A. The importance of fellowship:HEB 10:25. Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. PSA 133:1. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! PSA 133:2. It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; PSA 133:3. As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore. MAT 18:19. Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. MAT 18:20. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. 1JOH 1:7. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 1JOH 1:3. That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. PSA 119:63. I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts. B. We are one body in Jesus:ROM 12:5. So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 1COR 12:12. For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 1COR 12:13. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 1COR 12:14. For the body is not one member, but many. 1COR 12:15. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 1COR 12:16. And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 1COR 12:17. If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? 1COR 12:18. But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 1COR 12:19. And if they were all one member, where were the body? 1COR 12:20. But now are they many members, yet but one body. 1COR 12:21. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. 1COR 12:22. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: 1COR 12:23. And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. 1COR 12:24. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked. 1COR 12:25. That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 1COR 12:26. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. 1COR 12:27. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 1COR 12:28. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. C. There is strength in united fellowship:DEU 32:30. How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up? LEV 26:8. And five of you shall chase an hundred, and an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight: and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword. ECC 4:9. Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. ECC 4:10. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. ECC 4:12. And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. ACT 28:15. And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage. D. It's hard to be alone without fellowship:ECC 4:10. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. 2TIM 4:16. At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. |
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