Fellowship with Christ

1 Corinthians 1:9, NIV
God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.

Introduction: True fellowship takes place only between those of the same kind. Therefore, animals and humans cannot have fellowship (example of Father Damien who went to Molokai Island). It is not possible for God and man to have fellowship, because there is too much disparity between God and man. That is why Jesus, who is God, gave up the status of God and came to earth as a man to have fellowship with us and to save us.

1. Those who are capable of having fellowship with Christ.
1) Position and rank do not matter.
2) The difference between rich and poor does not matter.
3) Race and skin color do not matter (Ro 10:12-13).
4) Appearance does not matter (Jn 1:12-13; 1Co 1:9).

2. The fruit of fellowship.
1) They understand each other (Ro 12:16; Col 2:2).
2) They sympathize with each other (1Pe 3:8; Phm 1:5-6).
3) They love each other (Jn 13:34-35; 1Jn 4:11).
4) They trust each other.
5) They cooperate with each other (Php 1:27-28).

3. How to have fellowship with Christ.
1) Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit (2Co 13:13; Jn 16:13).
2) Through the Word (Jn 15:7; Heb 4:12).
3) Through prayer (Mt 6:6; 1Th 5:17).
4) Through the church (Ac 2:46; Mt 18:19-20).
5) Through small group meetings (Ecc 4:11-12; Heb 10:25).

4. Results of fellowship.
1) Forgiveness of sins and justification (Col 1:14).
2) Life sanctification (Tit 3:5).
3) Healing and health (1Pe 2:24).
4) Freedom from the curse (2Co 8:9).
5) Resurrection, eternal life, and heaven (1Th 4:16-17).

Conclusion: Family and friends always need fellowship to be close to each other. Even a nation and its people need communication and fellowship to stay on close terms with each other. God calls us to have fellowship with Christ so we can become like Christ.