Sermon Tone Analysis

Children’s Question:

INTRODUCTION

Once upon a time (as all good stories begin), a group of people agreed that they should spend each Sunday in the presence of one another.

Many were not satisfied with the 6 or 8 hours each week, but also came together each Saturday for several more hours of fellowship.

They did not count the minutes past sixty.

Rather, with great conviction they said, "We've come for a purpose and will not leave until it has been accomplished - even if it takes all day."

Then at the end of the day, they would cheerfully pledge to return next week.

Their commitment was thing of which to marvel, as it was not a passing fancy affected by the weather.

They met winter and summer!

When the spring rains came and when fall's chill was in the air, other people might be heard to say, "The weather kept me at home; I was unable to be present in my spot," but not the faithful souls of whom I speak.

Their sacrifices often involved more than time.

They gave of their money (as the Good Book says), for their hearts were very much involved in the weekly gathering.

Not only to buy gasoline - many came from great distances – but they would often part with significant amounts of cold, hard cash for that which seemed worthy of their attention.

Sometimes they would disagree with one another as humans are prone to do.

Sometimes they spoke to one another in a less than courteous way, yet they would return week after week, for their purpose for assembling was far greater than their personal likes and dislikes.

Their persistence knew no bounds.

Often their numbers were so large that there was not suitable convenient parking and they had to walk along a dangerous roadway.

Their faithfulness was something to write in hopes of inspiring others to heights of dedication.

This is truly the stuff of which men and women of greatness are made!

I salute… "Mary's Weekend Swap Meet and Flea Market."

You thought I was talking about Church didn’t you?

It’s a logical conclusion, since this is what many expect churches to be!

A place where people meet often, demonstrate commitment, and fellowship with one another.

It’s a logical conclusion, since that’s how we expect churches to be!

A true church is supposed to be dedicated to fellowshipping with one another.

“Many were not satisfied with the 6 or 8 hours each week, but also came together each Saturday for several more hours of fellowship.

They did not count the minutes past sixty.”

NOTICE THE COMMENT: “Many were not satisfied with the 6 or 8 hours each week, but also came together each Saturday for several more hours of fellowship.

They did not count the minutes past sixty.”

but also came together each Saturday for several more hours of fellowship.”

These people liked being together.

They liked it so much, one day was just not enough!

They liked it so much - that just one day was just not enough.

BUT

“Sometimes they spoke to one another in a less than courteous way, yet they would return week after week, for their purpose for assembling was far greater than their personal likes and dislikes.”

The early church was like this; they gathered, fellowship, enjoyed one another’s company.

Even when they didn’t like other as much as they should they still committed themselves to gathering together because their purpose in gathering far outweighed any personal conflicts they may have had.

ACts

There was a time when all that mattered was following Jesus, meeting one another’s needs, and hanging out with friends.

It seems the Church has a way of rallying and supporting one another when persecution comes, then we scatter and do our own thing when everything is good.

ILLUSTRATON

It’s a lot like military units.

I’ve noticed when the nation is at war we rally and support one another; however, in peacetime Soldiers tend to take their jobs less seriously, the nation complains about the cost so we reduce the size of the military, and people get apathetic until we are threatened again.

I guess that’s human nature...

Fellowship is part of what makes a true church… a church

Because without fellowship you ain’t got much.

As far as God is concerned - fellowship for the church – is essential.

In ACTS “… they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and FELLOWSHIP, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

In fact it’s so important that it became part of what made the early church… the church.

tells us that after those 3000 folks were baptized into Christ on Pentecost

“… they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and FELLOWSHIP, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

These 4 activities (doctrine, breaking of bread, prayer, and fellowship) were so important to God that God TOLD us about it in this passage.

And because the early church was so dedicated to Fellowship (and all those other things) they were able to withstand:

small disagreements

opposition

and even outright persecution and death!

They were held together by their commitment to God… and to each other.

They were held together by their commitment to God… and to each other.

This particular translation provides us a better understanding of fellowship, and how to deal with our failures.

Answer: Fellowship is just hanging out together.

Wanting to be together.

You see, Church is NOT a building.

It’s not a theatre where we come to be entertained.

It’s not a place where we get together to do business.

YOU are the church, not this building.

Church is a family.

This building is just where we get together for “family gatherings”.

In the first two Chapters of John’s Epistle, the Apostle provides for us, a better understanding of fellowship, and how to deal with our failures.

Scripture:

So…what is fellowship?

What is Fellowship?

Biblical definition of FELLOWSHIP is: “Joint participation with one another in things possessed in common.”

In today’s English FELLOWSHIP could be defines as: “Just hanging out together!”

just hanging out together.

Answer: Fellowship is just hanging out together.

This morning, “The Church” gathered in the Chapel building!

You see, Church is NOT a building.

It’s not a theatre where we come to be entertained.

It’s not a place where we get together to do business.

YOU are the church, not this building.

Church is a family.

This building is just where we get together for “family gatherings”.

Chapters 1 and 2 deal with fellowship and what to do when it is broken...

FIRST, notice John’s test of true fellowship—he tells us our WORDS should match our ACTIONS; see the contrast between saying and doing:

John gives us the test of true fellowship.

Note the contrast between saying and doing:

Note the contrast between saying and doing:

FIVE times John tells us our talk should match our walk!

“If we say …” (1:6, 8, 10; 2:4, 6).

Too many times we are better at the “talk” than we are at the “walk”!

I.

The Test of Obedience (1:5–2:6)

John reminds us God is light, and there is no darkness in Him!

John introduces us to the image of light ().

God is light, and Satan is the prince of darkness ().

To obey Him is to walk in the light; to disobey is to walk in darkness.

Keep in mind that fellowship is a matter of light and darkness; sonship is a matter of life and death (3:4; 5:11–12).

John points out that it is possible for people to say they are in the light, yet actually live in darkness.

Note the four “liars” here: (1) lying about fellowship, 1:6–7; (2) lying about our nature, saying that we have no sin, 1:8; (3) lying about our deeds, saying that we have not sinned, 1:10; and (4) lying about our obedience, saying that we have kept His commandments when we have not, 2:4–6.

The analogy John makes is clear: When we obey Jesus we walk in the light; and when we disobey Him we are walking in darkness!