Lately, we have been considering several things about this fellowship with God’s Son.
- We considered what it is to abide in this fellowship with Jesus and walk with Him.
- We have seen the impact fellowshipping with God’s Son has on life’s situations and circumstances.
- Being in fellowship with Jesus Christ changes us and our attitudes.
Evaluate with me the fellowship we have with Jesus.
Jesus demonstrated an ability to face life with positive faith and attitude. He was never taken by surprise by the occurrences of life. His faith in the Father never wavered or changed. He always had the appropriate answers for life’s situations.
What is it like being in fellowship with Him?
Jesus walked in power and authority with the full anointing of the Spirit of God resting upon Him. He walked in full and constant communion with the Father.
How does that impact life’s situations?
Look at the things He did as He walked this earth and take note of His miracles, signs, and wonders. He had all power over Satan, sickness, and death. His authority over the wind, waves, and the natural course of events amazed all who followed Him.
How does this change our circumstances?
Those who walked with Jesus were impacted by where He went, what He did, and what He said. It was impossible to be in fellowship with Jesus Christ and not be impacted by Him and be changed. Even those who refused to believe were influenced by Him.
Does this fellowship change our attitudes?
Being in true fellowship with Jesus always changes attitudes. In Christ, we observe true grace, mercy, love and kindness in action. The impact on our attitudes depends on how closely we walk with Him. Some who walk in His fellowship, are not changed because they refused to let Him in. Anyone who receives Jesus into their heart and life will experience change, and this change impacts our attitudes and activities.
We have looked at God’s promises to the redeemed.
Isaiah 43:1-3 NIV But now, this is what the Lord says— He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
Isaiah states this as a Divine absolute.
There is no room for questions, doubt, or fear. The Lord has promised to be present with us in every situation of life. Can you believe that? Even in the most severe circumstances of life, the Lord your God will be present. In Christ’s presence, all of the issues of your life find resolution and peace.
We are looking at the benefits of being in fellowship with Jesus.
Isaiah described this special relationship of the redeemed. Think about the depth of meaning in what He is saying.
- God has formed, created, and given us life.
- He encourages us to walk without fear in His presence.
- He has redeemed us from destruction.
- He has summoned and called you by your name.
- God Almighty has claimed you and said, “You are mine.”
- He has called you into the fellowship of His Son and has claimed you for Himself.
- You are His.
God told Isaiah that no kind of situation in life would hinder your Savior’s success. He describes multiple usually devastating situations. He will be with you when you pass through waters. Rivers will not sweep over you and the fire will not burn you. These appear to be the most severe kind of situations. When life brings tests, your Savior said: “I will be with you and will not fail you.” Why? Because He is your God and Savior!
Isaiah 43:10-11 NIV “Youare my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. I, even I, am the Lord, and apart from me there is no savior.”
We can take this word to heart.
The Lord declares “You are My witnesses.” Almighty God has called you aside to take a stand and be His witness. You have been called out to testify and demonstrate to all of God’s creation what God is like.
Part of the reason behind the water, flood, and fire is this testimony of our Savior. God wants to demonstrate through us Who He is and what He is like. God has put His Name, character, and reputation on the line with you. God wants all of creation to know that He is able to save to the uttermost those who come to Him by Christ Jesus. He is holding you up before this present world and all of the spirit world. He is saying this to all of the hosts of heaven and to every principality and power of darkness.
Jesus chose His disciples to bear witness of His actions.Each of them were chosen to testify of the truth.
Simon Peter gave this testimony.
2 Peter 1:16-17 NIV We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to Him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.”
John spoke of His glory, grace and truth.
John 1:14 NKJV And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
1 John 1:1-4 NIV That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 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. We write this to make our joy complete.
As we walk with Jesus, God wants to demonstrate His glory, majesty, and power to us and through us. God wants to bring about a dramatic change in us. As we walk in fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ and behold His glory, God intends to transform us into His image, (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Think about the magnitude of blessing He has given us in His Name.
John 14:13-14 NIV And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
John 15:16 NIV You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.
John 16:23 NIV In that day you will no longer ask Me anything. I tell you the truth, My Father will give you whatever you ask in My name.
He has given us His Name!
His glory is revealed through His many names and titles.
- He is Savior, Redeemer, and Lord.
- He is the Holy Spirit Baptizer.
- He is Healer, Supplier, and Protector.
- He is Shield, Sword, and Shepherd.
- He is Keeper, Helper, and Deliverer.
- He is Author, Creator, and Master.
He does not give us these titles and names to confuse us. He offers us them to secure and help us. He does not give us His names to keep us uncertain about His being, person, character, and attributes. He wants us to know Him. He wants us to know Him in His fullness and power.
As we walk with Jesus through the varied circumstances of life, God will demonstrate His glory, majesty and power through us.
- When you go through the water… He says He will be with us.
- When you go through the flood… They will not sweep over you.
- When you go through the fire… You will not be burned.
God is faithful who has called you into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
How does God intend to demonstrate, testify, and witness His power, grace, mercy, favor, and love? God has chosen us as instruments to demonstrate Who He is and what He does.
Watchmen Nee, in “The Normal Christian Life” said: “One day I was seeking to emphasize to a Christian brother the intimacy of this union. We happened to be drinking tea together, so I took a lump of sugar and stirred it into my tea. A couple of minutes later I asked, “Can you tell me where the sugar is now, and where the tea?” “No,” he said, “you have put them together and the one has become lost in the other; they cannot now be separated.”
God has put us in a marvelous relationship of victory, glory, and power in Christ Jesus.
2 Corinthians 3:18 NKJV But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
As we walk with Jesus, we are being made to be a living demonstration of Who Jesus is, by what He does in us.
Isaiah 62:2-3 NKJV You shall be called by a new name, Which the mouth of the Lord will name.You shall also be a crown of glory In the hand of the Lord, And a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
This is the Lord’s plan for His people. He will break off the former desolations and delight in His people. In this fellowship, God will delight over you.
Romans 6:12-13 NKJV Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.
God is prepared to do great things in your life.
1 Corinthians 1:9 NKJV God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Get ready for the favor of God’s blessing that comes from the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. God has not called us to weakness and defeat, but He has called us to might, strength and victory in the Lord. He has not called us to destruction and death, but to newness of life in the Lord Jesus Christ. God has called you into the fellowship of Jesus Christ in the kingdom of God, and in Him you have been made acceptable to God and have been given peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. As a result, we are being made mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. You have been set up by God to be a living testimony of the power and life of the resurrected Christ. Rise up in the victory in which Christ has made you free.
Psalm 24:7-10 NKJV Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah
