1. 1 Blessed Through Fellowship Reasons to Rejoice - #4

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3. 3 Fellowship Joint participation A sharing or partaking together

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5. 5 Fellowship in Preaching Galatians 2:9

6. 6 Galatians 2:9 “ and recognizing the grace that had been given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we might go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. ”

7. 7 Galatians 6:6 “ The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him. ”

8. 8 Philippians 1:5 “ in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. ”

9. 9 Philippians 4:15 “ You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; ”

10. 10 Fellowship with Brethren Acts 2:42-44

11. 11 Acts 2:42-44 “ They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; ”

12. 12 Fellowship with Needy Brethren 2 Corinthians 8:4-9:14

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14. 14 Acts 2:38-47 “ Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. "For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself." And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation!" … ”

15. 15 Acts 2:38-47 “ …So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; … ”

16. 16 Acts 2:38-47 “ …and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved. ”

17. 17 Acts 2:38-47 Acts 2:38-41 –3–3000 souls obey the Gospel –R–Repented & Baptized for the remission of sin. –A–Acts 2:41 – NKJV They “gladly” received the Word

18. 18 Acts 2:38-47 2:42 – Rock Solid Unity –A–Apostle’s teaching –F–Fellowship

19. 19 Acts 2:38-47 2:44a – the believers were together. –E–Ephesians 4:4-6 “ There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. ”

20. 20 Acts 2:38-47 2:44b – believers had all things in common. –T–They were of the same mind. –I–If there were those who had needs, these needs were met.

21. 21 Acts 2:38-47 2:45 – believers were unselfish. –S–So united … willing to sell possessions in order to help those in need. 2 Thessalonians 3:10 “ if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either. ”

22. 22 Acts 2:38-47 2:46 – believers ate together. –n–not out of obligation or duty –…–… but “ with gladness and sincerity of heart. ”

23. 23 Acts 2:38-47 2:47 – believers worshipped together. –Y–Your presence in worship is a strengthening agent to other members. Your absence is a discouragement. Hebrews 10:24-25

24. 24 Hebrews 10:24-25 “ and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. ”

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26. 26 Acts 16:22-24 “ The crowd rose up together against them, and the chief magistrates tore their robes off them and proceeded to order them to be beaten with rods. When they had struck them with many blows, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to guard them securely; and he, having received such a command, threw them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. ”

27. 27 Acts 16:22-24 Look at the negatives: –B–Beaten up –L–Locked up –C–Chained up

28. 28 Acts 16:22-24 They didn’t point fingers. –W–When things go bad We hinder fellowship – rather than strengthening fellowship. –T–They didn’t use this as a time to gripe about the church.

29. 29 Acts 16 How did Paul and Silas emphasize the positive? - v. 25 “ But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them; ” They spoke up – v. 28

30. 30 Acts 16:30-34 “ and after he brought them out, he said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." And they spoke the word of the Lord to him together with all who were in his house. And he took them that very hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his household. And he brought them into his house and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, having believed in God with his whole household. ”

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