What does your relationship with God mean to you?

1
What does your relationship with God mean to you?

• If someone wants to be right with God he must put
  Him first. (Matt 1037-39)

2
What does your relationship with God mean to you?

• Matthew 1037-39 (NKJV) - He who loves father or
  mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he
  who loves son or daughter more than Me is not
  worthy of Me. 38And he who does not take his
  cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.
  39He who finds his life will lose it, and he who
  loses his life for My sake will find it.

3
What does your relationship with God mean to you?

• When compromise is made in your loyalty to God,
  He calls it adultery.

4
What does your relationship with God mean to you?

• How would you like to share your mate with
  another?

5
What does your relationship with God mean to you?

• How would you like to share your mate with
  another?
• This is how God views our loyalty to Him. (2 Cor
  112-4)

6
What does your relationship with God mean to you?

• 2 Corinthians 112-4 - For I am jealous for you
  with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to
  one husband, that I may present you as a chaste
  virgin to Christ. 3 But I fear, lest somehow, as
  the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so
  your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity
  that is in Christ.

7
What does your relationship with God mean to you?

• 4 For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom
  we have not preached, or if you receive a
  different spirit which you have not received, or
  a different gospel which you have not
  acceptedyou may well put up with it!

8
What does your relationship with God mean to you?

• The nation of Israel heard their adultery
  described. (Jer 36-10)

9
What does your relationship with God mean to you?

• Jeremiah 36-10 (NKJV) - The Lord said also to me
  in the days of Josiah the king Have you seen
  what backsliding Israel has done? She has gone up
  on every high mountain and under every green
  tree, and there played the harlot. 7And I said,
  after she had done all these things, Return to
  Me. But she did not return. And her treacherous
  sister Judah saw it.

10
What does your relationship with God mean to you?

• 8 Then I saw that for all the causes for which
  backsliding Israel had committed adultery, I had
  put her away and given her a certificate of
  divorce yet her treacherous sister Judah did not
  fear, but went and played the harlot also. 9 So
  it came to pass, through her casual harlotry,
  that she defiled the land and committed adultery
  with stones and trees.

11
What does your relationship with God mean to you?

• 10 And yet for all this her treacherous sister
  Judah has not turned to Me with her whole heart,
  but in pretense, says the Lord.

12
What does your relationship with God mean to you?

• Judah in Josiahs day was doing many good things
  outwardly. Why?

13
What does your relationship with God mean to you?

• Judah in Josiahs day was doing many good things
  outwardly. Why?
• Because they followed a good king, Josiah.

14
What does your relationship with God mean to you?

• Judah in Josiahs day was doing many good things
  outwardly. Why?
• Because they followed a good king, Josiah.
• God said they were not true in their hearts. This
  is what God sees.

15
Two Kinds of Fellowship

• There is fellowship with God. (1 John 11-3)

16
Two Kinds of Fellowship

• 1 John 11-3 - That which was from the beginning,
  which we have heard, which we have seen with our
  eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands
  have handled, concerning the Word of life2the
  life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear
  witness, and declare to you that eternal life
  which was with the Father and was manifested to us

17
Two Kinds of Fellowship

• 3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to
  you, that you also may have fellowship with us
  and truly our fellowship is with the Father and
  with His Son Jesus Christ.

18
Two Kinds of Fellowship

• What is fellowship? Koinonia - Communion,
  fellowship, sharing in common...

19
Two Kinds of Fellowship

• What is fellowship? Koinonia - Communion,
  fellowship, sharing in common...
• Fellowship always has an object! In this case it
  is fellowship with God!

20
Two Kinds of Fellowship

• God dwells in us as Christians. We share in
  eternal life which is from God.
  (Acts 238 1 Cor 619-20)

21
Two Kinds of Fellowship

• Acts 238 (NKJV) - Then Peter said to them,
  Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in
  the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of
  sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy
  Spirit.

22
Two Kinds of Fellowship

• 1 Corinthians 619-20 (NKJV) - Or do you not know
  that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit
  who is in you, whom you have from God, and you
  are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a
  price therefore glorify God in your body and in
  your spirit, which are Gods.

23
Two Kinds of Fellowship

• There is our fellowship with other Christians.
  (2 Cor 614 Gal 29 1 Cor 1223-27)

24
Two Kinds of Fellowship

• 2 Corinthians 614 (NKJV) - Do not be unequally
  yoked together with unbelievers. For what
  fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness?
  And what communion has light with darkness?

25
Two Kinds of Fellowship

• Galatians 29 (NKJV) - and when James, Cephas,
  and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the
  grace that had been given to me, they gave me and
  Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we
  should go to the Gentiles and they to the
  circumcised.

26
Two Kinds of Fellowship

• 1 Corinthians 1223-27 (NKJV) - And those members
  of the body which we think to be less honorable,
  on these we bestow greater honor and our
  unpresentable parts have greater modesty, 24 but
  our presentable parts have no need. But God
  composed the body, having given greater honor to
  that part which lacks it,

27
Two Kinds of Fellowship

• 25 that there should be no schism in the body,
  but that the members should have the same care
  for one another. 26 And if one member suffers,
  all the members suffer with it or if one member
  is honored, all the members rejoice with it. 27
  Now you are the body of Christ, and members
  individually.

28
Two Kinds of Fellowship

• This relationship has its foundation in an
  underlying fellowship with God.

29
Two Kinds of Fellowship

• Here we share with one another spiritual
  encouragement, we recognize one another as
  Christians, and we share together in things
  Christians are to do together.

30
Two Kinds of Fellowship

• Here we share with one another spiritual
  encouragement, we recognize one another as
  Christians, and we share together in things
  Christians are to do together.
• Consider the spiritual fellowship we have as
  Christians. (Acts 242 1 Cor 1016-17, 21-22)

31
Two Kinds of Fellowship

• Acts 242 (NKJV) - And they continued steadfastly
  in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, in the
  breaking of bread, and in prayers.

32
Two Kinds of Fellowship

• 1 Corinthians 1016-17 (NKJV) - The cup of
  blessing which we bless, is it not the communion
  of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break,
  is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
  17For we, though many, are one bread and one
  body for we all partake of that one bread.

33
Two Kinds of Fellowship

• 1 Corinthians 1021-22 (NKJV) - You cannot drink
  the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons you
  cannot partake of the Lords table and of the
  table of demons. 22Or do we provoke the Lord to
  jealousy? Are we stronger than He?

34
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• Before we extend fellowship to others as
  Christians, we must make a judgment as to
  whether they are faithful to God. (1 John 15-7)

35
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• 1 John 15-7 (NKJV) - This is the message which
  we have heard from Him and declare to you, that
  God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6
  If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and
  walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the
  truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in
  the light, we have fellowship with one another,
  and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us
  from all sin.

36
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• We need to ask Is this one a Christian? (Acts
  926)

37
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• Acts 926 (NKJV) - And when Saul had come to
  Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples but
  they were all afraid of him, and did not believe
  that he was a disciple.

38
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• We also need to ask Is this one a faithful
  Christian? (1 John 34-10 Eph 511)

39
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• 1 John 34-10 (NKJV) - Whoever commits sin also
  commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. 5And
  you know that He was manifested to take away our
  sins, and in Him there is no sin. 6Whoever abides
  in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither
  seen Him nor known Him.

40
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• 7 Little children, let no one deceive you. He who
  practices righteousness is righteous, just as He
  is righteous. 8 He who sins is of the devil, for
  the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this
  purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He
  might destroy the works of the devil.

41
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• 9 Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for
  His seed remains in him and he cannot sin,
  because he has been born of God. 10 In this the
  children of God and the children of the devil are
  manifest Whoever does not practice righteousness
  is not of God, nor is he who does not love his
  brother.

42
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• Ephesians 511 (NKJV) - And have no fellowship
  with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather
  expose them.

43
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• There are limits to this kind of judgment. We are
  no trying to take Gods place! (1 Cor 42-4)

44
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• 1 Corinthians 42-4 (NKJV) - Moreover it is
  required in stewards that one be found faithful.
  3 But with me it is a very small thing that I
  should be judged by you or by a human court. In
  fact, I do not even judge myself. 4 For I know of
  nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by
  this but He who judges me is the Lord.

45
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• Why does this church exist? What is the primary
  reason for our relationship with one another? It
  is not the restoration heritage but the cross
  of Christ! (Gal 614)

46
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• Galatians 614 (NKJV) - But God forbid that I
  should boast except in the cross of our Lord
  Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been
  crucified to me, and I to the world.

47
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• What is our attitude toward other brothers and
  sisters in Christ? Do we view them as one for
  whom Christ died? (Rom 1415, 20)

48
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• Romans 1415 (NKJV) - Yet if your brother is
  grieved because of your food, you are no longer
  walking in love. Do not destroy with your food
  the one for whom Christ died.

49
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• Romans 1420 (NKJV) - Do not destroy the work of
  God for the sake of food. All things indeed are
  pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with
  offense.

50
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• We can be wrong in our judgment.

51
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• We can be wrong in our judgment.
• The Christians at Jerusalem were wrong at first
  about Paul. (Acts 926)

52
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• Acts 926 (NKJV) - And when Saul had come to
  Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples but
  they were all afraid of him, and did not believe
  that he was a disciple.

53
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• They did discover their error and correct it!
  (Acts 927-28)

54
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• Acts 927-28 (NKJV) - But Barnabas took him and
  brought him to the apostles. And he declared to
  them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and
  that He had spoken to him, and how he had
  preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.
  28So he was with them at Jerusalem, coming in and
  going out.

55
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• We must never let the fear of We could be
  wrong, keep us from doing what the Lord demands!

56
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• We must never let the fear of We could be
  wrong, keep us from doing what the Lord demands!
• The church at Corinth refused, at first, to
  withdraw from one practicing sin.
  (1 Cor 51-3)

57
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• 1 Corinthians 51-3 (NKJV) - It is actually
  reported that there is sexual immorality among
  you, and such sexual immorality as is not even
  named among the Gentilesthat a man has his
  fathers wife! 2And you are puffed up, and have
  not rather mourned, that he who has done this
  deed might be taken away from among you.

58
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• 3For I indeed, as absent in body but present in
  spirit, have already judged (as though I were
  present) him who has so done this deed.

59
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• There is a standard upon which fellowship is
  based.

60
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• There is a standard upon which fellowship is
  based.
• The New Testament is our standard. (2 Thess 36,
  14 Rom 1617 1 Jn 46)

61
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• 2 Thessalonians 36 (NKJV) - But we command you,
  brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
  that you withdraw from every brother who walks
  disorderly and not according to the tradition
  which he received from us.

62
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• 2 Thessalonians 314 (NKJV) - And if anyone does
  not obey our word in this epistle, note that
  person and do not keep company with him, that he
  may be ashamed.

63
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• Romans 1617 (NKJV) - Now I urge you, brethren,
  note those who cause divisions and offenses,
  contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and
  avoid them.

64
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• 1 John 46 (NKJV) - We are of God. He who knows
  God hears us he who is not of God does not hear
  us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the
  spirit of error.

65
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• Some have asked What is the doctrine of
  Christ? (2 John 9)

66
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• 2 John 19 (NKJV) - Whoever transgresses and does
  not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have
  God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has
  both the Father and the Son.

67
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• The doctrine of Christ is what Christ taught.
  (John 1248 Rev 214)

68
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• John 1248 (NKJV) - He who rejects Me, and does
  not receive My words, has that which judges
  himthe word that I have spoken will judge him in
  the last day.

69
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• Revelation 214 (NKJV) - But I have a few things
  against you, because you have there those who
  hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to
  put a stumbling block before the children of
  Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to
  commit sexual immorality.

70
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• How do we extend fellowship?

71
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• How do we extend fellowship?
• By recognizing and greeting one as a faithful
  brother. (2 John 9-11)

72
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• 2 John 9-11 (NKJV) - Whoever transgresses and
  does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not
  have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ
  has both the Father and the Son. 10If anyone
  comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do
  not receive him into your house nor greet him
  11for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.

73
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• By supporting one in their teaching. (3 John 5-8)

74
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• 3 John 15-8 (NKJV) - Beloved, you do faithfully
  whatever you do for the brethren and for
  strangers, 6who have borne witness of your love
  before the church. If you send them forward on
  their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will
  do well, 7 because they went forth for His names
  sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles.

75
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• 8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we may
  become fellow workers for the truth.

76
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• By associating with one because they are right
  with God. (1 Cor 59-11 2 Thess 314-15)

77
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• 1 Corinthians 59-11 (NKJV) - I wrote to you in
  my epistle not to keep company with sexually
  immoral people. 10Yet I certainly did not mean
  with the sexually immoral people of this world,
  or with the covetous, or extortioners, or
  idolaters, since then you would need to go out of
  the world.

78
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• 11 But now I have written to you not to keep
  company with anyone named a brother, who is
  sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or
  a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortionernot
  even to eat with such a person.

79
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• 2 Thessalonians 314-15 (NKJV) - And if anyone
  does not obey our word in this epistle, note that
  person and do not keep company with him, that he
  may be ashamed. 15Yet do not count him as an
  enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

80
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• We can be wrong in our judgment.

81
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• We can be wrong in our judgment.
• The Christians at Jerusalem were wrong at first
  about Paul. (Acts 926)

82
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• Acts 926 (NKJV) - And when Saul had come to
  Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples but
  they were all afraid of him, and did not believe
  that he was a disciple.

83
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• They did discover their error and correct it!
  (Acts 927-28)

84
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• Acts 927-28 (NKJV) - But Barnabas took him and
  brought him to the apostles. And he declared to
  them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and
  that He had spoken to him, and how he had
  preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.
  28 So he was with them at Jerusalem, coming in
  and going out.

85
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• We must never let the fear of We could be
  wrong, keep us from doing what the Lord demands!

86
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• We must never let the fear of We could be
  wrong, keep us from doing what the Lord demands!
• The church at Corinth refused, at first, to
  withdraw from one practicing sin.
  (1 Cor 51-3)

87
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• 1 Corinthians 51-3 (NKJV) - It is actually
  reported that there is sexual immorality among
  you, and such sexual immorality as is not even
  named among the Gentilesthat a man has his
  fathers wife! 2 And you are puffed up, and have
  not rather mourned, that he who has done this
  deed might be taken away from among you.

88
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• 3 For I indeed, as absent in body but present in
  spirit, have already judged (as though I were
  present) him who has so done this deed.

89
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• There is a standard upon which fellowship is
  based.

90
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• There is a standard upon which fellowship is
  based.
• The New Testament is our standard. (2 Thess 36,
  14 Rom 1617 1 Jn 46)

91
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• 2 Thessalonians 36 (NKJV) - But we command you,
  brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
  that you withdraw from every brother who walks
  disorderly and not according to the tradition
  which he received from us.

92
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• 2 Thessalonians 314 (NKJV) - And if anyone does
  not obey our word in this epistle, note that
  person and do not keep company with him, that he
  may be ashamed.

93
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• Romans 1617 (NKJV)- Now I urge you, brethren,
  note those who cause divisions and offenses,
  contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and
  avoid them.

94
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• 1 John 46 (NKJV) - We are of God. He who knows
  God hears us he who is not of God does not hear
  us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the
  spirit of error.

95
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• Some have asked What is the doctrine of
  Christ? (2 John 9)

96
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• 2 John 9 (NKJV) - Whoever transgresses and does
  not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have
  God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has
  both the Father and the Son.

97
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• The doctrine of Christ is what Christ taught.
  (John 1248 Rev 214)

98
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• John 1248 (NKJV) - He who rejects Me, and does
  not receive My words, has that which judges
  himthe word that I have spoken will judge him in
  the last day.

99
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• Revelation 214 (NKJV) - But I have a few things
  against you, because you have there those who
  hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to
  put a stumbling block before the children of
  Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to
  commit sexual immorality.

100
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• Revelation 214 (NKJV) - But I have a few things
  against you, because you have there those who
  hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to
  put a stumbling block before the children of
  Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to
  commit sexual immorality.

101
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• How do we extend fellowship?

102
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• How do we extend fellowship?
• By recognizing and greeting one as a faithful
  brother. (2 John 9-11)

103
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• 2 John 9-11 (NKJV) - Whoever transgresses and
  does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not
  have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ
  has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone
  comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do
  not receive him into your house nor greet him
  11for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.

104
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• By supporting one in their teaching. (3 John 5-8)

105
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• 3 John 15-8 (NKJV) - Beloved, you do faithfully
  whatever you do for the brethren and for
  strangers, 6 who have borne witness of your love
  before the church. If you send them forward on
  their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will
  do well, 7 because they went forth for His names
  sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles.

106
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• 8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we may
  become fellow workers for the truth.

107
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• By associating with one because they are right
  with God. (1 Cor 59-11 2 Thess 314-15)

108
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• 1 Corinthians 59-11 (NKJV) - I wrote to you in
  my epistle not to keep company with sexually
  immoral people. 10 Yet I certainly did not mean
  with the sexually immoral people of this world,
  or with the covetous, or extortioners, or
  idolaters, since then you would need to go out of
  the world.

109
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• 11 But now I have written to you not to keep
  company with anyone named a brother, who is
  sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or
  a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortionernot
  even to eat with such a person.

110
The Biblical Bounds of Fellowship

• 2 Thessalonians 314-15 (NKJV) - And if anyone
  does not obey our word in this epistle, note that
  person and do not keep company with him, that he
  may be ashamed. 15 Yet do not count him as an
  enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

111
Views of Fellowship --- Then and Now

• In the 50s and 60s there was gradual acceptance
  of allowing men to come for meetings who
  had departed from basic Bible teachings.

112
Views of Fellowship --- Then and Now

• In the 50s and 60s there was gradual acceptance
  of allowing men to come for meetings who
  had departed from basic Bible teachings.
• Often these men were attached to large sponsoring
  churches or church colleges. To many his gave
  them instant credibility.

113
Views of Fellowship --- Then and Now

• In the place these men worked they did not teach
  the things they believed publicly, but often
  spread these things in private. (Jude 3-4)

114
Views of Fellowship --- Then and Now

• Jude 13-4 (NKJV) - Beloved, while I was very
  diligent to write to you concerning our common
  salvation, I found it necessary to write to you
  exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith
  which was once for all delivered to the saints.

115
Views of Fellowship --- Then and Now

• 4 For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who
  long ago were marked out for this condemnation,
  ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into
  lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord
  Jesus Christ.

116
Views of Fellowship --- Then and Now

• In time these institutions were allowing these
  men to go unchecked.

117
Views of Fellowship --- Then and Now

• In time these institutions were allowing these
  men to go unchecked.
• Today the Institutional churches have come to
  reap a harvest.

118
Views of Fellowship --- Then and Now

• Most of the large institutions have now
  completely fallen under the control of the
  change agents.

119
Views of Fellowship --- Then and Now

• Most of the large institutions have now
  completely fallen under the control of the
  change agents.
• Where the influence of these institutions was
  welded in the 50s and 60s to protect their
  support from church treasuries, this same power
  is being used today to push out the Patternist.

120
Views of Fellowship --- Then and Now

• Here are the current views of fellowship.

121
Views of Fellowship --- Then and Now

• We can fellowship churches that use instruments
  of music.

122
Views of Fellowship --- Then and Now

• When I asked Buddy how he viewed the Christian
  Church, he floored me by boldly saying that he
  was in "FULL FELLOWSHIP WITH THEM." Since I
  couldn't believe what I had just heard, I asked
  him the second time, "You are in full fellowship
  with them?" Buddy said, "I feel that way. Buddy
  Bell Returns To Montgomery, Alabama! - Ray
  Dutton, Seek the Old Paths

123
Views of Fellowship --- Then and Now

• We can fellowship all believers in Christ, which
  includes the mainline denominations.

124
Views of Fellowship --- Then and Now

• We can fellowship all believers in Christ, which
  includes the mainline denominations.
• Sometimes there is open fellowship in the
  exchanging of pulpits. (Ex. Max Lucado at a
  Baptist church When I see a believer, I see a
  brother.)

125
Views of Fellowship --- Then and Now

• We can fellowship all believers in Christ, which
  includes the mainline denominations.
• Sometimes there is open fellowship in the
  exchanging of pulpits. (Ex. Max Lucado at a
  Baptist church When I see a believer, I see a
  brother.)
• Sometimes this open fellowship in done in
  special meetings.

126
Views of Fellowship --- Then and Now

• We express concern for our sister congregation,
  the Covington Road church in Natchez, in their
  recent decision to be involved with a Baptist
  denominational group known as "World Changers."
  Denominations are man-made institutions with
  earthly headquarters, manuals, organizations,
  plans of salvation, worships and works.

127
Views of Fellowship --- Then and Now

• They are not the church of the New Testament, as
  is evident from the Scriptures, and work contrary
  to the Truth of God....

128
Views of Fellowship --- Then and Now

• ...In receiving the Covington Road News
  bulletins and being informed of the coming of the
  "World Changers" to Natchez, one would consider
  them to be our Christian youth from churches
  across the country. They were not! They were
  Southern Baptist youth. The bulletins were
  deceptive in that this was never mentioned. It
  was through the local newspaper that we learned
  that the youth were Southern Baptists.

129
Views of Fellowship --- Then and Now

• The June issue of the bulletin says, "Let us
  plan, pray and work for this good effort...." (We
  acknowledge the work to be good work but the
  fellowship is unscriptural and sinful. We are to
  "have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of
  darkness but rather reprove them" (Eph. 511).

130
Views of Fellowship --- Then and Now

• The following July bulletins state "We encourage
  any -- especially our youth -- to be involved in
  this manual labor on behalf of others and to
  God's glory." "We look forward to this
  opportunity to serve the needs of others in our
  community may God bless our efforts..." -
  Covington Road Church Further Fractures
  Fellowship, Joe W. Nichols

131
Views of Fellowship --- Then and Now

• The Promise Keepers group is the current tool
  used by many to encourage open fellowship.

132
Views of Fellowship --- Then and Now

• ...on having fellowship with denominational
  churches. I have already pointed out that he
  claims to be in "full fellowship" with the
  Christian Church. When I questioned him about
  fellowshipping the Baptists and Methodists, he
  looked at me and said, "I'm going to fellowship
  them where I can fellowship them." To prove his
  point he brought up "Promise Keepers."

133
Views of Fellowship --- Then and Now

• To my surprise he openly stated that he was going
  to be, in his words, "real comfortable rejoicing
  with those people about Jesus on what He's
  done."....

134
Views of Fellowship --- Then and Now

• Buddy thinks we should "rejoice" with these
  purveyors of error, but again Paul warned Titus
  that "there are many unruly and vain talkers and
  deceivers, specially they of the circumcision,
  whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole
  houses, teaching things which they ought not, for
  filthy lucre's sake" (Titus 110-11).

135
Views of Fellowship --- Then and Now

• How can we support and encourage these false
  teachers at "Promise Keepers" or any other
  denominational endeavor when Paul says that their
  "mouths must be stopped? Buddy Bell Returns To
  Montgomery, Alabama! - Ray Dutton

136
Views of Fellowship --- Then and Now

• The only thing essential to salvation is the plan
  of salvation.

137
Views of Fellowship --- Then and Now

• My first question for Buddy was "Who are the
  saved?" Buddy said that he felt that if he and I
  were teaching a non-Christian that our answers
  would be the same. He then stated to me that he
  believed that baptism was essential. I, then,
  asked him if a person could believe what the
  Baptists and Methodists teach about salvation and
  be saved. He did not answer YES or NO.

138
Views of Fellowship --- Then and Now

• He hedged by saying that he wasn't sure whether a
  person had to understand that baptism was for the
  remission of sins.

139
Views of Fellowship --- Then and Now

• Since his answer troubled me, I asked him if he
  believed Baptists are SAVED. Again, he responded
  that he had a hard time answering that, and that
  he had some real mixed emotions about that. So I
  asked him if he considered them brothers and
  sisters in the Lord's fellowship. His answer
  "Probably some I would. Buddy Bell Returns To
  Montgomery, Alabama! - Ray Dutton, Seek the Old
  Paths

140
Views of Fellowship --- Then and Now

• Many are swapping pulpits with denominations and
  giving up baptism as essential for salvation!

141
Views of Fellowship --- Then and Now

• Max Lucado - Radio Station KJAK, Lubbock, Texas -
  December 1996 Just turn your heart to him even
  right now as I am speaking. Call him your Father.
  And your Father will respond. Why don't you do
  that?

142
Views of Fellowship --- Then and Now

• Instrumental music playing in background
  "Father, I give my heart to you. I give you my
  sins, I give you my tears, I give you my fears,
  I give you my whole life. I accept the gift of
  your Son on the cross for my sins. And I ask you,
  Father, to receive me as your child. Through
  Jesus I pray. Amen.

143
Views of Fellowship --- Then and Now

• ANNOUNCER And friend, if you prayed along with
  Max Lucado just now, here on UPWARDS, we want to
  welcome you into the family of God. We hope you
  will contact us and share your personal
  testimony. If you are already a believer, we
  thank you for praying for these new brothers and
  sisters in Christ..

144
Views of Fellowship --- Then and Now

• Now Max Lucado returns with a special word for
  those who received the gift of salvation just
  moments ago in prayer. MAX LUCADO instrumental
  music playing in the background

145
Views of Fellowship --- Then and Now

• Today is the first day you've ever prayed a
  prayer like that. Could you do me a favor? Could
  you write me a letter? I don't have anything I am
  going to ask from you. I do have a letter I would
  like to send to you, I'd like to give you a word
  about the next step or two.

146
Views of Fellowship --- Then and Now

• I want to encourage you to find a church, I want
  to encourage you to be baptized, I want to
  encourage you to read your Bible. But I don't
  want you to do any of that so that you will be
  saved. I want you to do all of that because you
  are saved. You see, your Father has a great life
  planned for you, and I want to tell you about it.
  Give us a call, and drop me a note.

147
Views of Fellowship --- Then and Now

• And, thanks my friend, for making the greatest
  decision of your life. I'll be back on Monday. I
  hope you will be too. Transcribed from the tape.

148
Arguments for a Broader Fellowship.

• We cannot know if one is right or wrong on....

149
Arguments for a Broader Fellowship.

• We cannot know if one is right or wrong on....
• Some have asked me this Do you have all
  knowledge? If I say No, then they follow How
  then can you be sure you are right about this?
  My answer is I may not know ALL THINGS, but I
  do know SOME THINGS!

150
Arguments for a Broader Fellowship.

• Why do some people not know? (Luke 1029 Jn
  319-21)

151
Arguments for a Broader Fellowship.

• Luke 1029 (NKJV) - But he, wanting to justify
  himself, said to Jesus, And who is my neighbor?

152
Arguments for a Broader Fellowship.

• John 319-21 (NKJV) - And this is the
  condemnation, that the light has come into the
  world, and men loved darkness rather than light,
  because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone
  practicing evil hates the light and does not come
  to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.
  21 But he who does the truth comes to the light,
  that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they
  have been done in God.

153
Arguments for a Broader Fellowship.

• Churches are stagnating, we will become extinct!

154
Arguments for a Broader Fellowship.

• Churches are stagnating, we will become extinct!
• If this is so, let us then seek Gods solutions.

155
Arguments for a Broader Fellowship.

• Churches are stagnating, we will become extinct!
• If this is so, let us then seek Gods solutions.
• Why do we exist? (Gal 220)

156
Arguments for a Broader Fellowship.

• Galatians 220 (NKJV) - I have been crucified
  with Christ it is no longer I who live, but
  Christ lives in me and the life which I now live
  in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God,
  who loved me and gave Himself for me.

157
Arguments for a Broader Fellowship.

• Because of bad personal experiences.

158
Arguments for a Broader Fellowship.

• Because of bad personal experiences.
• The most common cause of these departures is
  what I call Reactionary Apostasy.

159
Arguments for a Broader Fellowship.

• What is wrong with this thinking? (Rom 34)

160
Arguments for a Broader Fellowship.

• Romans 34 (NKJV) - Certainly not! Indeed, let
  God be true but every man a liar. As it is
  written That You may be justified in Your
  words, And may overcome when You are judged.

161
Arguments for a Broader Fellowship.

• Is it right to get mad at the dog, and kick the
  cat?

162
Arguments for a Broader Fellowship.

• Because of a subjective view of how to know Gods
  will.

163
Arguments for a Broader Fellowship.

• Because of a subjective view of how to know Gods
  will.
• Some have viewed themselves so close to God as to
  be above being challenged. These feel that they
  just know what God wants without looking at the
  scriptures.

164
Arguments for a Broader Fellowship.

• Because of a subjective view of how to know Gods
  will.
• Some have viewed themselves so close to God as to
  be above being challenged. These feel that they
  just know what God wants without looking at the
  scriptures.
• This is pride! (1 Cor 81-2)

165
Arguments for a Broader Fellowship.

• 1 Corinthians 81-2 (NKJV) - Now concerning
  things offered to idols We know that we all have
  knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.
  2 And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he
  knows nothing yet as he ought to know.

166
Arguments for a Broader Fellowship.

• Others have let their desire to be with others
  cause them to re-think fellowship.

167
Arguments for a Broader Fellowship.

• Others have let their desire to be with others
  cause them to re-think fellowship.
• Because we should be tolerant!

168
Arguments for a Broader Fellowship.

• Who defines tolerant, God or the current
  culture?

169
Arguments for a Broader Fellowship.

• But here it's important to remember what is
  meant by Tolerance" in a relativist society. It
  doesn't mean what used to mean permitting each
  person the right to believe (or disbelieve)
  according to his own conscience. That would be a
  respect for religious freedom far too noble for a
  secular society bent on the eradication of
  religious faith.

170
Arguments for a Broader Fellowship.

• In sharp contrast, today's "tolerance" means
  having to accept all values, truths, and beliefs
  (no matter how morally bankrupt) as equally
  valid. - The Cultural Church, p. 78-79

171
Consequences of a Broader Fellowship

• Fellowship in time will determine practice. (1
  Cor 55-6)

172
Consequences of a Broader Fellowship

• 1 Corinthians 55-6 (NKJV) - deliver such a one
  to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that
  his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord
  Jesus. Your glorying is not good. Do you not know
  that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?

173
Consequences of a Broader Fellowship

• This is not a new path! Consider again the
  experience of the Disciples of Christ
  Denomination.

174
Consequences of a Broader Fellowship

• This is not a new path! Consider again the
  experience of the Disciples of Christ
  Denomination.
• Even if you hold steadfast your views what will
  become of your children?

175
Consequences of a Broader Fellowship

• Even now many country churches that have not had
  the slightest idea about what was occurring are
  now being influences by the children and
  newcomers who attended the Christian colleges
  and large city churches. Many have found
  themselves in a minority on a very fast train.

176
Consequences of a Broader Fellowship

• Even now many country churches that have not had
  the slightest idea about what was occurring are
  now being influences by the children and
  newcomers who attended the Christian colleges
  and large city churches. Many have found
  themselves in a minority on a very fast train.
• The openness of today will become withdrawn in
  the future.

177
Consequences of a Broader Fellowship

• J. W. McGarvey learned a lesson the hard way in
  his middle of the road position on fellowship.

178
Consequences of a Broader Fellowship

• If you want to influence someone with Gods
  wisdom, take a stand! (2 Cor 614-17)

179
Consequences of a Broader Fellowship

• 2 Corinthians 614-17 (NKJV) - Do not be
  unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For
  what fellowship has righteousness with
  lawlessness? And what communion has light with
  darkness? 15And what accord has Christ with
  Belial? Or what part has a believer with an
  unbeliever?

180
Consequences of a Broader Fellowship

• 16And what agreement has the temple of God with
  idols? For you are the temple of the living God.
  As God has said I will dwell in them And walk
  among them. I will be their God, And they shall
  be My people. 17 Therefore Come out from among
  them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch
  what is unclean, And I will receive you.

181
Consequences of a Broader Fellowship

• God will view me as practicing the things that I
  encourage others in.

182
Consequences of a Broader Fellowship

• God will view me as practicing the things that I
  encourage others in.
• I will be held accountable! (1 Tim 522 2 John
  9-11)

183
Consequences of a Broader Fellowship

• 1 Timothy 522 (NKJV) - Do not lay hands on
  anyone hastily, nor share in other peoples sins
  keep yourself pure.

184
Consequences of a Broader Fellowship

• 2 John 19-11 (NKJV) - Whoever transgresses and
  does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not
  have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ
  has both the Father and the Son. 10If anyone
  comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do
  not receive him into your house nor greet him
  11for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.

185
Consequences of a Broader Fellowship

• What is my goal? Do I want others to change.

186
Consequences of a Broader Fellowship

• What is my goal? Do I want others to change.
• Who do I really want to have fellowship with?

187
Consequences of a Broader Fellowship

• What is my goal? Do I want others to change.
• Who do I really want to have fellowship with?
• While some say they want to be right with God,
  they in fact want to please men. (Gal
  110)

188
Consequences of a Broader Fellowship

• Galatians 110 (NKJV) - For do I now persuade
  men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I
  still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant
  of Christ.

189
Consequences of a Broader Fellowship

• While we may fool men, God knows our heart!

190
Consequences of a Broader Fellowship

• While we may fool men, God knows our heart!
• I have talked with men about what was right and
  what they needed to do.

191
Consequences of a Broader Fellowship

• Even though they have agreed with me, I have
  often heard the refusal to stand rationalized
  like this It is hard to do what is right!

192
Consequences of a Broader Fellowship

• Even though they have agreed with me, I have
  often heard the refusal to stand rationalized
  like this It is hard to do what is right!
• What will heaven be like?

193
Consequences of a Broader Fellowship

• Even though they have agreed with me, I have
  often heard the refusal to stand rationalized
  like this It is hard to do what is right!
• What will heaven be like?
• It will be filled with men of faith who at times
  had to stand alone. (Heb 1132-38)

194
Consequences of a Broader Fellowship

• Hebrews 1132-38 (NKJV) - And what more shall I
  say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon
  and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David
  and Samuel and the prophets 33 who through faith
  subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained
  promises, stopped the mouths of lions,

195
Consequences of a Broader Fellowship

• 34 quenched the violence of fire, escaped the
  edge of the sword, out of weakness were made
  strong, became valiant in battle, turned to
  flight the armies of the aliens. 35 Women
  received their dead raised to life again. Others
  were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that
  they might obtain a better resurrection.

196
Consequences of a Broader Fellowship

• 36 Still others had trial of mockings and
  scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment.
  37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were
  tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered
  about in sheepskins and goatskins, being
  destitute, afflicted, tormented38 of whom the
  world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts
  and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.

197
Consequences of a Broader Fellowship

• Have you heard of these men?

198
Consequences of a Broader Fellowship

• Have you heard of these men?
• Sethur? Gaddiel? Palti? Shaphat? Nahbi?

199
Consequences of a Broader Fellowship

• Have you heard of these men?
• Sethur? Gaddiel? Palti? Shaphat? Nahbi?
• How about these men? Caleb? Joshua?