FELLOWSHIP (2) - IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT LOVE

INTRODUCTION:

1. In order for true fellowship to exist, certain elements must be present.

2. One of these elements is love.

DISCUSSION:

I. Love for God.

A. Our fellowship with Christians is dependent upon our relationship with God.

B. No one can maintain fellowship with Christians without maintaining fellowship with God. Consider I John 1:5-7.

C. No one can enjoy fellowship with God’s children without being a child of God (John 3:3-5, Romans 8:13-17, Galatians 3:26).

II. Love for the truth.

A. Those who possess a love for the truth, God’s word (John 17:17), will adhere to God’s word as the sole authority in matters of fellowship.

B. As Christians, we are to extend fellowship only to those who teach the truth (II John 9-11).

C. We are to mark those who practice a doctrine contrary to that found in the Bible (Romans 16:17-18). Those who practice such doctrine endanger theirs souls as well as the souls of others.

III. Love for the church.

A. Paul described the church as a virgin espoused to Christ (II Corinthians 11:2). The church is to direct its affections toward Christ rather than the world.

B. The church is to be kept holy and without blemish, not having any spot, wrinkle, or any such thing (Ephesians 5:27).

C. Fellowship with one another is possible because we (Christians) are all members of one body (I Corinthians 12:20).

IV. Love for man.

A. We are commanded to love the brotherhood (I Peter 2:17).

B. The love commanded is not an emotion, but a desire to seek out and accomplish that which is in another’s best interest.

C. Because of common misconceptions concerning love, the command to withdraw from the disorderly is often ignored.

CONCLUSION: