1. Fellowship: The Master Speaks Class – 2, Saturday Fellowship: The Master Speaks ****************************************************** John 17 : 21, 23 “That they all may be one, as Thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us.” “I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one.” (Bro. Gerald Sankey Ontario Spring Gathering – 5/2011)

2. “The biblical concept of fellowship is partnership partnerships edifying and positive. It relates to partnership between believers, God, and Jesus. These partnerships are entered into when an individual understands key doctrinal items, including the mystery and the gospel, and lives a life that is consistent with a high calling in Christ. partnership If we enter a partnership with our Creator at baptism, we can receive His nature and live forever.” (Jon.Farrar, Advocate, June 2008)

3. We must ever be on guard against Fellowship with God is not just a technicality It is A WAY OF LIFE ! --- a thinking like God, “And what is fellowship? We must ever be on guard against letting technicalities take the place of realities. Fellowship is not an external agreement to associate, but communion, harmony, unity of mind and spirit……Fellowship with God is not just a technicality ---- not just a form ---- not just the accepting of certain beliefs or joining a certain group. It is A WAY OF LIFE ! --- a thinking like God, a walking in harmony with His revealed will and commands.” (G.V.Growcott, “Fellowship with Him”)

4. I Peter 5 : 1 – 3 (CEV) “ Church leaders, I am writing to encourage you. I too am a leader ……. Just as shepherds watch over their sheep, you must watch over everyone God has placed in your care. Do it willingly in order to please God, and not simply because you think you must. Let it be something you want to do, instead of something you do merely to make money. Don’t be bossy to those people who are in your care, but set an example for them.”

5. The true ecclesial shepherd, then, must do the works of the Chief Shepherd: He must feed others first. (Ezek.34:2) He must strengthen the diseased or weak. He must bind up what is broken. (Ezk.34:4) He must seek those that have become lost. He must assume a personal responsibility in the face of a threat. And He must be prepared to protect the flock at all costs (even laying down his life).

6. “ From these words, one would think it transparently obvious that in time of danger to the flock from false teachers, (“After my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock”) a man’s duty will keep him with the flock in order that he might exert every possible effort in defense of those less able than himself to combat spiritual evil. Yet in sharp contrast to this the attitude of some seems to be: ‘There is a wolf in the flock. I have told the sheep to chase it away, but they do nothing of the sort.”

7. “So now it’s time for me to get out as quickly as I can.’ for men who act in this way h i r e l i n g those who withdraw ‘pure’are hirelings for their separatism their own safety and benefit.” “ The incisive word of the Lord for men who act in this way is the shameful term: h i r e l i n g….. Without a doubt, those who withdraw to an exclusive ‘pure’ fellowship are hirelings in the sense in which Jesus used the term, for their separatism is solely a means of furthering, as they think, their own safety and benefit.” (H.Whittaker, “Block Disfellowship”, The Testimony, Vol.43,No.513,pg.340; 9/73)

8. are troubled by current conditions “ Let any who are troubled by current conditions, and worried by vague apprehensions as to their own responsibility for ‘condoning’ evil ponder these words of the Good Shepherd, again and again. good shepherds He calls men to be good shepherds after his own pattern, giving themselves to devoted service and care to the harassed flock, and even laying down their own lives for the sheep. rigorous separatists ‘holier-than-thou’ sanctuary which they themselves have fixed!” How strange that it does not seem to dawn on rigorous separatists that they testify against error far more efficiently by staying where the error is and witnessing against it, than by fleeing to a ‘holier-than-thou’ sanctuary, from which to carry on a campaign of scolding across a great gulf, which they themselves have fixed!” (H.Whittaker, “False Teachers”, Testimony, June 1966) troubled by current contentions

9. The Ecclesial School The Ecclesial School If every ecclesia were perfect, then you, dear reader, could not be a member! The Christadelphian ecclesia is the crucible in which the mind of Christ is developed. If every ecclesia were perfect, then you, dear reader, could not be a member! exercise of love who are anything but loveable, It is the necessary imperfections which bring out the desirable spiritual character in each one of us. So often, it is the exercise of love toward our brothers and sisters, who are anything but loveable, that is pleasing to God.

10. “ The gospel net catches all sorts of fish…” that it is an Ideal training school for saints In isolation, it is impossible to avail oneself of the necessary ecclesial schooling”. “ It is because the ecclesia is composed of “fish” of all sorts, shapes, sizes and varieties, that it is an Ideal training school for saints. In this school, saints have a golden opportunity to put Christianity into daily practice. In isolation, it is impossible to avail oneself of the necessary ecclesial schooling”. the perfect training ground for the development of the mind of the Master. “It is the very diversity of ecclesial members, with all their moral, physical and spiritual failings and weaknesses, which makes the ecclesia the perfect training ground for the development of the mind of the Master. Can you think of a better environment for the perfection of the saints?” (Ted Farrar, A Time To Speak, pg.204-5)

11. Hymn #165 (1964) Loving shepherd of thy sheep, Keep thy lambs in safety keep; Keep thy lambs in safety keep; Nothing can thy power withstand, Nothing can thy power withstand, None can pluck them from thine hand. None can pluck them from thine hand. Loving Saviour, thou didst give Loving Saviour, thou didst give Thine own life that they might live; Thine own life that they might live; And the hands outstretched to bless And the hands outstretched to bless Bear the cruel nails’ impress. Bear the cruel nails’ impress. Loving Shepherd, ever near, Loving Shepherd, ever near, Teach thy lambs thy voice to hear; Teach thy lambs thy voice to hear; Suffer not their steps to stray Suffer not their steps to stray From the straight and narrow way. From the straight and narrow way.