Living Out Our Faith: A Covenant Community

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.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The church is a community of “visible professors”—ordinary people who openly declare their faith in Jesus and are called saints, not because of their own merit, but because of God’s grace. This identity is not reserved for the spiritually elite, but for all who trust in Christ and seek to follow Him in daily life. Our sainthood is a gift, not an achievement, and it calls us to live with humility and gratitude. [14:43]
• 2. Repentance is a continual turning away from both obvious and hidden sins, including those of omission, such as failing to help others, and those of the heart, like resentment or pride. True understanding comes when we recognize our own capacity for sin and choose, again and again, to turn toward God’s mercy. This is not a one-time act, but a lifelong journey of transformation. [21:57]
• 3. The idols of our age may look different from those of the past, but they are just as real and just as dangerous. Whether it’s the pursuit of wealth, the influence of celebrities and social media personalities, or the idolization of self, these distractions can subtly draw our hearts away from God. We are called to discern what we are truly worshipping and to reorient our lives around Christ alone. [28:26]
• 4. Faith in Jesus is rooted in the historical reality of His life, death, and resurrection. The resurrection is not just a comforting story, but the ultimate sign God has given to the world—a powerful witness that demands our trust. Believing in Jesus means embracing the fullness of who He is and what He has done, and letting that truth shape every aspect of our lives. [30:19]
• 5. The purpose of the church is to glorify God, build one another up in faith, and spread the gospel. This requires a commitment to Scripture as our guide, rather than the changing values of society. When we devote ourselves to these things, we become a community that not only endures, but flourishes, bearing witness to God’s grace for generations to come. [33:42]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [11:23] - The Founding of Sabden Baptist Church
• [12:43] - The Meaning of the Church Covenant
• [13:20] - Who Are the “Visible Professors”?
• [14:43] - Saints: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Calling
• [17:14] - Baptism and Public Profession
• [19:08] - Repentance: Turning from Sin
• [21:57] - Sins of Omission and the Call to Help
• [23:28] - The Challenge of Forgiveness and Discipleship
• [24:48] - Greed, Idolatry, and Modern Influences
• [28:26] - The Call to Turn from Idols
• [30:19] - United in Faith and Communion
• [31:20] - Submitting to Christ’s Lordship
• [32:26] - Glorifying God and Propagating the Gospel
• [33:42] - Building Each Other Up in Faith
• [35:48] - Closing Prayer

Bible Reading

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.”

Observation Questions

1. According to the sermon, what does it mean to be a “visible professor” and a “saint” in the context of the church covenant? [14:43]
2. What examples did the sermon give of “sins of omission” and how are they connected to Exodus 23:5? [21:57]
3. How did the sermon describe the difference between idols in the past and the idols we face today? [28:26]
4. What is the significance of Jesus’ resurrection as described in 1 Corinthians 15:3-6 and how was this highlighted in the sermon? [30:19]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think the early church, and our church today, places such importance on being “visible professors” of faith rather than keeping faith private? [14:43]
2. The sermon mentioned that repentance is not just about obvious sins, but also hidden ones and sins of omission. Why is it important to recognize and turn from these less obvious sins? [21:57]
3. In what ways can modern idols (like social media influencers or the pursuit of wealth) be just as spiritually dangerous as the physical idols mentioned in the Old Testament? [28:26]
4. The sermon said that our faith is rooted in the historical reality of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. How does believing in the resurrection shape the way we live out our faith? [30:19]

Application Questions

1. The sermon said that sainthood is a gift, not an achievement, and calls us to live with humility and gratitude. In what ways do you struggle to accept your identity as a “saint,” and how might embracing this truth change your daily attitude? [14:43]
2. Think of a recent situation where you could have helped someone but didn’t (a “sin of omission”). What held you back, and what could you do differently next time? [21:57]
3. Are there any “idols” in your life right now—things or people that subtly draw your attention and affection away from God? What practical steps can you take this week to reorient your focus on Jesus? [28:26]
4. The sermon described repentance as a lifelong journey. What is one hidden sin or attitude you sense God is asking you to turn from right now? How can the group support you in this? [21:57]
5. Baptism was described as a public declaration of faith. If you have been baptized, how does that moment continue to shape your faith? If you haven’t, what questions or hesitations do you have about it? [17:14]
6. The church covenant calls us to build each other up in faith and spread the gospel. Who is one person in your life you could encourage or share your faith with this week? What might that look like? [33:42]
7. The sermon emphasized relying on Scripture rather than the shifting opinions of the world. Is there a specific area where you feel pressure to follow the world’s values instead of God’s Word? How can you stand firm in that area? [33:42]