insults or attacks. Love remembers that God’s Word is at stake, not our honor. Love remembers that God’s Word is at stake, not our honor. Love is competent to teach the truth clearly, gently, without hostility. Love is competent to teach the truth clearly, gently, without hostility.

26 Opposing false teachers in a spirit of love How can a pastor prepare to battle against false teaching? How can a pastor prepare to battle against false teaching? 1. Be a devoted Bible student. 2. Pray for wisdom and courage to teach the whole Word of God. 3. Be informed about false teachings and false teachers that threaten Christ’s flock.

27 How can members help Pastor in the battle against false teaching? 1. Be devoted Bible students to understand warnings against false teaching. 2. Be “Bereans.” (Acts 17:11)

28 Help Pastor battle false teaching…. 3. Pray for your Pastor 4. Encourage your Pastor. 5. Support his time to study and pray. 6. Support Pastor’s continuing education. Seminars, Conferences, Seminary Summer Quarter

29 Many Christians claim that showing love and admonishing against false teachings are opposite activities. Many Christians claim that showing love and admonishing against false teachings are opposite activities. Describe a time when you experienced this attitude. Describe a time when you experienced this attitude.

30 “Love” versus admonition? Why is this attitude so common in our day? Why is this attitude so common in our day? 1. Less knowledge of God’s Word 2. Less concern for God’s Word 3. People want teachers who will condone their evil lifestyles. 4. Sentimental misunderstanding of “love.”

31 “Love” versus admonition? 5. Churches fail to teach scriptural doctrine of fellowship. 6. Many absolutely believe there is no absolute truth. 7. We are living in the Last Days.

32 Why did the apostles lovingly oppose false teachers by name? 3 John 9,10 3 John 9,10 1 Timothy 1:20 1 Timothy 1:20

33 Why must we oppose error by name, not just in general? False teachers disguise themselves. False teachers disguise themselves. False teachings are generally disguised as true. False teachings are generally disguised as true. Christ’s love compels us to show specific ways false teachers go against Scripture. (1 Timothy 4:6) Christ’s love compels us to show specific ways false teachers go against Scripture. (1 Timothy 4:6)

34 People need help to detect false teaching: Roman Catholic denial of justification by faith alone Baptists’ denial of infant baptism

35 Summary Churches join in fellowship to work together for the truth. Churches join in fellowship to work together for the truth.

36 Summary Fellowship is built on truth, for without the truth of Christ no one can be saved. Fellowship is built on truth, for without the truth of Christ no one can be saved. Fellowship is also built on love, for unless Christians love others they will not speak the gospel to them. Fellowship is also built on love, for unless Christians love others they will not speak the gospel to them.

37 Summary True love speaks and defends, the truth. It warns against anything contrary to the truth, always desiring salvation for all. True love speaks and defends, the truth. It warns against anything contrary to the truth, always desiring salvation for all.

38 Closing Prayer We thank you, Lord, that in your Word you have given us clear directions to separate from all error. Thank you for a deeper understanding of the doctrine of church fellowship. Give us and our pastor the love, courage, and wisdom to practice this teaching faithfully. Help our pastor to lead us safely in our Christian walk with you. Amen. We thank you, Lord, that in your Word you have given us clear directions to separate from all error. Thank you for a deeper understanding of the doctrine of church fellowship. Give us and our pastor the love, courage, and wisdom to practice this teaching faithfully. Help our pastor to lead us safely in our Christian walk with you. Amen.

39 During the week 1. Read 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus. These letters instruct us to defend the truth against falsehood. These letters instruct us to defend the truth against falsehood. Paul displays the proper attitude for pastors and people in this vital work. Paul displays the proper attitude for pastors and people in this vital work. 2. Read Church Fellowship, pp

40 Credits Slides 4, 7, 8, 37 – Logo in round window at New Life Ev. Lutheran Church, Shoreview, MN (trademarked, use by permission only) Slide 6 – Worship at New Life Evangelical Lutheran Church, Shoreview, MN Slide 11 – Martin Luther statue, source unknown Slide 14 – picture received by , source unknown Slide 19 – WELS Stewardship 2001 (?) Slide 22 – picture received by , source unknown Slide 27 – “The Sower” (p. 28, NTNET, used by permission) Slide 28 – WELS clipart Slide 29 – picture received by , source unknown Slide 32 – picture received by , source unknown Slide 34 – Martin Luther: Man of God (Schroeder, NPH – out of print) Slide 35 – Pastor Mark Cordes (9/30/90 – 1 st Worship at New Life Evangelical Lutheran Church, Shoreview, MN)