THE DIVINE CALL TO TRUE FELLOWSHIP

1Corinthian 9:4; 1John1:3,4.

We have fellowship with the Son, fellowship with the saints and fellowship with the servants of God.

                                            

In our fellowship with the Son, we

Feed on his word

Embrace His will

Love His words

Learn His ways

Obey His word

Withdraw from the wolves

Seek His wisdom

Help in His work

Increase in His witness

Praise His worthiness.

Also we FELLOWSHIP with the saints. We

Forgive and Forbear

Edify one another

Love one another

Lift one another

Observe one another

Warn one another

Serve one another

Help one another

Intercede for one another

Please one another Rom15:1

In FELLOWSHIP, there is no

Fear

Envy

Lying

Lust

Oppression

Warfare

Slander

Hypocrisy

Ill will

Pride

Regarding FELLOWSHIP with the servants of God, those leaders over us, we

Follow them Heb13:7

Esteem them 1The5:12,13

Love them 1The5:13b

Learn from them Phi4:9

Obey them Heb13:17

Walk like/with them Phi3:17

Stand with them 2Tim4:16

Honour them 1Tim5:17

Inform them 1Cor1:11

Pray for them 2Cor3:1

1. THE BEGINNING AND THE BUILDING UP OF TRUE FELLOWSHIP:

1cor1:9. God through the Son Jesus Christ sent the message of salvation, and by grace we are brought into union with the Trinity Jn17:17,21. Also, sanctification deepens our fellowship Acts11:15-17. The Holy Ghost Baptism further tightens and deepens the fellowship Jn13:34. We should be prompt in attending to the needs and challenges of others, loving one another as Christ has loved us.

The experience of true salvation is the foundation of true fellowship Rom12:16. There's no competition, criticism or inner strife towards one another Gal5:13; serving and helping one another, forbearing one another Eph4:2,3,32.

2. THE BOUNDARIES AND THE BLOCKAGES AGAINST TRUE FELLOWSHIP:

Eph5:11,12; 1Cor10:20,21.

We must be clear in our minds about not encouraging the works of darkness 1Cor5:11. We must never encourage fellowship with personalities without the fruits of salvation 1Jn1:5-7; 2Chr19:2; Ps94:20,21. A real follower will not maintain fellowship with idolaters, hypocrites, syncretizers and apostates.

3. THE BACKBONE AND THE BOND OF TRUE FELLOWSHIP:

Lev.6:2-5.

When at the time of temptation you fell and didn't stand according to the Word of God, you must make restitution Mt5:23-25. It's not fellowship when we fail to right our wrongs and amend our ways Lk17:3,4. In fellowship, there must be repentance Jam5:16.

Sometimes many people do wrong and then approach the Church leadership to pray for them as an excuse to cover their sins. That is self-delusional and damnable 2Cor12:20,21; Mk9:50.

By all means let's maintain peace in the household of faith Rom12:18-21; 2Cor13:11; Phi4:7-9; 1The5:23,24. He'll keep us united.