Walking in Covenant: Strengthening Our Community of Faith
Summary
### Summary
Today's message focused on the importance of walking in covenant as a community of believers, drawing from Romans 12:4. The concept of covenant is central to our faith, serving as a practical embodiment of God's desires for us. It reminds us that our faith journey is not confined to Sunday mornings but is a daily commitment to live out our faith. The covenant underscores that we are one body with many members, each with unique functions, and that we must grow together to be spiritually fit and effective in our mission.
The sermon emphasized the necessity of community, highlighting that isolation leads to dysfunction. Just as a body needs all its parts to function properly, the church needs every member to fulfill their role. The analogy of a bodybuilder who skips leg day was used to illustrate the imbalance that occurs when we focus only on certain aspects of our spiritual life while neglecting others. The message challenged us to reflect on our spiritual fitness and consider how our individual contributions affect the overall health of the church.
Three keys to living out our covenant were presented: showing up, giving faithfully, and being friendly. Showing up is the first step in being part of the body, as it allows God to work through us. Giving faithfully involves using our time, talent, and treasure for God's glory, recognizing that these are gifts from God. Being friendly means treating others with kindness and compassion, as we would like to be treated, and not excusing bad behavior with phrases like "that's just the way they are."
The message concluded with a call to self-examination and a reminder of God's grace. Despite our imperfections and past failures, God has the power to restore and transform us. The covenant and the act of coming to the Lord's table serve as reminders of the debt Jesus paid for us and the grace that covers our shortcomings.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Importance of Covenant: Covenant is a practical way of embodying God's desires for us. It serves as a roadmap to experiencing the abundant life and reminds us that our faith journey is a daily commitment, not just a Sunday ritual. This covenant helps us to live out our mission to love God, love people, and make disciples. [01:45]
2. Community and Growth: Just as a body needs all its parts to function properly, the church needs every member to fulfill their role. Isolation leads to dysfunction, and we must grow together to be spiritually fit. Reflect on your spiritual fitness and consider how your individual contributions affect the overall health of the church. [03:55]
3. Show Up: The first key to living out our covenant is simply showing up. This is often the hardest step but is crucial for God to work through us. Whether it's attending church, participating in community activities, or being present for others, showing up is the foundation of a strong, united body. [19:07]
4. Give Faithfully: Use your time, talent, and treasure for God's glory. Recognize that these are gifts from God and should be stewarded wisely. Reflect on who benefits from your resources and whether your actions inspire others to come to Jesus. [24:00]
5. Be Friendly: Treat others with kindness and compassion, as you would like to be treated. Don't excuse bad behavior with phrases like "that's just the way they are." Believe in God's power to transform and renew minds, and strive to be a positive influence within the community. [30:03]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:58] - Introduction to Covenant
[01:45] - The Role of Covenant in Our Faith
[02:37] - Living Out the Covenant Daily
[03:16] - Imperfection and Growth
[03:55] - Community and Growth
[04:42] - The Necessity of Community
[05:50] - Many Members, One Body
[06:59] - Spiritual Fitness
[08:49] - The Danger of Imbalance
[09:30] - God's Desire for a Healthy Body
[10:03] - A Hard Question on Spiritual Fitness
[11:12] - Reflecting on Our Contributions
[12:22] - Collective Consciousness
[13:21] - The Power of Relationship
[14:10] - Hurting Others Hurts Us
[15:10] - The Importance of Function
[15:53] - Self-Examination
[16:48] - God's Grace and Restoration
[17:20] - Christian Living in Community
[18:26] - Three Keys to Living Out the Covenant
[19:07] - Key 1: Show Up
[20:57] - The Importance of Showing Up
[22:20] - The Devil's Tactics
[23:13] - Encouraging One Another
[23:30] - Key 2: Give Faithfully
[24:00] - Stewarding God's Gifts
[25:16] - Appreciating Your Gifts
[26:31] - Who Benefits from Your Gifts?
[27:50] - God's Grace in Our Gifts
[28:31] - Key 3: Be Friendly
[29:30] - Treat Others Well
[30:03] - Clothe Yourself in Compassion
[31:30] - The Phrase That Grieves
[32:04] - God's Transformative Power
[33:18] - Personal Testimony
[34:23] - The Impact of Transformation
[39:28] - Walking Together in Faith
[40:30] - The Devil's Plan vs. God's Restoration
[41:33] - The Significance of the Lord's Table
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Romans 12:4-5 (NIV): "For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others."
- Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV): "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
- Colossians 3:12-14 (NIV): "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."
### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 12:4-5, what analogy does Paul use to describe the church, and what does this imply about the roles of individual members? ([01:45])
2. In Hebrews 10:24-25, what are believers encouraged to do, and why is this important for the community? ([22:52])
3. Colossians 3:12-14 lists several virtues that believers should clothe themselves with. What are these virtues, and how do they contribute to unity within the church? ([30:03])
4. The sermon used the analogy of a bodybuilder who skips leg day. What point was being made with this analogy? ([08:49])
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of covenant, as described in Romans 12:4-5, help believers understand their daily commitment to the faith and their role within the church community? ([01:45])
2. Hebrews 10:24-25 emphasizes the importance of meeting together. How does this align with the sermon’s point about the necessity of showing up? ([22:52])
3. Colossians 3:12-14 speaks about virtues like compassion and kindness. How do these virtues help in treating others as we would like to be treated, as mentioned in the sermon? ([30:03])
4. Reflecting on the bodybuilder analogy, what are some areas in your spiritual life that you might be neglecting, and how does this affect the overall health of the church? ([08:49])
### Application Questions
1. The sermon emphasized the importance of showing up. What are some practical steps you can take to ensure you are more present in your church community? ([19:07])
2. Giving faithfully was highlighted as a key to living out our covenant. How can you better use your time, talent, and treasure for God's glory this week? ([24:00])
3. Being friendly and treating others with kindness was another key point. Think of a recent interaction where you could have been more compassionate. How can you improve in future interactions? ([30:03])
4. The sermon challenged us to reflect on our spiritual fitness. What specific area of your spiritual life do you feel needs more attention, and what steps will you take to address it? ([10:03])
5. The message called for self-examination and reminded us of God's grace. How can you incorporate regular self-examination into your spiritual routine, and how does understanding God's grace help in this process? ([16:48])
6. The analogy of the bodybuilder who skips leg day was used to illustrate imbalance. Identify one area in your spiritual life that you have been focusing on too much at the expense of others. How can you create a more balanced spiritual life? ([08:49])
7. The sermon mentioned the phrase "that's just the way they are" as an excuse for bad behavior. Reflect on a time when you used this phrase. How can you change your mindset to believe in God's transformative power for yourself and others? ([32:04])
Devotional
Day 1: Covenant as a Daily Commitment
The concept of covenant is not just a theological idea but a practical way of embodying God's desires for us. It serves as a roadmap to experiencing the abundant life and reminds us that our faith journey is a daily commitment, not just a Sunday ritual. This covenant helps us to live out our mission to love God, love people, and make disciples. By understanding and embracing the covenant, we can align our daily actions with God's will, ensuring that our faith is not compartmentalized but integrated into every aspect of our lives. [01:45]
Deuteronomy 6:6-9 (ESV): "And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."
Reflection: How can you incorporate the principles of the covenant into your daily routine, ensuring that your faith is a constant presence in your life?
Day 2: The Necessity of Community
Just as a body needs all its parts to function properly, the church needs every member to fulfill their role. Isolation leads to dysfunction, and we must grow together to be spiritually fit. Reflect on your spiritual fitness and consider how your individual contributions affect the overall health of the church. The analogy of a bodybuilder who skips leg day illustrates the imbalance that occurs when we focus only on certain aspects of our spiritual life while neglecting others. [03:55]
1 Corinthians 12:14-20 (ESV): "For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, 'Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,' that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, 'Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,' that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose."
Reflection: In what ways can you actively contribute to the spiritual health of your church community, ensuring that you are not neglecting any aspect of your spiritual life?
Day 3: The Importance of Showing Up
The first key to living out our covenant is simply showing up. This is often the hardest step but is crucial for God to work through us. Whether it's attending church, participating in community activities, or being present for others, showing up is the foundation of a strong, united body. By being present, we allow God to use us as instruments of His will, fostering a sense of unity and purpose within the community. [19:07]
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: What are some specific ways you can commit to "showing up" more consistently in your church and community activities?
Day 4: Giving Faithfully
Use your time, talent, and treasure for God's glory. Recognize that these are gifts from God and should be stewarded wisely. Reflect on who benefits from your resources and whether your actions inspire others to come to Jesus. Giving faithfully is not just about financial contributions but also about offering your skills, time, and energy to further God's kingdom. By doing so, you acknowledge that everything you have is a gift from God and should be used to glorify Him. [24:00]
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (ESV): "The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work."
Reflection: How can you better steward your time, talents, and treasures to benefit others and glorify God?
Day 5: Being Friendly and Compassionate
Treat others with kindness and compassion, as you would like to be treated. Don't excuse bad behavior with phrases like "that's just the way they are." Believe in God's power to transform and renew minds, and strive to be a positive influence within the community. By embodying friendliness and compassion, you reflect God's love to those around you, fostering a welcoming and supportive environment. [30:03]
Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV): "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."
Reflection: Think of someone you find difficult to be kind to. How can you show them compassion and friendliness today, reflecting God's love in your actions?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "The devil wants to talk you into not showing up. Because if you don't show up then there is no hope of transforming the body. But if you show up, oh, it gives God something to work with, doesn't it? Oh, if somebody could testify in here, they would tell you that it wasn't that they were trying to get it right. They just happened to show up at church or somewhere at the right time. They weren't even necessarily coming because they wanted to be there. They came because it was a family reunion or because the organization was there, because the football team, the coach said, y'all need to come. They showed up for somebody else and God showed up for them." [22:20] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Don't you for a second believe that where you are is all God has for you. Don't you for a second believe that you have tapped out, that there is no more. There's infinite possibility in the realm of God and God if he woke you up, this morning is not done with you. I don't care what others have said. I don't care what your family background is. I don't care what advantages or disadvantages you've got. As God is for you, you can do all things. Look at somebody and tell them I'm just getting started." [16:48] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Whatever time you have is a gift and whatever gift God has given you, the devil wants to steal, kill, or destroy. And he sets up plans and tactics in order to try and take your time away, rob you of your gifts, cause you to not use your resources effectively so that now you begin to feel like you are wasting your life. And what we are to do, one, is to make sure whatever we do with our time, whatever we do with our talent, and whatever we do with our treasure, God gets the glory for it. Period." [24:22] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "If God is all powerful, and if God is a deliverer, and if God is a transformer, and if God is able to renew minds, if God is able to give new and clean hearts, if God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all Because I've got a testimony. And I know who I used to be. And I know how I used to think. And I know what I used to do. And I know that if God can change me, if God can touch me, if God can help me, then I'm not going to shortchange anybody else. Baby, if God did it for me, then God can do it for you." [32:04] (96 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Christian living is not achieved in isolation but in participation with other believers. I'm going to give you keys here that then embody what it means to be in community and that is thematically throughout our church covenant. I'm going to go quickly through it. They're simple keys. But if we embody these three keys, we'll get so much right in what it means to live out in covenant with one another. Are you ready for the first key? The first key is deep. It's profound. Are you ready for it? Here it is. Show up. Show up." [18:26] (65 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "The covenant is a reminder that we don't just do this thing from 10 o'clock to noon-ish on Sunday morning. But each and every day that we live we are praying, God give me the strength to make sure that I am an adequate representation. Though I am imperfect and I do not do everything right, may people see that I'm doing to the best of my ability to represent you and live for you." [03:16] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "When we don't operate in our proper function within the body of Christ, it causes the body to malfunction and that malfunction begets dysfunction. Can I say that one more time? When I don't operate in my proper function within the body of Christ, it causes the body to malfunction and that malfunction produces and begets dysfunction and then we have a cycle of malfunctioning dysfunction." [15:10] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "If everyone in the church was as spiritually fit as you are, how fit of a church would it be? Well, Pastor, what you doing? Hang in there. Buckle up. I ain't done. It's a hard one. If everyone was just like you, what kind of church would it be? What would attendance look like? How friendly would the church be? everyone was just like you, would the light bill be paid?" [10:03] (63 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "It is the African, West African understanding that I am because we are and because we are, therefore I am. It is what psychologists and historians, African-American historians, Wade Noble says, collective consciousness. That I can only fully know who I am in concert with who we are. And without the we, will not operate as I will. 20th century philosopher, Jewish philosopher Martin Buber put it like this, spirit is not in the eye but in the eye in you. It is not like the blood that circulates in you but like the air in which you breathe. Man lives in the spirit when he is able to respond to his you. He is able to do that when he enters into this relationship with his whole being. It is solely by virtue of his power to relate that man is able to live in the spirit. I become an us when I understand you." [13:21] (82 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Our covenant is how we make sure that we are a body representing a God who is Lord over the entire body. I am a part, not the whole, just a part. No matter what my call is, no matter what I'm anointed to do, no matter what my tally is, I am just a part. I can't do more than my part and I shouldn't do less than my part, but I'm only a part. And each part is important." [06:59] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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