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24: The Importance of Fellowship
podcast notes: The Importance of Community
I. Key Verse & Introduction
Acts 2:42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
One of the greatest blessings in my life has been the Lord’s Church. Growing up, my home and my life for that matter, may have been much like yours. Things were not very stable. Stability and identity, for me, was found in the Lord’s Church.
In this lesson, let us consider the importance of community or fellowship as it relates to our growth in the Lord.
II. Lesson thoughts
a. Fellowship in Christ
The fellowship we enjoy as Christians is in Christ. If we are not united with Christ, as Christians we are not united together as members of His body. The apostle Paul wrote in (Romans 12:4-5) “For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.” Paul states “we, being many, are one body in Christ” Our fellowship, being one body in Christ, is dependent upon us being first united with Christ. In (Acts 2:40,41) Peter was speaking and exhorting, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” In verse (41), we read “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.” We are made part of the Lord’s body, His Church (ref. Colossians 1:18) in our faithful obedience to the gospel. As we continue to read in (Acts 2:47), we see those who had obeyed the gospel of Christ as Peter preached, the Lord added to the Church.
Today, the Word of the Lord is the same for us. We are united with Christ in baptism as the Bible teaches us in (Romans 6:1-6). Being united with Him, we are added to His body.
The fellowship we enjoy as Christians is in Christ.
b. Good habits can be easily corrupted
When I was younger, I would try to test many things. Being raised by a single mother for the most part, I would test the boundaries. Yes, at times I even tried to test the counsel of the Scriptures. In (1 Corinthians 15:33), we read “Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” I did not guard my influences very carefully when I was younger. I allowed certain influences to shape my decisions. Yes, it was my choices, my decisions. But instead of surrounding myself with those who would encourage me in the Lord, the influences I surrounded myself with were quite the opposite. I would not recommend that anyone try to test the wisdom of the Scriptures in (1 Corinthians 15:33). The influence of the world can be a very powerful influence. If we are not carefully guarding this influence, it can quickly deceive and pull us down.
We will not be able to escape all the influences that this world will offer. Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit said in order to do that we would have to escape the world (ref.1 Corinthians 5:10). Nor do I understand that we as Christians should completely isolate ourselves from the world. If we were to do this, how would we be the light that we are called to be (ref. Matthew 5:14-16)? My caution is to simply understand the powerful influences the world can have and to be very guarded against such destructive influences. Don’t allow yourself to be deceived, thinking, “This would never happen to me.”
c. The importance of healthy community
This is partly why I believe healthy community and fellowship is vital for us as Christians and for our growth in the Lord. In the community of the body of Christ, we are built up, strengthened, and equipped as believers.
The Hebrews author records in (Hebrews 10:23-25) “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”
In these verses, we are told not to neglect our brothers and sisters in Christ. We are not to forsake assembling together so that we can encourage one another in love and good works. This helps us to hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering. A healthy community will encourage our growth in the Lord. We should look forward to each and every time we are able to meet with one another. Knowing we will be strengthened in the Lord and that we can encourage others.
A healthy community will help us better understand the Lord’s desire for us. The apostle Paul, writing to Timothy in (2 Timothy 2:2) says, “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” Through faithful teachers, preachers, and mature Christians, we can gain a better understanding of God’s Word. A better understanding of His Word allows us to better comprehend His desire for us. It is a call to holiness in our lives--a call to honor the Lord in our choices, in our actions, and in our thoughts. Faithful teachers, preachers, mature brothers and sisters in Christ will always point and direct our thoughts upwards to the Lord so that we don’t become comfortable with the world’s influences.
A healthy community will not accept practices that are destructive to us. As parents, this is something we understand. When my daughters were old enough to run and play outside, one of the first things we taught them was not to run in the street. It’s not that we as parents did not want our children to enjoy running outside. We wanted to guard them and caution them against something that could be harmful to them. The Lord and a healthy church family will do this at times when it may be needed. The Scriptures teach us that the Lord disciplines those He loves (Hebrews 12:6). At times discipline offered in love is needed for our benefit. Again Paul instructed Timothy and us today in (2 Timothy 4:2) “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.” As a community of the Lord, if I am engaged in a harmful practice (sin), it should be brought to my attention in love. A healthy community will not allow us to continue in a harmful or destructive practice but instead will offer patient and careful instruction from an attitude of love.
III. Wrap-Up
A healthy community will support us in difficult times. As the Church, we are told to look after widows and orphans in their troubles (ref. James 1:27). We are to pray for one another in times of sickness and distress (ref. James 5:13,14). The body of Christ is a family in which the love of Christ is extended. It is in this community where we are uplifted through prayer, encouraged in trials, and one in which we walk through difficulties not alone, but together.
Another very important point to remember when it comes to our fellowship in the Lord is our service and ministry to others. Being part of an encouraging community is not just about what we receive, it is also about what we can give to others. Our part, being active and involved, is a blessing and encouragement to other Christians. Paul wrote in (Philippians 1:3-8) “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.”
His words remind us that we as Christians share together in prayer (Phil. 1:3-4). We partake together in the fellowship of the gospel (Phil. 1:5). We work together knowing that what the Lord has begun in each of us, He will complete (Phil. 1:6). And we share in an affection for one another (Phil. 1:8).
What a great privilege and blessing it is to be part of the family of God. To be active, and engaged in ministry and service to others.
Why is the Church important? Without the Lord’s Church, we will not grow and mature in Christ as He intends for us to do. The Lord’s Church is part of His design for us. And in Him, we are united together as one body.
It can be tragic for us to neglect one another. It can be very short-sighted for us not to understand the importance of His family, His Church, purchased through His blood (ref. Acts 20:28).
My prayer for us today is that we would understand the importance of the Lord’s Church to our growth in Him. And that we would also understand our importance as members of His body to one another.
references:
* All Scripture New King James Version unless otherwise noted
links:
simplyRevised (home): https://www.simplyrevised.org/
subscribe to our email list: https://www.simplyrevised.org/subscribe
contact us: https://www.simplyrevised.org/contact
music provided by Eric Gwin: http://ericgwin.com/
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podcast notes: The Importance of Community
I. Key Verse & Introduction
Acts 2:42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
One of the greatest blessings in my life has been the Lord’s Church. Growing up, my home and my life for that matter, may have been much like yours. Things were not very stable. Stability and identity, for me, was found in the Lord’s Church.
In this lesson, let us consider the importance of community or fellowship as it relates to our growth in the Lord.
II. Lesson thoughts
a. Fellowship in Christ
The fellowship we enjoy as Christians is in Christ. If we are not united with Christ, as Christians we are not united together as members of His body. The apostle Paul wrote in (Romans 12:4-5) “For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.” Paul states “we, being many, are one body in Christ” Our fellowship, being one body in Christ, is dependent upon us being first united with Christ. In (Acts 2:40,41) Peter was speaking and exhorting, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” In verse (41), we read “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.” We are made part of the Lord’s body, His Church (ref. Colossians 1:18) in our faithful obedience to the gospel. As we continue to read in (Acts 2:47), we see those who had obeyed the gospel of Christ as Peter preached, the Lord added to the Church.
Today, the Word of the Lord is the same for us. We are united with Christ in baptism as the Bible teaches us in (Romans 6:1-6). Being united with Him, we are added to His body.
The fellowship we enjoy as Christians is in Christ.
b. Good habits can be easily corrupted
When I was younger, I would try to test many things. Being raised by a single mother for the most part, I would test the boundaries. Yes, at times I even tried to test the counsel of the Scriptures. In (1 Corinthians 15:33), we read “Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” I did not guard my influences very carefully when I was younger. I allowed certain influences to shape my decisions. Yes, it was my choices, my decisions. But instead of surrounding myself with those who would encourage me in the Lord, the influences I surrounded myself with were quite the opposite. I would not recommend that anyone try to test the wisdom of the Scriptures in (1 Corinthians 15:33). The influence of the world can be a very powerful influence. If we are not carefully guarding this influence, it can quickly deceive and pull us down.
We will not be able to escape all the influences that this world will offer. Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit said in order to do that we would have to escape the world (ref.1 Corinthians 5:10). Nor do I understand that we as Christians should completely isolate ourselves from the world. If we were to do this, how would we be the light that we are called to be (ref. Matthew 5:14-16)? My caution is to simply understand the powerful influences the world can have and to be very guarded against such destructive influences. Don’t allow yourself to be deceived, thinking, “This would never happen to me.”
c. The importance of healthy community
This is partly why I believe healthy community and fellowship is vital for us as Christians and for our growth in the Lord. In the community of the body of Christ, we are built up, strengthened, and equipped as believers.
The Hebrews author records in (Hebrews 10:23-25) “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”
In these verses, we are told not to neglect our brothers and sisters in Christ. We are not to forsake assembling together so that we can encourage one another in love and good works. This helps us to hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering. A healthy community will encourage our growth in the Lord. We should look forward to each and every time we are able to meet with one another. Knowing we will be strengthened in the Lord and that we can encourage others.
A healthy community will help us better understand the Lord’s desire for us. The apostle Paul, writing to Timothy in (2 Timothy 2:2) says, “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” Through faithful teachers, preachers, and mature Christians, we can gain a better understanding of God’s Word. A better understanding of His Word allows us to better comprehend His desire for us. It is a call to holiness in our lives--a call to honor the Lord in our choices, in our actions, and in our thoughts. Faithful teachers, preachers, mature brothers and sisters in Christ will always point and direct our thoughts upwards to the Lord so that we don’t become comfortable with the world’s influences.
A healthy community will not accept practices that are destructive to us. As parents, this is something we understand. When my daughters were old enough to run and play outside, one of the first things we taught them was not to run in the street. It’s not that we as parents did not want our children to enjoy running outside. We wanted to guard them and caution them against something that could be harmful to them. The Lord and a healthy church family will do this at times when it may be needed. The Scriptures teach us that the Lord disciplines those He loves (Hebrews 12:6). At times discipline offered in love is needed for our benefit. Again Paul instructed Timothy and us today in (2 Timothy 4:2) “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.” As a community of the Lord, if I am engaged in a harmful practice (sin), it should be brought to my attention in love. A healthy community will not allow us to continue in a harmful or destructive practice but instead will offer patient and careful instruction from an attitude of love.
III. Wrap-Up
A healthy community will support us in difficult times. As the Church, we are told to look after widows and orphans in their troubles (ref. James 1:27). We are to pray for one another in times of sickness and distress (ref. James 5:13,14). The body of Christ is a family in which the love of Christ is extended. It is in this community where we are uplifted through prayer, encouraged in trials, and one in which we walk through difficulties not alone, but together.
Another very important point to remember when it comes to our fellowship in the Lord is our service and ministry to others. Being part of an encouraging community is not just about what we receive, it is also about what we can give to others. Our part, being active and involved, is a blessing and encouragement to other Christians. Paul wrote in (Philippians 1:3-8) “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.”
His words remind us that we as Christians share together in prayer (Phil. 1:3-4). We partake together in the fellowship of the gospel (Phil. 1:5). We work together knowing that what the Lord has begun in each of us, He will complete (Phil. 1:6). And we share in an affection for one another (Phil. 1:8).
What a great privilege and blessing it is to be part of the family of God. To be active, and engaged in ministry and service to others.
Why is the Church important? Without the Lord’s Church, we will not grow and mature in Christ as He intends for us to do. The Lord’s Church is part of His design for us. And in Him, we are united together as one body.
It can be tragic for us to neglect one another. It can be very short-sighted for us not to understand the importance of His family, His Church, purchased through His blood (ref. Acts 20:28).
My prayer for us today is that we would understand the importance of the Lord’s Church to our growth in Him. And that we would also understand our importance as members of His body to one another.
references:
* All Scripture New King James Version unless otherwise noted
links:
simplyRevised (home): https://www.simplyrevised.org/
subscribe to our email list: https://www.simplyrevised.org/subscribe
contact us: https://www.simplyrevised.org/contact
music provided by Eric Gwin: http://ericgwin.com/