Who Is In Fellowship? 1 John 1:3-7 July 4 – PM

FellowshipFellowship Fellowship has limitations Some ARE in fellowship with God Some are NOT There are some that we SHOULD fellowship – some we should NOT Let’s ask some questions.

1 - What is Fellowship? Greek word – koinonia – 21 times in the New Testament ThayerThayer – fellowship, association, community, communion, joint participation, partaker

1 - What is Fellowship? NOUN – In NT 21 times –Fellowship – 13 times –Communion 4 times –Communication – 1 time –Contribution – 1 time –Communicate – 1 time –Distribution – 1 time

1 - What is Fellowship? VERB – 10 times in NT –Partaker – 5 times –Partner – 3 times –Fellowship – 1 time –Companion – 1 time

2 - Who is in Fellowship? 1 John 1:3-71 John 1: that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. 5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

2 - Who is in Fellowship? SHOULDWe SHOULD fellowship those that God fellowships. NOTWe should NOT fellowship those to whom God refuses fellowship. We are in fellowship with all who walk in the light of God’s truth.

3 - How do we get into Fellowship with God? Acts 2: And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

3 - How do we get into Fellowship with God? Note the progression –Baptized –Saved –Added to church –Continue in fellowship Believe – Repent – Confess – Be Baptized = Enter into fellowship

3 - How do we get into Fellowship with God? 1 Corinthians 1:91 Corinthians 1:9 - God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 John 1:71 John 1:7 - But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

4 – Who is NOT in Fellowship with God? Unrighteous 2 Corinthians 6:14 - Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness

4 – Who is NOT in Fellowship with God? Unrighteous Darkness Unrighteous Darkness Ephesians 5:11 - And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.

4 – Who is NOT in Fellowship with God? Unrighteous Darkness Immoral Unrighteous Darkness Immoral 1 Corinthians 5:9 - I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people.

4 – Who is NOT in Fellowship with God? Unrighteous Darkness Immoral Doctrinal error Unrighteous Darkness Immoral Doctrinal error Romans 16:17 - Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.

5 – How is Fellowship misunderstood? Big “F” / little “f” –Big “F” = Obey the gospel, in fellowship with God –Little “f” = Endorsement, support, encouragement of a teaching or behavior –2 John 9 –2 John 9 - Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.

5 – How is Fellowship misunderstood? Moral Issues vs. Doctrinal Issues Some believe - - –We must punish the immoral – see 1 Corinthians 5 –But we can allow those who teach doctrinal error to remain in fellowship

ConclusionConclusion Departure from God does not happen suddenly. It is a gradual process – one small step at a time. The end result is the same – –Departure from God –Departure from faithful Christians