“Can’t We All Just Get Along?” (3) What is Fellowship?

“Communion, fellowship, sharing in common” (Vine’s) “Fellowship, association, community, communion, joint participation, contact” (Thayer) 2 Corinthians 6:14-16

What is Fellowship? From Greek, koinwnia, (koinonia) Found some 20 times in the New Testament Acts 2:42, fellowship 1 Cor. 10:16, communion

What is Fellowship? Phil. 1:5, fellowship Phil. 2:1-2, fellowship Hebrews 13:16, share 1 John 1:3-7, fellowship (4 times) NOTE how each deals with spiritual matters!

What is Fellowship? It is the sharing that Christians have with God & Christ or with one another based upon their unity in Christ When Christians are in fellowship with God it brings them to one another!

Basis of Fellowship True fellowship is NOT: Good intentions – Matt. 7:21- 23, Prov. 16:25 Personal relationships – Eph. 5:3-11, 1 Cor. 5:4-5, 11 Unity in diversity – cf. Gal. 2:1-5, 11-14

Basis of Fellowship Begins with God’s word Fellowship begins with God! 1 John 1:5-7 Based upon His word 1 John 2:3-6, Lk. 6:46 A standard of agreement – Eph. 4:4-6, Jn. 17:17 NON-Negotiable

Basis of Fellowship Fellowship requires UNITY! When we have fellowship with God we seek fellowship with one another! Common agreement Phil. 2:1-2, Eph. 4:1-3 It requires work!

Basis of Fellowship Severed fellowship While God wants fellowship, we CANNOT compromise His standard – EVER! Fellowship with God supersedes fellowship with man

Basis of Fellowship Sin severs fellowship Eph. 5:11, 1 Cor. 5: Thess. 3:6 You cannot accept one who refuses to repent, Rev. 2:18-23

Basis of Fellowship Doctrinal error severs fellowship 2 John 9-11, 1 John 4:1, Gal. 1:8-9 We CANNOT tolerate error in our midst! Rev. 2:12-16

Is our fellowship what it ought to be?