Fellowship/Association I. Introduction A. Let us speak of a subject often mentioned: "fellowship" or "association" B. An idea with broad meaning and wide implications 1. One can have fellowship within the world: living within it, business and personal relationships 2. One can have fellowship with people with similar moral values in some circumstances, yet not in others 3. Within the church, there are often arguments regarding those with whom we can have fellowship and those with whom we cannot, and what the word means C. Fellowship/association is an integral part of our lives and our Christianity D. Let us examine from the Scriptures the nature of fellowship/association II. Fellowship/Association: Definition A. The Greek word is koinoinia 1. It derives from the Greek word koinos, "common" 2. Koinos is where we get the word "Koine," which refers to the Greek spoken in the Mediterranean world from 332 BCE-325 CE 3. It was the "common" Greek B. Definition of koinoinia 1. Fellowship, association, community, communion, joint participation, intercourse 2. A gift jointly contributed, a collection, a contribution, as exhibiting an embodiment and proof of fellowship (Thayer's) C. The term is much used-- and abused-- by various groups 1. Confusion exists because of differing aspects of the words in Greek and English 2. In the New Testament, the word refers to a state of being, not an action 3. One "has" association or fellowship with others 4. The verb indicates the existence of that state: "to have fellowship" 5. The English language allows the term to be used as both a verb and as a noun 6. "To fellowship," in English, tends to refer to actions that demonstrate fellowship D. There is no difficulty in using it as a verb as long as it is remembered that in the NT the term is used as a state of being E. Fellowship/association, therefore, as having something in common, joint participation in something 1. Not something done per se, but something manifested in things accomplished 2. Akin to love in that way III. Fellowship/Association: The Scriptures A. The Scriptures attest to the importance of fellowship/association B. Fellowship/Association with God 1. 1 John 1:1-3: John and others have association with God, we can also 2. 1 Corinthians 1:9: God calls us into the fellowship of Christ 3. 2 Corinthians 13:14: The "fellowship of the Holy Spirit" be with all 4. Philippians 2:1: "participation," or fellowship, in the Spirit C. Fellowship/Association with Fellow Believers 1. Acts 2:42: immediately after conversion, believers devote themselves to association 2. 1 John 1:7: association on the basis of joint walk in the light, not on any geographic, ethnic, socioeconomic, racial, or other basis D. Fellowship/Association with God and Fellow Believers 1. 1 Corinthians 10:16-17: bread and fruit of the vine a joint participation of believers in the body and blood of Christ 2. Demonstrates communion of local believers, communion of all living believers, communion of all believers with God E. Other forms of fellowship/association 1. Philippians 1:5, 2 Corinthians 8:1-5, Romans 15:26, 2 Corinthians 9:13: association in benevolence, joint participation in the preaching of the Gospel or assistance to the saints 2. Philippians 3:7-12: Paul had fellowship with the sufferings of Christ 3. Philemon 1:4-6: fellowship or joint participation in faith F. Fellowship/Association, therefore, important aspect of the life of the believer IV. Fellowship/Association: Its Importance A. Why does fellowship/association matter? B. We have seen it spoken of often in the Scriptures, yet it is presupposed as existing even more often in its pages! C. Fellowship/association as building up the Body 1. Purpose of the church is to build itself up (Ephesians 4:11-18) 2. Picture of the church as body in Romans 12:3-8, 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 3. Highlight: 1 Corinthians 12:22-26 4. What kind of body exists in which its composite members have nothing to do with one another? 5. How can a body function if there is participation yet no joint participation? 6. Strength in association leads to strength in the body of Christ! D. Galatians 6:1-2, James 5:19-20 1. The interconnectedness of Christians is required in these passages! 2. How can we bear one another's burdens if we do not know what each person bears, or have enough trust built up between us to facilitate it? 3. How can we really seek to bring someone back to Christ if we have no relationship with them? 4. How can an elder shepherd a flock if he does not know the sheep and does not know where they need to go (1 Peter 5:1-4, Acts 20:28; cf. John 10:1-18)? E. Disassociation (1 Corinthians 5, 2 Corinthians 2:5-11) 1. Disassociation shows the importance of association! 2. Disfellowshipping/disassociating from a person is an indication of disapproval of their actions and a call for repentance 3. It is the strongest act we as Christians can take against an erring brother or sister! 4. The action, however, is only as strong as the association that exists 5. If the level of association is a joke, then disassociation is normally a joke 6. If the level of association is strong, however, disassociation is a powerful tool 7. It seemed to work in 1 Corinthians 5, considering 2 Corinthians 2:5-11! 8. What are we missing that the Corinthians seemed to have? F. We can see, then, that fellowship/association is quite important, for it is presupposed as the bond that keeps the body of Christ going! V. Fellowship/Association: Demonstration A. How, then, can we have strong fellowship/association? B. Time 1. As in other relationships, so in the church: the amount of time spent is an indicator of strength or weakness 2. If we devote much time to association with brethren in various ways, our association will be strong 3. If we devote little time to association with brethren, our association will be weak 4. We must make the best use of time (Ephesians 5:16) C. Priority 1. Matthew 6:33, 10:37-39 2. Choosing how we use our time-- and other resources-- based on our priorities 3. Are we going to put God's Kingdom first, or are we going to choose family, friends, and other relationships ahead of it? D. Assemblies 1. The assemblies of the saints as an opportunity for association 2. Hebrews 10:25, 1 Corinthians 14:26 3. We can encourage and be encouraged 4. We must make the time and make it a priority to be with the saints! E. Other opportunities 1. Many opportunities monthly 2. Visiting other congregations during meetings 3. Showing hospitality to brethren (1 Peter 4:9) 4. Work days 5. Many ways in which you can strengthen association with brethren! F. Our association can be demonstrated and strengthened in many ways-- if we only will devote ourselves to it! V. Conclusion A. We have seen the nature of fellowship/association B. It is joint participation in a common matter-- faith in Jesus Christ C. The Scriptures attest to it, and presuppose its presence D. It is quite important to maintain and develop E. We can manifest it in many ways if we choose to do so F. Let us be strengthened in our association with one another and with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit! G. Invitation/songbook