Scripture: John 17:6-7, 20-23

C.I.: A Foundation for Living!

During April… - “Focus” is on evangelism (God’s focus) – “Force” is on worship (presence provides power) -
Today we will see our “Foundation” is fellowship (standing on a firm foundation with God).

I. Fellowship: It’s What We have in Common

A. A Definition:

1. How the word “fellowship” (koinwnia) is used = To share, to participate, to have in common.
a. (Heb. 13:16), “Do not neglect doing good & sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased” – (Phil. 1:5), “…in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now.” –
(Acts 2:44), “All those who believed were together and had all things in common.”
b. Some things all believers have in common - are found in Eph. 4:3-6, “There is one body….”

2. But everyone in the world – does not have all these things in common. – What then are we to do?!
a. We need to see what God is already doing – and then join in FELLOWSHIP with Him.
1) That is what Jesus did, (Jn. 5:19), “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing….”
2) That is what we need to do, (I Cor. 3:9), “We are fellow-workers with God.”
b. So as believers – our 1st responsibility is to be in F. w/God… - then to bring others into that F.!!
1) Let us then look at 3 levels of F. – and see what God did – and then at what we need to do!

B. Three Levels of Fellowship and Our Responsibility in Them

1. Level #1: The World
a. These are the people who do not know God – and have no fellowship with Him, (Jn. 1:10).
1) In fact, many don’t want any F. w/God – (John 3:19-20), “…Light has come into the world,
and men loved darkness rather than light, for their deeds were evil. – For everyone who does
evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light – for fear that his deeds will be exposed.”
2) In spite of this - God showed His desire to have F. with people - on this level, (Jn. 3:16).

b. So as “fellow-workers w/God” - we also have a responsibility to bring Jesus into their world!
1) As we see in Jesus there needs to be - Proclamation w/o Pride (Jms. 2:1; Mk. 16:15-16) –
Love w/o Judging (Rom. 12:9; Matt. 7:1) – Service w/o Smugness (Matt. 20:28; Rom. 15:1)
2) But we must be cautious – like Jesus, Xns are called to be “in the world” but not “of the
world,” (Jn. 17:18, 16), “As you sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.
– They are not of the world, even as I am not if the world.”
3) Thus, as God sought to bring the world into F. w/Him thru Jesus – we too must do the same!!!

2. Level #2: The Crowd
a. During Jesus earthly ministry – this was the multitude that followed Jesus from place to place.
1) (Matt. 8:1), “When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds were following Him.
2) These seek not a relationship to be had – but an event of which to be a part – (Jn. 6:2), “A
great multitude was following Him, because they were seeing the signs He was performing.”
3) Today there are those who “come to church” – to be part of the event – not because of a
relationship they have – (Rev. 3:1), “I know your deeds, that you have a name that you…!”

b. To bring the crowd into F. w/Him – Jesus told them what they needed to hear to deepen their Rel.
1) (Lk. 14:25-26), “Now great multitudes were going along with Him; and He turned and said
to them, ‘If anyone does not hate his own father & mother & wife & children * brothers…!’”
2) (Jn. 6:60, 66), “Many who heard this said, ‘This is a difficult statement; who can listen to
it?’ – As a result many withdrew, and were not walking with Him anymore.”
3) (Rev. 3:3), “Remember what you have received & heard; and keep it, and repent.”

c. As fellow-workers w/God - we also have a responsibility – to bring them into a deeper relation…
1) (I Jn. 1:3), “What we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also that you may have Fell…
2) (II Tim. 4:2-4), “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove….”

3. Level #3: The Disciples
a. These are the ones who have been saved – (Matt. 28:19).

b. Yet within this level there are layers of fellowship with God. – Once again, we have a
responsibility to be working together with God – in the lives of these Christian brethren…
1) Young disciples who need to be taught – (I Pt. 2:2; Matt. 28:19), “Like newborn babes long
for the pure milk of the word….’ – “Teaching them to observe all things….”
2) Weak disciples who need to be strengthened – (II Cor. 12:9; Phil. 2:12; Heb. 12:12), “The
Lord said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, - for power is perfected in weakness.’”(i.e.,
God kept working with Paul to help him grow stronger.) – No wonder he writes, “For it is
God who is at work in you….” - “Strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees….”
3) Strong disciples who need to be challenged – (Phil. 3:14; Heb. 10:24), “…I press on towards
the goal of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” – “Let us consider how to stimulate one
another to love & good deeds.”

CONCLUSION:

1. So where would you say you are in your F. with God (World? Crowd? Disciple?)? – Mk. 16:15-16;
Matthew 28:19

2. In this lesson we have seen that we continue to have a responsibility to others (in/out of F. w/God).