Verses Which Help to Establish the Parameters and Limits of Fellowship Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! (Psalm 133:1) Prepared from Scratch Preached at West Side on April 3, 2011 Print slides 2-13 (six slides per page, front and back)

Isaiah 59:1-2 Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear. 2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear. Sin impacts our relationship with God Fellowship with God is conditional!

2 John 9-11 Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; 11 for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds. Fellowship between men is limited It is based upon faithfulness to God

2 Corinthians 6:14-18 No matter the sin, evil must be rejected by those who are faithful to God “What fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? We are the sanctified of God, therefore... “Do not touch what is unclean, and I (God) will receive you.”

Romans 14 Not every disagreement necessitates a cleaving of fellowship (1) This context does not deal with sinful matters (5) Eating meat and Observing a day is acceptable to God, but not required If God receives a man, we are not to judge or despise him! (6-13)

1 Corinthians 5:4-6 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5 deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 6 Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Withdrawal is done congregationally The purpose, protect the group and save the individual caught in sin

Matthew 18:15-17 Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that “by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.” 17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector. It is the responsibility of the righteous to ensure fellowship. (By bringing sinner to repentance).

Philippians 2:1-8 Love and Humility facilitate unity Disputes and strife are antithetical to the mind of Christ Sacrifice and deference remove impediments to unity “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but the interests of others.”

1 Thessalonians 5:14-15 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. 15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. Withdrawal is not necessarily immediate Discretion is needed, as we seek to save “Be patient with all.”

Titus 3:9-11 But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. 10 Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned. Very little patience is to be shown to the divisive man (Protect the group)

James 3:1 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. Very little patience is to be shown to the man who teaches error (Protect the group) cf. 2 Thessalonians 3:6; Jude 22-23

2 Thessalonians 3:6 But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. Jude 22-23 And on some have compassion, making a distinction; 23 but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.

Conclusion Fellowship with God is conditioned upon righteousness and doctrinal purity. We have no right to maintain ongoing fellowship with those rejected by God Patience and discretion is needed in dealing with sin (to save the soul) The group must be protected!