Paul reminded the Philippian
believers that they were constantly in his prayers, especially as
he recalled their fellowship in the Gospel, which began when
they were given eyes to see the glory of Christ's redemption,
continuing until the present time. This was a source of great
joy to him as he contemplated the faithful work of Christ and
those whom he is pleased to call. This fellowship is that which
manifests the bonds of Christian love, which are exhibited by
those in whom the Lord has begun a good work, and presently performs
the same in them. By this shall all men know that
ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. To be without
this brotherly love is to manifest the absence of the work of God,
regardless of what one may claim to believe or be. We know that
we have passed from death unto life because we love the brethren.
He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. The Greek word
for fellowship is koinonia, and means participation or partnership
in a common cause. When one has this kind of fellowship
with another, they must share a common desire, which is to
see Christ exalted, a common bond, which is love for Christ
in one another, and a common commitment, which is to follow
the way of Christ. Or there can be no such thing
as true fellowship at all. Can two walk together except
they be agreed? Those whose affection is set
upon this world have fellowship with the unfruitful works of
darkness, which they are engaged in to the satisfying of their
flesh. The sons of God are admonished to love not the world, neither
the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the
love of the Father is not in him. Rather, our conversation
is in heaven, from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord
Jesus Christ. Paul speaks of fellowship in
the gospel, which describes the basis for the bond which unites
the sons of God in this world, and is a precursor to that which
is yet to be realized in the ages to come. This gospel of
which he speaks is one which centers on the work of redemption
which Christ came to perform in the behalf of that elect people
which were chosen in Him before the foundation of the world.
Paul relates to this when he told the Corinthians, For I determined
not to know anything among you, say Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. This is the basis for the true
fellowship which he speaks of to the Philippians. Schisms have
crept in among the saints over the years, as some have introduced
various works of the flesh which they require of men. Those who
emphasize the free will of men as something which is equally
important as the work of Christ are the greatest troublers. This
pure fellowship has also been wounded by those who would promote
a hierarchy among the saints, which is commonly seen by having
a class of men set apart which are commonly known as the clergy.
Ofttimes they make preaching to be a profession which one
pursues, even as he would any other worldly form of employment.
Clearly all gifts are given by the same Spirit, and all are
intended for the building up of the body, with none occupying
a dominant place among the saints. We have often witnessed churches
whose fellowship is centered around the gifts of certain individuals.
Some are more enamored with the ability of these individuals
to preach than they are with the outworking of the gospel
itself. The fellowship of the saints must be in Christ alone.
Anything or anyone else is a detriment to true fellowship in the gospel.
When Christ alone is preached, none care who the mouthpiece
might be, but together rejoice in him. That man who promotes
himself cannot preach Christ alone, and the man who preaches
Christ alone cannot promote himself. Over time, the notion has arisen
that the purpose of the gathering of the Church is to hear someone
with an appropriate gift preach. While we are thankful for all
of the gifts and callings of God, we are no more or less thankful
for the preaching and teaching gifts. We would in no wise seek
to denigrate nor de-emphasize the importance of sound teaching
and preaching among the saints, yet we can find no exhortations
or examples in the Scriptures that would lead us to believe
that this is the primary activity around which the Church gathers.
We do find that we are to show the Lord's death till he comes
by eating the bread and drinking the cup. We are to be teaching
and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual
songs, and comforting and edifying one another. The whole body fitly
joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth,
according to the effectual working and the measure of every part,
maketh increase of the body into the edifying of itself in love. This is the true fellowship in
the gospel, which has regard first to Christ alone, and then
to our brethren in the Church, which is His body, the fullness
of Him that filleth all in all. If you would like a free transcript
of this broadcast, email us at ForThePoor at WinStream.net