1. Fellowship With Each Other I John 1:3, “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His son Jesus Christ.” Two Important Facts: It is possible to have fellowship with God! Those who are in fellowship with God are in fellowship with each other!

2. Brief Review of Last Week’s Sermon: Fellowship defined. From koinonia, may be translated “fellowship,” “association,” “community,” or “joint participation.” Fellowship with God depends on: God’s Provisions which make it possible. Man’s Response to those Provisions.

3. In this Lesson: We are discussing the other side of the coin. We are referring to: The Communion, The Sharing in, The Partnership, or The fellowship we have with each other by reason of our fellowship with God. This kind of fellowship involves teamwork, Acts 2:42!

4. Basic Facts: Fellowship Extends in Two Directions Upward toward God, I John 1:3,5,6. Our fellowship with God is based upon the facts that we: Believed and obeyed the gospel, I Corinthians 1:9; 2 Thessalonians 2:14. Cooperate with God, I Corinthians 3:6,9; Mark 16:20 Find happiness in the same principles – holiness, truth, purity, justice, mercy, etc., 2 Peter 1:4; I John 1:5,6. Outward Toward His Children, I John 1:3; Acts 2:42; Galatians 2:9; Philippians 1:3-5.

5. Basic Facts, con’t: Fellowship, both vertical and horizontal, is regulated by divine truth! Truth which puts us in a right relation- ship with God, John 8:32; Romans 1:16. Truth which puts us in a right relation- ship with each other, John 17:20,21; Amos 3:3.

6. Basic Facts – continued: “Fellowship is often an abused and Misused Word. Often used to refer to eating together, though it is never so used in the Bible! Note Ephesians 5:11; Mark 2:16; Hebrews 4:15 Some churches have “fellowship dinners,” and invite both saints and sinners! Sometimes “fellowship” is used as an adjective to describe a Hall. Sometimes “fellowship” is a word used to describe inter-denominational alliances and activities.

7. Basic Facts -- Continued “Fellowship” is often an abused Practice! Fellowshipping those whom God will not fellowship, I Corinthians 5:1,2; I John 1:5. Refusing to fellowship those whom God does fellowship, 3 John 9,10. “Fellowship” is often a Perverted Teaching! A case in point is that of perverting Romans 14 to justify both Moral Sin, and Doctrinal Error! This contradicts I John 1:5,6! This contradicts passages which precede and follow Romans 14. cf. Romans 13:14; 16:17,18.

8. God Wants Faithful Christians To Be In Fellowship with other Faithful Christians! This is implied by Apostolic Example, Acts 2:42; Galatians 2:9. This is Implied by Apostolic Admonition, Hebrews 10:24. “Consider” – fix the mind upon. Consider how to help other Christians be faithful in their duties to God. “Provoke” – “to call to action.

9. That God Wants Faithful Christians to Be in Fellowship with other Faithful Christians implied by: “Fellow-Citizens,” Ephesians 2:19. “Fellow-Helper,” 2 Corinthians 8:23. “Fellow –Laborer,” I Thessalonians 3:1,2. “Fellow-servant,” Colossians 4:7. “Fellow-Workers,” Colossians 4:11. “Fellow-Soldier,” Philippians 2:25. “Fellow-Heirs,” Ephesians 3:6.

10. In What Should Christians Have Fellowship? Negatively: Not in the unfruitful works of Darkness! Ephesians 5:11: “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” Not in Supporting Religious error! 2 John 10,11: “If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into hour house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.”

11. In What Should Christians Have Fellowship? Positively: Our joint action in Scriptural work, I Corinthians 3:9. Our joint action in Scriptural worship, Acts 2:42; 20:27; I Corinthians 10:16. Our support of Gospel Preachers, Philippians 1:5; 4:14-17. Our support of Needy saints, 2 Cor- inthians 8:1-4.

12. Faithful Christians Have Fellowship in things they share in Common: A Common Calling, I Corinthians 1:9; Ephesians 4:1. A Common Standard of Conduct, I Peter 2:21. A Common Aim – glorify God, I Corinthians 10:31. A Common Salvation, Jude 3. A Common Goal – Heaven, I Peter 1:3,4.

13. Conclusion: We have dealt with but two aspects of Fellowship – with God, and with others. Every Person in Fellowship with God is one Whom God has Called, I Cor. 1:9; 2 Thessalonians 2:14. You may have many good qualities, but if you are not in fellowship with God, you are lost! But God does not want you to be lost! 2 Peter 3:9; John 3:16; Luke 19:10; Rom. 1:16.