Our Church Covenant
All In to the Glory of God
July 26, 2020 • Tony Shepherd
An Evangelistic Lifestyle
July 5, 2020 • Tony Shepherd
We’ll be looking at our 4th line in the covenant: “We will endeavor to bring up such as may at any time be under our care, in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and by a pure and loving example to seek the salvation of our family and friends.“ This one makes me smile because whenever we recite this out loud together we all get tongue tied halfway through! But the big idea is really simple: our call to follow Christ is also a call to live an evangelistic lifestyle. We live this out as a church as we pray for and seek the salvation of our loved ones together. We can prepare for Sunday by reading the text from Colossians 4:2-6 - Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison-that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
Gather Together
June 28, 2020 • Tony Shepherd
“We will not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, nor neglect to pray for ourselves and others.” As we consider the 3rd line in our church covenant about our commitment to gather, we’ll be looking at Hebrews 10:19-25 - Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Love One Another
June 21, 2020 • Tony Shepherd
“We will walk together in brotherly love, as is becoming of members of a Christian Church, exercising an affectionate care and watchfulness over each other and faithfully admonish and entreat one another as occasion may require.” We’ll spend some time looking at John 13:34-35— “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Maintain Unity
June 14, 2020 • Tony Shepherd
“We will work and pray for the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” This line is drawn from Ephesians 4:1-3, which says— I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.