Church Covenant Study Our Church Covenant, Lesson 2 “We do now in the presence of God, angels, and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.”
I. In the Presence of God We should always be conscious that our actions are under the all-seeing eye of God. Psalm 139:7-12 “7Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? 8If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. 9If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; 10Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. 11If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. 12Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.” Psalm 34:15 “The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.” II. In the Presence of Angels Though we are too seldom conscious of it, the angels of the Lord watch us in our affairs of life. II Kings 6:15-17 “15And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? 16And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. 17And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.” Psalm 34:7 “The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.” III. In the Presence of This Assembly Entry into the Lord’s church is by unanimous vote. Therefore, it is agreed upon from the outset that harmony will be the goal and focus.
Entering into church relationship brings the whole assembly to witness our action. We commit ourselves to the principles identifying New Testament churches. As a result, we become accountable to the assembly for our actions. I Corinthians 5:12-13 “12For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? 13But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.” IV. It is a Solemn Matter to Enter into a Covenant Relationship It is to commit ourselves as one member of a complete body. Roman 12:4-5 “4For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.” Consequently, what we then do, or fail to do, affects the whole body I Corinthians 12:20-21 “20But now are they many members, yet but one body. 21And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.” We become responsible for keeping the body pure. Ephesians 5:26-27 “26That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” V. It is a Joy to be a Part of the Lord’s Assembly For there we bring him glory Ephesians 3:21 “21Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” There, if faithful, we shall share the bride’s honors. Revelation 19:7-8 “7Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 8And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.” VI. Enter into Covenant with One Another A covenant is a solemn agreement of fellowship and faith. Entering into covenant relationship simply means that our interests in the Lord’s work become mutual, and it is a pledge that they will remain that way. VII. As One Body in Christ The church is the Lord’s one body on this earth. Ephesians 4:4 “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling.” Ephesians 1:22-23 “22And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.” We have reached the most exclusive relationship possible with the Lord in faithful church membership. This is true membership in any true New Testament church. Every New Testament congregation holds this relationship with the Lord. “We engage therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church…” “We engage” = PLEDGE “By the aid of the Holy Spirit.” We may only be what we become by the aid of the Holy Spirit John 15:4-5 “4Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” This Christ does now in the person of the Holy Spirit John 15:26 “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me.” I. To Walk Together in Christian Love 1. Christian love is not as the world loves John 13:34-35 “34A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” 2. In Christian love we walk together--- not at odds Romans 13:10 “Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” 3. By walking together in Christian love we show the true nature of God in us I John 4:7,11,12,1,20,21 “7Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 11Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another 12No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. 16And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.20If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? 21And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.” II. To Strive for the Advancement of This Church 1. “to strive”--- to make strenuous efforts; to labor hard or earnestly.
2. Church of Jesus a progressive institution Matthew 16:18 “18And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” I Peter 2:5 “And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly” Commission to the church demands progress Matthew 28:19-20 “19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” 3. Our interest should be in the church of our membership -- “the advancement of THIS church…” I am a part of THIS church, to which I belong. My constant interest or conversation regarding other churches is a reflection upon my lack of commitment to THIS body. A member continually engaged in the exploits and progress of other churches is like a man bragging constantly about another man’s wife. Now, we should be mindful of our brethren and sister churches, but our affection and attention must be singular….upon THIS church! “We engage…to strive for the advancement of this church, in knowledge, holiness, and comfort…” I. Advancement of this church in Knowledge 1. A church’s zeal should not get ahead of her knowledge of the Word. Romans 10:2 “For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.” II Timothy 2:15 “15Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” It was misguided zeal that caused Peter to cut off the ear of the servant of the high Priest (Malchus). Jesus had to take time out to put it back. (See Luke 22:50-51 or John 18:10-11)
It was misguided zeal that caused Saul to persecute the church of God. I Timothy 1:13 “Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.” 2. Righteous or virtuous living is not sufficient alone for a church. She needs knowledge of God’s Word II Peter 1:5 “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge.” I Timothy 2:4 “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” 3. A part of the commission Matthew 28:20 “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” II. Advancement of this Church in Holiness The word for “holiness” in both the Old and New Testaments means “separation”. Jeremiah 2:3 “3Israel was holiness unto the LORD, and the firstfruits of his increase: all that devour him shall offend; evil shall come upon them, saith the LORD.” I Thessalonians 4:7 “For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.” We are as holy in God’s sight as we are separated from the world’s pollution. Having been made holy we should so walk. Hence, the “advancement” of the church in holiness. A church is as holy as its members are separated unto the Lord. Romans 6:19 “19I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.” III. Advancement of This Church in Comfort The word most commonly used in the New Testament for “comfort” means “to call along side.” Jesus used it in referring to the Holy Spirit. John 16:7 “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.” The church is to gain guidance and assistance in this manner. Thus, the church is advanced in comfort. Acts 9:31 “31Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.” Romans 15:4 “ 4For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” I Thessalonians 5:11 “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.” The church finds comfort in the second coming of the Lord. I Thessalonians 4:18 “Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” The church finds comfort in Jesus Christ II Thessalonians 2:16-17 “16Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, 17Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.” We have pledged ourselves to earnestly work to bring our respective churches to the comfort to be had in these matters.
Bethel MBC 10/8/08
Lesson # 2
