Three Seasons Community
Church– 3-11-07
"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)
"Love your spiritual family!" 1 Peter 2:17b (Msg)
MY 2nd PURPOSE IN LIFE IS
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"The person who loves God must also love other
believers." 1 John 4:21 (GW)
FELLOWSHIP IS
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"I’m writing… so you’ll know how to live in the
family of God. That family is the church..." 1 Timothy 3:14-15 (NCV)
A lot of people say, "Well, I’m going to go to
church," as if church is a place you go to. That's not correct. Church
is not a place you go to. Church is a family you belong to.
FOUR LEVELS OF FELLOWSHIP
"...You are members of God's very own family...
and you belong in God's household with every other Christian." Eph. 2:19
(LB)
The Christian life is not just a matter of
believing. It is matter of belonging, and you and I must choose to
belong. ...God wants you to identify to make the choice to be a part of
His family. When you were born, you automatically became a part of the
human race. But you have to choose to belong to the family of God, the
church. It is a choice.
A Christian without a church family is an
orphan. God meant us to be a part of a family.
"This is what we proclaimed in word and action
when we were baptized. Each of us is now a part of His resurrection
Body." 1 Corinthians 12:13 (Msg)
"That's what baptism into the life of Jesus
means. When we are lowered into the water, it is like the burial of
Jesus; when we are raised up out of the water, it is like the
resurrection of Jesus." Romans 6:3 (Msg)
LEVEL 2: FRIENDSHIP:
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You were created in God's image. So you were
made for relationships. The Bible says, "It is not good for man to be
alone." In other words, we were made for each other. Life is not a solo
act. And you need friends.
"All the believers met together constantly and
shared everything with each other." Acts 2:44 (LB)
"People learn from one another, just as iron
sharpens iron." Proverbs 27:17 (TEV)
OUR HOMES-- "Open your homes to each
other." 1 Peter 4:9 (NCV)
OUR PROBLEMS– "Share each other's troubles
and problems." Galatians 6:2 (NLT)
"Let us not give up the habit of meeting
together. Instead, let us encourage one another..." Hebrews 10:25 (TEV)
LEVEL 3: PARTNERSHIP:
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Partnership is realizing that I’ve got a
contribution to make; that the family of God needs you. Listen, God did
not bring you to this church to sit and soak in some spiritual spa.
That's not why you're here. He brought you here to serve. He wants to
make a difference through your life. In every family there are family
responsibilities. You divide up the chores, being part of that family,
as you do your part...
"We are partners working together for God." 1
Corinthians 3:9a (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."
Ephesians 4:16 (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)
If you want to experience a deeper level of
fellowship– Look for a practical need in your group to meet this week,
and watch what it does for your relationship and your fellowship with
one another.
LEVEL 4: KINSHIP:
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Kinship literally means your closest
relationships– your closest family– your "next-of-kin."
"...they were like family to each other." Acts
2:42a (CEV)
"Be devoted to each other like a loving
family." Romans 12:10 (GW)
Fellowship in the Bible is the Greek word "koinonia"
= being as committed to each other as we are to Jesus Christ.
"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." 1 John 3:16 (NLT)
"Your strong love for each other will prove to
the world that you are My disciples." John 13:35 (LB)
When people find a church, a place, where there
is genuine love, you'd have to lock the doors to keep people away,
because people are not looking for religion, they are looking for a
family. They are not looking for doctrine; they are looking for love.
"You are all children of God through faith in
Christ Jesus." Galatians 3:26 (NLT)
Which of these levels of fellowship are you at?
