Fostering Fellowship: Unity Through Selflessness and Reflection
Summary
Summary:
As we step into the new year, it's a time for reflection and renewal, both personally and as a church family. This year, our focus is on fellowship, emphasizing the importance of our relationships with God and with each other. Communion serves as a powerful reminder of this, highlighting the selflessness of Christ's sacrifice and the unity it brings. Reflecting on 1 Corinthians 11, we see how divisions within the church can hinder our fellowship, and how communion calls us back to the essence of our faith—selflessness and unity.
The story of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4 illustrates the consequences of a broken relationship with God. Cain's disregard for God led to a breakdown in his relationship with his brother, resulting in the first murder. This narrative serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us that when our relationship with God is fractured, it affects all other relationships. Cain's actions were a reflection of his spiritual state, highlighting the importance of maintaining a right relationship with God to ensure harmony with others.
As we embark on this journey of fellowship, we must first examine our relationship with God. Are we truly walking in His light, or are we allowing sin to create distance between us and Him? Our love for God should be evident in our love for others, as 1 John 2:9-11 reminds us. To foster true fellowship, we must rekindle our relationship with God through regular self-examination, prayer, and worship.
This year, let's commit to deepening our fellowship with God and each other. By prioritizing our relationship with God, we can overcome divisions and build a stronger, more united church family. Let us strive for complete fellowship, not just in name, but in action, as we seek to glorify God in all that we do.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Importance of Selflessness in Fellowship: Communion reminds us of Christ's selflessness on the cross, which should inspire us to prioritize our relationships with God and each other. True fellowship requires us to set aside our pride and rights, just as Christ did for us. [10:00]
2. Broken Relationships Reflect Our Spiritual State: The story of Cain and Abel shows how a broken relationship with God can lead to broken relationships with others. Cain's disregard for God resulted in animosity and violence towards his brother, highlighting the need for a right relationship with God to maintain harmony with others. [51:05]
3. The Role of Self-Examination in Spiritual Growth: Regular self-examination and confession are crucial for maintaining a healthy relationship with God. By acknowledging our sins and seeking forgiveness, we can ensure that our relationship with God remains strong, which in turn strengthens our relationships with others. [01:10:19]
4. The Impact of Sin on Fellowship: Sin creates division and animosity, both with God and with others. To foster true fellowship, we must address the sin in our lives and seek to align our desires with God's will. This requires humility and a willingness to obey God's commands. [59:31]
5. Rekindling Our Relationship with God: To achieve perfect fellowship with others, we must first rekindle our relationship with God. This involves spending time in His Word, engaging in continual prayer, and practicing unbridled worship. By prioritizing our relationship with God, we can overcome divisions and build a stronger church community. [01:06:21]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [06:17] - Personal Reflection and Goals
- [08:06] - Divisions in the Church
- [10:00] - The Selflessness of the Cross
- [10:40] - Evaluating Relationships
- [12:50] - Communion and Reflection
- [15:44] - Context of 1 Corinthians 11
- [17:12] - Declaration and Worship
- [25:09] - Announcements and Events
- [41:20] - The Tabloid Culture of Breakups
- [42:57] - The Story of Cain and Abel
- [46:52] - The Nature of Sacrifice
- [48:37] - Sin Crouching at the Door
- [51:05] - The Consequences of Broken Relationships
- [01:01:23] - The Impact of Broken God Relationships
- [01:06:21] - Rekindling Fellowship with God
- [01:13:13] - Closing Announcements and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- 1 Corinthians 11:17-34
- Genesis 4:3-16
- 1 John 2:9-11
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Observation Questions:
1. In 1 Corinthians 11, what specific issues does Paul address regarding the behavior of the Corinthian church during communion? How does this reflect their spiritual state? [08:06]
2. According to Genesis 4, what were the offerings that Cain and Abel brought to God, and how did God respond to each? What does this reveal about their relationship with God? [46:03]
3. In 1 John 2:9-11, what is the relationship between loving God and loving others? How does this passage connect to the sermon’s emphasis on fellowship? [01:02:17]
4. How does the story of Cain and Abel illustrate the impact of a broken relationship with God on human relationships? [51:05]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does the sermon suggest about the role of selflessness in maintaining fellowship within the church? How does this relate to the example of Christ’s sacrifice? [10:00]
2. How does the story of Cain and Abel serve as a cautionary tale about the consequences of disregarding God’s standards? What lessons can be drawn about the importance of obedience? [50:20]
3. In what ways does the sermon highlight the necessity of self-examination and confession for spiritual growth? How can these practices strengthen our relationship with God and others? [01:10:19]
4. How does the sermon connect the concept of sin with division and animosity in relationships? What steps are suggested to address sin and foster true fellowship? [59:31]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current relationships within the church. Are there any that need repairing or forgiveness? What steps can you take to pursue reconciliation this year? [10:40]
2. Consider your personal relationship with God. Are there areas where sin has created distance? What specific actions can you take to rekindle your relationship with God? [01:06:21]
3. How can you practice selflessness in your daily interactions with others, both within and outside the church community? Identify one specific way you can prioritize others this week. [10:00]
4. In what ways can you incorporate regular self-examination and confession into your spiritual routine? How might this practice impact your relationship with God and others? [01:10:19]
5. Think about a time when you allowed personal preferences to affect your relationships negatively. How can you ensure that your desires align with God’s will moving forward? [44:54]
6. How can you actively contribute to building a stronger, more united church family this year? What role can you play in fostering fellowship and overcoming divisions? [01:11:05]
7. Identify one person in your life who may feel disconnected from the church community. How can you reach out to them and encourage their involvement in fellowship activities? [01:04:03]
Devotional
Day 1: Selflessness as the Foundation of Fellowship
True fellowship requires selflessness, mirroring Christ's sacrifice. In the context of communion, believers are reminded of the selflessness demonstrated by Christ on the cross. This act of ultimate sacrifice serves as a model for how individuals should approach their relationships with God and each other. True fellowship is not about asserting one's own rights or desires but about prioritizing the well-being and unity of the community. By setting aside personal pride and embracing humility, believers can foster deeper connections and a more harmonious church family. [10:00]
Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV): "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."
Reflection: Think of a relationship where you can practice selflessness today. How can you prioritize the other person's needs above your own in a tangible way?
Day 2: Spiritual State Reflected in Relationships
Our relationships with others mirror our relationship with God. The story of Cain and Abel illustrates the profound impact a broken relationship with God can have on interpersonal relationships. Cain's disregard for God led to animosity and violence towards his brother, highlighting the need for a right relationship with God to maintain harmony with others. This narrative serves as a cautionary tale, reminding believers that their spiritual state is often reflected in how they treat those around them. By nurturing a healthy relationship with God, individuals can foster peace and unity in their interactions with others. [51:05]
James 4:1-2 (ESV): "What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel."
Reflection: Identify a relationship that is currently strained. How might your spiritual state be affecting this relationship, and what steps can you take to improve it?
Day 3: The Necessity of Self-Examination
Self-examination is crucial for spiritual growth and healthy relationships. Regular self-examination and confession are essential practices for maintaining a strong relationship with God. By acknowledging sins and seeking forgiveness, believers can ensure that their spiritual lives remain vibrant and healthy. This, in turn, strengthens their relationships with others, as a right relationship with God naturally leads to harmony and unity in the community. Self-examination requires honesty and humility, as individuals must be willing to confront their shortcomings and seek God's guidance for growth. [01:10:19]
2 Corinthians 13:5 (ESV): "Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!"
Reflection: Set aside time today for self-examination. What sins or shortcomings do you need to confess to God, and how can you seek His guidance for growth?
Day 4: Addressing Sin for True Fellowship
Sin creates division; addressing it is vital for unity. Sin is a barrier to true fellowship, creating division and animosity both with God and with others. To foster genuine fellowship, believers must confront the sin in their lives and seek to align their desires with God's will. This process requires humility and a willingness to obey God's commands, as well as a commitment to personal and communal holiness. By addressing sin, individuals can remove the obstacles that hinder their relationships and build a stronger, more united church community. [59:31]
Isaiah 59:2 (ESV): "But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear."
Reflection: Identify a sin that is creating division in your life. What steps can you take today to address this sin and seek reconciliation with God and others?
Day 5: Rekindling Our Relationship with God
Prioritizing our relationship with God leads to unity. To achieve perfect fellowship with others, believers must first rekindle their relationship with God. This involves spending time in His Word, engaging in continual prayer, and practicing unbridled worship. By prioritizing their relationship with God, individuals can overcome divisions and build a stronger church community. A vibrant relationship with God serves as the foundation for all other relationships, enabling believers to love and serve others with genuine compassion and unity. [01:06:21]
Jeremiah 29:13 (ESV): "You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."
Reflection: Consider your current relationship with God. What specific actions can you take this week to deepen your connection with Him and, in turn, strengthen your relationships with others?
Quotes
Communion is one of those times that really focuses us on this. And you may not think of it this way, but it is truly an emphasis on our relationship with God and our relationship with one another. Now, every new year I go through this whole personal evaluation. I spend a month on this because I'm sick. I start back in December. I start reviewing things such as what are my goals for this year? [00:05:53]
Fellowship is our focus, and communion is a reminder of how important our relationship with one another is to him or his kids. I don't know if you know this. And, you know, if you've read your Bible, you know this. But the passage that I often read from when we do communion is 1 Corinthians 11. I told on 1 Corinthians my first year here because 1 Corinthians is one of my favorite books because it's so practical and, frankly, so relevant. [00:07:00]
You see, communion reminds us of the cross. And when we see the cross, it should remind us of selflessness. Christ gave up every right he could. Claim he gave up his own life so we could have a right relationship. We get a fellowship with God again. The cross was selflessness. Yes, it's about our salvation. Yes, it's about our forgiveness of sin. But it's also about our fellowship. [00:10:00]
What relationships do you need to extend forgiveness or ask for forgiveness to be extended to you? And what do you need to do to pursue fellowship with others this year? Frankly, who can you serve and minister to in our church that maybe you don't care? Maybe you haven't even cared. And this is a reminder of the cross of Christ who did all He could so that you and I can be saved and gave up all of His rights for that fellowship that we have with Him. [00:11:19]
Cain had a broken relationship with God. And this may surprise some of us, but for some of us it's not. When that relationship is broken, it affects every other relationship you have. It now affected his relationship with his brother, probably affected his relationship with his parents because they just killed one of their children, the first recorded murder of human being. He was so ticked off at God. He was so angry at God that he took it out and redirected that anger to his very own brother. [00:51:14]
Inevitably, that broken relationship with God came out in how he treated those around him. Cain, if you know the story, is punished. God marks him, but he is punished for his sin. His relationship with God strains even further because rather than him turning and repenting and saying, God, I got to get this right. I can't believe I did that. I can't believe I killed. My brother, my own flesh and blood. [00:52:33]
Broken God relationships are going to break every single relationship in your life. At the heart of broken relationships, even breakups, many times is when we have gotten out of sync with what God wants for us, and we put ourself first. Our desires, what we want. This is what causes selfishness in our life, and not looking to seek to please God. [01:01:36]
If I am walking in lockstep with God, if I am in an intimate relationship with Him, I'm seeking His face, I'm spending time in His Word, I'm spending time in prayer, I'm spending my own personal times of worship with Him, then what He loves, I love. What He wants, I want to be. If that has been thrown to the back burner because I don't want to be, I want to be. [01:02:35]
A broken God relationship breaks all relationships. And if you don't believe me, we're going to speed ahead a couple thousand years. 1 John 2, 9 through 11. A familiar passage, I memorized this as a kid in Awana, says this, whoever says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is still in darkness. Whoever says he's a believer, whoever says that they've committed their life, you say you love Jesus, and you say you're in the light, and you hate your brother, guess what? [01:02:51]
Before we even go further in this series about talking about loving others and perfect, complete fellowship, we have to talk about, how's your love for God? How is my love for God? How is my love for God as I start this year? My challenge for us is this. The first step to perfect fellowship with others is rekindling our fellowship with God. We have to get that right. [01:05:37]
How is your love for God? For some of us, if you're like, I don't even know what that means, let me give you some practical steps on how you grow your relationship with God. And this isn't legalism here. This is just ways that you encourage relationship. Okay, Beth and I, we're married. We have a relationship. If I want that relationship to be healthy, we spend time together. We talk through things. We go out on a date. We date from time to time when our children let us out past curfew. [01:06:24]
Unbridled worship, that we're gonna be a church of unbridled worship, that we worship like we actually mean it. Great is thy faithfulness, God. Is it really great to you? And if so, don't I sing with a little more oomph? And I'm not just talking about volume. Am I singing with passion? Great is your faithfulness? The goodness of God? Unbridled worship. [01:09:31]
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