Jan 25 2025 54 mins
24_01_25 -Ep.348 – Run With Horses Podcast – Spiritual Disciplines - Fellowship
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Author pages with links to all books on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BCSDDVLB – James Norman Smith
https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BMGW51FW – Susan Jane Smith
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Today we continue our survey of the spiritual disciplines.
Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus. The spiritual life is both incredibly simple and potentially the most difficult part of your life. God invites you to live intentionally and on His mission. It’s very cool that we can do that together!
Thank you for joining me today! “If you’re new here, you can check out past episodes at runwithhorses.net. As always, I appreciate your feedback, questions, and reviews!”
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Caregivers Corner
Stages of Spiritual Growth – Questions to Ponder Young Adult and Parent
**(23:00 – 0:00)* * PART 1
Solitude, silence, fasting, simplicity, meditation, Study, worship, prayer, fellowship, service.
Fellowship As A Spiritual Discipline
Introduction
Fellowship : a deep, spiritual, and relational bond among believers in Christ, united through the Holy Spirit.
Fellowship is often undervalued as a spiritual discipline but it is essential for Christian growth, accountability, and encouragement. Hebrews 10:24-25 - 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
1: Biblical Foundation of Fellowship
1.1. Fellowship in the Early Church
Acts 2:42-47 (NKJV)
"And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved."
Fellowship was not just social but an intentional, spiritual practice.
Community: teaching, breaking bread, prayer, and sharing in each other’s needs.
1.2. Theological Importance of Fellowship
1 John 1:3 (NKJV)
"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."
Fellowship with one another is rooted in our fellowship with God the Father and Jesus Christ.
It’s not just about socializing; it’s about participation in the life of God through Christ.
2: Fellowship as a Spiritual Discipline
2.1. The Role of Fellowship in Christian Growth
Hebrews 10:24-25 (NKJV)
"And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."
Fellowship is a necessary part of Christian life because it encourages us to love one another and perform good works.
Regular gathering in worship and fellowship for mutual encouragement.
2.2. Fellowship as Encouragement and Accountability
Galatians 6:1-2 (NKJV)
"Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."
Fellowship involves mutual care, helping each other through struggles, and bearing one another’s burdens.
3: Fellowship and the Importance of Community for Spiritual Growth
3.1. Using Spiritual Gifts Within the Community
1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (NKJV)
"There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all."
Fellowship involves the active use of spiritual gifts to build up the body of Christ.
Not isolating one’s spiritual gifts but using them in the context of community for the mutual edification of all believers.
3.2. Living Out the "One Anothers" of the New Testament
Romans 12:10 (NKJV)
"Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another."
Galatians 5:13 (NKJV)
"For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."
Ephesians 4:2-3 (NKJV)
"With all lowliness and gentleness, with long-suffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
Colossians 3:13 (NKJV)
"Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do."
We all have a call to "one another" living: love one another, serve one another, bear with one another, and forgive one another.
These relational commands can only truly be lived out within the community of believers. Fellowship, in community, is where we practice these commands.
3.3. The Community and Spiritual Growth
Proverbs 27:17 (NKJV)
"As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend."
Fellowship in community provides the context for mutual sharpening and growth.
Accountability, prayer, correction, and encouragement are critical in the spiritual formation of every body of believers.
4: Practical Ways to Cultivate Fellowship
4.1. Intentional Relationships
Romans 12:10 (NKJV)
"Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another."
Because we are all so busy, making fellowship a priority is important, creating opportunities for one-on-one and group connection.
4.2. The Role of Shared Meals and Hospitality
Acts 2:46 (NKJV)
"So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart."
Fellowship is deeply connected to shared meals and hospitality in the early church.
What are practical ways this could be applied today?
4.3. Prayer and Spiritual Conversations
Matthew 18:20 (NKJV)
"For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them."
Prayer meetings, small groups, and discussing Scripture are ways to cultivate deeper fellowship.
5: The Power of Fellowship for Mission
5.1. Evangelism Through Fellowship
John 13:34-35 (NKJV)
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
Fellowship serves as a witness to the world of God's love, drawing others into the faith through the community of believers. Our relationship with each other draws others in.
5.2. The Global Fellowship of Believers
Philippians 1:5 (NKJV)
"For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now."
Fellowship is not just a local practice but a global reality for the church as a whole. Christians are united in the mission of spreading the gospel.
Conclusion
Summarize: importance of fellowship as a spiritual discipline, its role in spiritual growth, and its impact on mission.
How are your fellowship practices and how can you deepen your relationships with fellow believers.
Make fellowship an intentional part of your Christian walk, both in personal relationships and in the broader church community.
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**(27:00 – 5:00) BEGIN PART 2**
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The Mission of the Church
The mission is rooted in the Great Commission, the call to make disciples of all nations, as well as the call to love, serve, and witness to our communities.
The Great Commission
The local church is primarily tasked with evangelizing and making disciples. Jesus gave this clear command in Matthew 28:19-20:
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen." (Matthew 28:19-20, NKJV)
This mission to go and make disciples is not just for individual Christians but for the collective body of Christ, the church. Every church, whether large or small, is called to be part of this global mission to spread the gospel.
The Church as a Witness
The local church also serves as a witness of God's love, truth, and holiness to the world. Jesus said in Acts 1:8:
"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8, NKJV)
The local church's mission extends beyond its walls. It is called to bear witness to Christ, not just in its immediate community (Jerusalem), but also to the surrounding areas (Judea and Samaria), and even to the ends of the earth. This requires both local outreach and global mission efforts.
The Church as a People of Fellowship and Discipleship
A central aspect of the local church's mission is fostering a community where believers can grow in their faith. In Acts 2:42, we see the early church’s commitment to fellowship and discipleship:
"And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers." (Acts 2:42, NKJV)
Through teaching, fellowship, communion, and prayer, the church strengthens its members to live out their faith and equip them to serve in the mission of Christ. A local church is a place where Christians come together to grow deeper in their relationship with God and each other.
The Church as a People of Service
The local church is also called to serve both its members and the surrounding community. In Galatians 6:10, Paul encourages the church to actively do good:
"Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith." (Galatians 6:10, NKJV)
This service is a practical outworking of the love of Christ. It involves caring for the needy, providing for the poor, and supporting those who are suffering. Serving within the church and in the wider community is part of the mission to represent Christ and His love in tangible ways.
Conclusion
To sum it up, the local church has a clear and vital mission: to make disciples, to be witnesses of Christ, to foster fellowship and discipleship among believers, and to serve those in need. This mission is not just about activities; it’s about living out the gospel in every area of life. As we seek to fulfill this mission, we can be confident that Christ is with us every step of the way (Matthew 28:20).
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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."
– “Thank you for listening today! Giving Thanks should be a daily part of the life of every disciple of Jesus. We have so much to be thankful for, we just so easily are distracted by the details of life.Be intentional, be thankful!
-If you enjoyed the show you can listen to all the past shows wherever you listen to podcasts. A good place to start is at runwithhorses.net. You can also write me at [email protected] or leave a comment on the Run With Horses Podcast facebook page. Take time today to pause and thank God for His work in your life and keep running.
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AD:
If you want to support the Run With Horses Podcast and Radio Show, the best way you can do that is by telling other people about it and leaving a review wherever you listen to podcasts. Another way is by checking out our books. Our goal is to support your spiritual growth in any way we can. A link to each of our author pages on Amazon is in the show notes. You can find all our shows with links to the most popular podcast apps at rwh.podbean.com. Thanks for joining us on the journey!
https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BCSDDVLB – James Norman Smith
https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BMGW51FW – Susan Jane Smith