God s Formula for Fellowship! The Vine Series John 15:5

Transcription

1 God s Formula for Fellowship! The Vine Series John 15:5 SCRIPTURE SCRIPTURE 1 John 1:1-10 (NIV) That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We write this to make our [a] joy complete. 5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out 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, his Son, purifies us from all [b] sin. 8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us. Subject Question: What three key aspects of fellowship does the Apostle John teach us are foundational in our ability to come to have true and lasting communion with God and one another as fellow Christians? Compliment answer: A Partner-Driven Fellowship, A Perspective-Driven Fellowship, and A Practical-Driven Fellowship. Big Idea: The three key aspects of fellowship that the Apostle John teaches us are foundational in our ability to come to have true and lasting communion with God and one another as fellow Christians are: A Partner-Driven Fellowship, A Perspective-Driven Fellowship, and A Practical-Driven Fellowship Homiletical Idea: An Ocean of Fellow-ships Purpose: I want the congregation to understand the nature and calling God places before each of us as fellow believers to have and sustain a good, lasting. and uplifting fellowship with Him and one another.

2 Introduction: Ever heard of a match made in Heaven. Sure. But what if I told you that as fellow believers in Christ we are called to have, maintain, and promote a true sense of unity and fellowship in this life before we individually enter the pearly gates? Church is more than just listening to preaching. More than just bible studies and prayer groups. We are indeed one another s spiritual siblings called to encourage, inspire and enjoy each other. Show me a church that has a good fellowship among its members and I will show you a church that not only attractive to guests and members alike, not only lovely to God, but also is on the brink of becoming a great and growing church. Today let s consider John s teaching as we consider how fellowship itself is to be: A Partner-Driven Fellowship, A Perspective-Driven Fellowship, and A Practical- Driven Fellowship. Groundwork: Matthew Henry Commentary: 1:1-4 That essential Good, that uncreated Excellence, which had been from the beginning, from eternity, as equal with the Father, and which at length appeared in human nature for the salvation of sinners, was the great subject concerning which the apostle wrote to his brethren. The apostles had seen Him while they witnessed his wisdom and holiness, his miracles, and love and mercy, during some years, till they saw him crucified for sinners, and afterwards risen from the dead. They touched him, so as to have full proof of his resurrection. This Divine Person, the Word of life, the Word of God, appeared in human nature, that he might be the Author and Giver of eternal life to mankind, through the redemption of his blood, and the influence of his new-creating Spirit. The apostles declared what they had seen and heard, that believers might share their comforts and everlasting advantages. They had free access to God the Father. They had a happy experience of the truth in their souls, and showed its excellence in their lives. This communion of believers with the Father and the Son, is begun and kept up by the influences of the Holy Spirit. The benefits Christ bestows, are not like the scanty possessions of the world, causing jealousies in others; but the joy and happiness of communion with God is all-sufficient, so that any number may partake of it; and all who are warranted to say, that truly their fellowship is with the Father, will desire to lead others to partake of the same blessedness. A. A Partner-Driven Fellowship (Vs.1-3) That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

3 B. If indeed we as believers and a family of Christians, are going to experience the joy of His Presence, the wonder of watching as Christ changes people s lives, and grow to be a dynamic, loving, sweet, and precious community, we have to first of all know keep a central truth in mind. And that truth is simply this: we have a partnership driven fellowship. First, we have been called of God to share our lives in this generation, in this church at this time. We indeed are in this thing, this God ordained, this God prompted, this God infused fellowship, together. C. Second, Every time we gather we should consider that we are not the only ones who are in our midst. When the preaching is going on Jesus is present. When the scriptures are read, the Father is near when we all sing, the angels are singing along. When we pray, the Holy Spirit is brooding over us ever close, ever watching and listening to the deepest intentions of our hearts. This fellowship, John says, is one of great privilege, one of divine unity, and one of blood bought family. 3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. D. Every generation since Pentecost has enjoyed this fellowship God with us. God choosing to be with us. God enjoying and happy to be with us. How much would our perspective change, if we only developed a perspective that God isn t so much interested in this things that we do wrong, or how short we all fall in serving Him. What if we could just celebrate and be thankful that He enjoys us. He wants to be near us. He is ever ready to come and be beside us, in all our failures as well as all our triumphs; collectively as well as individually! EX. Graduation: A Partner-Driven Fellowship A. A Perspective-Driven Fellowship (Vs.4-6) 4 We write this to make our [a] joy complete. 5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. B. As a Fellowship of followers of Christ we also should keep in mind that the same Holy Spirit that sought, caught, wooed and won me is the same Holy Spirit that indwells these brothers and sisters that we share this fellowship with. It s His presence that binds us together. It s His nature that gives us a common like-mindedness. Notice John s statement: God is

4 light; in him there is no darkness at all. As people of God we understand our God s light, meaning of course His holiness, His desire to always operate above board, never lurking in the shadows or capable of acting anything other than what is good and perfect and loving. C. But have you ever considered that, that light, that holiness, that willingness to be exposed is something that, because of the Holy Spirit s dwelling in us, is a part of each and every one of US. D. A big part of fellowship is perspective. A perspective that allows us to realize that coming to church is not just about getting something that s always good, but giving something. And more being Something/being Someone. Christian Maturity and Heavenly Holiness is something that is not only taught, but caught. As each of us are growing and maturing in the Lord, others are seeing how they can be and who they can become. We are all on this highway called holiness. We aren t however, all traveling at the same speed. Some are faster. Some are slower. But we are all traveling in the same direction. EX. William Booth: Salvation Army: A Perspective-Driven Fellowship A. A Practical-Driven Fellowship. (Vs. 7-10) 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, his Son, purifies us from all [b] sin. 8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us. B. Finally, is we are going to have a good, god glorifying fellowship, we all need to give one another a break. As Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Forgiveness is something that is not only received but extended. Why, because all of us are fighting the same battle: 8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness C. The best Christian fellowships are full of folks that don t allow themselves to constantly look around for someone to blame for something. Our fellowship is based on the fact that none of us are perfect none of us are incapable of sinning. None of us are incapable of hurting one another. But, we should be more upset with the fact that

5 the other person may be drifting in their relationship with the Lord. We should be mad at the sin that has entangled that person causing them to be so critical or judgmental, or unhappy. D. The practical prat of our fellowship is that we care called to pray, uplift, plead on behalf of, forgive, and walk beside those who, like us, are susceptible to sinning and unbecoming behavior. That of course, goes against what we would like to do. But, we are not like everyone else. We are called to be there for and with one another through thick and thin. Our fellowship is not about taking our ball and going home, or hopping from one church to the other only concerned about what you can get out of fellowship. Our fellowship is about eternal family family that need us, family that count on us, family that will stick with us. Family where we ourselves as well as God feels welcome, accepted and at home.