Deeper Christian Life Ministry The Netherlands FRIENDSHIP FELLOWSHIP

Deeper Christian Life Ministry The Netherlands FRIENDSHIP & FELLOWSHIP IN GOD’S FAMILY – I John 1: 1 -7 The church is a connected, holy family, loving and serving God supremely and one another sacrificially. Our fellowship is in the light of God given through Jesus our Lord and guided by the truth of His word. …earnestly contend for the FAITH which was once delivered unto the SAINTS (Jude 3)

Deeper Christian Life Ministry The Netherlands INTRODUCTION The Church is God’s family where friendship and fellowship are central. q God has friends: § Exodus 33: 11; James 2: 23 q His friends are members of His family: § Ephesians 2: 19; John 15: 15 q God has fellowship with His friends/family: § Genesis 3: 8; Matthew 18: 20 …earnestly contend for the FAITH which was once delivered unto the SAINTS (Jude 3)

Deeper Christian Life Ministry The Netherlands POINTS TO CONSIDER q Importance of gracious friendship q Implications of godly fellowship q Invitation into God’s family …earnestly contend for the FAITH which was once delivered unto the SAINTS (Jude 3)

Deeper Christian Life Ministry The Netherlands IMPORTANCE OF GRACIOUS FRIENDSHIP Why is it important to be a friend of God? Romans 5: 1 -5 q It frees you from the guilt of the past q It fits you for the challenges of the present q It favours you with eternal prospects You are either a friend of God or His enemy; there is no middle-ground. It is either you are in or you are out! …earnestly contend for the FAITH which was once delivered unto the SAINTS (Jude 3)

Deeper Christian Life Ministry The Netherlands IMPLICATIONS OF GODLY FELLOWSHIP Membership in God’s family implies that we live by God’s standard: q Light and cleansing: § I John 1: 5 -7; Ephesians 5: 3 -12 q Love and communion: § John 13: 34, 35; I John 2: 8 -11 q Labour in cooperation: § I Corinthians 12: 12 -26 Membership in God’s family brings you into a new life, new relationships and meaningful living! …earnestly contend for the FAITH which was once delivered unto the SAINTS (Jude 3)

Deeper Christian Life Ministry The Netherlands INVITATION INTO GOD’S FAMILY q God wants you in His fellowship! § Matthew 11: 28 q The invitation is full, free and for all! § I John 1: 1 -3 q You can honour the invitation! § Revelation 22: 17 ”O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him” – Psalm 34: 8 It is wonderful to fellowship in the family of God. Will you become God’s friend today? …earnestly contend for the FAITH which was once delivered unto the SAINTS (Jude 3)

Deeper Christian Life Ministry The Netherlands TIME TO PRAY! …earnestly contend for the FAITH which was once delivered unto the SAINTS (Jude 3)