1. 1 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

2. 2 Preserving and Extending Fellowship

3. 3 Goals 1. To discuss things we are doing to preserve and extend Christian fellowship. 2. To consider ways we as individuals and congregation can improve in this important aspect of Christian living.

4. 4 Opening Prayer We thank you, dear Holy Spirit, for the unity you have given us in our congregation and synod. Teach us to love and cherish this priceless fellowship. Help us examine our lives as individuals and as a congregation so that we become more zealous and enthusiastic in preserving and extending this fellowship. Amen. We thank you, dear Holy Spirit, for the unity you have given us in our congregation and synod. Teach us to love and cherish this priceless fellowship. Help us examine our lives as individuals and as a congregation so that we become more zealous and enthusiastic in preserving and extending this fellowship. Amen.

5. 5 Introduction One of the great joys of being a Christian… Psalm 133

6. 6 Christian unity is like… –Oil on Aaron’s head (perfume or lotion) –Dew (prized in Israel, months without rain) Symbolize joy of brothers, sisters living together in faithful unity of the Spirit. Enjoying fellowship with like-minded Christians.

7. 7 Responsibility for every Christian? Ephesians 4:3 Every Christian has the responsibility to work in order to… –preserve this fellowship –extend this fellowship

8. 8 Ways of preserving and extending fellowship What are some ways we can show love for the members of our congregation? Read: John 13:35; 1 Peter 1:22 Read: John 13:35; 1 Peter 1:22 loving one another loving one another showing concern in times of trouble showing concern in times of trouble visiting the sick visiting the sick comforting the grieving comforting the grieving

9. 9 Ways of preserving and extending fellowship What are some ways our congregation members are good at showing their love? What are some ways our congregation members are good at showing their love? What are some areas in which we could do better? What are some areas in which we could do better?

10. 10 Helping with physical needs… Galatians 6:10 Galatians 6:10 As a congregation? As a congregation? Food pantry Food pantry Door offerings Door offerings Thrift store Thrift store How can our congregation do better? How can our congregation do better?

11. 11 Helping with physical needs… Galatians 6:10 Galatians 6:10 As a synod? As a synod? WELS Committee on Relief WELS Committee on Relief Central Africa Medical Mission Central Africa Medical Mission Agencies: LIMA, WLCFS Agencies: LIMA, WLCFS How can we do better as a synod? How can we do better as a synod?

12. 12 Ways of preserving and extending fellowship Ephesians 4:11-16 Ephesians 4:11-16 How do we build up the church’s defense against error? How do we build up the church’s defense against error? Personal Bible study Personal Bible study Attendance at Bible classes and Sunday School, VBS Attendance at Bible classes and Sunday School, VBS

13. 13 What are some ways we could do this better? Pray and work to increase attendance at Bible classes and Sunday School, VBS Pray and work to increase attendance at Bible classes and Sunday School, VBS

14. 14 We must build up defenses against… New Age Movement New Age Movement Weakness in principles and practice of key doctrines Weakness in principles and practice of key doctrines Fellowship Fellowship God’s roles for men and women God’s roles for men and women Worldliness infiltrating Church militant Worldliness infiltrating Church militant materialism materialism sexual immorality sexual immorality

15. 15 How do we show respect and support for faithful called workers? 1 Thessalonians 5:11-13 1 Thessalonians 5:11-13 1 Timothy 5:17 1 Timothy 5:17 lay ministry involvement lay ministry involvement secretarial help secretarial help compensation (salary, honoraria, fees) compensation (salary, honoraria, fees) respect for office respect for office speaking well of workers to others speaking well of workers to others

16. 16 Respect and Support for Faithful Called Workers What are some areas in which we can improve in this regard? What are some areas in which we can improve in this regard?

17. 17 How do we work to extend our fellowship as a congregation? VBS VBS Sunday School Sunday School Evangelism Evangelism

18. 18 How do we work to extend our fellowship as a synod? Home Missions Home Missions World Missions World Missions Commission on Inter-Church Relations Commission on Inter-Church Relations

19. 19 Preserve church fellowship by practicing church discipline Huge topic Huge topic Like removing a sliver Like removing a sliver Can prevent an infection, loss of limb Can prevent an infection, loss of limb Dealing with public sin heals and helps preserve our precious church fellowship. Dealing with public sin heals and helps preserve our precious church fellowship.

20. 20 Practicing Church Discipline As individuals and as a congregation Matthew 18:15-17 Matthew 18:15-17 Steps to win back brother(s) for Christ: Steps to win back brother(s) for Christ: 1. In private – Why is this so important? 2. With witnesses – friends, pastor 3. Involving entire church Council, Voters Council, Voters Synod: circuit, district, synod appeal Synod: circuit, district, synod appeal

21. 21 Preserving and Extending Fellowship What is the last act of love available to us to help an unrepentant member of our fellowship?

22. 22 Preserve church fellowship by practicing church discipline Jude 18-23 Jude 18-23 What is the difference between a weak brother and a persistent errorist? What is the difference between a weak brother and a persistent errorist?

23. 23 Weak Brother vs. Persistent Errorist Weak Brother Erroneous views on some doctrines, but… Erroneous views on some doctrines, but… Willing to be corrected by Scripture. Willing to be corrected by Scripture. Persistent Errorist Ignores instruction Ignores instruction Promotes false views and teachings Promotes false views and teachings

24. 24 How can we determine in which category a person belongs? While studying disputed issues in Scripture, weak brothers will not make propaganda for their view. While studying disputed issues in Scripture, weak brothers will not make propaganda for their view. Persistent errorists hold on to their views in spite of admonition and try to win other people to their views. Persistent errorists hold on to their views in spite of admonition and try to win other people to their views.

25. 25 How do we deal with people in each category? Weak brothers: We want to preserve fellowship by patiently instructing them. Weak brothers: We want to preserve fellowship by patiently instructing them. Persistent errorists: Fellowship around the truth must be preserved by excluding them from the congregation. Persistent errorists: Fellowship around the truth must be preserved by excluding them from the congregation.

26. 26 Excommunication versus Termination of Fellowship In Christian love we excommunicate… Persist in a sin knowing God’s Word condemns it Persist in a sin knowing God’s Word condemns it Doctrinal error destroys saving faith Doctrinal error destroys saving faith Hold to a position knowing it is contrary to Scripture Hold to a position knowing it is contrary to Scripture Excluded themselves from salvation. Excluded themselves from salvation. We warn of damnation without repentance. We warn of damnation without repentance.

27. 27 Excommunication versus Termination of Fellowship Termination of fellowship done in love … Termination of fellowship done in love … Hold to false doctrine convinced their position agrees with Scripture Hold to false doctrine convinced their position agrees with Scripture May be ignorance, weakness that does not destroy saving faith May be ignorance, weakness that does not destroy saving faith May not have excluded themselves from salvation, but… May not have excluded themselves from salvation, but… Error prevents our fellowship with them. Error prevents our fellowship with them.

28. 28 Excommunication versus Termination of Fellowship Use only Termination of fellowship … With church bodies and congregations, because we… With church bodies and congregations, because we… Cannot deal with every individual to determine if support for church’s error Cannot deal with every individual to determine if support for church’s error consciously and maliciously consciously and maliciously ignorance or weakness ignorance or weakness

29. 29 Dealing the Excommunicated or Fellowship-Terminated 2 Thessalonians 3:6,13-15 No religious fellowship. Family, social ties – careful not to undermine church’s action. Continue to evangelize with law and gospel.

30. 30 Summary Fellowship in unity of faith is a wonderful blessing of God’s church.

31. 31 Summary Church fellowship is extended and maintained when Christians … Grow in faith. Grow in faith. Show love for each other. Show love for each other. Honor those who preach and teach. Honor those who preach and teach. Give help to the needy. Give help to the needy. Practice church discipline. Practice church discipline.

32. 32 Closing Prayer We thank you, Lord, for the fellowship and unity that we enjoy in our church. Thanks for showing us many ways we can work to together to preserve and extend this fellowship. Now through the power of your Holy Spirit, fill us with energy and enthusiasm so that we work hard to preserve and extend our fellowship of faith. Amen. We thank you, Lord, for the fellowship and unity that we enjoy in our church. Thanks for showing us many ways we can work to together to preserve and extend this fellowship. Now through the power of your Holy Spirit, fill us with energy and enthusiasm so that we work hard to preserve and extend our fellowship of faith. Amen.

33. 33 During the week 1. Read Church Fellowship, pages 105-115. 2. Thank God for the fellowship you enjoy with the members of your congregation and others who share the same confession. 3. Pray for ways you can help to preserve that fellowship and to extend it.