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Sunday Life Mirror
Theme:THE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP V
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Topic:
FELLOWSHIP AS EXPERIENCED
TEXT:
Matt 11:25-27 Jn 15:1-11
Memory Verse:
All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.¨C Matt 11:27 (RSV)
INTRODUCTION:
From the very beginning the early Christians experienced a peculiar sense of unity. Christ is at once the center of this unity and the origin of every expression of fellowship. Some times the fellowship is essentially an experience and as such it is scarcely susceptible of definition. It may rather be regarded as a mysteries union in Christ. In other instances the fellowship includes the idea of intercourse. Intercourse is defined as an exchange of feelings, actions etc which make people know each other more closely.
In some passages fellowship is represented as a participation or partnership. The terms occur most frequently in the writings of Paul with whom the idea of Christian unity was a controlling principle.
Study:
In its various relations, fellowship is represented:
- 1. 1. As a Communion (sharing, exchange of deep thoughts, ideas feelings and actions) between the son and the Father. The gospel record represents Jesus as enjoying a unique sense of communion and intimacy with the Father. See Matt 11:25-27, Jn 14:6-11, Jn 15:1-12
Prov 28:27, Phip 4:19, Php 4:7, Titus 3:14
- 2. 2. As our Communion with ¡®God, either with the Father or the Son or with the Father through the son or the Holy Spirit. ¡°Our fellowship is with the Father, and with His son Jesus Christ ¡° (1Jn 1:3, Jn 14:6,23,16)
- 3. As our Communion one with another. ¡°If we walk in the Light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another¡± 1Jn 1:7.sometimes the idea of Communion or Fellowship occurs in relation with abstract ideas or experiences e.g.: ¡°Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness¡± (Eph. 5:1£±);
1. ¡°the fellowship of his suffering£¢ (Php 3:10); ¡°the fellowship of thy faith¡± (Phm 1:6)
There are other expressions such as: ¡°Fellowship of the spirit¡± (Php 2:1) ¡°the communion of the Holy Spirit¡± (2Cor 13:14) and ¡°the fellowship of his son Jesus Christ; (1Cor 1:9)
CONCLUSION:
Fellowship is experienced£¨or an experience£© when we develop a unique sense of communion and intimacy in our relationship with God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) and the Christian brotherhood. The knowledge, understanding and feelings derived from these relationships affect and influence the way we live, think and behave to God and to one another. When we view fellowship from this perspective we have a better understanding of the prayer of our Lord Jesus Christ in John 17:11b, vs21. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. That they all may be one, as thou Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in US: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.(KJV£©When we experience each other in fellowship, we become strongly united in spirit and purpose.
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