The Parables of Christ no. 37

Fellowship

Wednesday, May 12, 2004

Rev. Brian Kocourek

 

PHILIPPIANS.1:3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, 5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; 6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform [it] until the day of Jesus Christ:

 

For your fellowship in the Gospel: Why did he pray for their fellowship in the Gospel? What is so important about fellowship?

 

KOINONIA: A communion, fellowship, a sharing in common, communication, and that which is the outcome of fellowship which is a contribution.

 

Fellowship comes by one avenue and that is the Word of God, unbroken.

 

There are various types of fellowship :

 

In Philippians 2:1 we are told that there is a Fellowship of the Spirit and a Fellowship of  Love  

 

And in Philippians 3:10 Paul in Speaking of Christ speaks of the fellowship of His sufferings 

 

And then we see in Ephesians 3: 9 The fellowship of the mystery of Christ. And how is it that we can enter into the Fellowship of the Mystery of Christ? John tells us how  in

 

I JOHN 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; 2 (For the life was manifest­ed, and we have seen [it], and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) 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.

 

From the message 36 ONENESS 62-0211 brother Branham said,  Now, the first human beings dis-fellowshipped themself from believing God, by disbelieving His Word and listening to a lie of the Devil. Now, that's the first thing that dis-fellowshipped this wonderful union. Now look, Adam and Eve in a position to never die, in a position to never be old, to never be sick, to never have a worry.  You say, "I sure wish I could be like that." Let me... I got news for you, you are in the same position. God places that to every creature on the earth, in the same position.

 

38 ONENESS 62-0211 " What was the agreement? "If you'll keep my Words! If, My Word, if you'll keep It, believe It and act upon It!" But the very first time that Eve disbelieved, took one Word away from what God said, it broke off fellowship with that great union. And the minute that the church disbelieves any one Word of God's Bible, and places It somewhere else, then they break off that wonderful fellowship that's offered to them, and to be separated. " " As soon as she did that, death set in her mortal being. Not only her mortal, but her spiritual being. She broke off relation­ship with God, the minute she disbelieved. And no man can be­lieve... Here it is! No man, no woman can believe the Dev­il's lie until they have disbelieved God's Truth. No one can believe the Devil's lie until they have disbelieved God's Truth. So, you see, Eve, Adam, where it places us this morning."

 

EPHESIANS.5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 8 For ye were some­times darkness, but now [are ye] light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9 (For the fruit of the Spirit [is] in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 10 Proving what is accept­able unto the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove [them]. 12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

 

We see then that by believing the same thing actually brings us into common ground, and that is the Land of Promise which is Christ. So then if to believe the same Gospel brings us together, then to disbelief the same Word brings separation. In fact the scripture says that very thing.

 

II CORINTHIANS.6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in [them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

 

So we see that we are to be gathered together, but not just for gathering sakes.

 

MAL 3: 16 - 18 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard [it], and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. 17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. 18  Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.

 

II.THESSALONIANS.2:1 " Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and [by] our gathering together unto him, "

 

MATTHEW.3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and [with] fire: 12 Whose fan [is] in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

 

Ephesians 1: 10   

Matthew 24:31 

Mark 13:27  

Luke 3:17

 

We see the early apostles coming together in this atmosphere of sharing out of necessity.

                          

ACTS.2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added [unto them] about three thousand souls. 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.

 

The more they sought the power of God, the more they assembled for fellowship around the doctrine. The more they assembled around the Word the more power of God began to dsiplay itself among them.

 

1 COR 1: 4- 10 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; 5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and [in] all knowledge; 6 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: 7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: 8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end, [that ye may be] blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God [is] faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. 10 ¶ Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and [that] there be no divisions among you; but [that] ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

 

HEBREWS.10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the profession of [our] faith without wavering; (for he [is] faithful that promised;) 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. 26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,