A Strong Fellowship
I John 1:1-4
Intro: In this
series, we have examined the importance of a strong faith, a strong focus, and
a strong following. But tonight, I want
to emphasize one more area that I believe is vital to finishing strong. In order to finish strong, we need to have a
strong fellowship.
First John uses the word “fellowship” three times in chapter
1.
Look at verse 4:
·
FULL-
to make full, to fill up, i.e. to fill to
the full; to cause to abound, to furnish or supply liberally; I abound, I am
liberally supplied; to render full, i.e. to complete; to fill to the top: so
that nothing shall be wanting to full measure, fill to the brim to consummate:
a number to make complete in every particular, to render perfect; to carry
through to the end, to accomplish, carry out, (some undertaking); to carry into
effect, bring to realization, realize of matters of duty: to perform, execute
If we are going to carry through to the end – if we are
going to consummate this race in victory, we MUST learn the joy of A STRONG
FELLOWSHIP.
I. A Strong
Fellowship with God
·
1 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.
A. This
is accomplished by reading and studying His Word.
·
Psalms
119:165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend
them.
·
Note
: The word “offend” here means a stumbling block, fall; ruins; means or
occasion of stumbling, stumbling block
B. This
is accomplished by an intimate prayer time.
C. This
is accomplished by a life of meditation.
Verse 1 is what
qualifies John to help us in our fellowship: an intimate knowledge of Christ.
·
That 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, of the Word of life;
·
They heard Him.
·
They saw Him.
·
They studied Him.
·
They experienced Him.
NOTE: Many of the
great heroes of the faith were singled out for specific directions,
instructions or revelation when they were all alone – just them and God:
·
Enoch
·
Noah
·
Jacob at Bethel
·
Paul – “…no man stood with me, but all men
forsook me. Nevertheless, the Lord stood with me…”
·
John the Apostle – Isle of Patmos – he was in
the Spirit on the Lord’s day – Rev. 1
PERSONAL
ILLUSTRATION: I got to thinking…
I had 7 different pastors before I got married at the age of
22.
I only knew 2 of them on a personal level.
If I told you the facts about some of the men that I sat
under, you would think I was making it up.
One was a sodomite.
One stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from the church
just in the short time we were there.
The list would nauseate you if I told you.
But I never let that hinder me from going forward for God.
Why?
I learned to build a strong fellowship with God.
II. A Strong
Fellowship with God’s People
At least twice in this chapter John makes reference to
fellowship with God’s people. NOTICE –
VS. 3 and VS. 7
A. Our
Fellowship with God’s People Began with the Word
·
1 John
1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may
have fellowship with us:
Our common bond is our faith and belief in the precepts of
God’s Word.
B. Our
Fellowship with God’s People is Built by our Walk
·
1 John
1:7
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship
one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all
sin.
A life of sin will destroy your relationship with the
church.
A life of disobedience will destroy your desire to
fellowship with God’s people.
Following God and walking in His truth and His light will
draw you closer to Him and to God’s people.
Obedient Christians are joyful and cheerful Christians.
Disobedient Christians are withdrawn and distant.
Conclusion:
If you want to finish strong, work on building a strong
relationship with God and with His church.
A strong relationship with Christ builds a spirit of
consecration.
If you start missing time in prayer and Bible reading, you
will struggle.
If you start hitting and missing in your church attendance –
you will struggle.
A strong relationship with the church builds a spirit of
confidence and cooperation
·
Ask God to help you have a strong faith in Him.
·
Ask God to help you have a strong focus on Him.
·
Ask God to help you have a strong following of
Him.
·
Ask God help you have a strong fellowship with
Him.
And trust me. You will finish strong!!
