Introduction:

1. What is biblical fellowship?

2. When is withdrawal of fellowship necessary?

3. Why is withdrawal of fellowship necessary?

Discussion:

I. What Is Biblical Fellowship?

A. In English, “friendly association, especially with people who share one’s own interests; a group of people meeting to pursue a shared interest or aim” (Online Dictionary)

B. Two NT Greek terms: koinonia and metochos meaning a partnership or sharing in common beliefs, ways, and interests.

C. Translated as fellowship, partnership, partners, fellows, share, contribution, distribution, communicate, companion

D. There are many avenues of fellowship:

1. In knowledge of God’s word (Acts 2:42; Ephesians 3:9).

2. In the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 10:16).

3. In giving to supply the needs of others (Romans 12:13; 15:26-27; 2 Corinthians 8:4; 9:13; Hebrews 13:16)

4. In the gospel (Galatians 2:9; 6:6; Philippians 1:5; 4:15)

5. In the Spirit (2 Corinthians 13:14; Philippians 2:1; 2 Peter 1:4).

6. In suffering (2 Corinthians 1:11; Philippians 3:10; 4:14; Hebrews 10:33; 1 Peter 4:13)

7. In wickedness (1 Corinthians 10:20; 2 Corinthians 6:14; Ephesians 5:7, 11; 1 Timothy 5:22; 2 John 9-11; Revelation 18:4)

II. When Is Withdrawal of Fellowship Necessary?

A. Our fellowship with one another is an extension of our fellowship with God (1 Corinthians 1:9; 1 John 1:3-7; Ephesians 2:18-22).

1. The foundation of this fellowship is that we walk in the light of God’s word (1 John 1:5-7; 2:3-6).

2. For this cause, sometimes disfellowshipping the wayward becomes necessary (Matthew 18:15-17; Romans 16:17-18; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; Ephesians 5:7-11; 2 Thessalonians 3:6; 14-15; Titus 3:10-11; 2 John 9-11).

B. There is no timeline, but there are clues as to timing and causes.

1. This is the last step in discipline, and it should not be entered into hastily (Matthew 18:15-17; Galatians 6:1-2; 2 Timothy 4:1-2; Titus 3:10-11).

2. It is only if they refuse to repent (Matthew 18:17; Luke 17:3-4; 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14-15; Titus 3:10; 2 Corinthians 2:5-8).

3. Note several practices that may prompt disfellowshipping.

a. Stirring division and falsehood prompts swift severance (Romans 16:17-18; Galatians 1:6-9; Titus 3:10-11; 2 John 9-11).

b. Moral depravity likewise prompt swift withdrawal from the guilty party (1 Corinthians 5:11; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; Ephesians 5:7-11).

c. Fellowship must be withdrawn from all who persist in disobedience to His will (2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14-15).

III. Why Is Withdrawal of Fellowship Necessary?

A. Sadly, many Christians and churches are refusing to discipline.

B. Three reasons discipline must be done in the Lord’s church:

1. God commanded it, so it is a sin to refuse it (Matthew 7:21-27; John 14:15; 15:14, 23; 12:47-48; Hebrews 10:26-31; 1 John 2:3-6).

2. It is for the good of the errant one (Matthew 18:15; 1 Corinthians 5:5; Galatians 6:1-2; 2 Thessalonians 3:15; James 5:19-20).

3. It is for the good of the church (1 Corinthians 5:6-8, 13).

Conclusion:

1. Some argue that church discipline does not work, but to so argue is to undermine the wisdom of God.

2. Our fellowship with one another depends on our continuing in fellowship with God.

3. No discipline is pleasant at the time, but in the end, it brings about God’s intended purpose and our good (Hebrews 12:9-11).