Sunday, April 14, 2024 am
DESTINATION 2024: Fellowship Together
Mike Teel, Pastor
FOCAL PASSAGE:
1 How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! —Psalm 133:1
4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. —Romans 12:4-5
IN REAL FELLOWSHIP PEOPLE EXPERIENCE
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. —I John 1:7-8
1. BEING ABLE TO BE
OR
–Authentic fellowship is not superficial, surface-level chit-chat. It is genuine, heart-to-heart, sometimes gut-level, sharing. (Really meaning it when you say, “How was your week?)
–It happens when people get honest about who they are and what is happening in their lives.
2. A PLACE FOSTERING
–This can only happen when trust and safety is built into the group. When you are consistently meeting with basically the same group of people, a trust begins to develop. (Remember what is said in SSLGs remains in SSLGs to a degree.)
–Unfortunately, authenticity is the exact opposite of what you find in some churches.
–Instead of an atmosphere of honesty and humility, there is pretending, role-playing, and superficial politeness but shallow conversation. People wear masks, keep their guard up, and act as if everything is rosy in their lives.
16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. —James 5:16
IN REAL FELLOWSHIP PEOPLE EXPERIENCE
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. 3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
—Romans 12:1-5
1. WHAT IS
?
–Ministry is the art of giving and receiving. It’s depending on each other and understanding the value of each person.
–Someone has said, “The Sunday School organization of the church is the church organized to meet the needs of its community.”
20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. —I Corinthians 12:20-26
–Ministry is at the heart of fellowship: building reciprocal relationships, sharing responsibilities, and helping each other.
2.
TO MINISTER
–When needs arise in our church, the first place we point them to is their SSLG.
–Each of us has something we can contribute to the health and wellbeing of our class / department. And no one person can do all things.
–All of us are more consistent in our faith when others walk with us and encourage us.
11 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— 12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.
—Romans 1:11-12
–Some of you have the gift of giving, some of you have the gift of service, some of you have the gift of exhortation and encouragement, some have a gift of listening, while other have the gift of empathy!
–And some of you need financial assistance or served or encouraged or a hearing or some empathy.
–And this is certainly not an excuse for someone to take advantage of others through manipulation.
IN REAL FELLOWSHIP PEOPLE LEARN
PRINCIPLES FOR LIFE
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. —II Timothy 2:15 (KJV)
1.
BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES
–There is no better leaning environment to discover the principles of God’s Word than in a small group with others asking your questions and getting clarification.
–Now, the thought of attending a Bible study group for some adults is a frightening thing.
–True fellowship means we start where we are and depend on others to help us gain the knowledge we need.
–I make a promise to every adult I meet that does not have a church background. “In my class I will NOT ask you to pray, read Scriptures or even answer a question. You are free to participate as you like but I will not put you on the spot!”
2.
OUT BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. —James 1:22
A.
–In these small fellowship groups of Bible study, you can enquire about how to apply these principles to your life.
–If we are just coming to Christ or if we have been in church all our lives, we hopefully are confronted with new truths we need to incorporate into our lives.
B.
IS THE BEST TEACHER
–In these small groups you have the opportunity to ask others how they have successfully or unsuccessfully been able to apply these truths to their lives and why.
–Listening and hearing others gives me an opportunity to explore additional ways to be successful in my Christian walk.
LIVE IT OUT
–I just believe every Christian should want to know more about the Jesus who loved us so that He willingly died, was buried, and resurrected so we could have eternal life.
–If you are not a part of a SSLG this morning, why?
–If you would like to become a part of one of our groups, locate that “Welcome / Connection” Card or go to our app and indicate you would like to join a group.