TITLE: Fellowship In the Light:
Blessing and Reward
TEXT: 1 John 1:3-10
PROPOSITION: There is a blessing and reward to our fellowship.
QUESTION: Which?
KEY WORD: Blessings
READING: Same
What is Fellowship?
Greek word - Partnership, joint participation, communion
English word - “fellows in the same ship”; “We are all in the same boat.”
Practical uses -
More than eat together - Fellowship = smell the coffee
Interaction, get to know / understand
Jointly participate in a work – missions we support
Share joys and sorrows “weep with those who weep, rejoice with those who rejoice”
Work together on a project - VBS, visitation, teaching, etc.
Blessings
Fellowship – Fellowship is with God and Jesus - 1 John 1:3
Forgiveness – We have forgiveness, cleansed - 1 John 1:7, 9
Advocate – Lawyer on retainer - 1 John 2:1 “advocate”
Rewards
Joy – Full of Joy - 1 John 1:4
Walk in Light – Not Darkness - 1 John 1:5
Companionship – Fellowship with other believers - 1 John 1:3
Avoid Sin – You will not sin (Not WANT to sin) - 1 John 3:9 Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him: and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.
Some believe this teaches that it is “impossible” for a Christian to sin.
Illustration: Man buying pajamas – Tag said “Shrink Resistant” - Man asked, “Will these pajamas shrink?” After checking with supervisor, director of purchasing, and with the manufacturer – “Yes. They will shrink, but they don't want to.”
Christians are not “sin proof” we are “sin resistant.”
We sin – but we don't want to.