Sermons About Fellowship
The Foundations of Scripture 3
Communion: Old and New Covenant. Jesus the very Lamb of God was administering the New Covenant. People make communion a ritual and it should be an anytime anywhere remberance of Jesus' sacrifice.
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LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST: THRU OUR FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST (1 John 1:1-4 * Message #1/14) 10-04-09
NOTE: To receive these Sermon notes below in an outline form (which is easier to read), please email your request to Pastor Marcus Johnson (efcamarcus@sbcglobal.net). INTRODUCTION TO 1ST JOHN (& the Letters of John): 1) AUTHOR: THE APOSTLE JOHN (who wrote the Gospel of John, 2nd & 3rd John, & Revelation). Early church sources acknowledge John’s authorship, as does internal testimony (comparing 1st John to the Gospel of John, etc). 2) DATE AND RECIPIENTS: A.D. 70-90?; --> To a Congregation near Ephesus? (northwest of Israel); --> A Church suffering Turmoil within (This congregation is possibly approaching its last hour: Some within the congregation were undermining John’s theology (i.e. his Gospel), living in sin & spiritual pride, not loving each other, and there was a group that had already left the church). 3) PURPOSE FOR WRITING: FOR FELLOWSHIP & JOY (that the believers would walk in Christ-centered fellowship and the joy that comes with it). At the same time, John is responding to the various problems listed above. --> Fellowship: “John did not want a church that was orthodox [believing right] but unloving, any more than he wanted a church that misrepresented Jesus Christ. He wanted both –sound doctrine and vibrant community – and he refused to settle for less.” (Gary M. Burge, "Letters of John"). --> Joy: “He has the heart of a pastor which cannot be completely happy so long as some of those for whom he feels responsible are not experiencing the full blessings of the gospel” (I. Howard Marshall, "The Epistles of John"). 4) MAJOR THEMES IN JOHN’S LETTERS (see the Theme at the top of the page): --> Knowing God thru the Person of Christ (God is light and God is love); --> Experiencing the Joy-filled Fellowship of Christ (with the Father, the Son, and each other); --> Living in the Victory of Christ (Overcoming sin, the world, and the devil); --> Abiding by Faith in Christ (by Practicing righteousness, Loving each other, Turning from sin, thru the Testimony of the Spirit, by Believing Jesus is God's Son); --> Loving One Another in Christ (as God has loved us, by sharing what we have and by laying down our lives for each other); --> Walking in the Truth of Christ (by Knowing Jesus Christ, thru the Teaching of the Holy Spirit, thru Obedience to God's Word, by Standing against false teachers, and by Supporting ministers of the Gospel). KNOWING GOD REVEALED THRU THE PERSON OF JESUS CHRIST (vs1-2). --> Believe in Jesus Christ: (as the Word of Life/the Eternal Life); --> Believe in the Incarnation: (God the Son becomes a Man); --> Believe in the historical Jesus: (this is Foundational to our Christian Faith); --> Believe in the Apostolic Witness: (recognize the Importance of Eye-witness Testimony). TAKING JOHN’S WORD TO HEART (vs3-4) John’s Gospel-driven Purpose: --> Living Christ-centered Fellowship; --> John’s Pastoral-driven Goal: Experiencing Christ-centered Joy.
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Glory in the Fellowship Part 9
God’s Glory is to be revealed to the world through His greatness, His majesty, His power, His wisdom, His understanding, His beauty, His Character, and His love through Creation, The Bible, Christ Jesus, and The Church. The evidence of being born again is shown in our love.The evidence of being born again is also in our transformed lives. We are called to reveal the Glory of God to the world, so they will be drawn to Jesus.
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Building Lasting and Significant Relationships
No church can succeed without Lasting and Significant Relationships at its core.
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Sacred Joy: Philippians 1.3-11
As Paul begins his letter to the church at Philippi he reveals his gratitude to God for the church's commitment to the gospel and to Paul's ministry. Their partnership in the gospel gives Paul much joy as he prays for them. He has such joy and affection for the church because they are walking in the truth. What gives you the greatest joy? For Paul it is the work that God is continuing to do in his brothers and sisters in Philippi. No doubt Paul would have much reason to be down and lonely while in prison, but his circumstances do not affect his joy and prayers for these in Philippi. The gospel has such power as it reconciles sinful people not only to God, but to each other. The gospel is what holds Paul and the Philippians together even though they are apart. The gospel must take first place in both our relationships and prayers.
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Glory in the Fellowship Part 8
What do you think of when you think of fellowship? The word translated here for fellowship is koinonia. Koinonia is deeper than simply socializing. Koinonia is a deeply felt relationship, a life connection, and a community of people. Koinonia makes life bearable in the tough times and makes life more enjoyable in the good times. I don’t want to live life in a sterilized, selfish box. I want to be part of a community of believers that loves, rejoices and mourns together. Today, we invite you to join us. Life to the Full!
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Lose Your Life to the Church and Its Devotion
Do you love the church with the same devotion as Jesus? Would you die for the church? Would you lose your life for the church? Pastor Brian Curtis calls to see a picture of the early church and their devotion and calls us to that same life-giving devotion.
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