Fellowship In The Gospel

Text: Philippians 1:5-6   IBCWPM    June 24, 2009

Preacher: Pastor Jose B. Cabajar

       We cannot imagine how lonely a man would be if he has no fellowship with any person. It is also a strange thing to see him isolating himself from other people, living alone the remaining years of his life. It is quite impossible for us to live a normal life without interacting with others. We believe that fellowshipping with family members, loved ones, friends and acquaintances is not only needful, but also healthy and beneficial for us in this earthly life. Fellowship is a pleasurable activity that contributes colours and depth to our canvas of life. It makes our lives vivid and more natural especially in this robot-like-behaving generation.

         Having regular fellowship with others strengthens our friendship and safeguards our good relationship. For such reason, we must avoid questionable fellowship, but rather welcome God-fearing people to have fellowship with. The Bible warns us not to have fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness. In Ephesians 5:11, the Bible says, And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. (KJV) The people we associate with reveal our inclination in life.

        The Bible makes us realize the shamefulness of incompatible fellowship. In II Corinthians 6:14-16, it is written, 14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. (KJV) True Christians should not be unequally yoked together with people who do not love the Truth.

       As we study about “Believers’ fellowship in the Gospel”, the needed awareness concerning such overlooked subject will surely be appreciated. Many may not be familiar with this fruitful fellowship, but through the help of the Holy Ghost, we will be stirred up to get involved in this God-glorifying fellowship.                                                  

(I)  A Kind Of Fellowship To Be Thanked For

Philippians 1:1-5

       “Fellowship in the Gospel” is a blessed fellowship being experienced by all believers since the day of their salvation. Through their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, they became fruits of the Good News and became part of the family of God. Consequently, they are also called to have fellowship with the Living God. It is a Gospel-related fellowship that every believer must appreciate and thank for.      

-It’s a wonderful fellowship with God

·            Fellowship with the Lord Jesus

       We truly count it a great honour and a privilege to have fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ and we must be thankful to God for such blessing. In I Corinthians 1:9, it is written, God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. (KJV)

·            Fellowship with the Father

       In I John 1:3, the Bible says, That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. (KJV) Having sweet fellowship with other believers is delightful to God because He and His Son are included in such fellowship.        

·            Fellowship with the Holy Ghost

       The Bible tells us that our body is the temple of the Holy Ghost and being such, we must not overlook our blessed fellowship with Him.  In II Corinthians 13:14, it is written, The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. (KJV) It is a blessing to know that we are privileged to have fellowship with the Father, Son and the Holy Ghost. 

       In Philippians 1:3-5, it is written, 3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, 5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; (KJV) Pondering these verses in our hearts will surely trigger us to become more thankful, prayerful and mindful of the blessedness of our fellowship in the Gospel.

(II)  A Kind Of Fellowship Not To Be Forgotten

Philippians 1:6

       The phrase “Fellowship in the Gospel” not only reminds us of our salvation so great and free, but also our participation in the spreading the Good News worldwide.  In Philippians 1:6-7, Paul said, 6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: 7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. (KJV) God wants to work in us so He may use us continually for the furtherance of the Gospel until He comes.

-Fellowship through partnership in the work of the Lord

  Mark 16:20

       It is evident that labourers in the mission field are few and believers are not surrendering their lives to the Lord for many reasons. Unknowingly, they missed their rare opportunity to have partnership with God through mission work. We should not overlook our fellowship in the Gospel, but take advantage of it before the Lord comes. In I Corinthians 3:9, The Bible says, For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. (KJV) Blessed are those in the harvest field labouring for the Truth’s sake. Truly, God will reward them accordingly.

-Fellowship through mission-related giving

 Galatians 6:6

       The usage of the word “fellowship” in verse 5 is not merely confined within our known or familiar definition like companionship, but it also denotes activities like giving, partnership, involvement, communication and distribution.  In Philippians 4:15, Paul said, Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. (KJV) Giving should not be counted as a burden, but as a blessing because it involves us in an activity that gives glory to God. It makes us also an instrument of righteousness and a channel of blessings to others especially to the lost and dying souls.

      Christians must be excited when it comes to mission-related giving because it is a unique and rewarding way of having fellowship in the Gospel. Get involved and experience the warmth of God’s love.        

-Fellowship that is delightful before God

       Our fellowship with the Lord through our gifts is truly delightsome to Him. Paul stressed in Philippians 4:17-18, 17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. 18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God. (KJV) May we not forget to have fellowship with God and with His servants through this special way. It is not only pleasing to God, but also beneficial for the furtherance of the Gospel. What a fellowship we have in the Gospel.

-Fellowship of Christ’s sufferings

       We really thank God for His love for us because though we are not worthy to have fellowship with Him, yet He called us unto the fellowship of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. And it took Christ’s life to achieve such privilege and honour to be associated with Him. In Philippians 3:10, Paul said, That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; (KJV) Now that we are already in Christ, may we have also the intense longing to know more about our Saviour.

       Time after time, the Lord permits strange sufferings to come on our way so our fellowship with Him will be strengthened. In I Peter 4:12-13, it is written, 12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. (KJV)

       The word “partakers” in verse 13 reminds us that we must enjoy our fellowship with the Lord not only during our smooth sailing, but also in the midst of storms. Praise God we are not alone in times of sufferings. In spite of all those life-squeezing moments, we still rejoice in the Lord because we have the assurance that when His glory shall be revealed, we may be glad also with exceeding joy.