TOPIC: THE POWER OF CHURCH FELLOWSHIP
Church is a group of called-out people. Saints united and built by God to show forth His glory.
Church is also described as the body where different members are connected together and grow. Christ is the head of the body.
This fellowship produces our mutual cooperation in God’s worship and God’s work.
First of all, the word of God says in Matt 18:20(KJV) For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
The power of God is made manifest when we are together
Matt 18:18-19 (KJV)18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
The body of Christ is the temple of the Holy Spirit – 1 Cor 6:19(kJV)19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
v Corporate anointing flows from the head to bottom – Ps 133(KJV)133 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.
v The revelation of Psalm 133 shows unity of brethren. We should value ourselves
v The power of Church fellowship is full of life with many parts.
v 1 Cor 12:12(KJV)12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
We are gathered for a purpose. Jesus Christ is the center of our gathering .
1 John 1:3-7(KJV)3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
The Lord has put His power and corporate anointing upon His body and the body has become a shield and a buckler.
Everything God created lives in company – Acts 4:23-32(KJV)23 And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: 25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?26 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
It is in the fellowship we provoke different graces in one another.
We are one. It is a warning not to forsake this fellowship.
Heb 10:24-25(KJV)24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
As long as we remain in the fellowship, we cannot be broken.
Eccl 4:12(KJV)12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Any time a spiritual fellowship is created miracles, signs and wonders take place -Acts 2:42-47(KJV)42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
God inhabits the fellowship of His people.
Acts 16:25-26(KJV)25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.
We are to fight the gates of hell through fellowship not when we are disintegrated.
We are not called to operate as individuals.
We go two by two to complement each other.
Corporate anointing, corporate prayer bring forth corporate healing and miracles.
Luke 10:1(KJV)10 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.
These signs and wonders shall follow them.
It is a gregarious movement.
Acts 17:6(NKJV)6 But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out,”These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.
Fellowship is for all of us to mature; equipping believers for the work of ministry.
Eph 4:11-15(KJV)11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
Phil 2:1-4(NLT)2 Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? 2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
1 Cor 1:10-11(NLT)10 I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.
1 Peter 3:8-10 (NLT)8 Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. 9 Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it.
2 Cor 13:11(NLT)11 Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.
