Better Together –
The vital call of living in Christian
Fellowship
We have spent time learning about the pathways of grace by which we walk with God. As you can see on the overhead the key pathways of grace can be understood according to the Navigator Wheel illustration. We have spent time on the vertical spokes of the word of God and prayer and now we are going to spend some time on the horizontal spokes of fellowship and witnessing. This message is the first in talking about the key means of grace of fellowship. Listen to this story.
Pastor JR Woodward writes in his blog the following: “In the September 20, 2004, issue of MacLean's magazine, Lianne George recounts this tragic story:
One November day in 2002, Jim Sulkers, a 53-year-old
retired municipal worker from
Mr. Sulkers' death went undiscovered for several reasons: he was reclusive, estranged from family members, and had a medical condition that prevented his body from decomposing and emitting odors. In addition, automatic banking deposited his disability pension and withdrew utilities and other expenses as they came due.
Terence Moran, who along with Neil Postman co-founded
the Media Ecology program at
Many people now-a-days live like Mr. Sulkers – isolated and alone. Sadly, many Christians follow in the same pattern. Up till now we have talked about aspects of our Christian life, the word and prayer, that can be interpreted as private practices, though they never are. Many Christians, particularly in the west conceive of the Christian life as a relationship with God, which it is. But it is more than just Jesus and me. God is a relational God, he is a trinity, that is a tri-unity who ever lives in relationship and he calls his people to know him in context of relationship. As a matter of fact, we can not truly know God and obey him apart from this key concept.
We will be covering these truths across a number of scriptures this morning. But let us start out with Ephesians 4:1-16 after we pray. So let’s pray.
“I therefore, a prisoner for
the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have
been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with
patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit
in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as
you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—
5 one
Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all
and through all and in all. …… 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets,
the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of
ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13
until we all attain to the
unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood,
to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14
so that we may no longer be
children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of
doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather,
speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the
head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held
together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working
properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” Ephesians
4:1-16 (ESV)
When God calls us to himself he does not just call us
individually to him to struggle along through the Christian life on our
own. No, the Christian life is
inescapably corporate. We are all called
to the vital means of grace of Christian fellowship. Truly life in Christ is better together. So let’s examine this topic of fellowship as
we prepare to spend the next month or so talking about the means of grace of
fellowship.
1. The Foundation of our Fellowship: God’s Community
To fully appreciate our identity as God’s people, we have to recognize where in the unfolding drama of God’s redemptive purposes we stand. Throughout the history of redemption, God has been acting to create “a people for His own possession” (1 Peter 2:9). God called Abraham from the midst of a people who worshipped false God’s to follow him. God promised Abraham that He would make him “a great nation” and through him “all the families on the earth” would be blessed (Gen. 12:2-3). It wasn’t enough just to bless Abraham, but God’s purpose was to create a corporate people, a great number of people, to enjoy his glory.
Carrying forth God’s purposes, Abraham’s descendants were formed into a nation. Their faithfulness to the covenant would result in their peculiar identity as the people of God. Exodus 19:5-6(ESV) says: “Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”
Fast forward to the New Testament. Christ came as the promised descendent of Abraham who would accomplish all that was promised to him. Through his life and death Jesus not only provided forgiveness of sins, but advanced God’s work of creating a people for Himself by bringing into existence the church. Titus 2:13-14 (ESV) says : “. . . waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.” And 1 Peter 2:9-10 (ESV) says: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” (cf. Ex. 19:5-6)
Folks, our true nature as the church, and as Christians, is corporate. God is saving a people, not an unconnected group of isolated individuals. This is not merely theoretical. Our lives are to give expression to the reality of our existence as the people of God. To deny this by pursuing individualism or independence is to isolate ourselves from the express purpose of God. The local church is God’s appointed context for this to take place. Any conception of the Christian life apart from this is a great error.
Mark Dever, pastor and theologian, says the following: “If you are not a member of the church you regularly attend, you may well be going to hell. I don’t mean for a second that you literally have to have your name on a membership card in a church somewhere to go to heaven. I believe in justification by faith alone in Christ alone by God’s grace alone. At the same time, in the New Testament is seems that the local church is there to verify or falsify our claims to be Christians. The man in 1 Corinthians 5 who was sleeping with his father’s wife thought of himself as a Christian…I don’t care how much you cry during singing or preaching. If you do not live a life marked by love toward others, the Bible has no encouragement for you to think that you’re a Christian. None. Do you want to know that your new life is real? Commit yourself to a local group of saved sinners. Try to love them. Don’t just do it for three weeks. Don’t just do it for six months. Do it for years. And I think you’ll find, and others will, too, whether or not you love God. The truth will show itself. Joining a church won’t save you. It’s only the death of Christ that saves you. He alone is our righteousness. But if He really is our righteousness, if we really love Him whom we have not seen, it will show itself by us loving those that we do see “ [2]
What does this mean
practically? What is God’s intention for
our lives together? Is it simply attending
the same gathering on a Sunday? Is it
merely acknowledging the same body of doctrines? Far from so many of our modern
misconceptions, the Biblical picture of the church (Acts 2:42-27) can best be
described as community: a group
of people, joined by a common life, united by common values and a common
purpose, devoted to living out this life together within the larger
society. This is the type of church life
God calls us to—a life that shines as a testimony to His work in our lives.
Listen to this wonderful picture from
Acts 2:42-47 (ESV): “And they
devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of
bread and the prayers. And
awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through
the apostles. And all who believed were
together and had all things in common.
And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing
the proceeds to all, as any had need.
And day by day, the temple together and breaking bread in their homes,
they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having
favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those
who were being saved.” This
picture of the early church may seem too good to be true. But in reality, it is this kind of community
that God desires to create in His church, “a people for His own
possession.”
2. The Nature of Our Fellowship
Because the Holy Spirit has joined us together as a community, our relationships are to be marked by this reality. We don’t simply attend the same service, or enjoy the same interests—we have been united at the deepest level by the Spirit of God. The New Testament characterizes our relationships with each other by the word fellowship.
“We should not think of our fellowship with other
Christians as a spiritual luxury, an optional addition to the exercises of
private devotions. Fellowship is one of
the great words of the New Testament: it
denotes something that is vital to a Christian’s spiritual health, and central
to the Church’s true life. . . . The church will flourish and Christians will
be strong only when there is fellowship.” - J.
The word often translated fellowship in the New Testament (koinonia—cf. Acts 2:42) is also rendered participation, partnership, and communion. The word expresses the idea of sharing something in common, or joining a mutual endeavor (often with sacrifice involved). Biblical writers took up this word to describe the relationship believers have with God through Christ. In 1 Cor. 1:9 it says: “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”
It was also extended to describe the relationship believers have with each other. In 1 John 1:3: “. . . that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.”
The significance, then, for believers is profound: our fellowship is nothing less than our participation together in very life of God, made possible by Christ’s work on the cross and brought about by the Holy Spirit. Such fellowship is exceedingly profound and precious: This is human relationship at the deepest level possible. This is a type of relationship that only Christians can hope to experience. This is relationship that transcends all other human considerations. This glorious nature of Christian fellowship must be the informing reality behind our relationships with other Christians in the local church.
3. The Fruit of Our Fellowship
Fellowship that is truly Biblical has both profound purposes and rich benefits in our relationships together in the church.
3.1. Growth in godliness.
Sanctification is a
group project. God never intended it to
be accomplished in isolation from other Christians in the local church. All genuine Christians should have a desire
to grow in godliness, and we simply can never progress on our own like we can
in close relationships with other believers. We need the consistent
encouragement of others. 1 Thess. 5:11: “Therefore encourage one another and build
one another up, just as you are doing.” We need others to help us
resist sin and to strengthen our resolve for godliness. Heb. 3:13: “But exhort one another every day, as long
as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness
of sin.” We need the input of others to help us
see our sin and repent from it. Galatians
6:1: “Brothers, if anyone is caught
in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of
gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.” We
need to confess our sins to others so as to weaken sin’s power and invite
accountability. James 5:16: “Therefore, confess your sins to one
another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.”
3.2. Providing mutual care.
We live in a fallen world, and the effects of sin—our own and others’—are all around us: pain, sorrow, sickness, death. God has promised to care for us, and much of His care comes to us through other believers. Indeed, Christians are to be distinguished by their sacrificial love for one another. 1 Cor. 12:24-26: “But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.”
3.3. Benefiting from the diversity of gifts.
The Holy Spirit
distributes gifts to build the church.
But God has also made us dependent upon one another—no one person has
all the gifts necessary. We need one
another and the unique gifts each one brings to mature as a body. Eph. 4:16: “From him the whole body, joined and held
together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as
each part does its work.” 1 Cor. 12:7: “Now to each one the manifestation of the
Spirit is given for the common good.”
3.4. Presenting a compelling witness.
Ultimately, our lives
together are intended to present to the world a compelling witness of the grace
of God. Our unity and love for one
another is one of the most powerful testimonies we can give to unbelievers who
are lost, isolated, fragmented, and ultimately without hope. John 13:35
says : “By this all men will know
that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
3.5. The Substance of Our Fellowship
These benefits and more are to be the fruit of genuine Biblical fellowship. However, to enjoy these benefits we must recognize our responsibilities as members of the body and position ourselves to serve others. In short, we must give ourselves to purposeful involvement in each others’ lives.
“Those first Christians of Acts 2 were not devoting themselves to social activities but to a relationship . . . . They understood that they had entered this relationship by faith in Jesus Christ, not by joining an organization. And they realized that their fellowship with God logically brought them into fellowship with one another. Through their union with Christ they were formed into a spiritually organic community. . . . We must grasp the idea that fellowship means belonging to one another in the Body of Christ, with all the privileges and responsibilities that such a relationship entails.” - Jerry Bridges
The Bible is filled with things we are to do “to,” “with,” or “for one another.” Here is just a sampling of how we are to position ourselves to experience true fellowship.
·
Worship God together (Eph. 5:18-20). Our fellowship with and worship
of God is both the foundation and catalyst for fellowship with others.
·
Pray for one another (Eph. 6:18). Few things draw us closer together than
entering God’s presence together.
·
Carry one another’s burdens (Gal. 6:2). This
requires that we know others, and share with others—don’t expect
people to perceive your burdens through divine revelation!
·
Encourage one another (1 Thess. 5:11).
Consistent, intentional, and specific encouragement is to be a mark of
those who serve “the God of encouragement” (Rom. 15:5).
·
Confess our sins to one another (Jas. 5:16). Few
things are more effective in cultivating humility, weakening sin, and promoting
fellowship than confessing our sins and pursuing others’ evaluation and
perspective. Thankfully, God doesn’t
leave us on our own in our fight against sin!
·
Correct one another (Gal. 6:1; Mt. 18:15). When
we fail to recognize and take responsibility for our sin, we desperately need
the correction of others. This requires
humility and examined motives but, done in a godly way, is a true expression of
Biblical love and one of the most effective ways we can help each other grow.
·
Serve one another (Gal. 5:13). Effective serving requires
knowing the needs of others. Fellowship
will both reveal these needs and provide opportunities to meet them.
·
Invite others into our walk with God. This, perhaps, sums up what
Biblical fellowship is all about. C.J.
Mahaney defines fellowship as “The
communication of our current relationship with and experience of God Himself.” Biblical fellowship is not merely “socializing”—it
is sharing our common life in Christ:
life that is rich, enduring, and eternal.
4. A Means of Our Fellowship at King of Grace: Care groups
One of the primary means of building relationships and cultivating fellowship with each other at King of Grace is through our network of small groups—what we call CARE Groups. While we are joined to all believers in the local church, CARE Groups allow us to relate more deeply with a smaller number of people. CARE Groups are not a passing fad at King of Grace; they have been a part of our group of churches since its inception, and they provide an important context for accomplishing a number of essential Biblical priorities.
“The value of the small group is that it can become a community of related persons and in it the benefit of relatedness cannot be missed nor its challenge evaded. I do not think it is an exaggeration to say, therefore, that small groups . . . are indispensable for our growth into spiritual maturity.” - John Stott
4.1. The purpose of CARE groups
4.1.1. Care for one another.
God has made us dependent on each other, and CARE Groups provide a context where we can minister to each other with the gifts that God has given us. Meetings often include times of prayer for one another and opportunities for individuals to exercise spiritual gifts for the edification of others.
4.1.2. Application of God’s word to our lives.
Merely hearing God’s word is insufficient; we must apply it to our lives for there to be fruit. CARE Groups enable us to do this together. We seek to apply the Bible’s teaching, review Sunday messages, discuss Christian books, and use a variety of other resources with the intention of growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
4.1.3. Reaching Out to Others Together
We are a church on a mission yet we can not accomplish this alone. We need the encouragement and assistance biblical fellowship provides to continue to shine the light of Christ through our good deeds and to tell others the good news of Jesus Christ.
4.1.4. Encouragement through Biblical Fellowship.
Genuine fellowship isn’t practical in a large crowd. CARE Groups provide a place where we can build intimate relationships, care for one another, and help each other grow in our relationship with God.
Folks, there is a very strong correlation between those who participate in CAREgroups and those who are doing well in their walks with God. And this is no accident. We didn’t invent CAREgroups God did. We just gave them a name. God has designed the Christian life to be lived corporately and we have found that Sunday worship, as vital and enjoyable as it may be, is not enough. You can not walk with God successfully by just coming to church on Sunday. You need other believers and they need you. Let me tell you the story of Gerry. When I was a brand new believer I was part of a small group with three other young men. We were all new to the faith and very excited about God. Gerry was equally excited and I remember his passion for God. However, over the course of the next few months Gerry began to find less time for the small group and more time for other things. By the end of that year Gerry had dropped out altogether from the small group and had gone back into the same lifestyle he had before Christ. He walked away from God and in large part it was due to his lack of walking with other believers. And folks, I have know too many Gerrys over the years. Don’t think you can walk with walk alone – Christianity is inescapably a group project.
5. The Christian Life: A Life to be Shared
The Christian life is not a matter of privatized belief. Jesus described the existence of believers in astonishing terms: “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” (John 5:24). As we see in the New Testament, this life is one that is to be shared with others. Just the Holy Spirit is a foretaste of our eternal life in heaven (2 Cor. 1:21-22), so is the life of the church—with all its imperfections—to be a foretaste of our fellowship with the saints in heaven (Heb. 12:22-24). May this amazing privilege be our ongoing experience as we “continue the journey together.”
“By his grace,
together we are being changed into the image of Jesus Christ through
progressive sanctification. Together we
are experiencing mutual care, genuine fellowship, and the ministry of the Holy
Spirit. We no longer just see—we observe. We no longer simply attend—we
participate. We no longer selfishly
consume—instead we are carrying out God’s purpose for our lives as we
contribute to the building of the local church.” - C.J. Mahaney
[1] Pastor JR Woodward, http://www.jrwoodward.net/jrwoodward/technology/index.html et al.
[2] Mark Dever as quoted in Stop Dating the Church, Josh Harris, p. 55-56