Fellowship of Christ

1 Corinthians 1:7-9

Speaker: Rev Isaac Ong

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There is a line that separates the believer from the unbeliever. A believer has his sufficiency in Christ; an unbeliever has his sufficiency in the things of this world. A believer will be blameless in Christ; an unbeliever will be blameworthy. A believer has the fellowship of our Lord Jesus Christ; an unbeliever does not.

SUFFICIENT IN CHRIST (1:7)

God had blessed the Corinthian Christians with all the spiritual gifts (1:5, 7). God has given us all things to accomplish the ministry that He has entrusted to us. The Lord has not only given us the gifts for the present ministry, but He has also promised us blessings for our future. This is the certain hope of every believer.

+       Lesson: Find your complete satisfaction in our Lord Jesus Christ.

+       Lesson: Are you prepared to meet our Saviour? Wait earnestly and expectantly for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ

         (2 Tim. 4:5-8).

BLAMELESS IN CHRIST (1:8)

Our Lord Jesus is the Source of all our blessings. He is the One who confirms our faith in Him; He is the One who builds us up and will hold us so that we will never fall. Our Lord keeps us blameless to the end. Blamelessness is not sinless perfection (James 3:2). To be blameless is to live our lives beyond reproach.

         The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night (1 Thess. 5:2-4). The unbelievers will be surprised. Believers, on the other hand, will be ready because the Word of God has enough warnings to prepare ourselves.

+       Lesson: The world is crooked, but as a Christian, you are expected to walk uprightly and as lights in the world

         (Phil. 2:14-15).

+       Lesson: Are you ready when the Lord comes? What are you doing to prepare yourself?

FELLOWSHIP OF CHRIST

God is faithful means that God is worthy of our trust. God’s faithfulness reaches into the clouds (Ps. 36:5).

         Fellowship (Gk: koinonia) means to have things in common (Acts 2:42-44). In our fellowship with our Lord Jesus, He is the One who brings everything into this relationship to make our lives purposeful. Our fellowship with our Lord Jesus depends on our obedience.

+       Lesson: Your “cloudy” experiences do not escape God’s attention.

+       Lesson: Without God, you can do nothing (John 15:5). With God all things are possible (Matt. 19:26).

+       Lesson: In confessing Jesus as your Saviour, you must also acknowledge Him as your Lord and Master. Paul used the full title: our Lord Jesus Christ (1:7-9).

Conclusion

For our fellowship with our Lord Jesus Christ to deepen, we have to devote time, effort and resources. Fellowship also entails our having things in common with, a love for Him, and investment of our time and resources.

Unbeliever: Our Lord’s desire for the sinner is that he be saved (2 Pet. 3:9). “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” (John 3:36). What will you do with Jesus?

Christian: Our Lord’s will for the believer is that he be holy (1 Thess. 4:3). Our fellowship with our Lord Jesus Christ depends on the giving of ourselves (2 Cor. 8:5). It is total absolute consecration. It is when we have given of ourselves that we may have true fellowship (things in common) with Him because it was our Lord Jesus who gave Himself for us.