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Sermon: Summons – Part 2
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MP3 Summons Part
1
by Chris Cumming
In Part 1 of this sermon we defined and discussed the subject of Godly
Calling and how it permeates every aspect of our physical and spiritual
lives.
In Part 2 of this sermon I wish to speak about the subject of
fellowship. I cannot tell you how many individuals have stated to me
something along these lines: "I know that I am a member of the ICG but
there are no ICG members around here so I go over to United [or
some other stated church name] for the fellowship." From
their statements and my discussions with them, they define, "fellowship"
using their standard dictionary. The standard dictionary gives the
definition of "fellowship" as follows:
A. the condition or relation of being a fellow: the fellowship of
humankind.
B. friendly relationship or companionship
C. friendliness.
Companionship means a pleasant
association among people or the condition of being friends.
Friendliness means the quality or
condition of being friends.
As we are about to see, the
biblical meaning of the word goes far beyond what the dictionary says.
I did some Internet research to
see if I could find a good discussion on the biblical meaning of
fellowship. I believe I found one. I will read from this now with some
minor editing to both the text and the structure by me. Keep in mind
that this text concerns itself with the single biblical word,
"fellowship."
The Biblical Meaning of Fellowship
As we go back into history and dig deep into the original languages of
the Bible, we will discover seven significant facts that help us to
understand God’s intended meaning of the word, fellowship.
FIRST FACT
The first fact concerns the meaning of the Greek root. Our English word,
“fellowship” is the translation of the Greek word, “koinonia [ko-i-no-ni-a].”
This Greek word is derived from the root, “koinos [ko-i-nos],”
which was a prefix in ancient Greek. If you were to add this prefix to
words meaning “living,” “owning a purse,” and “mother,” you would get
words meaning “living in community together,” “owning a purse in
common,” and “having a mother in common.” So we see that the root of the
word, “fellowship,” means “to hold something in common.”
Note: The question we have
here is, "What do we hold in common with members of other church
organizations, even assuming these organizations are true churches of
God?" Do not answer this question until we look at the remaining six
facts.
SECOND FACT
Our second fact relates to the usage of the word, “fellowship.” The
Greek word, “koinonia [ko-i-no-ni-a],”
was used to describe corporations, labor guilds, partners in a law firm,
and the most intimate of marriage relationships. From the usage of the
word, we can conclude that fellowship is a word denoting a relationship
that is dependent on more than one individual. It is an interdependent
relationship.
Note: The biblical word was
used to describe corporations, labor guilds, partners in a law firm and
the most intimate of marriage relationships. Biblically speaking the
word is denoting this corporation; the ICG. In light of Godly calling,
with whom do you have more in common, members of this church or some
other church?
THIRD FACT
A third fact is that “fellowship” was never used to describe man’s
relationship to God before the coming of the Holy Spirit to indwell in
the heart and mind of firstfruits. It is an exclusively post-Pentecost
relationship [referring to the beginning
of the New Testament church in Acts 2].
Note: If the biblical word,
"Fellowship" is now used to denote our relationship with Almighty God,
just where did God call you?
FOURTH FACT
A fourth fact about the meaning of “fellowship” can be gleaned by
comparing it to its New Testament synonyms. These are words which have
overlapping but not the identical meaning of koinonia [ko-i-no-ni-a].
The four synonyms of koinonia in the New Testament are philos [phil-os],
which means “related by love for outward characteristics”; hetairos [he-t-air-os],
meaning a sharer in a common enterprise; sunergos [sun-er-gos],
meaning a fellow-worker; and metochos [me-to-chos],
a participant. Each of these words denotes a unity which is expressed
outwardly. This is true of fellowship but by contrast, fellowship is
also an inner unity. This inner aspect of fellowship may be seen in
verses such as: 1 Corinthians 1:9
1 Corinthians 1:9-10
9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son
Jesus Christ our Lord.
10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among
you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in
the same judgment.
Note: Where is the "common
enterprise" between different church organizations within the Body of
Christ? We are not speaking to the word, "enterprise" here, but rather
the word, "common." Church A has a unique work which can easily differ
from Church B is style, means, administration and focus. Further, our
real fellowship in God's church is a sharing in the unique Work of our
church. Now, referring to 1 Corinthians 1, Paul is making reference to
divisions. The various churches in the Body of Christ are, by
definition, divisions. God has clearly and specifically scattered the
brethren in this end time since the prophesied apostasy that took
place. Our real fellowship is with the specific individuals called to
the same organization we were called.
The text of the fourth fact
continues.
Here, fellowship primarily
focuses on our spiritual unity with Christ, an inner relationship. I
suspect that Philemon.6, 2 Corinthians 13:14 and Philippians 2:1 also
emphasize the inner relationship which is at the root of fellowship.
Philemon 6
That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the
acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
Note: These good things
and the acknowledging are manifested in the specific calling God has
given us.
2 Corinthians 13:14
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the
communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen.
Note: This "communion of
the Holy Spirit" is always going to be primarily within the
organization, Work and specific instructions God has called you to.
Philippians 2:1-5
1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of
love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being
of one accord, of one mind.
3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of
mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things
of others.
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Note: How can we have the
one accord and one mind we enjoy here with individuals in other
organizations and at the same level of intensity and diligence? If we
are to have the mind that was also in Christ, what is in His mind
regarding us and our very specifically calling?
FIFTH FACT
Fifth, however, we must note that fellowship does not stop with being an
inner unity for it is primarily an action word! Koinonia [ko-i-no-ni-a]
is used nineteen times in the New Testament and in addition to being
translated as “fellowship” it is also translated by the words,
“contribution,” “sharing,” and “participation.” A close study of the
usage of this word shows that action is always included in its meaning.
Fellowship, you see, is not just being together, it is doing together!
This is a point almost universally ignored by Christian groups today.
Note: The friendships you
may have or develop with individuals in other organizations will focus
primarily on the dictionary definition of fellowship [companionship
and friendliness] rather than the “contribution,” “sharing,”
and “participation.” we see and experience in the biblical word,
"fellowship."
SIXTH FACT
Our sixth observation concerning the meaning of “fellowship” is that it
is a unique relationship with Christ. We have a relationship of being
“in Christ.” We also have a relationship of being “a part of Christ’s
body.” Fellowship [dictionary meaning]
is neither. It is not “being in” or “being part” but it is “doing with”
Christ. It is our partnership with Christ in fulfilling God’s will.
Note: The lion's share of
any relationship "in Christ" is our specific Godly calling. We cannot
do "with Christ" in other organizations to the same high level we do in
the organization God calls us to.
SEVENTH FACT
Our final observation may be gleaned from the last and it is this: that
fellowship is not just doing anything together. It is only doing God’s
will together. Quite obviously, our fellowship with others is only as
good as our fellowship with Christ, our unity. And we can only
participate with Him in doing God’s will, for that is all He ever does!
For this reason we must quit thinking of Christian fellowship as
primarily doing things such as having pot luck dinners or watching
football or playing basketball with other believers. These have their
place but they are only fellowship to the extent that rest, exercise,
and eating are doing the work of the Lord. Fellowship involves actively
doing God’s will. The things we usually think of as fellowship are
certainly not the primary meaning of the word!
Note: Every word of this
seventh fact is about the will of God and that is what Godly calling is;
doing the will of God.
The Biblical Definition of Fellowship
Now, with these seven observations, we should be able to give a biblical
definition to the word, “fellowship.” We can say that: “Fellowship is a
relationship of inner unity among believers that expresses itself in
outer co-participation with Christ and one another in accomplishing
God’s will on earth.”
So, we have seen that fellowship
in its New Testament sense is an inner unity expressed outwardly. It is
not just being together but doing together. It is not just doing
anything together but it is working together to accomplish God’s will.
Now we must ask, “Why is it so important to the church?” I think we
shall see as we continue that:
Fellowship Is God’s Way of
Accomplishing His Plan of Glorifying Christ
1. The importance of fellowship to the church can be seen first in the
fact that fellowship occurred naturally as a result of the establishment
of the church.
Nobody had to come to the
disciples and other new believers on the day of Pentecost and say, “You
need to practice fellowship.” The Holy Spirit had come upon these people
and formed an inner unity and their natural inclination was to exercise
it outwardly.
Acts 2:44-47
44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as
every man had need.
46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and
breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and
singleness of heart,
47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord
added to the church daily such as should be saved.
This working together to
accomplish God’s will continued in the church with the practice of
leadership, its administration, activities, giving to the needy,
exercise of different spiritual gifts, support of its missions,
corporate prayer, group worship, and in other ways.
But the importance of fellowship
to the church does not rest solely upon the fact that it was the natural
result of the coming of the Holy Spirit. Rather, its primary importance
stems from the fact that:
2. Fellowship is the indispensable means of accomplishing the God-given
purpose of the church.
Let’s read together the following
verse:
Ephesians 3:8-11
...speaking to a specific calling; the will
of God
8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace
given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches
of Christ;
9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which
from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all
things by Jesus Christ:
10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly
places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus
our Lord:
We see in this passage that God
has an eternal plan. The church has a part in accomplishing that plan.
The phrase “through the church” in vs. 10 shows that the church is to be
God’s instrument in accomplishing His plan. The purpose of the church as
stated in vs. 10 is to show to the world the manifold or in Greek, the
many-faceted wisdom of God. So then, the purpose of the church is to
hold God up to the world and display every glorious aspect of His being
for all to see.
What is important to see here is
that no individual working alone could ever fulfill this plan of showing
every perfection of God for all have sinned and fall short of the glory
of God. So you see, the very nature of God’s plan necessitates the Godly
capacities of many individuals added together to show His perfections to
the world. You might say that God’s plan must be compared not to a solo
but to a symphony. Its beauty is impossible to capture in one note no
matter how loud. Only by a full orchestra playing together can the
beautiful harmony be fully captured. And this is what the Church is,
God’s orchestra! The Body of Christ is currently a number of separate
and specific orchestras. In order to fully manifest God, each person
must not only play his part in his or her orchestra but must play it
together. So in God’s symphony—His plan, the score is the Bible which
reveals His Son, Jesus Christ. The instruments are our spiritual gifts
and natural abilities. And the indispensable means we use to perform is
fellowship, our co-participation in accomplishing His purpose. It is
only as we work together in this way that it is possible to accomplish
God’s plan. This is why fellowship is indispensable to the specific
church organization.
There is another group of people
who are church-hoppers and non-participants. They think the church can
make it without them. However, 1 Corinthians 12, which is the chapter on
spiritual gifts and how God works the administration of the church,
makes it clear that every single member of the body is necessary for its
proper functioning. Because of the importance of fellowship, no one has
the right to amputate themselves from the functioning body of Christ,
the local church organization.
So, then, we see that the
practice of fellowship, the outward exercise of our inner unity in doing
God’s will, is not only natural but indispensable in accomplishing God’s
purpose for the church. How, then, can we practice fellowship?
Practicing Fellowship
You can practice Fellowship by recognizing our goal and taking an active
part where you can best help.
People must recognize our goal.
People often do not take part in a church because they see no clear
purpose. As previously discussed, our purpose is to show God’s glory to
the world in all the many ways He has instructed us in the Bible. We
participate together seven days a week to glorify God, to do it His way,
and to do it together.
You can practice fellowship by
taking an active part where you can best help with this goal. You can
discover where you can best help by recognizing your spiritual gifts and
natural abilities and by knowing the needs of our church. Then help
where you can make not just yourself, but the church as a whole, to be
the most fruitful. If you do not know your spiritual gift, pitch in
where you have a natural ability. As you work with others, your gifts
will surface and you’ll find places you might function in our church
according to your gifts and abilities.
Conclusion
There is a story of a man who spent the summers from his regular career
as a teacher on an oil pipeline. The first day, he was given a shovel
and a piece of ground and told to dig six feet deep and three feet wide.
By noon, he had dug down over his head and felt all alone at his work.
By the middle of the afternoon he was pretty discouraged as he thought
of the miles of line still to be dug. Finally, however, about five
o’clock, he broke through into the trench the man in front of him was
digging. As he cleared away the loose dirt, this man broke through into
the next hole, and as they stood and watched, man after man broke
through until several hundred feet of ditch was visible and the teacher
felt quite a sense of accomplishment.
This is the way fellowship will
affect us if we get in and dig together. With the unity of the Holy
Spirit and a divine purpose, we must all put our shoulders to the plow
until God’s plan is complete.
So let’s pull together. Let
everyone practice fellowship as naturally as did those on the day of
Pentecost that the many-faceted wisdom of God might be made known
through this church. ~end of the text on
the biblical meaning of Fellowship
Now someone might take issue with me for arbitrarily using a definition
of biblical fellowship simply taken from the Internet. Let us see how
it compares to our doctrine of Fellowship. As you know, our doctrinal
text is divided into a doctrinal statement and the longer doctrinal
overview.
Let us begin with the doctrinal statement
DOCTRINAL STATEMENT
Fellowship is the religious interaction of church members among
themselves and with God, a spiritual association through the Holy Spirit
which transcends normal social or business relationships. Since this
fellowship comes through being part of the body of Christ, it requires
that one has repented, been baptized and, consequently, has received
God's Holy Spirit. The fellowship of the brethren builds spiritual
strength into both the individual and the Church as a whole. Conversely,
the Church may exercise its right to disfellowship one who, by obvious
attitude or action, opposes the gospel or causes disruption among the
membership.
Note: Is this not an echo of
what we discussed in the seven facts of the definition I found on the
Internet?
I will now refer to excerpts from the doctrinal overview
DOCTRINAL OVERVIEW
PARAGRAPH ONE
It is important that the membership of God's Church meet together for
spiritual purposes in order that the fabric of the Church and the
spiritual state of the individual may be strengthened. The Church also
encourages social fellowship among the members. It is a well understood
principle that close camaraderie between members of a group enhances
both the conviction of the individual and the strength of the entire
group. It is one means of practicing the qualities of love, outgoing
concern and Christian harmony among the individual members of the body
of Christ.
Note: How can firstfruits
of Church A attempt or maintain what I just read if they are invoking
fellowship in Church B of the Body of Christ? Clearly all firstfruits
can have relationships with any firstfruit in the entire Body of Christ,
but when you factor in Godly calling and our own doctrine from the Word
of God, the most meaningful relationships will be within the church
organization that God created and specifically called you to.
PARAGRAPH TWO
...excerpt:
1 Corinthians 12 shows that God deals with His Church as a group in
addition to dealing with the individual members separately. "For as the
body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one
body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ" (v. 12). "For the
body is not one member, but many" (v. 14).
Note: Throughout the doctrinal
overview of this doctrine, the word, "church" can have the meaning of
the local church organization and/or the entire Body of Christ,
currently made up of several church organizations. In the first
sentence of Paragraph Two, the word, Church, could easily refer to both
meanings. However, it is very apparent that in respects to you
specifically, He is dealing with the organization He called you to.
PARAGRAPH THREE
The scriptures are filled with examples of God's faithful meeting
together and fellowshipping. Jesus' own example was to spend long hours
with His disciples whether in formal teaching sessions such as in the
Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1) or informally, as when eating a meal
(Matthew 9:10-11). After Jesus' death, one finds constant reference to
the disciples meeting together. Acts 1:13 describes the apostles
assembled together "in an upper room." Acts 2:1 describes the believers
as "all with one accord in one place" for the day of Pentecost. Other
verses in Acts show Christians meeting together on the Sabbath day to
hear the Word of God (Acts 13:14,42; 16:13). Likewise, the Church is
exhorted not to forsake the "assembling of ourselves together" for
religious worship (Hebrews 10:25). Even specific instructions are given
to the members to "greet one another with a holy kiss" (Romans 16:16).
This was a custom of the day and corresponds with the handshake of
friendship practiced in our society.
Note:
---Was Jesus meeting with the disciples in these examples or with the
brethren referred to in Luke 9?
---Who is going to be more apt to be, "all with one accord in one
place", the firstfruit with the brethren of the church organization he
was called to or with those of another congregation in the Body of
Christ?
---Who would you rather meet with on the Sabbath to hear the Word of
God, those of your organization or those of some other organization in
the Body of Christ?
---Is it possible when one meets with brethren of another church
organization that he or she is forsaking the "assembling of ourselves
together" for religious worship?
---With whom are you more apt to greet with a holy kiss, one of your
congregation or one of another? Before you answer this one, notice part
of a commentary on, "Holy Kiss."
Holy kiss
[breaking into the commentary]
- I say, it is an allusion to this custom [of
an actual kiss--prevalent in those days], for it is only an
allusion; the apostle did not mean that any outward action should be
made use of, only that their Christian salutations should not be mere
complaisance [kəm-plā'səns--inclination
to comply willingly with the wishes of others], or expressed
by bare words, and outward gestures and actions, either of the hand or
mouth; but that they should spring from real love and true friendship,
and be without dissimulation [feigned
appearance], hearty and sincere.
~John Gill
PARAGRAPH FOUR
Church fellowship is not an end in itself. The Church keeps clearly in
mind the supreme goal and commission that God has commanded in Matthew
28:18-20 and 24:14 of preaching the gospel to the world. To reach the
whole world with the gospel of Christ requires that the Church be a
unified group, built of spiritually strong members, welded together in
purpose, doctrine and love. The fellowship of the brethren helps build
these qualities.
Note: How can a firstfruit do
this if he is in frequent or constant fellowships with other
organizations?
PARAGRAPH FIVE
Talking together, playing together, or working together helps give
single identity, common goals and shared characteristics. That the
Church should be unified cannot be doubted. "For as many of you as were
baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek,
there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for
you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:27-28). God's Church is a
true melting pot. "For He [Christ]
is our peace, who has made us both one, and has broken down the dividing
wall of hostility [the social and racial
barriers]" (Ephesians 2:14). There are many other scriptures
which allude to the unity of church members. For example, Ephesians 4:
"Endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace" (v.
3). Notice especially Psalm 133:1: "Behold, how good and pleasant it is
for brethren to dwell together in unity! (See also 1 Corinthians 12:13;
1 Corinthians 1:10; Ephesians 4:13, etc.)
Note:
---How does one get single identity with ICG members if his attendance
is with some other group in the Body?
---Are there not inherent social barriers between the various groups of
the Body?
---How does one keep the unity of the spirit if he is constantly away
from his own called to congregation?
PARAGRAPH SIX ...an excerpt
The key principle concerning Church fellowship is to realize that such
associations among brethren are through God and His Spirit.
Note:
---How does one separate Godly calling from this statement?
---Clearly, as this paragraph goes on to state, we have fellowship with
any firstfruit because we first have fellowship with Christ and the
Father by power of the Holy Spirit. However, where should your
strongest firstfruit relationships be based one what we have read thus
far in the doctrine?
PARAGRAPH EIGHT ...an excerpt
The Bible lists many ways which Church fellowship benefits the
individual. The stronger members are expected to help those newer or
weaker in the faith.
Note: Where will a firstfruit
be more effective in helping those weak in the faith, his or another
congregation in the Body?
PARAGRAPH NINE
We are also instructed to "exhort one another every day" (if
need be) as outlined in Hebrews 3:13 and other scriptures.
And Christians are reminded to pray for one another during times of
physical duress such as illness or whenever there is need (James
5:16-20). This helps build the Church into a tight family unit with
everyone helping each other.
Note:
---Where should the firstfruit be building a tight family unit; here or
there?
---If one is there most of the time, how can he be exhorting brethren
here?
PARAGRAPH TEN
Peter admonishes the Church to have "love of the brethren" (1 Pet. 3:8).
Christians are exhorted to forbear one another and to forgive each other
(Colossians 3:13), putting on "love, which binds everything together in
perfect harmony" (v. 14). Members are instructed to "teach and admonish
one another in all wisdom, and sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs
with thankfulness in your hearts to God" (v. 16).
Note: How can we be
binding the congregation here together in perfect harmony if we are
mostly over there?
PARAGRAPH ELEVEN ...an excerpt
The brethren are also urged and enjoined to help fulfill one another's
physical needs.
Note: Should this be done here
in our congregation or that of another church organization?
PARAGRAPH TWELVE
The fellowship of the brethren is an important topic. Social contact
among members builds a unified church and serves to strengthen the
members spiritually and physically, and in the process the entire Church
becomes a more powerful tool in God's hands. In practice, such
fellowshipping takes the form of informal chatting before and after
services, visiting in each other's homes, attending to the sick and
those who have physical needs, attending organized church socials,
participating in athletics together, performing music together, etc.
Baptized members of God's Church also bring with them to Church services
and social functions their children and other non-baptized persons in
their family. The Church, of course, extends a warm welcome to any
non-baptized person who desires to attend its services or social
functions.
Note:
---How can one help to build a unified church here if he is there?
---The doctrine calls this a process. How can the process proceed if we
are mostly absent?
---The doctrine says this unified church is a powerful tool in God's
hands. How is this possible if parts are missing and just how effective
are these "parts" going to be in another congregation's separate
process?
---The doctrine speaks to chatting, visiting, attending the sick,
attending socials and performing music together. How is this done if
the ICG member is absent?
I could easily go on with the nine remaining paragraphs, but I am sure
you see the overwhelming bond between Christian Fellowship and Godly
Calling. This entire doctrine is about Godly Calling.
Virtually every aspect of your
lives in the Salvation Process is about Godly Calling.
So go now and continue to answer
that specific summons God has put into your hands.
Further Reading and Study
The Importance of a Local Congregation
by Jim Josephsen
See:
Godly Calling – who has the power here?
by Chris Cumming
See:
Soldiers of Christ – they have no say; they merely obey
by Chris Cumming |
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