Devoted To Fellowship: Devoted To Participating In Ministry

1. Fellowship calls us to MINISTER to (or SERVE) one another.

“that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need."

Acts 4:34-35 NIV

“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”

Galatians‬ 5:13 NIV

“not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

Philippians‬ 2:4 NIV

PERSONAL APPLICATION: I will be SELFLESS in my MINISTRY to my church family.

2. Fellowship BUILDS the body through EVERY MEMBER serving in ministry.

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”

Acts‬ 2:42 NIV

“From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”

Ephesians‬ 4:16 NIV

“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”

1 Corinthians 12:27 NIV

"so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”

Romans‬ 12:5 NIV

PERSONAL APPLICATION: I REFUSE to be a SPECTATOR. I will BE ENGAGED in a ministry.

3. Fellowship requires USING your GIFTS in ministry for the GOOD of OTHERS.

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

1 Peter‬ 4:10 NIV

“Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”

Acts‬ 6:3-4 NIV

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach.”

Romans‬ 12:6-7 NIV

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace."

1 Peter‬ 4:10

PERSONAL APPLICATION: I will IDENTIFY my gifts and USE them in ministry.

4. Fellowship means SHARING the BURDEN together.

“All the believers were together and had everything in common.”

Acts 2:44

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

Galatians‬ 6:2 NIV

“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”

Romans 12:15 NIV

PERSONAL APPLICATION: I will be AWARE of my others BURDENS and CARRY them.

5. Fellowship DEVELOPS us through SERVANT ministry.

“…They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip….”

Acts‬ 6:5 NIV

“Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,”

Matthew‬ 20:26 NIV

PERSONAL APPLICATION: I will allow serving others to GROW and MATURE me.

6. Fellowship ACCESSES God’s POWER when we serve side by side.

“Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

Acts‬ 2:46-47 NIV

“All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all”

Acts‬ 4:32-33 NIV