JOYFUL FELLOWSHIP

Fellowship with other believers is an essential part of the Christian life. It is part of our mission statement, which reads, “The mission of Hatch Bend Baptist Church is to demonstrate our love for God and mankind by: Exalting God through Worship and Lifestyle; Edifying the Church through Fellowship, Discipleship and Ministry; Evangelizing the World through Missions and Outreach.” One way we edify the church is through fellowship.

What is Christian fellowship like? We find the answer in 1 John 1:1-4. This is the beginning of John’s first epistle. This passage lays the foundation for how we should relate to God and each other.

This passage teaches, you may have joy through fellowship with God and His people, according to His word. There are three parts to this joy:

First, joyful fellowship includes: JOY FROM GOD’S WORD

Joyful fellowship is found in God’s Word. The Word of God is represented in three ways in the passage:

The Living Word: (v. 1, 2) The “word of life…which was with the Father and was manifested to us,” refers to Jesus; He is the Living Word, God’s living revelation of Himself to us. That is why faith in Jesus Christ alone is necessary for our salvation.

The Spoken Word: (vv. 2-3) John writes that the Living Word is what he will “declare to you” twice. Throughout history, believers in Christ have spoken the good news of Jesus Christ to others. God sends His people to speak the revelation of Himself (His Word) to others.

The Written Word: (v.4) John writes, “these things we write to you that your joy may be full.” The Bible is the God’s written revelation of Himself to us.

When my wife and I were dating, I got to know her in several ways. She wrote letters to me. I learned a lot about her through those letters. We talked on the phone. I learned a lot about her through those phone conversations. We went out on dates. I learned a lot about her by spending time with her. I would never have known her very well if I had not learned about her in those ways.

Likewise, we cannot get to know God unless He reveals Himself to us. He has chosen to do so through His Word. We read the Word. We hear the Word. We share the Word. We get to know the Living Word, Jesus Christ.

Second, joyful fellowship includes: JOY FROM GOD’S SON

Joyful fellowship is found in God’s Son. The passage teaches us four things about His Son, Jesus Christ:

God’s Son is Eternal. (vv. 1-3) John uses the phrases, “from the beginning,” and “eternal life” to describe “His Son Jesus Christ.” Jesus Christ is not a created being. He is eternal.

God’s Son is Essential. (vv. 1-3) Jesus is called “the Word of Life,” “eternal life,” and “life.” It is impossible to have eternal life without Jesus Christ, because He is eternal life. (See John 14:6)

God’s Son is Real. (vv. 1-3) John states very clearly that Jesus was a real person. He describes Jesus as He “which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and our hands have handled,” and “we have seen,” and “which we have seen and heard.” Jesus is no myth. John had seen Him in the flesh, both before and after His resurrection.

God’s Son is Relational. (v. 3) John writes, “our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.” We may have a relationship with Jesus Christ, and with the Father through Him.

You cannot have a wedding without a bride or groom. The bride and groom are the focal points of the wedding.

Likewise, Jesus is the focal point of joyful fellowship. There is no joyful fellowship without Him. Do you know Him?

Third, joyful fellowship includes: JOY FROM GOD’S PEOPLE

Joyful fellowship is found in God’s People. The passage tells us two things about God’s People:

Witnesses of Christ: (vv. 1-3) God’s people are witnesses of Christ. They have had a personal encounter with Him. John said that he had a personal encounter with Jesus, and extended the offer for fellowship with God to others. We, too, may have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

Witnesses to People: (v. 3) God’s people declare the good news of Jesus to others. John is an example of this. John was not alone in his declaration. He said, “we declare to you.” Today, we still declare the good news of Jesus Christ to others.

When I was in college I went on a summer trip with some friends. We stayed at my friend’s uncle’s house. When we came into his house, a man was there, by himself, smoking cigarettes, drinking beer, and watching a preacher on TV. He said, “Yeah, I like drinkin’ beer and watchin’ my TV preacher.” That was his idea of church. To him it was just another entertaining show to watch.

Although church folks would not behave that way, sometimes our idea of church isn’t far from that. Whenever we come to church to be entertained, instead of to interact with God and His people, we miss the whole point. There is joy in having fellowship with other like-minded believers in Jesus Christ. We help each other and encourage each other in our Christian walk. You can’t get that from TV.

INVITATION TO JOY

If we are to have joyful fellowship, we must find it in:

God’s Word. We need to hear God’s revelation of Himself to us found in the person of Jesus Christ, as described in the Bible, and declared by His people.

God’s Son. We find this joyful fellowship through a relationship with Jesus Christ.

God’s People. We find joy through being an active part of a body of believers in Christ who are declaring the good news of Jesus to others.

Are you experiencing this joyful fellowship? If not, begin today.

To learn more about how to follow Jesus, click here.

To find a good church where you can grow in your faith, click here.

This is a synopsis of a sermon presented on 8-16-2009 at Hatch Bend Baptist Church, by Paul A. Coleman.

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.