The topic of fellowship is included in our joy as Christians – having fellowship with God now, and having that fellowship consummated in eternity. For this reason, all that surrounds the topic, both the positive and the negative, is vital. Consideration of our fellowship with God, and fellowship with those of “like precious faith” (2 …
Continue reading Fellowship 6 – Church Discipline
Many talk about KNOWING God, but do they? Many talk about LOVING God, but do they? Many talk about ABIDING in God’s love, but do they? The many claim to KNOW God, LOVE God, and ABIDE in God’s love, but their actions show otherwise. In part of Jesus’ response to Philip’s question (cf. John 14:8), …
Continue reading Facebook: Knowing, Loving, and Abiding by Keeping
Receiving one whom God has received aligns us with God Himself – “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). It is the mark of true discipleship, and is manifest evidence of a fuller understanding of Christ’s redemptive work (cf. 1 John 3:16-17). For …
Continue reading Fellowship 5 – Do Not Receive Him
Paul began his second epistle to the Thessalonians as usual. He named himself, and those with him – “Silvanus (Roman for Silas), and Timothy.” Both men accompanied Paul throughout parts of his ministry. Timothy was especially dear to Paul (cf. 1 Timothy 1:2; 2 Timothy 1:2). The epistle is addressed to the assembly “of the …
Continue reading 2 Thessalonians 1:1-5 Having just outlined proper conduct which the Thessalonians should be careful to observe, Paul moved to prayers on their behalf. Such conduct is the process of sanctification. As we grow closer to God by gaining a fuller knowledge of Him and His will, and by subsequent participation in His will, we are being further set …
Continue reading 1 Thessalonians 5:23-28
The scriptural principles regarding fellowship are as clear as any other subject. However, clarity of scripture does not change the fact of hardened hearts. Some receive others into fellowship when they have no authority to do so, and some refuse to receive others into fellowship when they have the obligation to do so. Both actions …
Continue reading Fellowship 4 – Receive Him This is the last section of the epistle before Paul concludes with his final greetings. It is that which follows the foundation laid by Paul concerning Christ’s preeminence (1:15-23), the negative remarks concerning the Colossian heresy (2:1ff), and the applications concerning the Christian’s duties before the Preeminent One (3:1-4:6). After emphasizing their need to do …
Continue reading Colossians 4:2-6
As was noted previously, fellowship with God and man is contingent upon one thing. It is that which inheres in the term “fellowship.” “God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth” …
Continue reading Fellowship 3 – Fellowship Between Men Having just described his attitude of pressing on to the “goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (v. 14), Paul encouraged the brethren to follow his example. He does not mean he is the standard, but as he wrote to the Corinthians, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate …
Continue reading Philippians 3:17-4:1
“Now Jesus stood before the governor. And the governor asked Him, saying, ‘Are You the King of the Jews?’ Jesus said to him, ‘It is as you say’” (Matthew 27:11). “When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the …
Continue reading Facebook: Regicide