The Importance of a Biblical Fellowship – Part 1

The Importance of a Biblical The Importance of a Biblical Fellowship – Part 1Fellowship – Part 1

We need to be reminded daily what it We need to be reminded daily what it means to be in the presence of God.means to be in the presence of God.

• When we consider the holiness and power When we consider the holiness and power of God we marvel that man could ever of God we marvel that man could ever have a relationship with God. have a relationship with God. (Isa 6:1-5)(Isa 6:1-5)


• Isaiah 6:1-5Isaiah 6:1-5 - In the year that King Uzziah - In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His high and lifted up, and the train of His robe robe filled the temple. 2 Above it stood filled the temple. 2 Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. covered his feet, and with two he flew.


• 3 And one cried to another and said: "Holy, 3 And one cried to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy holy, holy is is the LORD of hosts; The whole the LORD of hosts; The whole earth earth is is full of His glory!" 4 And the posts of full of His glory!" 4 And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with cried out, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 So I said: "smoke. 5 So I said: "Woe Woe is is me, for I am me, for I am undone! Because I undone! Because I am am a man of unclean lips, a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lipslips; For my eyes have seen the King, The ; For my eyes have seen the King, The LORD of hosts."LORD of hosts."


• We need to know that our God is pure, He We need to know that our God is pure, He is light and has no darkness.is light and has no darkness.

• Our God also sees and knows everything Our God also sees and knows everything including our actions and they very thoughts including our actions and they very thoughts of our hearts.of our hearts.

• If this was all we knew about God then we If this was all we knew about God then we would be in despair.would be in despair.

• Our God has also sought man out and has Our God has also sought man out and has a plan to bring us to Him.a plan to bring us to Him.


• What Isaiah needed was forgiveness. What Isaiah needed was forgiveness. (Isa 6:6-7)(Isa 6:6-7)


• Isaiah 6:6-7Isaiah 6:6-7 - Then one of the seraphim - Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which which he had taken with the tongs from he had taken with the tongs from the altar. 7 And he touched my mouth the altar. 7 And he touched my mouth with it, with it, and said: "Behold, this has touched and said: "Behold, this has touched your lips; your lips; Your iniquity is taken awayYour iniquity is taken away, And , And your sin purged."your sin purged."


• Our God has acted on our behalf to Our God has acted on our behalf to provide forgiveness. provide forgiveness. (Rom 6:23)(Rom 6:23)


• Romans 6:23Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin - For the wages of sin is is death, but death, but the gift of God the gift of God is is eternal lifeeternal life in in Christ Jesus our Lord.Christ Jesus our Lord.


• Once forgiven God has a plan to mold us Once forgiven God has a plan to mold us to become more like Him. Here is where to become more like Him. Here is where we need to learn of God’s ways and the we need to learn of God’s ways and the ways in which we should walk.ways in which we should walk.

God’s ways are not the ways of manGod’s ways are not the ways of man

• A walk with God will lead in paths that are A walk with God will lead in paths that are distinctly different from the world and distinctly different from the world and worldly religion. worldly religion. (Isa 55:6-9)(Isa 55:6-9)


• Isaiah 55:6-9Isaiah 55:6-9 - Seek the LORD while He - Seek the LORD while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. 7 near. 7 Let the wicked forsake his wayLet the wicked forsake his way, , And the unrighteous man And the unrighteous man his thoughtshis thoughts; Let ; Let him return to the LORD, And him return to the LORD, And He will have He will have mercy on himmercy on him; And to our God, For ; And to our God, For He will He will abundantly pardonabundantly pardon. .


• 8 " For 8 " For My thoughts My thoughts are are not your thoughtsnot your thoughts, , Nor Nor are are your ways My waysyour ways My ways," says the ," says the LORD. 9 "For LORD. 9 "For as as the heavens are higher the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.your thoughts.


• When man is left to himself he does what When man is left to himself he does what he wants to do!he wants to do!

• The essence of worldliness is that there The essence of worldliness is that there are no standards, no right or wrong and no are no standards, no right or wrong and no one should tell anyone else what to do.one should tell anyone else what to do.

• Our God tells us that this is not freedom Our God tells us that this is not freedom but in fact a terrible slavery to the God of but in fact a terrible slavery to the God of this world. this world. (Rom 6:16-21)(Rom 6:16-21)


• Romans 6:16-21Romans 6:16-21 - Do you not know that - Do you not know that to to whom you present yourselves slaves to whom you present yourselves slaves to obeyobey, you are , you are that one's slaves whom you that one's slaves whom you obeyobey, whether , whether of sin of sin leading leading to deathto death, or of , or of obedience obedience leading leading to righteousnessto righteousness? 17 ? 17 But God be thanked that But God be thanked that though though you were you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. were delivered.


• 18 And having been set free from sin, you 18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. 19 I became slaves of righteousness. 19 I speak in human speak in human terms terms because of the because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members presented your members as as slaves of slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading leading to to more more lawlessness, so lawlessness, so now present your now present your members members as as slaves slaves of of righteousness for righteousness for holinessholiness. .


• Men do not like to hear that they are not in Men do not like to hear that they are not in charge.charge.

• You are blessed when you are able to see You are blessed when you are able to see the real nature of this world and how each the real nature of this world and how each of us need to help and guidance that our of us need to help and guidance that our God can give. God can give. (Jn 14:30; 1 Pt 5:6-9)(Jn 14:30; 1 Pt 5:6-9)


• John 14:30John 14:30 - "I will no longer talk much - "I will no longer talk much with you, for with you, for the ruler of this world is the ruler of this world is comingcoming, and , and he has nothing in Mehe has nothing in Me..


• 1 Peter 5:6-91 Peter 5:6-9 - Therefore humble - Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; cares for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he seeking whom he may devourmay devour. .


• 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that knowing that the same sufferings are the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhoodexperienced by your brotherhood in the in the world.world.


• If we want to walk with God and have His If we want to walk with God and have His blessings we must learn how to have a blessings we must learn how to have a relationship with God! Where are the paths relationship with God! Where are the paths to walk with God?to walk with God?

The world will fight your walk with GodThe world will fight your walk with God

• Consider the great battle this kind of Consider the great battle this kind of thinking has with our current culture.thinking has with our current culture.


• ““The “don’t judge” mentality is winning out in The “don’t judge” mentality is winning out in such a way that we are afraid to say anything such a way that we are afraid to say anything for fear of being branded bigots and fear-for fear of being branded bigots and fear-mongers. The only real “sin” of our times is mongers. The only real “sin” of our times is that of speaking out against actual sins. We that of speaking out against actual sins. We have learned that we cannot really call sin have learned that we cannot really call sin out for what it is out for what it is because that would because that would mean we are hateful, judgmental hypocrites.” mean we are hateful, judgmental hypocrites.”

– On the Silencing of Sin by Doy Moyer– On the Silencing of Sin by Doy Moyer


• To the experienced Christian this is To the experienced Christian this is nothing new. nothing new. (1 Pt 4:3-4, 12)(1 Pt 4:3-4, 12)


• 1 Peter 4:3-41 Peter 4:3-4 - For we - For we have spent have spent enough enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles -- when we walked in lewdness, Gentiles -- when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. 4 In parties, and abominable idolatries. 4 In regard to these, regard to these, they think it strange that they think it strange that you do not run with you do not run with themthem in the same flood in the same flood of dissipation, of dissipation, speaking evil of speaking evil of youyou..


• 1 Peter 4:121 Peter 4:12 - Beloved, do not think it - Beloved, do not think it strange concerning strange concerning the fiery trial which is the fiery trial which is to try youto try you, as though some strange thing , as though some strange thing happened to you; happened to you;


• Consider the battles that Nehemiah had to Consider the battles that Nehemiah had to fight. Satan will use opponents in these fight. Satan will use opponents in these ways to stop you. ways to stop you.


• Ridicule and peer pressure. Ridicule and peer pressure. (Neh 2:19, 4:1-3)(Neh 2:19, 4:1-3)


• Nehemiah 2:19Nehemiah 2:19 - But when Sanballat the - But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard and Geshem the Arab heard of it,of it, they they laughed at us and despised uslaughed at us and despised us, and said, , and said, “What “What isis this thing that you are doing? Will this thing that you are doing? Will you rebel against the king?”you rebel against the king?”


• Nehemiah 4:1-3 Nehemiah 4:1-3 - But it so happened, when - But it so happened, when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, that he was furious and very indignant, wall, that he was furious and very indignant, and mocked the Jews. 2 And he spoke and mocked the Jews. 2 And he spoke before his brethren and the army of Samaria, before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, “and said, “What are these feeble Jews What are these feeble Jews doingdoing? Will they fortify themselves? Will they ? Will they fortify themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day? Will they revive the stones from the day? Will they revive the stones from the heaps of rubbish—heaps of rubbish—stonesstones that are burned?” that are burned?”


• 3 Now Tobiah the Ammonite 3 Now Tobiah the Ammonite waswas beside beside him, and he said, “him, and he said, “Whatever they build, if Whatever they build, if even a fox goes up even a fox goes up on it,on it, he will break he will break down their stone walldown their stone wall.”.”


• Direct attack. Direct attack. (Neh 4:7-9)(Neh 4:7-9)


• Nehemiah 4:7-9Nehemiah 4:7-9 - Now it happened, - Now it happened, when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard that Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard that the walls of Jerusalem were being the walls of Jerusalem were being restored and the gaps were beginning to restored and the gaps were beginning to be closed, that they became very angry, 8 be closed, that they became very angry, 8 and and all of them conspired together to come all of them conspired together to come andand attack Jerusalem and create attack Jerusalem and create confusionconfusion. .


• 9 Nevertheless we made our prayer to our 9 Nevertheless we made our prayer to our God, and because of them we set a watch God, and because of them we set a watch against them day and night.against them day and night.


• Negotiations to compromise principle Negotiations to compromise principle (Neh 6:1-3)(Neh 6:1-3)


• Nehemiah 6:1-3Nehemiah 6:1-3 - Now it happened when - Now it happened when Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall, and the wall, and thatthat there were no breaks left in there were no breaks left in it (though at that time I had not hung the it (though at that time I had not hung the doors in the gates), 2that Sanballat and doors in the gates), 2that Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come, let us Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come, let us meet together among the villages in the plain meet together among the villages in the plain of Ono.” But they thought to do me harm.of Ono.” But they thought to do me harm.


• 3 So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I 3 So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I amam doing a great work, so that I cannot doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?”while I leave it and go down to you?”


• Slander and Gossip Slander and Gossip (Neh 6:5-9)(Neh 6:5-9)


• Nehemiah 6:5-9Nehemiah 6:5-9 - Then Sanballat sent - Then Sanballat sent his servant to me as before, the fifth time, his servant to me as before, the fifth time, with an open letter in his hand. 6In it with an open letter in his hand. 6In it waswas written: It is reported among the nations, written: It is reported among the nations, and Geshem says, and Geshem says, thatthat you and the Jews you and the Jews plan to rebel; therefore, according to these plan to rebel; therefore, according to these rumors, you are rebuilding the wall, that rumors, you are rebuilding the wall, that you may be their king. you may be their king.


• 7 And you have also appointed prophets 7 And you have also appointed prophets to proclaim concerning you at Jerusalem, to proclaim concerning you at Jerusalem, saying, “saying, “There isThere is a king in Judah!” Now a king in Judah!” Now these matters will be reported to the king. these matters will be reported to the king. So come, therefore, and let us consult So come, therefore, and let us consult together. 8 Then I sent to him, saying, “No together. 8 Then I sent to him, saying, “No such things as you say are being done, such things as you say are being done, but you invent them in your own heart.”but you invent them in your own heart.”


• 9 For they all 9 For they all were trying towere trying to make us make us afraid, saying, “Their hands will be afraid, saying, “Their hands will be weakened in the work, and it will not be weakened in the work, and it will not be done.” Now therefore, done.” Now therefore, O GodO God, strengthen , strengthen my hands.my hands.


• Notice that in every case God’s people Notice that in every case God’s people stayed focused on Him and were not stayed focused on Him and were not distracted in fear. distracted in fear. (1 Pt 3:12-15)(1 Pt 3:12-15)


• 1 Peter 3:12-151 Peter 3:12-15 - - For the eyes of the For the eyes of the LordLord are on the righteous, And His earsare on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of are open to their prayers; But the face of the Lordthe Lord is against those who do evil.” is against those who do evil.” 13 13 And who And who isis he who will harm you if you he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? become followers of what is good?


• 14 But even if you should suffer for 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, righteousness’ sake, you areyou are blessed. blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.”be troubled.” 15 But sanctify the Lord God 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always in your hearts, and always bebe ready to ready to givegive a defense to everyone who asks you a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; meekness and fear;


• Fellowship with God requires winning the Fellowship with God requires winning the battle for the mind and heart.battle for the mind and heart.

• While we are not to withdraw from the While we are not to withdraw from the world, we do not need to let our hearts be world, we do not need to let our hearts be enticed and beguiled by the world and enticed and beguiled by the world and worldly religion.worldly religion.

• Who is in your “great cloud of witnesses?” Who is in your “great cloud of witnesses?” (Heb 12:1)(Heb 12:1)


• Hebrews 12:1Hebrews 12:1 Therefore we also, since Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares and the sin which so easily ensnares us, us, and let us run with endurance the race that and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,is set before us,


• When we become concerned about what When we become concerned about what the world will tolerate and accept, then we the world will tolerate and accept, then we have taken a significant step away from have taken a significant step away from God.God.

• We need to carefully evaluate what we are We need to carefully evaluate what we are letting into our hearts and what kind of letting into our hearts and what kind of relationships we sustain.relationships we sustain.

Our God want to have a relationship with Our God want to have a relationship with us that is likened to a marriageus that is likened to a marriage

• This is incredibly humbling and exciting.This is incredibly humbling and exciting.

• Why would God want to be that close to Why would God want to be that close to me?me?

• The love of God is the basis for the love in The love of God is the basis for the love in marriage. marriage. (Eph 5:25-26, 32)(Eph 5:25-26, 32)


• Ephesians 5:25-26Ephesians 5:25-26 - Husbands, love - Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,washing of water by the word,


• Ephesians 5:32Ephesians 5:32 - This is a great - This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. the church.


• A marriage means that we walk together A marriage means that we walk together and keep ourselves from things that destroy and keep ourselves from things that destroy that relationship.that relationship.

• What a blessing marriage is when you What a blessing marriage is when you marry one who loves God.marry one who loves God.

• Marriage will change every person who Marriage will change every person who enters into it, for good or bad.enters into it, for good or bad.

• Israel was likened to an unfaithful mate. Israel was likened to an unfaithful mate. (Jer 3:6-10)(Jer 3:6-10)


• Jeremiah 3:6-10Jeremiah 3:6-10 - The LORD said also - The LORD said also to me in the days of Josiah the king: "Have to me in the days of Josiah the king: "Have you seen what backsliding Israel has you seen what backsliding Israel has done? She has gone up on every high done? She has gone up on every high mountain and under every green tree, and mountain and under every green tree, and there played the harlot. 7 "And I said, after there played the harlot. 7 "And I said, after she had done all these she had done all these things, things, 'Return to 'Return to Me.' But she did not return. And her Me.' But she did not return. And her treacherous sister Judah saw it. treacherous sister Judah saw it.


• 8 "Then I saw that for all the causes for 8 "Then I saw that for all the causes for which backsliding Israel had committed which backsliding Israel had committed adultery, I had put her away and given her adultery, I had put her away and given her a certificate of divorce; yet her treacherous a certificate of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah did not fear, but went and sister Judah did not fear, but went and played the harlot also. 9 "So it came to played the harlot also. 9 "So it came to pass, through her casual harlotry, that she pass, through her casual harlotry, that she defiled the land and committed adultery defiled the land and committed adultery with stones and trees. with stones and trees.


• 10 "And yet for all this her treacherous 10 "And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah has not turned to Me with her sister Judah has not turned to Me with her whole heart, but in pretense," says the whole heart, but in pretense," says the LORD.LORD.


• We are engaged now but the actual We are engaged now but the actual marriage will take place in the future. marriage will take place in the future. (Rev 21:2-4)(Rev 21:2-4)


• Revelation 21:2-4Revelation 21:2-4 - Then I, John, saw the - Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a out of heaven from God, prepared as a bridebride adorned for her husband. 3 And I adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God "Behold, the tabernacle of God is is with with men, and He will dwell with them, and they men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be shall be His people. God Himself will be with them with them and be and be their God. their God.


• 4 "And God will wipe away every tear from 4 "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have more pain, for the former things have passed away."passed away."


• I still remember my bride coming down I still remember my bride coming down “the isle” for me.“the isle” for me.

• Can you imagine what our God has for us!Can you imagine what our God has for us!

• It is so humbling to consider the plan our It is so humbling to consider the plan our God has revealed.God has revealed.

• ““The Spirit and bride say: “Come!”” The Spirit and bride say: “Come!”” (Rev 22:17)(Rev 22:17)


• Revelation 22:17Revelation 22:17 - And the Spirit and the - And the Spirit and the bridebride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.water of life freely.

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The Importance of a Biblical Fellowship – Part 1