This is the 8th message in series, "What do you believe, and why?"
- And we praise the Lord for His Word
- To tell us what to believe = And for a "reasonable" faith
> Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
> Isaiah 43:25 I, [even] I, [am] he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.
And we praise the Lord for the example of Paul
> [Acts 17.1-3] = Preaching the Gospel and obeying the Great Commission
- Which leads to the establishment of Churches
> [Rom. 1.1-7] = THUS [1,8]
And that is our heritage = From 1815 until today
- Trinity, Inspiration and Authority of the Scriptures, Sinfulness of Humanity, Blood Atonement, Born Again exhibit gifts / fruit of the Spirit, Sanctification (past, present, future -- progressive), Eternal Security of the Believer, Resurrection of the Living and the Dead (ie: Heaven and Hell), Gospel ordinances given to the church (so only examined / ordained should administer), "Preaching of the Gospel is an appointment of God to be continued to the end of the world"
- Last week = Autonomous church, Church ordinances (baptism and Lord’s Supper)
And today we continue to examine our founding documents and beliefs
- 13. WE BELIEVE IT IS THE DUTY OF EVERY MEMBER TO SUPPORT AND MAINTAIN THE CHURCH.
- Today, "Responsibilities (duties) of members"
- "[1] To endeavor, to the best of their ability, to keep the Church Covenant"
- Differs slightly from 1815 = Listen carefully
- [today’s] = "Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God to receive the Lord Jesus Chriat as our Savior, and, on the profession of our faith; having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, we do now, in the presence of God, Angels, and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one body in Christ. We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge, spirituality and comfort. To promote its prosperity and spirituality, to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines. To contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel through all nations. We also engage to maintain family and secret devotions; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger; to abstain from the sale and use of intoxicating drinks as a beverage; and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the work of our Savior. We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember each other in prayer; to aid each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always be ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the laws of our Savior, to secure it without delay. WE MOREOVER, ENGAGE THAT WHEN WE REMOVE FROM THIS PLACE, WE WILL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, UNITE WITH SOME OTHER CHURCH, WHERE WE CAN CARRY OUT THE SPIRIT OF THIS COVENANT, AND THE PRINCIPLES OF GOD’S WORD."
No Scripture is specified
- But tell me if you think any part of that is not based on the Word of God?
- CAN’T! = Because it is
- Let me simply suggest some passages which come to mind
- This will be the bulk of the message
- But praise the Lord = To allow God to speak for Himself, as it were
- SOURCE of comments in this section = [tsk] for each chapter / specified Scripture
[Rom. 12]
1 God’s mercies must move us to please God.
3 No man must think too well of himself;
6 but everyone attend on that calling wherein he is placed.
9 Love, and many other duties are required of us.
19 Revenge is especially forbidden.
[1 Cor. 8]
1 To abstain from meats offered to idols.
8 We must not abuse our Christian liberty, to the offence of our brethren;
11 but must bridle our knowledge with charity.
[Gal. 6.1-10]
1 He moves them to deal mildly with a brother that has slipped,
2 and to bear one another’s burden;
6 to be liberal to their teachers,
9 and not weary of well-doing.
[Eph. 4]
1 He exhorts to unity;
7 and declares that God therefore gives divers gifts unto men;
11 that his church might be edified,
16 and grow up in Christ.
18 He calls them from the impurity of the Gentiles;
24 to put on the new man;
25 to cast off lying;
29 and corrupt communication.
[Phil. 2.1-11]
1 Paul exhorts them to unity, and to all humbleness of mind, by the example of Christ’s humility and exaltation;
[1 Thes. 4.9-18]
He exhorts them ... 9 to love one another;
11 and quietly to follow their own business;
13 and last of all, to sorrow moderately for the dead.
17 And unto this last exhortation is annexed a brief description of the resurrection, and second coming of Christ to judgment.
[1 Thes. 5.12-26] = VARIOUS DUTIES
CONCLUSION
Re-read our current Covenant
Any Where / Way / Fashion we are falling short?
> Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Well, praise the Lord > 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Should you need to come, come and do business with the Lord
INVITATION PRAYER
OPEN ALTAR (no hymn)
