Encouraging Fellowship

1. FELLOWSHIP
(GROWING IN CHRIST)
Pastor Ezra Okioma

2. What is fellowship?
 The word for “fellowship” has the basic
meaning of having something in common
 In regard to believers, Fellowship is used for
having common spiritual associations
 It is the common spiritual association with
Christ between all believers whose common
goal is to exalt Christ, as well as edify and
meet the needs of one another.

3. The most important association:
The most important association the
believer has is with Christ. John
introduces that very purpose in
1John 1:3
When a sinner places his trust in Christ
as Savior, he possesses a relationship
with the living God. However,
unconfessed sin hinders our fellowship
with God.

4.  To have fellowship with the Father and the Son
according to 1 John means to:
1. Have a relationship with Jesus Christ as
Savior (1John 5:12-13)
2. Not walk according to sin, i.e. anything
contrary to God’s Word (1John 1:5-6).
3. Walk in accordance with the light of
God’s Word (1John 1:7).
4. Confess our sins to God regularly
(1John 1:8-10).

5. Fellowship Edifies The Church (Act 2:42-
47)
 A. Acts 2:42 outlines the priorities of the early
church. Fellowship is one of the priorities to
which the church was continually devoted.
 B. In regard to spiritual growth, fellowship is as
important as the Scriptures, prayer etc. That is
exactly why we see a spiritually sound, healthy,
and dynamic early church (Act 2:47). Some of
their characteristics were:
 1. Reverence for the power of God
 2. Regard for the needs of the saints
 3. Resolution to assemble together

6. Fellowship Encourages The Christian
(Heb 10:24-25; Ecc 4:9-12)
 A. One of the reasons why
assembling together at church causes
spiritual growth is because individual
believers encourage and stimulate one
another.
B. Heb 10:24-25 begins with the
admonition to keep on thinking of ways
in which to help other Christians grow
in Christ.

7.  Stimulating love and good deeds
takes place in the church by
believers sharing the Scriptures
together, discussing spiritual
things together, praying for one
another, and meeting one another’s
needs.