Church Covenant Study Our Church Covenant, Lesson 4 *As it has been a few weeks since we left off lesson 3, I have re-hashed that lesson as a “lead-in” to the lesson tonight…DWS” “We engage…to sustain …its discipline and doctrines;” I. To Sustain Discipline in the Church Discipline: “to cause church members to render strict obedience to God’s Word and to inflict punishment for disobedience.” Matthew 18:17 “And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.” I Corinthians 5:12 “For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within.” Matthew 16:18-19 “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. 19And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” How can I sustain it? 1. By encouraging my brethren in what is right and discouraging that which is wrong 2. By standing firmly behind my church when disciplinary action is necessary II. Sustain The Doctrines of The Church 1 Timothy 4:12-13 “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 13Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.” A. What are the doctrines of my church? 1. The New Testament is our rule of faith; The Old Testament and prophets are illuminating of the New Testament, but have been superseded as our rule of faith and practice (Luke 16:16) 2. Our declaration of faith is only a declaration of what we believe; we are bound only by the Scriptures. 3. Jesus rebuked those who followed the decrees of men. (Matthew 15:9) B. How Do I Sustain It? 1. Know it. John 7:17 “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.” (Why do we need to know it? Ephesians 4:14 “14That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.”) 2. Believe it. Believe it with not just our minds, but with our hearts! Romans 6:17 “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.” 3. Teach it. Titus 2:1 “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine” Titus 1:9 “Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.” The church at Jerusalem did this even in the face of persecution! Acts 5:28 “Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.” 4. Do it. Acts 2:42 “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” Titus 2:7 “In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity.” “We engage…to contribute cheerfully and regularly…” I. To Contribute A. Who Should Contribute? Every member of the church I Corinthians 16:1-2 “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 2Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.” B. How much should I give? 1. “as God hath prospered…” 2. “bountifully” 2 Corinthians 9:6 “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” 3. Christ the example 2 Corinthians 8:9 “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” C. Giving is a grace also 2 Corinthians 8:7 “Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.” II. To Contribute Cheerfully A. 2 Corinthians 9:7 “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” What does it mean to give cheerfully? 1. Cheerful: “hiliarious”; really enthused 2. Not grudgingly: “weary, despondent, grieved, annoyed” 3. Not of necessity—because of law, or a feeling of sheer obligation 4. A voluntary matter – “as he purposeth in his heart…willing of themselves.” B. This is the way the churches of Macedonia gave 2 Corinthians 8:1-4 C. How is such giving accomplished? 2 Corinthians 8:5 “And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.” (It calls for a genuine dedication!) D. What is the result of it? 1. Joy 2 Corinthians 8:2 “How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.” 2. Increased ability 3. Increased thankfulness to God 2 Corinthians 9:11-12 “Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. 12For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God.” 4. God and the gospel glorified 2 Corinthians 9:13-14 “13Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men; 14And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.” III. To Contribute Regularly There is no alibi for the child of God who “tips God like a waiter, or is haphazard in his giving” 1. I Corinthians 16:2 “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.” 2. 2 Corinthians 8:12-14 “12For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. 13For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: 14But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality.” (Varies only in ratio to his income) 3. According to a deliberate purpose 2 Corinthians 9:7 “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”
Bethel MBC 11/12/08
Lesson # 4
