Fellowship- Koinonia- (Common) speaks of having a unity, a oneness, a communion with each other. Its Contact and Connection, its sharing with others.

This fellowship is manifested in 2 areas with our lives:
1. With Others. V.3a --with other believers.
(a) Its not sitting and having a meal with others. (that is far from what the Bible talks about)
(b) Fellowship speaks of having a Commonality, a unity with each other, a singularity with one another.
1. There needs to be a commonality a connection:

1. You see there has to be a bond that sticks better, a eternal bond, not something that changes with the circumstances. A bond that is unbreakable, that only God can do in us.
2. Philippians 2:1-4 "Therefore if [there is] any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, [being] of one accord, of one mind. [Let] nothing [be done] through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others."
with them?
(d) When we have entered into this relationship with Christ, we enter into this oneness with other believers that is so close knit, that is more even then our family members. That's the kind of fellowship he is talking about.
(e) "Consolation in Christ" -Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
(i) (Jesus is our Comforter)

(2) 1 John 1:7
(a) True Fellowship with Others cannot happen unless you begin fellowship with Jesus.
(b) Isolating yourself and doing things on your own, and staying away from others and growing on your own, is dangerous, you become weird
(ii) Its not about meeting your needs but other's needs. You have everything you need in Christ, so look at the interest of others now, (Phil 2)
(d) Fellowship is a Must!

(ii) Our Church will never be known as The Church but just a Church until we have True Fellowship.
(3) Ephesians 4:4-6 "[There is] one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who [is] above all, and through all, and in you all.
(4) ? Why is this Fellowship so important? Jesus said in John 17 that the world may believe.

(a) Acts 2:42 "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers."
iii) We can shine for Jesus in Fellowship
(1) Romans 15:25-26 "But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem."
(2) Paul was giving a gift from the Gentiles, to the Church in Jerusalem. He was moved to the point of compassion, see the need and meet it.
(a) Matt 14:14 "And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick."

2) With God Himself. V.3b The eternal God wants to enter into fellowship with us.
i) 1 Cor 1:9 "God [is] faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord."

(a) Rom 8:11, Acts 5:32, 1 Cor 3:16.
b) This is the Church's Purity, the Church's unity. If you were living in the days of the Aposotle's you ought to be in fellowship with them, not at difference with them, because of your denominational difference's.
c) We are to come together and maintain our fellowship. Not our gathering!