To be a member of the church is to be a visible professor of Christ, someone who openly professes faith and is called a saint—not in the sense of a distant, venerated figure, but as an ordinary believer set apart by God’s grace. This identity is not about perfection or status, but about being part of a community that recognizes one another as Christians, saved by grace, and united in faith. The church is a gathering of such saints, baptized upon a profession of repentance and faith, committed to glorifying God and building each other up. This calling is both a privilege and a responsibility, reminding each person that their life and witness matter in the ongoing story of God’s people. [14:43]
Romans 1:7 (ESV)
To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Reflection: In what ways can you make your faith more visible this week, showing others that you are set apart for Christ in your everyday actions and words?
Repentance is more than feeling sorry for wrongdoing; it is an active turning away from sin and a turning toward God, seeking His forgiveness and striving to live differently. This includes not only obvious sins but also the subtle ones—sins of omission, like failing to help a neighbor, or sins of the heart, such as harboring resentment. The call to repentance is ongoing, requiring humility and honesty before God, and a willingness to let Him transform every area of life. True understanding comes from fearing the Lord and turning away from evil, recognizing that all are capable of sin and all are in need of grace. [19:08]
Job 28:28 (ESV)
And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’
Reflection: Is there a specific sin or habit you need to turn away from today? What practical step can you take to seek God’s forgiveness and walk in a new direction?
God’s command to love and help others extends even to those we find difficult or who may not treat us kindly. The call is not just to avoid harm, but to actively do good, even when it is inconvenient or uncomfortable. This kind of love is a mark of true discipleship and reflects the heart of God, who calls His people to rise above grudges and self-interest. Whether it’s helping a neighbor in need or choosing honesty over self-justification, these acts of love and service are tangible expressions of faith and obedience. [21:57]
Exodus 23:5 (ESV)
If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying under its burden, you shall refrain from leaving him with it; you shall rescue it with him.
Reflection: Who is someone in your life you find it hard to help or love? How can you show them kindness or practical support this week, even if it feels undeserved?
To be a disciple is to submit every part of life to Jesus, acknowledging His authority and seeking His guidance in all things. This means not relying on personal wisdom or desires, but humbling oneself and asking Christ to be Lord over thoughts, actions, and ambitions. Communion and baptism are outward signs of this inward surrender, reminding believers that Jesus is present and sovereign. True submission involves daily choices to trust Him, seek His will, and glorify His name, believing that He knows best and is always with His people. [31:20]
Matthew 10:29-31 (ESV)
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are tempted to take control instead of letting Jesus lead? How can you surrender this area to Him in prayer and action today?
The church is called to mutual edification, building one another up in faith through encouragement, teaching, and living according to God’s Word. This growth happens in the rich soil of community, where believers support each other, hold fast to Scripture, and resist the pull of worldly values. Propagating the gospel and nurturing faith are not solo endeavors but shared responsibilities, ensuring that the church remains strong and vibrant for generations to come. By committing to these practices, the church glorifies God and fulfills its purpose as a beacon of hope and truth. [33:42]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)
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.
Reflection: How can you intentionally encourage or build up someone in your church family this week—through a word, a prayer, or a practical act of service?
Today marks a special moment as we remember the founding of our church in Sabden, nearly 230 years ago. Those early believers, led by Benjamin Dickinson, gathered in prayer and worship, and eventually wrote a covenant—a sacred promise that would define who they were and what they stood for. This covenant, though written in the language of its time, still speaks to us today about what it means to be a church: a community of people who openly profess faith in Jesus, who are called saints not because of our perfection, but because we belong to Him.
Being a “visible professor” of Christ means living out our faith in public, not hiding it away. The covenant reminds us that we are to be people who have repented—turned away from sin and toward God—and who have been baptized as a sign of that repentance and faith. Baptism is more than a ritual; it’s a public declaration that we belong to Jesus, that we have died to our old selves and been raised to new life in Him.
Repentance is not just about avoiding the obvious sins, but also about turning from the subtle ones: failing to help those in need, harboring resentment, or idolizing things other than God. The world offers many distractions and false idols, from materialism to celebrity culture, but we are called to turn away from these and fix our eyes on Jesus. Our faith is rooted in the truth of who Jesus is—God incarnate, born of a virgin, crucified for our sins, and raised to life again. This is the sign God has given us, and it is the foundation of our hope.
We are united not just by shared beliefs, but by a mutual commitment to live out our faith together. We gather for communion, remembering Christ’s sacrifice, and we submit our lives to His lordship, seeking His guidance in all things. Our purpose is to glorify God, to build one another up in faith, and to spread the good news of Jesus. The covenant calls us to propagate the gospel, to nurture faith in ourselves and others, and to remain rooted in Scripture rather than the shifting opinions of the world. In all of this, we rely on Jesus—who knows our hearts, forgives our sins, and promises us eternal life with Him.
Romans 1:6-7 (ESV) — > “including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
2. Exodus 23:5 (ESV)
> “If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying down under its burden, you shall refrain from leaving him with it; you shall rescue it with him.”
3. 1 Corinthians 15:3-6 (ESV)
> “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.”
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