Keeping a Continual Closed Fellowship with the Lord

Keeping a continual closed fellowship with the Lord

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1.Goal

God’s saints will keep their fellowship with God strong and healthy continually so that they will not turn away from Him.

2.Introduction

Some people may say, “You just had a powerful experience with God. This is why you are on fire for Him. But I believe one day your fire will die down like others!” We should not believe this negative comment and allow our flesh and the devil to destroy us. The Bible teaches us to meditate on the Word of God day and night and on whatsoever things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and praiseworthy.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things.

We can keep a close fellowship with the Lord continually by depending on His help and His grace. Scripture says, “for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13, NKJV).” However, it is also our responsibility to respond to His grace and keep ourselves away from the deceitfulness of sin.

Hebrews 3:12-13 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

3.Question

How did you spend your time in the past one month? What activities did you spend the most time for: prayer, reading the Bible, playing sports, listening to music, gardening, watching TV?

4.Content

We should maintain a close fellowship with God and walk in the Spirit and live according to the Word.

A.Hold fast your faith to the end

Hebrews 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

Hebrews 10:39 But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.

We should make a decision to stand firm in our faith in Christ no matter what happens in our lives.

B.Live according to the Spirit

Romans 8:5-6 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Colossians 3:2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

We should not set our minds on the things of the flesh or things on the earth. Instead, we should live according to the Spirit and set our minds on things above.

C.Recognize that when you sow in spiritual things, you will also reap things of the kingdom of God

Galatians 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

We should allow the Holy Spirit to control our lives. We die to our flesh and follow the Word of God.

D.Always pray in the Spirit

Jude 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,.

1 Corinthians 14:4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.

When we pray in the Holy Spirit we will be built up or charged up. To edify means to promote growth in Christian wisdom, affection, grace, virtue, holiness, and blessedness. We should always pray in tongues.

E.Offer yourself to God as a living sacrifice

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

Jesus is not only our Savior, but He is also our Master and our Lord. Therefore, every Christian should offer his or her life to God wholely to serve Him and to do His will.

F.Keep yourself in the love of God

Jude 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

We should always remember God’s love and respond to His mercy. The Psalmist says, “How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings (Psalm 36:7, KJV).” When we recognize His love, we will trust Him more than the world.

G.Exhort and encourage one another to follow the Lord daily

Because we all face temptations, we should encourage one another daily. The Lord calls His saints to commit their lives to a local church where the Word of God is taught and preached. Through Christian fellowship, we will be encouraged and inspired to follow the Lord and love Him.

5.Discussion Questions

A.Please share with one another how you will stand firm in your faith and maintain your fellowship with God to the end.

B.What do you intend to do in order to seek spiritual things above, not things of the world?

C.Do you make a decision to pray in the Spirit daily? How long will you pray in tongues a day?

D.Please share the blessings of last Sunday’s sermon.

6.Memory Text

Philippians 1:6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;