What A Fellowship!

What A Fellowship!

Behold what manner of love Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called us, that we should be called children of God! (1 John 3:1)children of God! (1 John 3:1)

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What Is Fellowship?What Is Fellowship?When some folks hear the word When some folks hear the word “fellowship” they immediately think of “fellowship” they immediately think of a common meal eaten in what they call a common meal eaten in what they call a “fellowship hall” but which, in reality, a “fellowship hall” but which, in reality, is a dining facility.is a dining facility.But what is “fellowship” all about?But what is “fellowship” all about?Is it really nothing more than eating Is it really nothing more than eating and drinking ?and drinking ?While there is undoubtedly a social While there is undoubtedly a social aspect to the collective worship of the aspect to the collective worship of the local church, fellowship is never – in the local church, fellowship is never – in the New Testament – a mere social event.New Testament – a mere social event.

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Therefore do not let your good be Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.Holy Spirit.

Romans 14:16-17Romans 14:16-17

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koinoniakoinonia(1)(1)as a relationship characterized by as a relationship characterized by

sharing in common sharing in common fellowship, fellowship, participationparticipation

(2)(2)as giving so that others can share as giving so that others can share generosity, fellow feelinggenerosity, fellow feeling … … willing willing contribution, giftcontribution, gift

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FellowshipFellowshipThus, the word has both a passive and Thus, the word has both a passive and an active sense. an active sense. The passive sense involves the idea of The passive sense involves the idea of having a having a shareshare in spiritual things with in spiritual things with the Godhead and with one another. the Godhead and with one another. We have a share in these things with We have a share in these things with the Godhead and with one another the Godhead and with one another because He shares them with us not because He shares them with us not that we share them with Him.that we share them with Him.

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FellowshipFellowshipIn this passive sense, we have no say In this passive sense, we have no say concerning those with whom we have concerning those with whom we have fellowship.fellowship.While we must meet conditions to have While we must meet conditions to have a share in these things, it is God who a share in these things, it is God who does the sharing by calling us "into" does the sharing by calling us "into" this fellowship.this fellowship.

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1 Corinthians 1:91 Corinthians 1:9God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

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FellowshipFellowshipIn this passive sense, we have no say In this passive sense, we have no say concerning those with whom we have concerning those with whom we have fellowship.fellowship.While we must meet conditions to have While we must meet conditions to have a share in these things, it is God who a share in these things, it is God who does the sharing by calling us "into" does the sharing by calling us "into" this fellowship.this fellowship.God calls one into this fellowship by God calls one into this fellowship by means of the apostolic message.means of the apostolic message.

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1 John 1:1-31 John 1:1-3That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life-- the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us-- that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.

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FellowshipFellowshipThe apostle John affirms that this The apostle John affirms that this fellowship includes the blessing of fellowship includes the blessing of cleansing from sin by the Savior’s blood. cleansing from sin by the Savior’s blood. But to enjoy this blessing, the apostle But to enjoy this blessing, the apostle insists that we must not walk in the insists that we must not walk in the darkness but in the light, which means darkness but in the light, which means that we are to follow the Lord’s will in that we are to follow the Lord’s will in all things, not only participating in the all things, not only participating in the fellowship meal but keeping all the fellowship meal but keeping all the divine commandments and ordinances.divine commandments and ordinances.

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1 John 1:5-71 John 1:5-7This is the message which we have This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. cleanses us from all sin.

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Things Which We ShareThings Which We Share1.1. A Like Precious FaithA Like Precious Faith

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2 Peter 1:12 Peter 1:1Simon Peter, a bondservant and Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who To those who have obtained like precious faith with have obtained like precious faith with usus by the righteousness of our God and by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:Savior Jesus Christ:

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Things Which We ShareThings Which We Share1.1. A Like Precious FaithA Like Precious Faith2.2. Spiritual BlessingsSpiritual Blessings

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Ephesians 1:3-6Ephesians 1:3-6Blessed be the Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in ChristChrist, just as , just as He chose us in Him before He chose us in Him before the foundation of the worldthe foundation of the world, that we should , that we should be holy and without blame before Him in be holy and without blame before Him in love, love, having predestined us to adoption as having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himselfsons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according , according to the good pleasure of His will, to the to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the BelovedHe has made us accepted in the Beloved. .

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Ephesians 1:7-10Ephesians 1:7-10In Him we have redemption through His In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sinsblood, the forgiveness of sins, according , according to the riches of His grace which He made to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to us the prudence, having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth--in Him. heaven and which are on earth--in Him.

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Ephesians 1:11-14Ephesians 1:11-14In Him also we have obtained an In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His willaccording to the counsel of His will, that we , that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. In Him you also trusted, praise of His glory. In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, believed, you were sealed with the Holy you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His purchased possession, to the praise of His gloryglory. .

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Things Which We ShareThings Which We Share1.1. A Like Precious FaithA Like Precious Faith2.2. Spiritual BlessingsSpiritual Blessings3.3. A Living Hope A Living Hope

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1 Peter 1:3-51 Peter 1:3-5Blessed be the God and Father of our Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again abundant mercy has begotten us again to to a living hope through the resurrection a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for youheaven for you, who are kept by the , who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. ready to be revealed in the last time.

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Things Which We ShareThings Which We Share1.1. A Like Precious Faith A Like Precious Faith 2.2. Spiritual Blessings Spiritual Blessings 3.3. A Living Hope A Living Hope 4.4. A Loving Benefactor A Loving Benefactor

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1 John 3:11 John 3:1Behold what manner of love the Father Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did world does not know us, because it did not know Him.not know Him.

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Things Which We ShareThings Which We Share1.1. A Like Precious Faith A Like Precious Faith 2.2. Spiritual Blessings Spiritual Blessings 3.3. A Living Hope A Living Hope 4.4. A Loving Benefactor A Loving Benefactor 5.5. A Common Salvation A Common Salvation

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Jude 3Jude 3Beloved, while I was very diligent to Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our write to you concerning our common common salvationsalvation, I found it necessary to write , I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. for all delivered to the saints.

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Things Which We ShareThings Which We Share1.1. A Like Precious FaithA Like Precious Faith2.2. Spiritual Blessings Spiritual Blessings 3.3. A Living Hope A Living Hope 4.4. A Loving Benefactor A Loving Benefactor 5.5. A Common Salvation A Common Salvation 6.6. A Common Savior A Common Savior

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Ephesians 5:23Ephesians 5:23For the husband is head of the wife, as For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the bodyHe is the Savior of the body. .

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Things Which We ShareThings Which We Share1.1. A Like Precious Faith A Like Precious Faith 2.2. Spiritual Blessings Spiritual Blessings 3.3. A Living Hope A Living Hope 4.4. A Loving Benefactor A Loving Benefactor 5.5. A Common Salvation A Common Salvation 6.6. A Common Savior A Common Savior 7.7. Love for the Lord Love for the Lord

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1 Peter 1:6-91 Peter 1:6-9In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having whom having not seen you lovenot seen you love. Though now you do not . Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith--the salvation of your souls.end of your faith--the salvation of your souls.

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Things Which We ShareThings Which We Share1.1. A Like Precious Faith A Like Precious Faith 2.2. Spiritual Blessings Spiritual Blessings 3.3. A Living Hope A Living Hope 4.4. A Loving Benefactor A Loving Benefactor 5.5. A Common Salvation A Common Salvation 6.6. A Common Savior A Common Savior 7.7. Love for the Lord Love for the Lord 8.8. The Divine Nature The Divine Nature

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2 Peter 1:2-42 Peter 1:2-4Grace and peace be multiplied to you in Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through great and precious promises, that through these you may be these you may be partakers of the divine partakers of the divine naturenature, having escaped the corruption , having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. that is in the world through lust.

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2 Peter 1:5-82 Peter 1:5-8But also for this very reason, giving all But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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2 Peter 1:9-112 Peter 1:9-11For he who lacks these things is For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

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Things Which We ShareThings Which We Share1.1. A Like Precious FaithA Like Precious Faith2.2. Spiritual Blessings Spiritual Blessings 3.3. A Living Hope A Living Hope 4.4. A Loving Benefactor A Loving Benefactor 5.5. A Common Salvation A Common Salvation 6.6. A Common Savior A Common Savior 7.7. Love for the Lord Love for the Lord 8.8. The Divine Nature The Divine Nature 9.9. Tribulation/PersecutionTribulation/Persecution

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Mark 10:29-30Mark 10:29-30So Jesus answered and said, "Assuredly, So Jesus answered and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel's, who shall not My sake and the gospel's, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time--receive a hundredfold now in this time--houses and brothers and sisters and houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, mothers and children and lands, with with persecutionspersecutions--and in the age to come, --and in the age to come, eternal life.eternal life.

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Acts 14:21-22Acts 14:21-22And when they had preached the And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and them to continue in the faith, and saying, "We must through saying, "We must through many many tribulationstribulations enter the kingdom of God." enter the kingdom of God."

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2 Timothy 3:10-132 Timothy 3:10-13But you have carefully followed my But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra--to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra--what persecutions I endured. And out of what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yes, and them all the Lord delivered me. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecutionwill suffer persecution. But evil men and . But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.deceiving and being deceived.

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2 Corinthians 1:3-52 Corinthians 1:3-5Blessed be the God and Father of our Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, and God of all comfort, who comforts who comforts us in all our tribulationus in all our tribulation, that we may be , that we may be able to comfort those who are in any able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. ourselves are comforted by God. For as For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds so our consolation also abounds through Christthrough Christ. .

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2 Corinthians 1:6-72 Corinthians 1:6-7Now if we are afflicted, it is for your Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our consolation and salvation. And our hope for you is steadfast, because we hope for you is steadfast, because we know that know that as you are partakers of the as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolationthe consolation..

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