The Forever Family

40 Days of Purpose, Week 3 - "Fellowship"

October 10, 2004 - John Wesley United Methodist Church -

Epistle Lesson Philippians 2:1-11

  1. Don't be selfish. Esteem others.
  2. Look out not only for self– but look out for the interests of others.

Gospel Lesson John 13:34-35

  1. A new commandment give I unto you, that you love one another AS I HAVE LOVED YOU.
  2. By this shall all know that you are my disciples IF you have love for one another.

REVIEW: Where have we been; where are we going; are we having a good time??

There is nothing we will ever do that is more important than WORSHIP. But if we truly WORSHIP well, God will guide us into the other FOUR BASIC TASKS OF THE CHURCH. These tasks, in addition to WORSHIP, are Discipleship or Becoming more like Jesus, Ministry, or sharing our gifts, and Evangelism, or telling others about God's great love. But today, and this coming week we will be looking at the SECOND purpose in life, which is FELLOWSHIP.

ASIDE: Re-introduce "40 days of Purpose"– still not too late to be a part of this church-wide effort. We will GIVE YOU A BOOK The Purpose Driven Life and you can be a part just by doing three things: Read the book, a short chapter every day. Attend the worship here at John Wesley the remaining Sunday mornings. And IF AT ALL POSSIBLE catch on with one of the many small groups that are studying week by week. We'll get you a study guide. It isn't hard. It is pretty exciting.

WORSHIP IS VITAL: IT IS THE GOD-CONNECTION

Worship is the VERTICAL relationship. WE ARE SAVED ONE BY ONE. WE COME TO KNOW GOD PERSON TO PERSON. IT IS AN INDIVIDUAL THING. GOD CARES FOR YOU. YOU ARE UNIQUE. GOD WANTS YOU TO BE YOU...BUT

WE ARE NOT SAVED IN ISOLATION!! WE ARE SAVED INTO A FAMILY! WE PLEASE GOD BY NOT ONLY LOVING HIM BUT BY LEARNING TO LOVE GOD'S FAMILY.

FELLOWSHIP IS VITAL: IT IS LEARNING TO LOVE GOD'S FAMILY

It is easy to over-emphasize the INDIVIDUAL aspect of faith. What do I get out of worship? How can i develop MYSELF? How can I maintain that vertical relationship best? What is all-important– JESUS AND ME ME ME!!

That is NOT how God intends for us to live! Did you know that the word "saint" is very, very rare in the Bible? It may appear ONE TIME in most translations of the New Testament. The words is just about ALWAYS IN THE PLURAL: SAINTS!!  THERE IS A REASON FOR THAT.

We are made for God's family. Together we are Christ's BODY. Together we are the CHURCH. Together we are THE BRIDE OF CHRIST. Together we can continue the work of Jesus!

WE PLEASE GOD BY LEARNING TO LOVE GOD'S FAMILY!

FELLOWSHIP IS GOD'S WAY OF TAKING THE LONELINESS OUT OF LIFE     

It is one of the worst pains in the world to feel alone and shut out.

God fully intends that we will NOT be alone; he has set us into a family.

When we receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior WE ARE ADOPTED into the family of God. We receive the Spirit of adoption, which cries "ABBA, Father! (Translate: DADDY!) Romans 8:15

FELLOWSHIP IS GOD'S WILL FOR YOU AND ME

It takes work. We will be disappointed from time to time. We won't find a perfect church to join– and if we did—

But we have this assignment; LEARN TO GET ALONG– NO, LEARN TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER– AS I HAVE LOVED YOU!     

When Jesus was ready to leave his disciples he age them what he called "a new commandment."

We know that Jesus had already said the greatest commandment is to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength; the second is like unto it: Love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22:26) But here he seems to ratchet it up a notch– don't just love your neighbor like you love yourself– BUT LOVE AS I HAVE LOVED YOU!

This kind of fellowship - this love will be the BADGE of belonging to Jesus! He said (text) BY THIS SHALL ALL KNOW THAT YOU ARE MY DISCIPLES IF YOU HAVE LOVE ONE FOR ANOTHER!!

MEMBERSHIP: FELLOWSHIP IS A DELIBERATE CHOICE

Believers should be BAPTIZED. NOT re-baptized. But it is proper to re-dedicate. To remember your baptism. It is important– but the METHOD is NOT. Don't be intimidated.We need to commit to a local, visible congregation. We need to support with our spirit of boosting, praying, presence, and giving.A church family will keep you from being isolated, self-centered.

FRIENDSHIP: FELLOWSHIP IS LEARNING TO SHARE

A church family will help you get perspective. MY problems seem overwhelming–until I see others with the same that are coping. OR I see others with greater problems than my own – and can help them and myself at the same time.

Talk about important things. Dare to pray together. Give the gift of TIME!

The small groups are an ideal place to begin learning to share.

[Fifteen- maybe 18 years ago– I started a small group in Wollaston. "I'm not spilling my guts to anyone!" THIS NEXT WEDNESDAY THEY'LL BE MEETING! They'll pray for ME! Wow!]

PARTNERSHIP: FELLOWSHIP IS FINDING THAT WE HAVE A(N IMPORTANT) PART IN THE BODY OF CHRIST (DOING MY PART)

Some people never stay long enough to find out what they do in the body. Rick Warren calls them "bunny Christians" that hope from one church to another. In a healthy church there are many different "organs" that supply what the body needs to function.

YOUR gift is important! As you WORSHIP and FELLOWSHIP you will discover that you are not only LOVED, but that you have a vital part in making Christ's body complete. For US it means making John Wesley an instrument of God's love right here where we live.

It would be great if as we worship and fellowship somehow the whole world would see how good jesus is– and maybe that will happen. BUT WHILE WE'RE WAITING, MAYBE THERE IS SOMEONE WHO LIVES NEAR YOU THAT COULD USE A SMILE, AND A SINCERE PRAYER, AND SOME FELLOWSHIP OVER A CUP OF COFFEE!

KINSHIP: FELLOWSHIP COMES FINALLY TO BE LOVING LIKE FAMILY

Families don't always run smoothly; they disagree sometimes.     "Christians are not brought together because they like each other, but because they share a common life in Jesus and are faced with the task of learning how to love each other as members of THE family." WRDNEO - Reuben Welch 31

Insert Questions (for last sheet of sermon)

MY 2ND PURPOSE IN LIFE IS FELLOWSHIP.

FELLOWSHIP IS loving God's Family.

FOUR LEVELS OF FRIENDSHIP

Prayer: Thank you, Father, for the gift of belonging. Help us to love you and worship you, and help us to love each other as you have loved us, and your Son Jesus Christ has loves us, and as the Holy Spirit continues to guide us into true fellowship. We pray in the Name of the One who has taught us when we pray to say:

OUR FATHER...