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Today we will study the incredible power of fellowship. One of the reasons the church is different from all other churches and organisations is because of the fellowship. It is radically different from anything seen before.
There is still the need for us to take our fellowship deeper.
You may not get the chance to preach to the church but you can impact the entire church by your fellowship.
Give examples of disciples who give their heart to the fellowship.
Luke 24:13-35
13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem.
14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened.
15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them;
16 but they were kept from recognizing him.
17 He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?" They stood still, their faces downcast.
18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?"
19 "What things?" he asked. "About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people.
20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him;
21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place.
22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning
23 but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive.
24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see."
25 He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!
26 Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?"
27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther.
29 But they urged him strongly, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them.
30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them.
31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.
32 They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"
33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together
34 and saying, "It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon."
35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.
Here we read about the time Jesus had with Cleopas and another disciple. After the death of Jesus these two brothers were discouraged.
Jesus felt the need to have a personal fellowship with them.
1. Ask the Question that Open the Heart.
[Vs. 17-19] Good fellowship begins by asking questions. Here Jesus began his fellowship with a question; ‘what are you discussing?’. They replied by asking another question to Jesus. Jesus asks them again, this time being more specific. Then they began to share all their trouble with Jesus.
You too have to ask deep question to have a good fellowship. (Shallow questions = Shallow fellowship, Deep questions = Deep fellowship)
What are some examples of shallow questions? (How is your work? Did you have your food?, ….)
We have you ask about our struggles, challenges, victories and other such things.
It’s not easy to open up our lives with one another, but we have to.
Proverbs 29:13-14
13 The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: The LORD gives sight to the eyes of both.
14 If a king judges the poor with fairness, his throne will always be secure.
Our spiritual prosperity depends on confession. If we conceal the things that are disturbing our heart then no one will be able to help us. (Share about a time you were asked some specific questions that help open your
heart and confess)
2. Give the Challenges that Changes the Heart.
[Vs 25-26] After Jesus heard all their burdens he challenged them. Notice he first listened to them. Fellowship is not just a time to go around and
convict others; it is a time to listen to your brothers and sisters life.
Fellowship also does not end after listening.
To change a person’s life there needs to be a challenge given.
In vs. 27 we see that Jesus shared many scriptures to help them to change.
Jesus’ challenge to them was accompanied by many scriptures; we too need to use the Bible in our fellowship.
Proverbs 9:8-9
8 Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you.
9 Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning.
Rebukes and challenges make us grow.
We do have to be sensitive in fellowship. Be wise.
Give challenges to those who are ready for it.
At the same time make sure you have an ‘iron sharpening iron’ fellowship with as many disciples as possible.
With visitors don’t challenge them in fellowship, become their friend.
Be focused in fellowship so you can help others change and you too can get help.
Fellowship with the people that are willing to challenge you.
Go to the preacher and share what you learned from the lesson.
Share with your discipler. These are some people that can help you to grow.
(Share about some challenges others gave you during fellowship that helped change your heart)
3. Stay with them to Encourage their Heart.
[Vs.28-31] Jesus made sure that these men were encouraged. He decided to spend more time with them.
Our fellowship should lead to fixing more time with one another.
To get close to each other we need to spend quality time.
Sometimes the times after meeting are not enough.
Share a meal together or do other things that will help you to get closer to each other.
This is what Jesus did; he only had only 40 days after resurrection.
He decided to spend one whole night with these men.
We have to imitate Jesus to have great relationships.
(Share about a time someone encouraged you by spending extra time with you.)
Conclusion
In vs. 32 these men’s hearts were ‘warmed’ by the fellowship with Jesus. It had a life changing impact.
Set it a goal that you will warm the hearts of those you fellowship with. Today make sure you have some spiritual fellowship.
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