TITLE: Can We Fellowship the Denominations?

Text: 1 John 1:5-10

Introduction

1. We seek answers to three questions this morning.

   1. Why is this question being asked?

   2. Are there limits to our fellowship?

   3. To whom may we extend fellowship, to whom should fellowship be withheld?

Why ask this question?

1. This question was an issue in Paul's day.

2. It is still an issue for us today.

3. Some teach that we can and should fellowship denominations – just as long as they believe in Jesus.

4. Here is a quote that will cause us to ponder.

   1. Large church in Tulas, OK – associate minister – from The 21st Century Restoration - Will We Join It? by Greg Taylor, New Wineskins Senior Editor, March - April, 2008 “So my wife and I believe and teach our children that we are part of the larger body of Christ, and that God is much bigger than Churches of Christ and the Stone-Campbell Movement…We want to fellowship with and participate in the life of Christians worldwide and in various denominations… but we believe in unity and dialog with Christians across denominations, across the Protestant and Catholic divide…Churches of Christ have come to the valley of decision at the foot of a mountain of sectarianism. We have no denominational charter to dissolve, but I believe this is one of those mountains Jesus said a little faith can move. If Churches of Christ continue to believe we occupy a privileged place above Christian history, scripture, and denominations, we dishonor and fail the Stone-Campbell plea for simple Christianity; we’re dead on the vine rather than blossoming like a field of wildflowers, Christ’s “little ones.”
      We’re called to unity with all Christians everywhere who call Christ Lord. When Jesus prayed his unity prayer, he didn’t parse every doctrine and neither will I here. We live the Christ-life and follow the rule of the Holy Spirit to keep that everlasting covenant God the Father has kept since creation. Christ and Paul and our own more recent forefathers such as Thomas Campbell call us to produce fruit and look for fruit of the Spirit in the lives of fellow disciples…
      I want to see this shift of worldview in Churches of Christ in my lifetime, and I will be “the change I want to see” in the Stone-Campbell Movement and beyond. I will admit I do not stand above other denominations in any way but am a fallible, messed up human being in need daily of immersion in God’s life and words, in Jesus’ cross and resurrection. I will admit I have no monopoly on truth or scripture’s interpretation. And I will join the great mission of Christ with my fellow disciples, showing my neighbors the good news of Jesus through prayer and words of blessing.”

Are there any limits to our fellowship?

1. Galatians 2:1-10 – withhold the right hand of fellowship

2. Acts 9:26-27 – Saul was refused fellowship

3. Ephesians 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.

4. 1 John 1:7 We must walk in the light to have fellowship

5. NOTE: God is not inclusive. He never has been. Some are EXCLUDED from fellowship.

   1. Some will be excluded from heaven, some included.

   2. Some will be rejected at the judgment, others accepted.

6. Some are excluded for moral reasons – 1 Corinthians 5,

7. Some are excluded for doctrinal reasons – Romans 16:17

8. Some are excluded because of a lack of faith – Hebrews 11:6

9. Our fellowship must be as open as God's – no smaller, no larger.

But we do not determine who is and is not in fellowship. What do I mean by that?

1. Look again at 1 John 1:7

   1. We are in fellowship with one another when and if we are in fellowship with God.

   2. We know that God is omniscient and knows all, including the hearts of individuals. We do not have that ability.

   3. But we do have the responsibility to extend fellowship to some and withhold fellowship form some.

   4. The great challenge then is to have our circle of fellowship no larger nor smaller than God’s.

2. When one becomes a Christian, then he becomes part of our family.

   1. We have no choice but to accept him, as the folks in Jerusalem had no choice but to accept Saul whether they liked it or not, Acts 8:26-28

   2. When one walks in the light we have no choice but to accept him 1 John 1:1-7.

So, we extend to all who are walking in the light the right hand of fellowship

1. But there may come a time when we can no longer do so.

   1. For moral reasons, 1 Corinthians 5:9-11, Ephesians 5:11.

   2. Or for doctrinal reasons, Romans 16:17ff, 1 Timothy 6:3-5, 2 John 9-11.

2. At its core this question of whom we fellowship on this level boils down to who we acknowledge as a Christian… a brother, or as a faithful Christian or brother.

   1. Let me remind you that all religious groups draw lines of fellowship.

   2. Again, the challenge is to draw the lines where God draws them.

3. So, our basic question goes to the very heart of the question of who is and who is not a Christian.

   1. Can we fellowship those who are not Christian or not faithful Christians?

   2. Surely this group doesn’t need instruction as to what it takes to become a Christian. But there are those among us, even some at our most prestigious schools who seem to be unable or unwilling to make that distinction.

   3. Illustration: even if one who has migrated to this country talks like a citizen of this country, lives like one, even pays taxes and participates in fourth of July celebrations, that does not make him a citizen of this country. Only when he has done what the law says he must do to be a citizen is he a citizen.

Think about how to answer these questions.

1. Can we fellowship with those that have not done, and refuse to do what they Bible plainly teaches to be saved?

2. Can we fellowship those that do not teach and worship in the way God prescribes in the Bible?

3. Can we fellowship those that accept people who are involved in immoral activities that the Bible condemns?

From Mike Greene – Lehman Avenue Church of Christ, Bowling Green, KY