Belonging and Becoming: The Discipline of Fellowship PART I A Message in the sermon series “The Story Behind Your Story” on The Spiritual Disciplines

The Spiritual Discipline of Fellowship “ Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:23-25

WHY IS FELLOWSHIP SO IMPORTANT? Because… 1.You BELONG in God’s FAMILY with other believers. “ For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” Romans 12:4-5 (NIV) “ Now you are no longer strangers to God and foreigners to heaven, but you are members of God’s very own family, citizens of God’s country, and you belong in God’s household with every other Christian.” Ephesians 2:19 (TLB)

WHY IS FELLOWSHIP SO IMPORTANT? 2.You need REALTIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY to grow spiritually. “Two are better than one…If one falls down, his friend can help him up…Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, 12 (NIV) “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” Hebrews 10:25 (NIV)

WHY IS FELLOWSHIP SO IMPORTANT? 3. You need RELATIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY to grow spiritually. “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.” Galatians 6:1 (NIV) “Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.” Proverbs 27:6 (NIV) “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17 (NIV)

WHY IS FELLOWSHIP SO IMPORTANT? 4. There is POWER in praying TOGETHER. “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.” Matthew 18:19 (NIV)

WHY IS FELLOWSHIP SO IMPORTANT? 5. Fellowship is a powerful WITNESS to the WORLD. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35 (NIV)

WHY IS FELLOWSHIP SO IMPORTANT? 6. Christ is present in a special way when we have fellowship with one another. “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20 (NIV)

WHY IS FELLOWSHIP SO IMPORTANT? 7. You are significant in other Christ-followers’ growth. “ The cannot say to the “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 1 Corinthians 12:21-27 (NIV)

“God has given each of you some special abilities; be sure to use them to help each other, passing on to others God’s many kinds of blessings.” 1 Peter 4:10 Some of The “One Anothers” of Christ-centered Fellowship Love one another (with God’s type of love)John 15:12 Be devoted to one anotherRomans 12:10 Honor one anotherRomans 12:10 Accept one anotherRomans 15:7 Teach one anotherRomans 15:14 Greet one anotherRomans 16:16 Serve one anotherGalatians 5:13 Bear one another’s burdensGalatians 6:2 Submit to one anotherEphesians 5:21 Forgive one anotherColossians 3:13 Encourage one anotherHebrews 10:25