Building a First Century Fellowship (1 John 1:1-2:10)
I. A consistent experience of personal fellowship with the Father and Jesus Christ
A. You must come to a personal knowledge of God through a new birth (John 3:3-5).
Jesus answered and said unto him, “Verily, verily I say unto thee, unless a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said unto Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Verily, verily I say unto thee, unless a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God.
B. You must learn what it means to walk in the light and practice it daily vs. 7.
But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin
C. You must understand fellowship ends immediately with 1 step into darkness v. 6.
If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth.
D. You must learn to restore fellowship quickly with confession of sin vs. 9.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
E. Joy is a barometer of the presence and richness of fellowship the Father & Son vs. 4.
And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
F. There are three proofs of genuine fellowship 1 John 2:3-9).
1. Keeping His commandments vs. 3.
And hereby we know that we know Him: if we keep His commandments.
2. Experiencing love (agape) of fellow believers vs. 5 &10.
But whoso keepeth His Word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in Him (vs. 5). He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is no occasion for stumbling in him (vs. 10).
3. Involvement in redemptive action, walking as Jesus walked (1 John 2:6).
He that saith that he abideth in Him, ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked.
II. Biblical pictures of first century fellowship among the church (Acts 2:40-47; 4:32-36).
A. Long winded preachers (Acts 2:40).
And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, “Save yourselves from this untoward generation.”
B. Separation from the existing perverse generation vs. 40.
C. Powerful witnessing and widespread salvation (Acts 4:33 & 2:41).
And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. Then those who gladly received his words were baptized, and that same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
D. Hunger for preaching/teaching of the word vs. 42.
And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in the breaking of bread and in prayers.
E. Intense desire and joy in being with believers and assembling together (Hebrews 10:25)
And continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their meat with gladness and singleness of heart
F. An incredible sense of awe and amazement at the miracles taking place vs. 43.
And fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles
Everyone felt a deep sense of awe, while many miracles and signs took place through the apostles (Phillips Translation).
G. One with God and each other vs. 44 & 4:32.
One accord. Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and mind.
H. Uncommon generosity in sharing and meeting needs vs. 45 and Acts 4:32, 34.
Neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common … nor was there any among them who lacked…
I. Consistency of worship publicly and house to house vs. 47.
And continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their meat with gladness and singleness of heart
J. And great grace was upon them all (Acts 4:33).
III. What changes or decisions do you need to make help build this kind of fellowship?
I. A consistent experience of personal fellowship with the Father and Jesus Christ
A. You must come to a personal knowledge of God through a new birth (John 3:3-5).
Jesus answered and said unto him, “Verily, verily I say unto thee, unless a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said unto Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Verily, verily I say unto thee, unless a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God.
B. You must learn what it means to walk in the light and practice it daily vs. 7.
But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin
C. You must understand fellowship ends immediately with 1 step into darkness v. 6.
If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth.
D. You must learn to restore fellowship quickly with confession of sin vs. 9.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
E. Joy is a barometer of the presence and richness of fellowship the Father & Son vs. 4.
And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
F. There are three proofs of genuine fellowship 1 John 2:3-9).
1. Keeping His commandments vs. 3.
And hereby we know that we know Him: if we keep His commandments.
2. Experiencing love (agape) of fellow believers vs. 5 &10.
But whoso keepeth His Word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in Him (vs. 5). He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is no occasion for stumbling in him (vs. 10).
3. Involvement in redemptive action, walking as Jesus walked (1 John 2:6).
He that saith that he abideth in Him, ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked.
II. Biblical pictures of first century fellowship among the church (Acts 2:40-47; 4:32-36).
A. Long winded preachers (Acts 2:40).
And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, “Save yourselves from this untoward generation.”
B. Separation from the existing perverse generation vs. 40.
C. Powerful witnessing and widespread salvation (Acts 4:33 & 2:41).
And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. Then those who gladly received his words were baptized, and that same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
D. Hunger for preaching/teaching of the word vs. 42.
And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in the breaking of bread and in prayers.
E. Intense desire and joy in being with believers and assembling together (Hebrews 10:25)
And continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their meat with gladness and singleness of heart
F. An incredible sense of awe and amazement at the miracles taking place vs. 43.
And fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles
Everyone felt a deep sense of awe, while many miracles and signs took place through the apostles (Phillips Translation).
G. One with God and each other vs. 44 & 4:32.
One accord. Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and mind.
H. Uncommon generosity in sharing and meeting needs vs. 45 and Acts 4:32, 34.
Neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common … nor was there any among them who lacked…
I. Consistency of worship publicly and house to house vs. 47.
And continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their meat with gladness and singleness of heart
J. And great grace was upon them all (Acts 4:33).
III. What changes or decisions do you need to make help build this kind of fellowship?