Importance of Fellowship in Christian Life

Lesson 22: Withdraw of Fellowship

Withdraw of Fellowship I. One of the Great Blessings of Being in Christ Is the Fellowship Enjoyed. A. The word fellowship comes from the Greek word koinonia, which means partnership, association, joint participation, sharing (see Thayer 352). B. When one is baptized into Christ (Gal. 3:27), he enters into a wonderful fellowship with the Godhead a vertical fellowship. C. When one is baptized into one body (1 Cor. 12:13), he enters into a wonderful fellowship with fellow Christians in the body of Christ a horizontal fellowship. D. This wonderful fellowship is conditional.

Withdraw of Fellowship II. There Are Times When a Christian Must Withdraw His Fellowship from Some. A. Because fellowship is such a special gift bestowed by God, it must also be limited by the standards that He imposes. B. The fellowship of a Christian is not to be extended to the sinful ways of the world. C. The fellowship of a Christian is not to be extended to brethren living in sin. D. Therefore, it must be noted that God commands Christians to withdraw from brethren who choose to walk outside the light. This is not optional. E. The subject of withdrawing fellowship is certainly a difficult subject to study.

Withdraw of Fellowship III.The New Testament Teaches Us What Withdraw of Fellowship Is. A. Fellowship with Christ and with His church is a precious blessing for Christians to enjoy. B. Christians are instructed to withdraw from (2 Thess. 3:6). C. Christians are instructed to put away from or have taken away from (1 Cor. 5:2, 13). D. Christians are instructed to avoid (Rom. 16:17). E. Christians are instructed to reject (Tit. 3:10-11). F. Christians are instructed to purge out the old leaven (1 Cor. 5:7).

Withdraw of Fellowship III.The New Testament Teaches Us What Withdraw of Fellowship Is. G. Christians are instructed not to keep company with (1 Cor. 5:11). H. Christians are instructed to note that person (2 Thess. 3:14). I. Christians are instructed to keep an eye on (Rom. 16:17). J. Christians are instructed to deliver such a one to Satan (1 Cor. 5:5). K. Christians are instructed to let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector (Mt. 18:17).

Withdraw of Fellowship IV.The New Testament Teaches Us From Whom Fellowship Is to Be Withdrawn. A. The subject of withdraw of fellowship can be a very difficult and sensitive matter, in addition to being very personal. B. Rather than being left to our own devices, Scripture identifies the sort of person from whom fellowship is to be withdrawn. C. First of all, it must be noted that the action of withdraw is taken against a Christian. D. The church is to withdraw fellowship from brethren who walk disorderly (2 Thess. 3:6).

Withdraw of Fellowship IV.The New Testament Teaches Us From Whom Fellowship Is to Be Withdrawn. E. The church is to withdraw fellowship from brethren who become impenitently enslaved to a life of habitual sin (1 Cor. 5:9-11). F. The church is to withdraw fellowship from an impenitent brother, who has sinned against a fellow brother in Christ and refuses to repent (Matt. 18:15-17). G. The church is to withdraw fellowship from one who is factious or divisive (Rom. 16:17-18; Tit. 3:10-11). H. The church is to withdraw fellowship from those who teach false doctrine. I. The church is to withdraw fellowship from those who willfully forsake the assembly.

Withdraw of Fellowship V. The New Testament Teaches Us Why Fellowship Is to Be Withdrawn. A. This point is critically important! B. The New Testament commands withdraw because God wants the wayward to be saved! 1. God s design for withdraw of fellowship is to save a wayward brother. 2. God s design for withdraw of fellowship is the destruction of the flesh of the wayward brother. 3. God s design for withdraw of fellowship is to gain a wayward brother. 4. God s design for withdraw of fellowship is to produce shame in a wayward brother. 5. God s design for withdraw of fellowship is to produce sorrow in a wayward brother.

Withdraw of Fellowship V. The New Testament Teaches Us Why Fellowship Is to Be Withdrawn. C. The New Testament commands withdraw because God wants the church to be saved. 1. God is equally interested in the salvation of the souls of each of His children. 2. The church is the beautiful bride of Christ and must be protected from sin. 3. God s design for withdraw of fellowship is to protect His church from the influence of sin. 4. God s design for withdraw of fellowship is to keep His church pure. 5. God s design for withdraw of fellowship is to urge Christians to remain faithful.

Withdraw of Fellowship V. The New Testament Teaches Us Why Fellowship Is to Be Withdrawn. D. The New Testament commands withdraw because God wants the world to be saved. 1. In all that the church does, the Lord must be exalted and magnified! 2. The image of the Lord s church to outsiders is critical in the conversion effort. 3. God s design for withdraw of fellowship is to preserve the image of the church in the eyes of the world. E. Many have misunderstood withdraw of fellowship and its purpose.

Withdraw of Fellowship VI.The New Testament Teaches Us How Fellowship Is to Be Withdrawn. A. Scripture teaches that withdrawing is to be done by the authority of Christ. 1. The practice of withdrawing fellowship is not based on any man-made authority. 2. The practice of withdrawing fellowship is based on authority directly from heaven! 3. The practice of withdrawing fellowship is following the lead of Jesus Himself!

Withdraw of Fellowship VI.The New Testament Teaches Us How Fellowship Is to Be Withdrawn. B. Scripture teaches that withdrawing is to be done by the church, in a public assembly. 1. Withdraw of fellowship is an action to be done when the church is gathered together. 2. Withdraw of fellowship is an action to be done by the whole church, and not just the eldership. 3. Withdraw of fellowship is not done in secret or only by the church leadership. 4. Withdraw of fellowship is to be implemented and practiced by the entire congregation. C. Scripture teaches that withdrawing is to be done with urgency.

Withdraw of Fellowship VI.The New Testament Teaches Us How Fellowship Is to Be Withdrawn. D. Scripture teaches that withdrawing is to be done in a methodical and prayer-filled procedure. 1. There are obviously multiple steps involved in the process of withdrawing fellowship. 2. Step #1: Be mindful of all brethren and their spiritual condition. 3. Step #2: Warn the wayward brother. 4. Step #3: Make every effort to restore the brother. 5. Step #4: Withdraw fellowship from the erring brother. E. Scripture teaches that withdrawing is to be done as an ongoing endeavor to restore. F. Scripture teaches that withdrawing is to be done as an act of love.

Withdraw of Fellowship VII.The New Testament Teaches Us That Withdrawing Fellowship Is Effective in Its Purpose. A. Every person on this earth Christian and non-Christian possesses freedom of will, which they may exercise to their heart s content, regardless of our wishes or efforts. B. Scripture teaches us that withdrawing fellowship can cause an erring brother to return. C. Scripture teaches us how the church must respond when an erring brother returns.