THE WORD

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THE WORD

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The Preaching Ministry of Ashley River Baptist Church

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God’s Family Values, Part 8 Fellowship: The Purpose of Christmas Fellowship: Koinonia - Sharing / joint participation / communion / community / friendship …relationship based on having something in common… a common denominator Where there is nothing in common, there can be no real fellowship…koinonia! Fellowship Begins with God God has existed eternally as 3 persons: Father, Son, Spirit = The Trinity (John 16:28, Genesis 1:2 ) They fellowshipped and shared everything. The common denominator = they were all God! God values Fellowship! Fellowship has always characterized His essence and existence. Fellowship is innate in Man We are created in God’s image. (Genesis 1:26, 2:18) Being created in God’s image, the natural and normal need for fellowship was instilled within us. God desires fellowship with Man (Genesis 2:8, Leviticus 2:11, Deuteronomy 6:6) Our common denominator with God: Bearing His image and mutual fellowship Man broke fellowship with God (Genesis 3:17, 23; Hosea 6:7) God hates sin. Adam and Eve sinned. Thus, God could no longer fellowship with them as before. The basis of their common denominator was broken! They broke fellowship… the very thing they were designed to share! God took the initiative to restore fellowship with Man God wanted fellowship with humanity restored. He valued His creation. He valued fellowship with His Creation. To restore fellowship, God sent His Son to take the punishment for man’s sin and reverse sin’s the effects. (Galatians 4:4, Matthew 1:21) Jesus = the Lord Saves 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 Reconcile: to restore relationship; to change from enmity to friendship. John 3:16

The purpose of Christmas: The coming of Jesus Christ to restore the broken fellowship between man and God. Fellowship requires something in common. Christian fellowship with God is based on what we have in common with God. Our fellowship with God was broken by sin. Jesus came to reverse the effect of man’s sin and restore fellowship with God. Jesus Christ is now the new common denominator between God and man…what we share in common with God. A Christian is someone who has a personal relationship and fellowship with God THROUGH Jesus Christ. Jesus is the common denominator with God for every Christian. Jesus is the basis of our fellowship with God. We have fellowship with God through Jesus Christ Immanuel - “God with us.“ Matthew 1:23; Isaiah 7:14 1Corinthians 1:9 God wants to be with us forever! (John 14:2-3, John 17:24) God did all this because He values fellowship! That has always been His eternal purpose for your creation….fellowship! God values fellowship with His creation. You are His creation. God values fellowship with you! God loves you and wants to be with you…forever. Fellowship with God requires fellowship with man. “that they may be one as we are one” “ brought to complete unity” John 17:21-23 Fellowship with God requires sharing the Good News. John 17:20; John 16:3; 1 John 1:3 Go tell it on the Mountain…that Jesus Christ is born! We must value fellowship as God values it! God’s Christmas gift to you is sending His Son so you might have the ability to spend eternity in fellowship with God. That is the purpose of Christmas. God wants to be with you. There is no greater gift. Will you receive it? Will you live it? Will you share it?