fellowship

1
fellowship

• 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 cleanses us from all
  sin.
• 1 John 17

2
Are you the stranger who will rescue me?

• Relativism and Narcissism combine to create
• Generation X Truth is relative identity is not
  fixed (thus X)
• Cult of Aloneness need for autonomy at all
  costs, usually at the expense of deep
  relationships, brought about by high expectations
  of others
• Wanderlust Endless search for idealized
  community
• indiViduAl auTonOMy WithoUt inTerpErsonAl
  reSpoNsibILiTY

3
Who will tell me who I am, and where I belong?

• Government?
• We have grown cynical about government
• Marketplace?
• People change careers 5 times on average
• Family?
• Would you like to have a marriage like your
  parents had?
• Enter the Church

4
A Caring Church

• Teaching, Worshipping, Caringin that order
• God forgives us, reconciles us to himself, in the
  gospelthat is the message
• We reach upward in praise to God by worshiping
  Him in Spirit and truth
• We reach outward by loving one another, showing
  Gods love to us by loving others
• The Communion of Saints!

5
NT Metaphors for the Church

• 1 Pe 24-5 living stones
• Eph 219-21 Gods household holy temple
• Rev 196-8 Christs bride
• Most prominent 1 Cor 1212ff Ro 124-8 Eph
  122-23 412 522ff Col 124 etc.
• Now you are the BODY of Christ and individually
  members of it. (1 Co 1227)

6
I. Baptized by One Spirit into one body

• 1 Co 1213 Water baptism and Spirit baptism
• Baptism is a countercultural act
• We are defined not by who we are, what we wear,
  where we live, what we buy
• Baptism defines us as members of Christs body,
  in relationship with God, who by his Spirit has
  joined us to the body of Christ
• Identity and Community!

7
Personal, but not private

• Belonging to the church not only answers the
  question of our identity, but it also satisfies
  our need for community. People are asking, Who
  am I? Where do I belong? For the Christian, the
  answer is I belong to the body of Christ, of
  which I am a member. Christianity has never been
  a private religion. It is personal, of course,
  because it involves a personal relationship with
  Jesus Christ, the crucified and risen Savior. But
  in coming to Christ, who is the head of the body,
  every single Christian gets connected to every
  other Christian. Our union with Christ brings us
  into communion with His church as members of a
  local congregation.

8
Crossing Social Boundaries

• For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one
  bodyJews or Greeks, slaves or freeand all were
  made to drink of one Spirit. -1 Co 1213
• Roman society divided by race and class
• Our society divided by race and class!
• While other research suggests that racial
  attitudes with regard to housing have lessened,
  actual settlement patterns remain rooted in the
  past. Children of the early 21st century will
  likely grow up isolated from people of other
  ethnic groups?
• The Church Should Be Different!

9
II. The Body and Its Parts

• Diversity of People
• 1 Co 1214 For the body does not consist of one
  member but of many.
• Diversity of Spirit-Gifts
• 1 Co 124-7 Now there are varieties of gifts,
  but the same Spirit and there are varieties of
  service, but the same Lord and there are
  varieties of activities, but it is the same God
  who empowers them all in everyone. To each is
  given the manifestation of the Spirit for the
  common good.
• Still One Body!

10
What Are Spirit-Gifts?

• I. They are gifts
• God produces them in usnot natural
• II. They are from the Holy Spirit
• 1 Co 1211
• III. They build up the body of Christ (service)
• Eph 412
• a capacity for service, given to every true
  Christian, that s/he did not have before

11
What kind of Gifts Are there?

• 1 Co 128-10 wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing,
  miracles, prophecy, discernment, tongues,
  interpretation
• 1 Co 1228-30 teaching, helping, administration
• Ro 126-8 prophecy, service, teaching,
  exhortation, giving, leadership, mercy
• Eph 411 apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor,
  teacher
• Not comprehensive lists, but variety of gifts

12
How do I know my gifts?

• Study Gods Word
• Pray Ask God to show you
• Seek Counselother people may see things you do
  not
• Take advantage of opportunities to serve as you
  are ableGod will show you your place!
• JUST DO IT!

13
The Body Needs You, and You Need the Body!
we are to grow up in every way into him who is
the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body,
joined and held together by every joint with
which it is equipped, when each part is working
properly, makes the body grow so that it builds
itself up in love. Ephesians 415-16