Sermon on Koinonia – Notes – May 2003 - Kenn Bacon

Introduction : John MacArthur, Jr., The Church, The Body of Christ, p. 169)

“The New Testament word for fellowship is koinonia. It means communion or fellowship—intimate communication. God designed men for fellowship. In Genesis 2:18, God says, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone.’ Man was not made to be isolated; being alone is not the will of God. People were made for fellowship. And the church, the body of Christ, is the epitome of fellowship—a body for fellowship! The church is a fellowship. The church was never intended to be only a building—a place where lonely people walk in, listen, and walk out still alone—but a place of fellowship.

Bruce Larson says, ‘The neighborhood bar is possibly the best counterfeit there is to the fellowship Christ wants to give His Church. It’s an imitation dispensing liquor instead of grace, escape rather than reality. But it is a permissive, accepting, and inclusive fellowship. It is unshockable, it is democratic. You can tell people secrets and they usually don’t tell others, or want to. The bar flourishes, not because most people are alcoholics, but because God has put into the human heart the desire to know and be known, to love, and be loved, and so many seek a counterfeit at the price of a few beers.’

This need for fellowship is the genius of the church.”

Koinonia is Fellowship

The actual word comes from a Greek word meaning partnership... In many scriptures, the word Koinonia is translated fellowship. The dictionary describes fellowship as "the sharing of similar interests, ideals, and experiences, as by reason of profession, religion, or nationality. Also friendship or comradeship". Our united, Christ centred, family unit should be about friendship, comradeship, and the sharing of similar interests, ideals and experiences. These things don’t just happen. They are built like a good relationship between a husband and wife. They grow like a tree. Good friendships don’t just happen. They are worked at, prayed for, cared for and develop over time. Acts 2:42, 1 John 1:3

Koinonia is Communion : 1 Cor 10:16, 2 Cor 13:14

Here the word is used to show intimate and deep personal fellowship. Used to speak of the relationship between the believer and Christ at the time of taking the bread and wine in deep personal remembrance of him, it shows us that our united, Christ centred, family unit should be more than just surface friends. We should be able to commune with each other as Christ Himself communes with us.

Koinonia is Communicating : Phil 1:5

Twice the word is used to indicate communication and the expression of our thoughts and words (particularly with reference to the spreading of the Gospel). If we have Koinonia with those of our united, Christ centred, family unit, we will communicate with them, share the Gospel with them and want to communicate with them. Phil 1:59 Fellowship in the Gospel, NRSV Sharing in the Gospel. , Heb 13:16 - Communicate, Share

Koinonia is Contribution : Romans 15:26

In a number of places the word Koinonia is used to specifically indicate financial or other physical support. The dictionary says it means "to give or supply a share". Our united, Christ centred, family unit should be working together to help each other with our physical needs. If people are in need of food or money, we should see it come from within the family. No one should go hungry when they have a Koinonia. . .

Specific mention is also made of the contribution to those who minister the gospel. The united, Christ centred, family unit should see that those who minister the word of God have not only their needs met but also be able to embark on new projects. Macadonia 2 Cor 8:1-7, 2 2 Cor. 9:1-13, Gal 2:9.

Apostolic reformation

God is changing the church. We are seeing a change in the whole dynamic. There is coming a time when Church goers will fellowship outside religious boundaries, where the body will come to understand the true meaning of koinonia and the true meaning of a body. There will come a time when our ministers will not feel that it’s just them and God trying to do the work...(not in this church... The Gold Coast) Where they will be supported, loved, communicated with, even in intimate relationship... When was the last time you really cared about the leaders or your pastor without an ulterior motive. When did you last think about what are the needs of this church... God’s fellowship... Without thinking about what’s in it for me. We need to be believing for a release of finances so this church never has to worry about finances again... So your pastors can do the work of the gospel loved and cherished by the Christ centered united family that is their congregation, developing a koinonia with Christ, and his people without having to worry each day about where the next dollar is coming from. In Acts people sold their houses and laid the money at the feet of the apostles. A question for you today... Are you really giving finances to meet the needs of this family?

Close : As man takes on the character of God through fellowship or koinonia Man will naturally (or by the nature now in him - God’s nature) find the keys to koinonia with his fellow man and also greater keys to fellowship with God. It is as we walk in the light as John puts it, as we walk into the character of God in our lives we find the character of God shines through us desiring (as God does with us) fellowship with his creation on the earth. It is interesting... Unrepentant man easily develops koinonia with his fellow man in pubs, clubs, football matches and sewing circles. Why is it that repentant man, trying to walk in God’s character, rejects Koinonia for so many other things. We are hurt, damaged, and deformed by the actions of others who we think have the character of God, but are still a work in progress. Opening up to others in faith and then being damaged subsequently leads us to close up to those we should be in fellowship with. For fear of being further hurt. Altar call. .