Benefits of Faith in God: Fellowship with Him

We don’t often think of the benefits of faith in God. Each of the benefits help us in our attitude toward God. Having regular fellowship keeps our mindset where it needs to be. Focused on God. This lesson is Benefits of Faith: Fellowship with Him.

“Spiritual power comes out of inward fellowship with God and abandonment to his purposes.” E. Stanley Jones

Here are some questions for discussion:

• What does God say about fellowship with Him?
• What does Jesus say about fellowship?
• What does it mean to be in fellowship with God?
• What is the purpose of fellowship with God?
• What are the benefits of fellowship with God?
• What are ways of fellowship with God?

What does God say about fellowship with Him?

1 John 1:6-7 NIV

“If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.“

If we are not walking in God’s way, we are in darkness. That’s why it’s important to confess our sin, Sin breaks fellowship. We are not enjoying one of the most wonderful benefits.

What does Jesus say about fellowship?

John 15:4-5 NIV

“Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.“

Jesus is talking to His disciples. “Remain in me, as I also remain in you”. If we want to bear fruit for the Lord, we have to be in fellowship with Him. We are a part of Him and He with us. This is where our strength lies.

What does it mean to be in fellowship with God?

1 John 1:9 NIV

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

To stay in fellowship, we need to ask for forgiveness when we sin. God cannot look on sin. This is the way He has given us to get back in right standing with Him.

“True evidences for fellowship with God or walking in the light are: (1) fellowship with one another (v.7), followed by cleansing in the blood of Christ; (2) confession of sin, (v.9) which brings both forgiveness and cleansing; and (3) confidence that if we sin we have Jesus Christ as an advocate and sacrifice for our sins (2:2). Expositor’s Bible Commentary (Abridged Edition): New Testament. Copyright 2004. 1 John 1:7-9, 2;2.

What is the purpose of fellowship with God?

Psalm 63:1 NIV

You, God, are my God,
    earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you,
    my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land
    where there is no water

When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, our heart changes. It no longer shuns God but seeks to grow closer to Him. In Psalm 63:1 NIV, we see how we should feel about our relationship with Him. We should desire to learn more about the one who gave His life for our sin.

The purpose of fellowship with God is to build a relationship with Him. If we don’t, our faith will not grow.

What are the benefits of fellowship with God?

1. Communication with God

John 5:14 NIV This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

This verse says we can have confidence when we go to God in prayer. When we are in fellowship, and ask in His will, He hears us. What a blessing to know God is hearing us.

He may not answer as soon as we like, but He will answer. Being able to communicate with God is an great benefit in our faith.

2. His Guidance.

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Trusting in God, listening to Him instead of going our own way, gives us the advantage of God’s leading. When we do not follow His lead, we lose our way. It may seem okay for a while, but things will begin to fall apart. God has a tendency to let us know we need to get back to Him.

3. Fruit of the Spirit.

Galations 5:22-23 NIV

  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

Fellowship with God brings the fruit of the Spirit into our lives. We can only produce this when we are living in God’s Light.

This is a part of God’s nature for us to utilize in walking in His way and helping others. Where else can you experience God attributes in your life?

4. Fellowship with Other Believers.

1 Thessalonians 5:10-11 NIV  “He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”

Fellowship with likeminded people is very comforting, enlightening and encouraging. When believers are depending on the Lord to help them live in the Spirit, an atmosphere of joy is present.

What are ways of fellowship with God?

1. Prayer

Psalm 145:18 NIV “The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.“

As Christians we have an advantage. The Lord is there and ready to answer us because we call on Him in Jesus Christ name. God sees Jesus’s righteousness in our place because of what He did on the cross for us, that is if we have accepted His gift.

What does it do for you, that God Himself is waiting for your conversation with Him? It gives me confidence that He is there when I need Him.

2. His Word

Psalm 119:10 NIV “I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.”

Scripture is more than reading a good book. It is alive and can create miracles in our lives.

Reading it is a way for us to hear what God is saying to us. It helps create a sweet fellowship with our Lord.

3. Serving

Hebrews 6:10 NIV “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.”

Did you know that when you help another believer, God looks on that as you helping Him? And not just believers, others as well. As Christians we are responsible to help those in need.

We are pleasing God when we reach out a helping hand. This is part of God’s nature.

4. Church

1 John 1:3 NIV “We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.”

God believes in community. We need to have fellowship with other believers to help us live in the Lord. We are obeying God when we do this.

Ephesians 5:19 NIV “speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord,”

We can fellowship with God through music. Singing praises gives Him and us great joy.

Conclusion

Keeping in step with God brings honor and glory to Him. Fellowship is a benefit of our faith in God.

Thinking about our relationship with God should give us true joy. This is a gift that unbelievers will never enjoy. Take advantage of it today.

Please comment below to add to the conversation- Thank you, Jackie