The Value Of Fellowship And Truth

The Value Of Fellowship And Truth

The Value Of Fellowship And Truth: What value do we put on knowing the truth? Do we treat it as a precious treasure to be sought after and kept safe? What about fellowship? Are we meeting to just meet our own needs? In a world of spiritual darkness and void of true fellowship, how important is the Church gathering? We must take these divine encounters as the rare and important treasures they are. In a world of “take it or leave it”, we must avoid the “fast food” mentality of our Church gatherings. There is too much at play not to take one of life’s greatest blessings serious. Every week, a fresh blessing of truth and love in the body is poured out from the throne of Heaven. How sad would it be to fail to receive the best God has in store for us, by not prioritizing the divine mandate to forsake the assembling of the faithful followers of Jesus our Christ?

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TruthAndFellowship

“At this, many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Jesus said therefore to the twelve, “You don’t also want to go away, do you?”  Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life.  We have come to believe and know that you are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” John 6:66-69

Don’t Take It For Granted:

John 6:65 “He said, “For this cause I have said to you that no one can come to me, unless it is given to him by my Father.”

IF you don’t respond to the truth, God will send you a spirit of delusion to prevent you from receiving salvation.

2 Thessalonians 2:7-12  “For the mystery of lawlessness is already working, only he is now holding back until it comes out of the midst.  (8)  And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the breath of His mouth and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming,  (9)  whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,  (10)  and with all deceit of unrighteousness in those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, so that they might be saved.  (11)  And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie,  (12)  so that all those who do not believe the truth, but delight in unrighteousness, might be condemned.”

value of fellowship and truth

It’s Either Or…

  • Able To Hear

Mark 4:23 “If any man has ears to hear, let him hear.”

  • Itching Ears

2 Timothy 4:3-4  “For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but, having itching ears, will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts;  (4)  and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn away to fables.”

  • Spirit of Truth

John 15:26 “When the Counselor has come, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will testify about me.”

  • Spirit of Error

1 John 4:6 “We are of God. He who knows God listens to us. He who is not of God doesn’t listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.”

value of fellowship and truth

Value Your Calling: Many Are Called, Yet Few Will Be Chosen!

Matthew 22:14 “For many are called, but few chosen.”

1 John 3:1See how great a love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God! For this cause the world doesn’t know us, because it didn’t know him.”

Ephesians 4:1-6  “I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to walk worthily of the calling with which you were called,  (2)  with all lowliness and humility, with patience, bearing with one another in love;  (3)  being eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  (4)  There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you also were called in one hope of your calling;  (5)  one Lord, one faith, one baptism,  (6)  one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in us all.”

Romans 8:28-30 “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.  (29)  For whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.  (30)  Whom he predestined, those he also called. Whom he called, those he also justified. Whom he justified, those he also glorified.”

1 Corinthians 1:1-3 “Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes,  (2)  to the assembly of God which is at Corinth; those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called saints, with all who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place, both theirs and ours:  (3)  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

1 Peter 1:15-16 “But just as he who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all of your behavior;  (16)  because it is written, “You shall be holy; for I am holy.”

Revelation 12:17 “The dragon grew angry with the woman, and went away to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep God’s commandments and hold Jesus’ testimony.”

value of fellowship and truth

We Are The Church – (TOGETHER)

Ephesians 2:19-22 “So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God,  (20)  being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone;  (21)  in whom the whole building, fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord;  (22)  in whom you also are built together for a habitation of God in the Spirit.”

Ephesians 5:29-30  “For no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord also does the assembly;  (30)  because we are members of his body, of his flesh and bones.”

There Are No “Free Agents” In The Body Of Christ

Amos 3:3  “Do two walk together, unless they have agreed?”

value of fellowship and truth

Let The Body Assemble

Hebrews 10:23-25 “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering (for He is faithful who promised),  (24)  and let us consider one another to provoke to love and to good works,  (25)  not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”

His Presence:

Zechariah 2:10 “Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion. For lo, I come, and I will dwell in your midst, says Jehovah.”

Our Prayers:

Matthew 18:18-20  “Most certainly I tell you, whatever things you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever things you release on earth will have been released in heaven.  (19)  Again, assuredly I tell you, that if two of you will agree on earth concerning anything that they will ask, it will be done for them by my Father who is in heaven.  (20)  For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the middle of them.”

Our Worship:

Psalms 22:3 “But you are holy, you who inhabit the praises of Israel.”

value of fellowship and truth

The Power Of Multiplied Fellowship

  • The Blessing Multiplied

Deuteronomy 32:29-30 “I wish that they were wise and could understand this, and that they could comprehend what will happen to them.”  (30)  How can one man chase a thousand of them, and two pursue ten thousand; unless their Rock had delivered them up, and the LORD had handed them over?”

Leviticus 26:7-9 “You will pursue your enemies and they will fall before you by the sword.  (8)  Five of you will pursue a hundred, and a hundred of you will pursue ten thousand, and your enemies will fall before you by the sword.  (9)  I will turn to you, make you fruitful, multiply you, and maintain my covenant with you.”

  • The Power Multiplied

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.  (10)  For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls, and doesn’t have another to lift him up.  (11)  Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one keep warm alone?  (12)  If a man prevails against one who is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

value of fellowship and truth

Remember that going to church is not just about you, it’s about being there to love and meet the needs of fellow believers.

Galatians 6:2Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

John 13:34-35 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also love one another.  (35)  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

1 John 3:10 “In this the children of God are revealed, and the children of the devil. Whoever doesn’t do righteousness is not of God, neither is he who doesn’t love his brother.”

1 John 3:14-16 “We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. He who doesn’t love his brother remains in death.  (15)  Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him.  (16)  By this we know love, because he laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.”

1 John 3:18 “My little children, let’s not love in word only, or with the tongue only, but in deed and truth.”  *Both Are Present In The Church Gathering!

value of fellowship and truth

How Can We Fulfill The Following Commands If We Are Not With The Body?

Romans 12:10 “In love of the brothers be tenderly affectionate to one another; in honor preferring one another;”

Romans 15:7 “Therefore accept one another, even as Christ also accepted you, to the glory of God.”

Romans 15:14  “But I myself am fully convinced about you, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to instruct one another.”

Romans 16:16Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.”

Galatians 5:13 “For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity to indulge your flesh, but through love serve one another.”

Galatians 6:2Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

Ephesians 4:2-3 “With all humility and gentleness, with patience, putting up with one another in love, (3) making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

Colossians 3:12-13 “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,  (13)  bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if someone happens to have a complaint against anyone else. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also forgive others.”

1 Thessalonians 4:18 “Therefore encourage one another with these words.”

1 Thessalonians 5:11 “Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, just as you are in fact doing.”

Hebrews 3:13  “But exhort one another each day, as long as it is called “Today,” that none of you may become hardened by sin’s deception.”

You must remember that you are part of a family: a body, a church, and we all must act like everyone is relying upon us. Not only to fulfill our calling in the body, but our area of support of the group. Many in the world wide church treat it like it’s a “take it or leave it” pit stop in their week- which can easily be disregarded, not the pinnacle of corporate fellowship that cannot be missed. This is not pleasing to God. We must make it the priority God call us all to make of it. 

value of fellowship and truth

What About Fellowshipping With God?

While yes, we can fellowship with God alone. We have learned earlier that when we gather together, God is in the midst of our fellowship. As we praise Him, He inhabits our praise. When we pray together, we can bind on earth together for it to be so in Heaven. When we meet with God, do you not think He enjoys being a part of the family meeting called “Church?” Like a Dad who has all his children come home for Thanksgiving?

1 John 1:3 “That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us. Yes, and our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son, Jesus Christ.”

1 Corinthians 1:9 “God is faithful, through whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.”

James 4:8Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

Psalms 9:10 “Your loyal followers trust in you, for you, LORD, do not abandon those who seek your help.”

value of fellowship and truth

It’s A Two-Way Street

Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with me.”

Matthew 7:7-8 “Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you.  (8)  For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened.”

value of fellowship and truth

Remain In The Truth

We cannot forfeit any chance to learn the truth of God.

John 14:23-24 “Jesus answered him, “If a man loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him, and make our home with him.  (24)  He who doesn’t love me doesn’t keep my words. The word which you hear isn’t mine, but the Father’s who sent me.”

John 15:1-10 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the farmer.  (2)  Every branch in me that doesn’t bear fruit, he takes away. Every branch that bears fruit, he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.  (3)  You are already pruned clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.  (4)  Remain in me, and I in you. As the branch can’t bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you, unless you remain in me.  (5)  I am the vine. You are the branches. He who remains in me, and I in him, the same bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.  (6)  If a man doesn’t remain in me, he is thrown out as a branch, and is withered; and they gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned.  (7)  If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, you will ask whatever you desire, and it will be done for you.  (8)  “In this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit; and so you will be my disciples.  (9)  Even as the Father has loved me, I also have loved you. Remain in my love.  (10)  If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and remain in his love.”

value of fellowship and truth

Hear The Truth

We must engage the words of God- both alone and with the brethren.

Romans 10:17 “Consequently faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the preached word of Christ.” This is magnified in the church gathering!

2 Peter 3:18 “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the honor both now and on that eternal day.”

Hebrews 2:1-3 “Therefore we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.  (2)  For if the message spoken through angels proved to be so firm that every violation or disobedience received its just penalty,  (3)  how will we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was first communicated through the Lord and was confirmed to us by those who heard him,”

How To Treat The Truth Of God That Leads To Faith & Salvation:

Matthew 13:44-46 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like treasure hidden in the field, which a man found, and hid. In his joy, he goes and sells all that he has, and buys that field. Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who is a merchant seeking fine pearls,  (46)  who having found one pearl of great price, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it.”

Deuteronomy 4:29 “But from there you shall seek Yahweh your God, and you shall find him, when you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.”

value of fellowship and truth

Separated From God?

Romans 8:38-39  “For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,  (39)  nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from God’s love, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

  • Yet: We Can Separate Ourselves From Him

1 John 1:5-7  “This is the message which we have heard from him and announce to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.  (6)  If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie, and don’t tell the truth.  (7)  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.”

  • He Can Separate Us From Himself

Matthew 25:31-33 “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory.  (32)  Before him all the nations will be gathered, and he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.  (33) He will set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.”

value of fellowship and truth

Don’t Be Lukewarm- Be On Fire For God!

Deuteronomy 4:9 “Only be careful, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things which your eyes saw, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your children and your children’s children;”

Revelation 3:2-3 “Wake up, and keep the things that remain, which you were about to throw away, for I have found no works of yours perfected before my God.  (3)  Remember therefore how you have received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If therefore you won’t watch, I will come as a thief, and you won’t know what hour I will come upon you.”

Revelation 3:15-16 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot.  (16)  So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of my mouth.”

Revelation 2:4-5 “But I have this against you, that you left your first love.  (5)  Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent and do the first works; or else I am coming to you swiftly, and will move your lamp stand out of its place, unless you repent.”

value of fellowship and truth

Final Warning…

2 Peter 2:21-22 “For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than, having known it, to turn back from the holy commandment that had been delivered to them.  (22)  They are illustrations of this true proverb: “A dog returns to its own vomit,” and “A sow, after washing herself, wallows in the mire.”

Hebrews 10:37-39 “In a very little while, he who comes will come, and will not wait.  (38)  But the righteous will live by faith. If he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”  (39)  But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the saving of the soul.”

value of fellowship and truth

*Recap: We must not easily walk away from the fellowship of the church, realizing that many people rely upon our presence as we do theirs. That God magnifies His blessing and power when we are together. Lastly, the pearl of truth must not be put aside as something easily obtained. When the truth is being shared from God to His Body, we cannot ignore the opportunity to receive this precious blessing. We have to prioritize coming to church and meeting together as the Family of God.