Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Greetings...

Fellowship is one of those words, like many we have looked at over the last few weeks, that has come to mean something totally different than it started out meaning in the Bible.

Today we are going to examine the word “fellowship.”

With this in mind let us examine our lessons for today.

What Fellowship Does Not Mean

Association by general recognition.

Some have the idea that as long as “believers in Jesus” agree on “something” in the Bible they are in fellowship.

Zondervan Bible Dictionary defines fellowship as “Association based upon sharing of something in common.”

Most in the world of “Christendom” consider fellowship as simply believing in Jesus.

In other words, if someone says they are a Christian then you are to be in fellowship with them.

This simply is not the case in the Bible.

We know we must strive to agree on everything other than opinions.

Fellowship cannot mean “association by general recognition.

Association by humanity & God’s love.

Some have the idea that just because we are all humans, created by God, and that God loves us everyone is in fellowship with each other no matter what they believe or don’t believe.

One man wrote in to a religious publication and stated, “At some point everyone will be saved.

No body will remain in hell for ever.

God has sympathy for all, no matter what is done.

If everyone had a chance to see the truth of god then everyone would see the hand that they are looking for.

Some will say that there are only a special few, but in the end we are all the same.

We all have a light, just some can't find, but one day everyone will see.

The creator of all will give everyone a chance even after they pass away, and of course once you are dead and shown, nobody will turn away.”

(http://bit.ly/2OQv96k)

On May 31st, 1997 Billy Graham stated during the Robert Shuller interview, “I think everybody who knows Christ, whether they’re conscious of it or not, they’re members of the Body of Christ…God’s purpose is to call out a people for His name, whether they come from the Muslim world, Buddhist world, the Christian world, or the non-believing world, they are members of the Body of Christ, because they’ve been called by God.

They may not know the name of Jesus…and I think they are saved, and that they are going to be in heaven.”

Once again this idea is completely foreign to the Holy Writ of God.

Heaven is the reward for those that have fought the good fight of faith only.

Summery

People have a lot of misguided ideas of fellowship and it is our responsibility to, not only know the truth, but to teach others as well.

What Fellowship Does Mean

The word koin-o-nia is found 19 times.

If we were to examine each of the 19 times it is found we would see a clear pattern.

It’s mostly translated fellowship with i.e. 9 times in the ESV.

It’s second idea of translation is that of sharing found some 6 times in the ESV.

Lastly, we find the idea of contribution found 4 times in the ESV.

Thus, we get an idea of how the word fellowship is used and understood.

Fellowship means...

Walking in the pathway of God.

1 Jn 1:5

1 Jn

Walking with others that are in fellowship with God.

Summery

Fellowship isn’t a catchall phrase but terminology that communicates our relationship with God and others like minded.

This doesn’t mean we have to agree on everything i.e. opinions are not necessary ().

It does mean we have to agree on all matters that will get us to heaven or end us up in hell ().

Conclusion

Fellowship is a beautiful thing for us.

How great is it to know that our brothers and sisters all over the world are worshiping our God today with us.

Invitation