The Importance of Fellowship 

 

  1. The purpose of fellowship with believers is:

  • To help each other stay focused on the truth without wavering (Hebrews 10:23,25-27).

  • To help each other walk in more love and do greater works for the kingdom (Ephesians 4:11-12, Hebrews 10:24).

    • The Greek word for “stir up” in Hebrews 10:24 means “to incite, dispute, or contend”. In other words, believers need to fight to keep each other focused. Fostering more love and good works in each other sometimes requires a little bit of aggression or force. Believers should be faithful not only to comfort and encourage one another, but also to correct and rebuke one another where necessary. We will never help each other grow if we don't know how to give/receive rebukes or constructive criticism. See Proverbs 15:31, Proverbs 28:23, Psalm 141:5.

  • To assemble together often to deepen relationships and keep each other close (Hebrews 10:25).

  • To grow in maturity, knowledge, and unity together until we, together, are being all that Christ was on earth during His ministry (Ephesians 4:13,15).

  • To help keep each other out of childish behaviors or being easily deceived or easily led astray (Ephesians 4:14).

  • To learn how to love God better by loving His people, despite their flaws (1 John 4:20-21, 5:1-2).

  • To edify and support each other (meet needs and make each other more like Jesus) through contributing our resources and spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12, 2 Corinthians 8-9).

 

*We will need to gather with one another more and more the closer we get to the end of the world and the return of Christ. Hebrews 10:25.

 

  1. Believers who isolate or neglect fellowship are more likely to flounder in their faith and be deceived by the enemy (1 Peter 5:8, 2 Timothy 4:3-4).

  • When a person isolates, the enemy has greater access to them (1 Peter 5:8). When a person hears only their own desires and does not continually expose themselves to the comments and corrections from a diversity of believers, they will be more easily turned away from the truth (2 Timothy 4:3-4). 

  • Neglecting or separating from fellowship is foolish, selfish, arrogant, and not of the Spirit of God (Jude 1:18-19, Proverbs 18:1). 

  • Every believer represents one part of the body (Colossians 2:19, Romans 12:5). If you are disjointed from the body, you are hurting the entire body, not just yourself. This is selfishness.