Relationship – Fellowship
How many times have you
heard it? – I don’t have to go to any Church to fellowship with God.
I can fellowship while on
the golf course or out fishing in my boat.
I believe both of those
statements are true, but if we have a choice, God wants that fellowship to be
extended to others and for others to extend the fellowship back to you.
Do not forsake the
assembling of yourselves together in fellowship with the body of Christ
as some have been
accustomed to doing. – It’s a privilege that many do not have.
Hebrews 10:24-25 – Don’t forsake assembling together
in Church
24 let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,
25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. (NKJV)
24 let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,
25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. (NKJV)
Fellowship
·
I remember when my job
forced me to work on The Lord’s Day and
after a while I just got out of the habit of going to Church. When I retired I had to remind myself that this
was a privilege that I should not take for granted. – Now I only miss when
sickness is in the family and I can’t imagine going to Church without taking
advantage of the Adult Bible Study classes that precedes it.
·
Once, we were the objects
of God’s wrath and were out of fellowship with Him; in darkness.
·
At the cross, the blood of
Jesus wiped away all sin from us so that we can now have fellowship with God. We are to fellowship with each other;
teaching each other so that God’s wisdom will richly dwell in all of us.
·
The
Church body grows; enlarged by those whose
hearts have been cultivated by the Holy Spirit.
This happens as we spent time studying, praying, praising, sharing,
fellowshipping and breaking bread together. Jesus is the head of the Church which is the
body of believers.
·
Loving the Lord and being
of one mind makes us fellow citizens in the kingdom. Because of Christ, we are
not strangers to each other, making it easy to receive someone into our
fellowship that we don’t even know.
·
We are
commanded to have fellowship and relationships with others;
to bear one another burdens and speak things to others that lift them up in the
name of Jesus.
·
We are admonished to be in
one accord and to be of the same mindset and of the same love. God does not want us to be divided over
issues concerning His word and the best way to be in one accord is to study the
same book; the Bible.
·
When we spend time coming together
to share the things that have been revealed to us through the studying of His
word, we allow the fullness of the spirit of God to come into our lives and we
began to see Jesus for who He is; this knowledge strengthens the whole Church.
·
The body of the Church is
inhabited by God through the Holy Spirit.
Although there are many member of this family of God, we are still just one
body or one Church; each member has a special place of service and a special
gift to the body.
·
So we are to be involved
with each other utilizing our gift whether it be in hope or in pain.
·
Doing the will of God makes us members of the same
family. It is our faith that binds us
together. We only need to believe and
receive Jesus Christ into our hearts to become part of this AWESOME family of
believers.
Ephesians 2:20-22 – Jesus is our cornerstone of
our foundation
20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,
21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.
22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. (ESV)
20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,
21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.
22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. (ESV)
Ephesians 3:21 – He is the glory in the Church
21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (ESV)
21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (ESV)
Colossians 1:18 – He is the head of the Church
18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. (ESV)
18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. (ESV)
Ephesians 1:22-23 – He has authority over all
things
22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church,
23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. (ESV)
22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church,
23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. (ESV)
Matthew 16:15-18 – Jesus builds the Church
15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
(ESV)
Ephesians 2:19 – We are members of the household
of God
19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
(ESV)
1 Corinthians 1:10 – No divisions – Same mind – Same
judgment
10 I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.
10 I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.
(ESV)
John 1:12 – He gives us the right to become children of God
12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, (ESV)
12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, (ESV)
Colossians 1:13 – We are transferred into the
kingdom of Light
13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, (ESV)
13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, (ESV)
Romans 12:4-5 – We have different functions from
each other
4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function,
5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. (ESV)
4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function,
5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. (ESV)
Ephesians 1:10 – We are all united in all things
in Him
10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. (ESV)
10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. (ESV)
Ephesians 3:14-15 – We bow our knees before the
Father
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,
15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,
15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,
(ESV)
Galatians 3:26 – We are sons of God through Faith
26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. (ESV)
26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. (ESV)
1 John 1:3 – We have fellowship with the Father
and the Son
3 We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
3 We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
(NLT)
Acts 2:1 – We gather together to fellowship in one
place
1 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. (ESV)
1 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. (ESV)
Acts 2:45-47 – We fellowship at Church and in our
own homes.
45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.
46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,
47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.
46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,
47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
(ESV)
1 John 1:7 – We have
fellowship with one another
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. (ESV)
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. (ESV)
Romans 15:5-7 – Welcome others – Live in Harmony –
Glorify God
5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,
6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. (ESV)
5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,
6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. (ESV)
Matthew 12:50 – Doing the Will of the father
50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” (ESV)
50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” (ESV)
Acts 2:42 – Devoting yourself to the teachings and
the fellowship
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
(ESV)
Philippians 1:27 – Being of one spirit and one
mind
27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in ONE spirit, with ONE mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, (ESV)
27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in ONE spirit, with ONE mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, (ESV)
Philippians 1:3 – Remembering the body in prayer
3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, (ESV)
3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, (ESV)
Colossians 3:16 - Singing
psalms and hymns and spiritual songs
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. (ESV)
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. (ESV)
Galatians 6:10 – Doing good to everyone
10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. (ESV)
10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. (ESV)
Galatians 6:2 – Bearing one another’s burdens
2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. (ESV)
2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. (ESV)
Philippians 2:1-2 – Encouraging with the same Love,
same Mind
1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy,
2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. (ESV)
1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy,
2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. (ESV)
Hebrews 10:24-25 – Stirring up love and good works
24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (ESV)
24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (ESV)
Ephesians 2:22 – We become a dwelling place for
Spirit of God
22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. (ESV)
22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. (ESV)
Body Leadership
·
Some members have been
appointed to watch over the souls of the body; and God holds them
accountable. They are called Evangelist,
Pastor’s, Prophets, Deacons, Elders and Teachers. They have been place in authority to lift us
up, encourage us, teach us and perfect us for our work.
·
We are to hold them in high esteem and to be at
peace with them and among ourselves.
Ephesians 4:11-12 – Preachers – Deacons – Elders -
Teachers
11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,
12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, (ESV)
11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,
12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, (ESV)
Hebrews 13:17 – Submit to the leadership
17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. (ESV)
17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. (ESV)
Hebrews 13:7 – Imitate the way of life of your
leaders.
7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. (ESV)
7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. (ESV)
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 – Respect – Esteem – Be at
Peace
12 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,
13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. (ESV)
12 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,
13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. (ESV)
1 Corinthians 12:12-28 – The body has different
functions
12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.
13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.
14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many.
15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body.
16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body.
17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell?
18 As it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be?
20 As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.
21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”
22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,
23 and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty,
24 which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it,
25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.
26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. (ESV)
12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.
13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.
14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many.
15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body.
16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body.
17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell?
18 As it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be?
20 As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.
21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”
22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,
23 and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty,
24 which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it,
25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.
26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. (ESV)
Relationships
·
God has made the family
unit through marriage very special. We
are to guard this family unit lest Satan try to divide it. A man and a woman become ONE when they marry,
just as our spirit and the spirit of God becomes ONE when we receive
Jesus.
·
We should treat our spouse as if they were our
very own body with love and sensitivity and to honor each other lest our
prayers be hindered by Satan.
·
We are commanded to be
kind to one another, tender hearted, with self-control and speaking good
things. We are to submit to one another
and to our God.
·
Love does
not envy nor is it prideful or rude, but it is patient, kind, truthful with
self-control, thinking no evil, believing, bearing, enduring and hoping in all
things according to our faith.
·
Relationships are so
important in our life that it’s God’s commandment that we love one
another. There is no greater love; than
for a man to lay down his life for a friend.
Jesus did that for us. We are to
love one another with the “God Love” that Jesus had.
Genesis 2:18 – It is not good that man should be
alone
18 Then the LORD God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” (ESV)
18 Then the LORD God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” (ESV)
Genesis 2:24 – A husband and wife become one flesh
24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become ONE flesh. (ESV)
24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become ONE flesh. (ESV)
Ephesians 4:31-32 - Be kind, tender hearted, forgiving
31 Let all bitterness and
wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all
malice.
32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.. (ESV)
32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.. (ESV)
Ephesians 5:21-33 – The mystery of marriage is profound
21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.
23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior.
24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.
25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,
26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,
27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.
28 In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.
29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church,
30 because we are members of his body.
31 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become ONE flesh.”
32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.
33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. (ESV)
21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.
23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior.
24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.
25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,
26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,
27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.
28 In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.
29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church,
30 because we are members of his body.
31 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become ONE flesh.”
32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.
33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. (ESV)
1 Corinthians 13:1-8 – Love endures all things and
never ends
1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude
5 It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;
6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.
7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. (ESV)
1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude
5 It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;
6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.
7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. (ESV)
1 Corinthians 13:13 – The greatest of things is to
LOVE
13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (ESV)
13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (ESV)
1 Peter 3:1-7 – LOVE - So your prayers will not be
hindered
1 likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives,
2 when they see your respectful and pure conduct.
3 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—
4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.
5 For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands,
6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.
7 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. (ESV)
1 likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives,
2 when they see your respectful and pure conduct.
3 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—
4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.
5 For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands,
6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.
7 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. (ESV)
1 John 4:10-12 – When we love each other – God
abides in us
10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.
10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.
(ESV)
John 15:9-10 – Keep His commandments and abide in
His love
9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.
10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. (ESV)
9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.
10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. (ESV)
John 15:12-14 – Jesus laid down His life out of
love for us
12 This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
13 Greater love has no one than this that someone lay down his life for his friends.
14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. (ESV)
12 This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
13 Greater love has no one than this that someone lay down his life for his friends.
14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. (ESV)
John 15:17 – Love one another
17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another. (ESV)
17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another. (ESV)
John 3:16 – Whoever believes will have eternal
life
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (ESV)
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (ESV)
Fellowship with one another
·
When we share with others what
we have learned from studying God’s word, the world recognizes us as Christians
as we become ONE with Christ; just as He is ONE with the Father God. - We become righteous in God. - That’s right, if
you take Jesus as your personal Savior, you are righteous before God. - It’s in the book.
·
When we love God; His
love is so powerful that nothing can separate us from Him, not even death. In fact neither death, life, angels,
principalities, powers, things that are present or things to come, nor height,
depth or any other creature can separate us from the Love of God.
·
When our hearts are
rooted and grounded in Love we will be able to understand the depth of love
that Jesus has for us and we will be filled with His fullness. We are to love God with all our heart, soul,
mind and strength, this love is better than offerings and sacrifices.
·
We are to love life,
speaking no evil, doing good, seeking peace, being of one mind in Christ, having
compassion for our brothers and sisters.
- We are born of God and know Him, IF
we are operating in brotherly love.
·
We are to fellowship with
our Lord through the reading of His Word and the singing of spiritual songs. The Word says that WE SMELL GOOD to God when
we share his Word. This begs the
question; what do YOU smell like to God?
Ephesians 3:17-19 - How wide, long, high, and deep is His love.
17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.
18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.
19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.
18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.
19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
(NLT)
Mark 12:30-33 - Love your neighbor as yourself
30 And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’
31 The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”
33 And I know it is important to love him with all my heart and all my understanding and all my strength, and to love my neighbor as myself. This is more important than to offer all of the burnt offerings and sacrifices required in the law.” (NLT)
30 And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’
31 The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”
33 And I know it is important to love him with all my heart and all my understanding and all my strength, and to love my neighbor as myself. This is more important than to offer all of the burnt offerings and sacrifices required in the law.” (NLT)
Romans 8:38-39 - Nothing can
separate us from the love of God
38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.
39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NLT)
38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.
39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NLT)
1 Peter 3:8 – Be tenderhearted, forgiving one
another
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. (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. (NLT)
1 Peter 3:11 – Do good – Seek peace – Strive to do
it
11 Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. (NLT)
11 Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. (NLT)
1 John 4:7-8 – Anyone who loves is a child of God
7 Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God.
8 But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. (NLT)
7 Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God.
8 But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. (NLT)
Ephesians 5:30 – We are all members of His body.
30 And we are members of his body. (NLT)
30 And we are members of his body. (NLT)
John 17:21-23 – We are to be unified as a family
of Christ
21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.
22 I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one.
23 I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. (NLT)
21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.
22 I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one.
23 I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. (NLT)
Ephesians 5:19 – Singing praises and songs among
yourselves
19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. (NLT)
19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. (NLT)
Ephesians 5:2 – Christian Love is a pleasing AROMA
to God
2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. (NLT)
2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. (NLT)
2 Corinthians 2:16 – We are life giving PERFUME to
those saved
16 To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this?
16 To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this?
(NLT)
Relationships in Healing
·
My mother would often tell
me that
she wanted me to be a doctor, because doctors were next to Godliness; doctors
went about healing those that were sick.
- I thank God for doctors and I thank God for the great physician Jesus
Christ. – We need them both - We can go to God in prayer about our needs and
share it with others in the body of believers and have hands laid on us in a
unity of prayer and faith.
·
The Gift of healing is present within the
body of believers in the Church. God
said this; not me – It’s in the book.
·
It’s a normal process for our bodies to be attacked by sickness. Our bodies “wellness center scales” fights
against the invasion of sickness in order to balance up the scales. - Satan quickly
attacks our mind to mess with the balancing of these scales.
·
Most people do not read
the Bible,
so they don’t know the promises of God.
They only know what they have experienced. – So their experience becomes
their “Truth”.
·
Because of our experience,
our mind tells our body that we probably won’t receive supernatural
healing. Therefore, according to
scripture, to receive healing we must first renew our mind and embrace the scriptures as the FINAL AUTHORITY.
·
There are roadblocks to the receiving of our
healing and tricks of Satan that steals our promises; willful sin, strife,
pride, doubt, fear, unbelieving friends and
scriptural ignorance.
·
The
scriptures also indicate that there’s a war going on with principalities and
powers to delay or stop the promises of God from ever reaching us, another
reason to pray without ceasing.
·
Although we are believers, we also carry some
un-belief. Therefore to receive, first
of all we must believe and not doubt; then pray often about our
need. To get a good crop of Faith, we need
to spend time tilling the soil of the scriptures and watering it daily.
·
A family member of mine went to be healed
by Oral Robert’s healing ministry. When
she was not healed, she was told that it was because she did not have enough
faith; she was devastated.
·
I
find upon reading the healing accounts in scripture, that when the healings
occurred FAITH was present within someone; either the sick person, those
bringing the person or the one who was speaking healing over the person; so
perhaps it may also have been that those at Oral Roberts ministries that
were laying on the hands may NOT have had enough faith. – That statement is not meant to be negative, but is just something
to think about. - SELAH
·
When the disciples could not cast out a
demon, Jesus said it was because of their “little faith”. – With that said, if
the Disciples faltered in their faith, it would seem more that plausible that
we too can falter in ours. – To increase our Faith, Jesus said to spend time
fasting and praying. – It’s in the book
·
Every person that came to Jesus Christ
was healed. – Jesus said He only did the things the Father did, therefore we
can conclude that it is God’s Will
that we be healed; no ifs ands or buts; it is His
Will.
·
Jesus
took the beating on His back, the cuts in His flesh, the pain and the grief, so
that we might be healed. - So claim it.
·
Nowhere in scripture are we told or is it
implied that the gifts of healing have stopped.
·
There is no special method to receive our healing,
it can be either instant or gradual; the emphasis is not on the
process, but on the result. For an
in-depth study on healing & Paul’s “Thorn in the Flesh”, I earnestly encourage you to take the time to read
NYOBS 13.02 – HEALING
1 Cor 12:28
- There are many gifts of healing.
28 And in the church God
has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers
of miracles, also those having GIFTS of healing, those able to help
others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different
kinds of tongues. NIV
Rom 11:29 – His gifts and
calling are irrevocable
29 for God's gifts and his call are
irrevocable. NIV
Matthew 9:20-22 – You receive healing through your faith
20And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment,
21 for she said to herself, “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.”
22 Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well. (ESV)
20And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment,
21 for she said to herself, “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.”
22 Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well. (ESV)
Mark 9:28-29 – Faith is developed through Prayer
and Fasting
28 And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, "Why could we not cast it out?"
29 So He said to them, "This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting." (NKJV)
28 And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, "Why could we not cast it out?"
29 So He said to them, "This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting." (NKJV)
Matthew 9:28-29 – According to
your faith be it done to you
28 When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.”
29 Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.” (ESV)
28 When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.”
29 Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.” (ESV)
3 John 1:2 – As your soul prospers, so your health
prospers.
2 Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. (ESV)
2 Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. (ESV)
James 5:14-16 – Anoint with oil – confess sins –
Pray for healing
14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.
15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.
16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. (NIV2011)
14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.
15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.
16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. (NIV2011)
Isaiah 53:5 – We are healed by the wounds on Jesus
Christ
5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. (NKJV)
5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. (NKJV)
1 Peter 2:24 - By his
wounds you have been healed
24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. (ESV)
24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. (ESV)
Exodus 15:26 – No diseases
on you that I put on the Egyptians
26 saying, “If you will diligently listen to the voice of the LORD your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, your healer.” (ESV)
26 saying, “If you will diligently listen to the voice of the LORD your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, your healer.” (ESV)
Last Thoughts
·
We
are commanded to not forsake the assembling of ourselves together whether it be
in Church, in homes or eating out together; that we need relationships
and fellowship with likeminded believers.
·
We
have fellowship with one another through studying the
Word and the breaking of bread in
others homes.
·
I
believe playing golf, sports or fishing with fellow believers develops
relationships in Christ, but it is in addition to sharing our needs with
the body of Believers and reaching out to others in their needs thus making a
difference in their lives.
·
We
have fellowship with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ, by attending
Church; coming together to study God’s Word, devoting ourselves
to the teachings with prayer and the singing of
hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in our hearts toward God.
·
When
you have a relationship with just yourself, you miss out on being a part of
God’s plan in others’ lives; God does not need your money or your time; but
when you give it, you become part of what God is doing whether it be in HOPE or
in PAIN. – SELAH
In the
multitude of counselors,
there is wisdom.
Proverbs 11:14
I
am grateful to those that went before me providing concepts, ideas, historical
information, and scripture verses.
Because of them I can stand on their shoulders and see further that I
otherwise ever could have.
English Standard Version
Bible – ESV
King James Version Bible -
KJV
New International Version
Bible - NIV
Thru the Bible – J. Vernon McGee
Who’s Who in the Bible – Paul D. Gardner
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