Church Covenant Message 2021 Part 1
What will define our lives? Circumstances or Commitment?
Will current events sweep you away, define your choices?
-you will live a storm tossed life!
Or will we anchor our lives in what is true for all time?
Our church is defined by our covenant relationships
-we trust God’s Word to define who we are and what we do
 
What is a covenant?
A promise to perform in a certain manner
Biblical Examples
-God and Man (Genesis 2:16,17; 9:1-17; 15:18)
-Leader and People  (Joshua 24:1-28)
-Person to Person (Genesis 31:43-55)
-Descriptions of a local church
-Marriage is a covenant
A Covenant = Relationship Commitment!
 
Why does a church expect commitment?
1.  Christ is committed to the church!
-Eph 5:25  Christ loved the church, gave his life for it
-Matt 16:18  “I will build my church”
-The Church will survive every earthly government!
 
2.  Commitment is needed in our culture today!
-Commitment is at an all time low-  marriage, jobs, anything!
-Consumer Christianity, Church shopping hopping too normal
-Spiritual commitment leads to stronger families & communities
 
3.  Commitment defines who we can count on
-Every other important organization has a roster, enrollment, etc
-A local church deserves to know who can be counted on
-Church membership identifies who is in our “family”
 
4.  Commitment produces spiritual growth
-Our covenant highlights many Bible verses that ask for mutual trust and commitment, which makes us grow up, become ---
-Accountability helps us grow up, stay faithful to Christ
-We are stronger together than we can ever be by ourselves
Our Four Covenant Agreements as church members
1.  I WILL PROTECT THE UNITY OF MY CHURCH
     ...BY ACTING IN LOVE TOWARD OTHER MEMBERS
     ...BY REFUSING TO GOSSIP
     ...BY FOLLOWING THE LEADERS
Romans 14:19  So then, let us pursue what promotes peace and what builds up one another.
 
Romans 15:5  Now may the God who gives endurance and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, according to Christ Jesus,
 
1 Peter 1:22  Since you have purified yourselves by your obedience to the truth, so that you show sincere brotherly love for each other, from a pure heart love one another constantly,
 
Ephesians 4:29  No foul language should come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear.
 
Hebrews 13:17  Obey your leaders and submit to them, since they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.
 
2.  I WILL SHARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF MY CHURCH
     …BY PRAYING FOR ITS GROWTH
     …BY INVITING THE UNCHURCHED TO ATTEND
     …BY WARMLY WELCOMING THOSE WHO VISIT
 
1 Thessalonians 1:2  We always thank God for all of you, making mention of you constantly in our prayers.
 
Luke 14:23  “Then the master told the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges and make them come in, so that my house may be filled.
 
Romans 15:7  Therefore welcome one another, just as Christ also welcomed you, to the glory of God.

3.  I WILL SERVE THE MINISTRY OF MY CHURCH
     …BY DISCOVERING MY GIFTS AND TALENTS
     …BY BEING EQUIPPED BY MY PASTORS
     …BY DEVELOPING A SERVANT’S HEART
 
1 Peter 4:10  Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God.
 
Ephesians 4:11-12  And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ
 
Philippians 2:3-5  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves.  Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others.  Adopt the same attitude as that of Jesus Christ.
 
 4.  I WILL SUPPORT THE TESTIMONY OF MY CHURCH
     …BY ATTENDING FAITHFULLY
     …BY LIVING A GODLY LIFE
     …BY GIVING REGULARLY
 
Hebrews 10:24-25  And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.
 
Philippians 1:27  Just one thing: As citizens of heaven, live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, in one accord, contending together for the faith of the gospel
 
1 Corinthians 16:2  On the first day of the week, each of you is to set something aside and save in keeping with how he is prospering, so that no collections will need to be made when I come.
 
Leviticus 27:30  “Every tenth of the land’s produce, grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord.
 
 
 
What must we do now with this church covenant?
1.  Thank God for every brother and sister who is committed to a spiritual relationship with you!
 
2. Evaluate your own commitment level
-Community- never/rarely attends
-Crowd- regular attender
-Congregation- member, committed to the covenant
-Core- giving yourself in practical and consistent ways
   -Connection Group participation
   -Serving somewhere in our church regularly
   -Giving personally
 
3.  Enroll in our Discovering Membership Class
-A four session (3.5 hours at once usually) Bible study
  -We will schedule one soon, in person and online options
 
4.  Let us know how to help you!
-Connection Card
-Contact page on our website
 
 

​Shine Like Stars!
Philippians 2:12-16
We need shining stars right now!
Real people, Real Church, Real God!
-Christ followers who really trust each other and God!
 
Too many people are being controlled by feelings and fear!
-Jesus invites us to a better life of peace and purpose
 
How to shine like stars
1.  Work out your salvation with others
-“Therefore” refers to “have the attitude of Jesus Christ
    2:1-4 a checklist of proper attitudes and actions
-We cannot grow spiritually in isolation!
    -our salvation is tested when we are around other people
    -Jesus “proved” his humility while on earth, not heaven
-“work out”-  labor, this is not easy, we cannot be passive
    -live how God has empowered us to live!
    -even when you don’t want to!
-with fear and trembling- recognize we are accountable to God
    -We aren’t afraid of God rejecting us (Romans 8:1)
    -We do have a healthy fear of God’s discipline if we don’t!
-even when your spiritual leaders aren’t around!
    -Paul said “even more in my absence”
    -If you don’t want your pastor to see or hear you, then why
       do you think it is ok to do it when he isn’t around?
    -We are accountable to God- who is always present!
 
2.  Check your attitude
-Without grumbling or arguing- Phil 2:2 is the opposite of this
-God doesn’t just want our behavior, he wants our heart too!
-Illust:  we give Christmas gifts because we WANT to
              -it isn’t as enjoyable when we HAVE to!
-vs 15  A practical test to check your attitude
    -am I blameless-  do I keep short accounts with people?
    -am I pure-  do people know I live a clean life?
    -am I known as a true “child of God”
 
 
3.  Trust God completely
-vs 13  God is fulfilling His purpose in and through you!
-Hold firmly to the Word-   even when other are letting go of it
-Apply it to every area of your life- not just on Sunday!
-We are shining out in the darkness- spiritual depravity
    -The world is actively rejecting God and His Word
    -Eph 5:6-14  reject empty arguments, don’t go back to your
            Dark life, “live like children of light”
    -Real people, real church!
         -2 Tim 3:12  “In fact, all who want to live a godly life in
             Christ Jesus will be persecuted”
 
Shine Like Stars!
Who are you going to build relationships with to do this?
-What church family will you commit to?
    (attenders, viewers)
-What Connection Group/church friendships will you commit to?
    (attenders, members)
-Stop living in isolation! 
 
What darkness do you need to turn away from right now?
-where do you tend to grumble and argue
-where do you need to be more blameless and pure?
-where are you blending into the crowd of unbelievers?
-Jesus is calling you to shine like stars- glorify Him, help others
 
Who must you tell about your spiritual commitment today?
-God uses pastors, elders and other spiritual leaders to help us
-We must depend on others to help us succeed spiritually!
-Who is “laboring” spiritually for you (vs 16b)?
-Let us pray for you, resource you, encourage you!
 
Contact us right now!
-stjoecommunity@gmail.com
-Contact page on our website
-Church Facebook Messenger
-Connection Card located at our Offering Boxes