Fellowship I John 1 :6-7 I. Introduction. A. Over the years, much has been said about fellowship: some good, some otherwise. 1. Not sure that completely understood and/or respected. 2. Does not involve what some advocate by building party(fellowship?) halls. B. Define fellowship. 1. Companionship, partnership, communion(sharing) with others. 2. "That which is in common" or "sharing in common"(Vine). C. Fellow: friend, companion, associate, comrade. 1. Must have something in common. 2. A "sharing" relationship. D. True fellowship cannot be one-sided. 1. Must be extended and received, vice versa. 2. Can be refused by either party . 3.One-way communication does not fit: Matthew 11:16-17. 4. Illustrate fellowship(partnership): Luke 5:7. II. Body. A. The extent of fellowship for Christ's disciples: I John 1:6-7. 1. Extended by the blood of Christ. 2. Sharing his suffering: Philippians 3:10. 3. Full fellowship: I John 1 :3. 4. Would lead Thomas to say: John 11: 16. B. Fellowship in one's relationship to God. 1. Remember the definition. 2. Occurs as one lives as Christian: I Corinthians 1:9. 3. Such is maintained by faithful and righteous living. 4. Lord's Supper allows to occur in regard to Christ. 5. Happens when one shares his wealth in contributing(as well as assisting others individually). 6. The early disciples experienced: Acts 2:42. 1. Praying together increases bond. 2. Strengthens bond among Christians. C. Fellowship in relation to other disciples. 1. Occurs in assembling together. Example: singing. 2. A mark of acceptance and approval: Galatians 2:9. 3. Assisting those in need: II Corinthians 8:4. 4. In "furtherance of the gospel": Philippians 1 :5. 5. Fellowship extends beyond the public assemblies. a. Helping those who need our help. b. Verbal communication. c. Expressing care and interest in fellow disciples by word and action. d. Taking advantage of opportunities to help, to encourage, to strengthen, etc. 6. Contact with Christians only in assemblies is not much fellowship. a. If attend all 4 hours out of 168 = 1/42 of time with faithful. b. We ought to be ashamed when we find time to go to numerous activities and places throughout the week and spend only one hour with the saints: that is not enough fellowship to properly strengthen a disciple. 7. We need to care, visit, associate with, as well as ask if we can help, etc.--other disciples. D. There are forbidden fellowships. 1. Why? II Corinthians 6:14. 2. The role of a disciple: Ephesians 5:11. 3. A problem at Corinth: I Corinthians 10:20-21. a. One cannot practice and/or approve false teachings or denominational and apostate churches. b. One cannot practice evil or approve sin(in oneself or others ). c. The Christian is to "touch no unclean thing." 3. Fellowship can be lost through a failure to live righteously, approve false doctrine, etc.: II Thessalonians 3:6. III. Conclusion. A. Let each of us strengthen our fellowship with God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, and other Christians. B. Do we care enough to seek the best companionship God offers?-jy