Covenant Membership: A Commitment to Christ and Community

Devotional

Day 1: The New Covenant—God’s Unbreakable Promise

God’s relationship with His people is built on covenants—sacred, binding promises that He initiates and fulfills. From Noah to Abraham, Moses to David, and ultimately in Jesus, God’s covenants reveal His faithfulness and desire to be our God and for us to be His people. The new covenant, sealed by the blood of Christ, is not just a theological concept but a living reality for every believer. When we gather at the Lord’s table, we are not only remembering the cross but also declaring that we belong to God and to one another, united by His promises and grace. This covenant is the foundation of our identity and our life together as a church family. [07:40]

Jeremiah 31:31-34 (ESV)
“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”

Reflection: When you come to the Lord’s table, do you truly see yourself as part of God’s covenant family, both receiving His promises and committing yourself to His people? How might this change the way you approach communion and church life today?

Day 2: Examine Yourself—Living Worthy of the Lord’s Table

Before we partake in communion, Scripture calls us to examine our hearts and lives. This is not a mere ritual but a command to reflect on our relationship with Christ and with His body, the church. To eat and drink in an unworthy manner is to disregard the seriousness of Christ’s sacrifice and the unity of His people. Self-examination means asking whether we are living in joyful submission to Jesus and in loving commitment to our church family. It is a time to repent, to realign our hearts, and to renew our devotion to Christ and His people, ensuring that our participation in the Lord’s Supper is both sincere and transformative. [25:04]

1 Corinthians 11:26-31 (ESV)
“For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged.”

Reflection: Take a few moments to honestly examine your heart—are there areas where you need to repent or relationships within the church that need mending before you come to the table today?

Day 3: Devoted to Christ and His Body

To be a covenant member is to be inseparably committed to Jesus and to His people. Our faith is not just a private matter; it is lived out in community, where we serve, support, and love one another as family. Jesus calls us to follow Him, to imitate His sacrificial love, and to make His priorities our own. This means gathering faithfully, building up the church, practicing hospitality, and making the needs of others a priority. True discipleship is not about mere attendance or knowledge, but about pouring out our lives for others, just as Christ did for us. [57:39]

Philippians 2:1-5 (ESV)
“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.”

Reflection: Who in your church family can you intentionally encourage, serve, or show hospitality to this week as an expression of your commitment to Christ and His body?

Day 4: Shaped by God’s Word—Obedience and Transformation

A fully devoted follower of Christ is not just a hearer of the Word but is shaped, equipped, and transformed by it. God’s Word is given not merely for information but for transformation, calling us to obedience and equipping us for every good work. The authority of Scripture means allowing it to correct, challenge, and change us, so that we become more like Christ. True transformation happens when we respond to God’s Word with repentance, obedience, and a readiness to teach others what we have learned. [01:14:55]

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

Reflection: What is one specific command or truth from God’s Word that you need to obey today, rather than just hear or study?

Day 5: Serving as Worship—A Life of Sacrifice and Generosity

Worship is more than singing; it is offering our whole lives as living sacrifices to God. Every act of service, every generous gift, every moment spent caring for others is an act of worship that pleases God. Jesus taught that serving others in His name is a mark of true discipleship, and that our faith is demonstrated by our works. Whether it’s serving in unseen ways, giving sacrificially, or meeting the needs of the least among us, we honor God by living lives of joyful service and generosity, knowing that He sees and is pleased with every sacrifice made for His glory. [01:22:30]

Romans 12:1 (ESV)
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”

Reflection: What is one practical way you can serve someone in your church or community today as an act of worship to God?

Sermon Summary

Covenant Sunday is a special time to pause and reflect on what it truly means to be a covenant member of Emanuel Church. At the heart of this commitment is the biblical idea of covenant—a sacred agreement marked by mutual promises, both between God and His people, and among people themselves. Throughout Scripture, God’s relationship with humanity is defined by covenants, culminating in the new covenant established by Jesus through His sacrificial death and resurrection. This new covenant is not just a theological concept but a living reality, celebrated each time we gather at the Lord’s table, declaring that God is our God and we are His people.

Being a covenant member is not simply about belonging to a church in name. It is a dual commitment: first, to the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and King, and second, to His people in a specific local church. This inseparable bond means that our relationship with Christ is always lived out in relationship with others. The church is not a place to remain anonymous; it is a family where we know and are known, love and are loved, serve and are served.

This commitment is grounded in the gospel—God’s love and holiness, our sin and separation, Christ’s saving work, our response of repentance and faith, and the cost of following Jesus. True membership is for those who have personally responded to Christ, not just admired Him or grown up in church culture. The call is to joyful surrender, to live as fully devoted followers of Jesus, imitating His life, loving as He loved, and serving as He served.

Practically, this means gathering faithfully, building up the body, practicing hospitality, and being on mission to share the gospel with others. It means being shaped by God’s Word, not just hearing it but obeying it, and allowing it to transform us. It means living lives of service, seeing every act—no matter how small—as worship that pleases God. Generosity, sacrificial giving, and using our gifts for the good of others are all part of this covenant life.

As we come to the Lord’s table, we are called to examine ourselves—personally, corporately, and missionally. Are we living in step with the promises we have made? Are we truly embodying the gospel as a people sent by God? This is a moment to recalibrate, to repent where needed, and to renew our commitment to Christ and to one another, trusting in His grace to sustain us.

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Key Takeaways

1. Covenant Membership Is a Sacred, Dual Commitment Covenant membership is not a casual association but a binding promise to Christ and to His people. Just as God’s covenants in Scripture are marked by faithfulness and sacrifice, so too our commitment to the local church must be inseparable from our commitment to Jesus. To claim Christ as Lord is to embrace His people as family, living out our faith in tangible, accountable community. [19:36]
2. The Gospel Demands Both Immediate and Daily Response The gospel is not just a message to be believed once, but a call to ongoing repentance and faith. Every day, we are invited to turn from old ways of thinking and living, to embrace Christ’s rule, and to count the cost of discipleship. This daily surrender is the evidence of true faith and the foundation of our life together as a church. [24:24]
3. Transformation Comes Through Obedience, Not Mere Hearing God’s Word is given not just for information but for transformation. Real change happens when we move beyond listening to active obedience—when we allow Scripture to correct, equip, and shape us. The lack of transformation in many churches is often due to a lack of response; we must be doers of the Word, not hearers only, if we want to see God’s power at work in our lives. [74:55]
4. Our Mission Is to Pass the Gospel On, Not Keep It to Ourselves The gospel came to us because it was headed to someone else. We are called to build relationships with those far from God, to share our stories of grace, and to pray for the salvation of others. Evangelism is not an optional extra but a core part of our covenant life, and we are sent into the world as Christ was sent, to reach, teach, and send for the sake of the gospel. [65:46]
5. Service and Generosity Are Acts of Worship That Please God Every act of service, no matter how small, is seen by God and is a spiritual sacrifice of worship. True generosity is sacrificial, loosening our grip on worldly things and reflecting the heart of our generous God. Our faith is made visible in the way we serve others, give joyfully, and steward our gifts for the building up of the body and the blessing of the world. [81:33]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Introduction to Covenant Sunday
[03:15] - The Meaning of Covenant in Scripture
[07:40] - The New Covenant in Christ
[11:20] - Covenant Membership: Commitment to Christ and His People
[16:00] - The Gospel: God, Man, Christ, Response, Cost
[24:00] - The Cost and Call of Discipleship
[29:30] - Living a Life of Devotion and Unity
[36:00] - Building Up the Church and Practicing Hospitality
[41:00] - Our Mission: Sharing the Gospel
[47:00] - Being Shaped by God’s Word
[53:00] - Obedience and Transformation
[58:00] - Service and Generosity as Worship
[65:00] - Preparing for the Lord’s Table
[73:00] - Self-Examination and Renewal
[84:00] - Closing Reflection and Prayer
[89:20] - Silent Prayer and Preparation for Communion
[91:36] - Communion and Worship Music
[96:25] - Closing and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Jeremiah 31:31-34 — “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah... I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people...”

2. 1 Corinthians 11:23-29
“For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread... Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.”

3. Romans 12:1-2
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind...”

Observation Questions

In Jeremiah 31, what are the key promises God makes about the new covenant?
According to 1 Corinthians 11, what does Paul say is the purpose of the Lord’s Supper, and what warning does he give about how we approach it?
In Romans 12:1-2, what does Paul say is our “spiritual worship,” and how does he describe the process of transformation?
According to the sermon, what is the difference between being a member of a church in name only and being a covenant member? [[07:40]]

Interpretation Questions

Why does God emphasize “I will be their God, and they shall be my people” in the new covenant? What does this say about the kind of relationship He wants with us?
What does it mean to “examine yourself” before taking the Lord’s Supper? How does this relate to our commitment to Christ and to one another? [[01:24:24]]
The sermon says that “covenant membership is a dual commitment: first, to the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and King, and second, to His people in a specific local church.” Why are these two commitments inseparable? [[07:40]]
According to Romans 12, how is our worship connected to the way we live and serve others? How does this challenge the way we think about worship?

Application Questions

The sermon calls us to “examine ourselves—personally, corporately, and missionally.” Take a moment to reflect: Are there areas in your life where you are not living in step with the promises you have made to Christ and His people? What is one specific area you sense God calling you to recalibrate? [[01:24:24]]
The new covenant is described as a “living reality” that we celebrate at the Lord’s table. How can you make the Lord’s Supper more meaningful in your life? Is there a way you can prepare your heart differently before communion? [[01:24:24]]
The sermon says, “To claim Christ as Lord is to embrace His people as family, living out our faith in tangible, accountable community.” What is one practical way you can move from being anonymous to being known and involved in the church family this month? [[07:40]]
The gospel “demands both immediate and daily response.” What is one old way of thinking or living that you need to turn from this week? What would it look like to embrace Christ’s rule in that area? [[24:24]]
The sermon challenges us to be “doers of the Word, not hearers only.” Is there a recent teaching or Bible passage you’ve heard but not acted on? What step of obedience can you take this week? [[01:14:55]]
“Our mission is to pass the gospel on, not keep it to ourselves.” Who is one person in your life who is far from God? What is one step you can take to build a relationship or share your story of grace with them? [[01:05:46]]
“Service and generosity are acts of worship that please God.” Think of one area where you can serve or give more sacrificially. What is one small act of service or generosity you can offer this week as worship to God? [[01:21:33]]

Sermon Clips

In the same spirit, our church covenant is a gospel-shaped promise that we make one to another. It's a gospel-shaped promise that we as members are making to one another. And so we come together on Covenant Sunday, we reaffirm those promises that we've made. We're committing ourselves to one another in love, in mission, in holiness. [00:37:45] (22 seconds)

Covenant membership is not for those who just admire Jesus, who think he's cool. Covenant membership is not just for those who were raised in a church culture. It's for those who have personally responded to the person of Jesus Christ through believing the gospel. They have repented and they have placed their faith and trust in Christ alone. [00:47:05] (21 seconds)

Being a disciple of Jesus Christ is more than just memorizing some facts, more than just sitting in nice comfortable chairs as we hear somebody else bellow on about how much Jesus means to him. It means that we actually pattern our lives after Jesus. Do you understand that? It means you follow Him. [00:57:43] (22 seconds)

The gospel doesn't stop with us. It's supposed to keep going out of us, through us. This was the heart of the apostle Paul. Listen to what he said in 1 Corinthians 9. He says, I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. [01:06:27] (17 seconds)

Works don't save us. They accompany the faith that does. They walk hand in hand. So as fully devoted followers of Christ, we're united in Christ. We're devoted to his body. We're devoted to seeing others believe and trust him. We're devoted on being trained in his word and we're devoted on being strong in ministry and service. So let's not just agree with those that those are good things. Let's embody them. Let's live them. Let's commit to be about it and not just talk about it. [01:23:19] (36 seconds)

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