Covenant Love Discipleship

Lesson Four - THE LIFE OF FELLOWSHIP by Jeff Tyler

Fellowship is the third ingredient that we use as believers to have a healthy and mature walk in Christ and in the Spirit. Coupled with Prayer and a life devoted to God’s Word, Fellowship is very important to the proper and healthy growth of every believer.

The point is that we all need someone around us. The real truth is that we need the entire Body and all its differences. Paul wrote all about that in Romans. “For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.” Romans 12:4-5.

In Corinthians he added, “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. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked. That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way….”

I Corinthians 12:12-31

Fellowship Defined – According to the Cambridge Dictionary, Fellowship has two definitions, which can both be applied to we Christian believers. It can mean a group of people or an organization with the same purpose. It can also be mean a friendly feeling that exists between people who have a shared interest or are doing something as a group. Fellowship for our sense and purposes simply means hanging around other believers of like mind. We need to be around other believers of like mind, and they need to be around us, too.

We are commanded to be in fellowship by the writer of Hebrews. “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25 The writer says don’t do what some do and turn their back on fellowship and being with other Christians. We, in order to make it and stand, need one another to exhort us in these Last Days.

Many people interpret this to mean to be in Church. That is a valid translation. However, there is a much bigger picture. The Kingdom is bigger than the Church. The command is to be around believers, period. To stay in fellowship. To be honest with you, there may be times in your life when there are few if any good churches around you. You may get your fellowship thru a Home Group, men’s meetings, conferences, direct accountability sessions, and so forth. Hang out with Christian friends as often as you can.

When you are around other believers, there is edification, exhortation, strength, and many great things. There is accountability and guidance that keeps us from sin and from falling. And just as you look to others, many others will look unto you whether you know it or not. There is something beautiful that happens when we come together in Christ in peace and love.

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.” Psalm 133

King David wrote, “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD. Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together: Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD. For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee. Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good.” Psalm 122

Scripture says that who we hang out with is whom we become like. “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.” Proverbs 13:20 It is so very important that you spend time with Godly people in and out of Church.

Inevitably, you will be hurt by a Christian who is close to you – many times breaking fellowship. We are all human, and we will make mistakes and even sin from time to time. Some of the top Christian people I know have hurt me so deep from time to time. That is between them and God. The important thing is to not let what happens to someone you look up to in fellowship destroy your relationship with Jesus. Remember, the enemy knows how to push your buttons and would like nothing more than to give you an escape outlet and make you quit. The proper Christian response is to help that person be restored and then just wait. DO NOT be led by impulse. DO be led by the Spirit.

Bottom line – be in relationship and fellowship with other believers! Do not commit spiritual suicide by becoming a lone ranger.

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