It's All About Love: Fellowship

March 12, 2006

God is the one who made all things, and all things are for His glory. He wanted to have many children share His glory. (Hebrews 2:10a(NCV)

His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:5 (NLT)

My second purpose in life is fellowship. The person who loves God must also love other believers. I John 4:21 (GW)

Fellowship is loving God's family. I'm writing...so you'll know how to live in the family of God. That family is the church. I Timothy 3:14-15 (NCV)

FOUR LEVELS OF FELLOWSHIP

1. MEMBERSHIP: CHOOSING TO BELONG

You are members of God's very own family.. .and you belong in God's household with every other Christian. Ephesians 2:19 (LB)

In Christ we who are many form one Body, and each member belongs to all the others. Romans 12:5 (NIV)

This is what we proclaimed in word and action when we were baptized. Each of us is now a part of His resurrection Body. I Corinthians 12:13 (Msg)

2. FRIENDSHIP: LEARNING TO SHARE

All the believers met together constantly and shared everything with each other. Acts 2:44 (LB)

OUR EXPERIENCES People learn from one another, just as iron sharpens iron. Proverbs 27:17 (TEV)

OUR HOMES Open your homes to each other. I Peter 4:9 (NCV) OUR PROBLEMS AND BURDENS Bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 (NKJ)

3. PARTNERSHIP: DOING MY PART

We are partners working together for God. I Corinthians 3:9 (TEV)

The whole Body is fitted together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole Body is healthy and growing and full of love. Ephesians4:16(NLT)

Just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to Me. Matthew 25:40 (NRSV)

4. KINSHIP: LOVING BELIEVERS LIKE FAMILY

Be devoted to each other like a loving family. Romans 12:10(GW)

We know what real love is because Christ gave up His life for us. And so we also ought to give up our lives for our Christian brothers and sisters. Uohn3:16(NLT)

Your strong love for each other will prove to the world that you are My disciples. Johnl3:35(LB)

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