STEP 6: FELLOWSHIP

BEcome like jesus

The second lifelong pursuit of every disciple of Jesus is to become like Jesus. We want to increasingly speak, act, and think like Jesus. Being fully God, Jesus is the image of God and the radiance of his glory. 1 Being a sinless human being, Jesus perfectly loved God and others as humanity was originally intended to do. 2 Therefore, the more we become like Jesus, the more we reflect God’s glory as his image bearers. And the more we become like Jesus, the more truly human we become as we live in line with God’s original design.

All of us are being formed into the image of something by what we believe, who we spend time with, and the habits of our lives. The Holy Spirit shapes us into the image of Jesus through biblical teaching, Christian fellowship, and spiritual habits.

ACTS 2:42

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

The company we keep has a profound influence on who we’re becoming. As we grow older, we catch ourselves saying and doing things that our parents did—sometimes with feelings of embarrassment! We unconsciously pick up habits (good or bad) from our friends and family. The positive or negative attitude of our co-workers rubs off on us. For this reason, the Bible exhorts us to think wisely about the company we keep.

PSALM 1:1

1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;

Jesus intentionally spent time with people who were referred to as “sinners” and people far from God to lead them to repentance and faith. Likewise, disciples of Jesus join Jesus in his work of reaching out to the lost. The point of this step is to pursue fellowship with Christians in order to become more like Jesus.

What are some examples of ways that you've been influenced by your co-workers, family, or friends for better or worse?

ACTION 1

CONFESSING SINS TO ONE ANOTHER

ACTION 2

SPEAK THE GOSPEL TO ONE ANOTHER

ACTION 3

SERVE ONE ANOTHER

ACTION 1: CONFESS SINS TO ONE ANOTHER

As we live the Christian life, at times we may wander from the way of Jesus and pursue sin instead. When this happens, disciples repent, believe the gospel, and continue following the way. 3 This repentance is personal and can also be expressed communally through confession.

JAMES 5:16

16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

Because we are forgiven by God through faith in his Son Jesus, we don't confess our sins to one another to receive forgiveness from God. 4 We confess our sins to one another to break the hold that sin (especially habitual sin) has on our lives.

At this point, a natural question is, “If I'm saved, why do I need to keep praying for forgiveness?”

Christians have been united to Jesus by faith and no sin can separate us from him. 5 However, while sin can't break our union with God, it can disrupt our communion with him. A son who negligently wrecks the family car won't be disowned, but he certainly needs to ask for his father’s forgiveness for the relationship to continue in a healthy manner. In the same way, we confess our sin to God and others in order to enjoy unhindered fellowship with our Father and the people of God.

1 JOHN 1:6-9

6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 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. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Walking in the darkness refers to practicing sin. Walking in the light refers to confessing our sins and trusting in Jesus. When we hide our sins, we live in the dark, and sin continues to have power over us. By confessing our sins, we bring them into the light, and they lose their power over us. Ultimately, as the Bible says, confession not only leads to restored fellowship with God but also deeper fellowship with one another.

Have you ever confessed a sin to another person?

How was that experience for you?

We not only share our sins with one another, but our burdens as well. One of the greatest benefits of fellowship with other Christians is we can help one another in times of weakness.

GALATIANS 6:1

1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.

When driving a car, a “blind spot” is an area beside the car that the driver can’t see in the mirrors. Sometimes, a passenger in the car can see if there is anything in the blind spot and inform the driver. Likewise, we all have spiritual blind spots. These are areas in our lives where we have fallen into sin but don’t realize that what we’re doing is sinful. Other Christians can help point out spiritual blind spots in our lives. We must do this with gentleness, guarding our own hearts against pride.

JAMES 5:19-20

19 My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, 20 let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

ACTION 2: SPEAK THE GOSPEL TO ONE ANOTHER

Christian fellowship is more than simply spending time together. We confess our sins to one another, pray for one another, serve one another, and speak truth to one another. This doesn’t mean that Christian fellowship must always be productive or have an agenda. Many times, we’ll be encouraged by just living life together. 6 What distinguishes Christian fellowship from just “hanging out” is that we share our faith in the gospel with one another. 7

How should we respond when a fellow disciple confesses their sins to us? What can we do when a Christian friend is discouraged? What do our brothers and sisters in Christ truly need from us? The answer to all of these questions is to speak the gospel to one another.

ROMANS 1:15

15 So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.

Paul wrote this to the Christians in the church in Rome. The gospel is not only something that non-Christians need to hear to be saved, but it is also something that Christians need to continue growing into the image of Jesus.

Preaching the gospel to one another does not necessarily mean preaching sermons. More often, it means reminding one another of gospel truth:

There are many ways we can speak the gospel to one another—through conversation, writing, song, or Scripture.

COLOSSIANS 3:16

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

By speaking the truth of the gospel to one another, we help one another grow to become more like Jesus.

EPHESIANS 4:15

15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ…

Our goal is to build one another up into the image of Jesus. Before we say anything to one another, we should ask ourselves, “Will this tear down or build up?”

EPHESIANS 4:29

29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

When was a time when you were encouraged by another Christian?

ACTION 3: SERVE ONE ANOTHER

Before Jesus finished his earthly ministry, he gave his disciples an example of how to continue in Christian fellowship—he served them by washing their feet.

JOHN 13:14-15

14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.

Devoting ourselves to Christian fellowship means devoting ourselves to serving one another. Serving one another is one way to fulfill Jesus’ commandment to love one another.

JOHN 13:34

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

The Holy Spirit gives Christians spiritual gifts of various kinds to love and serve one another. 8 Unfortunately, sometimes disciples think of spiritual gifts like a personality test or personal identity. The purpose of spiritual gifts is not to promote individuality or someone’s unique gifting. Rather, the purpose of spiritual gifts is to humbly serve one another for the common good.

1 CORINTHIANS 12:7

7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

Serving one another is less about “How do I want to serve?” (In other words, "What am I good at and what are my interests?”) and more about “What are the needs in the church community?”

What are some ways you can find out about the needs in your church community?

What are some ways you can help meet those needs?

All Christians are forgiven and have a new nature, but we still sin. When sinners fellowship with other sinners, it's no surprise they sin against one another. We will hurt one another's feelings, say things we shouldn’t, and break promises. If we’re only willing to have fellowship with perfect Christians and churches, then we won’t have fellowship with any Christians or churches. Let’s devote ourselves to Christian fellowship not by thinking, “What can I get out of it?”, but rather “What can I give?” and, “How can I serve?” Approaching Christian fellowship with an attitude and objective of service creates an environment in which the Holy Spirit transforms us to become more like Jesus.

1 Colossians 1:15, Hebrews 1:3

2 Hebrews 4:13

3 Step 4: Faith

4 Romans 8:1

5 Romans 8:38-39

6 1 Corinthians 10:31

7 Philemon 1:6

8 Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12-14