Covenant Membership Sunday
COVENANT PROMISES:
PARTNERING TOGETHER
“Fellowship” has taken on a companion word that detracts from its original meaning: coffee! Following a rousing time of worship or Bible study, we love to come down from that high with a relaxing “coffee fellowship.” Our common misunderstanding is that fellowship means “visiting” with a coffee cup in hand.
That’s not what “fellowship” means.
The biblical understanding of “fellowship” comes from the Greek word “koinonia.” It is translated “fellowship” in your Bibles, but it means “partnership.”
J.R.R Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings first volume, The Fellowship of the Ring illustrates this. Nine unlikely characters from different races (Hobbit, Elf, Dwarf, Wizard, and Human) come together in a partnership to accomplish a herculean task. They can’t do it alone; they need each other. In a significant scene, the nine heroes covenant together to form a fellowship dedicated to their singular task: to destroy the ring (representing evil) and preserve the world they inhabit.
That sounds like the church. We come from different backgrounds and ethnicities to find unity under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. With our unique gifts, we partner together to resist the evil of our world and advance the values and truths of the kingdom of God. We are the Rosenort Fellowship. We know we can’t live the Christian life alone, so we covenant together to form this fellowship of believers to be salt and light in our part of the world.
To be a true fellowship united in Jesus Christ, we need to covenant together. I want to unpack the biblical theme of covenant with you this morning so that we understand what this Covenanting Service involves for you and me. Then we will enter or renew our covenant with each other.
What is a Covenant?
A covenant is commonly used in legal, social, religious and theological contexts. I like to emphasize the relational aspect of covenant. Contract sounds cold. We cannot forget the relationship that underlies the agreement. The meaning of covenant is “coming together.”
Think of the covenant of marriage: a covenant between a husband and wife helps to establish the basis of the relationship, conditions that help the spouses to thrive, promises that give hope to the couple for a happy future. And there are consequences if those conditions are unmet.
Why is covenant important to us? Because the covenants provide a framework for how we understand the Bible and how it works together. Those 66 books we call “the Bible” hang together brilliantly because of the covenants. God enters one formal partnership (covenant) after another with various humans to rescue the world. Through these covenants, we find the story of the Bible driving forward until the climax is reached in Jesus. “To tell the story of God redeeming humanity through Jesus is to tell the whole story of God’s covenantal relationship with humans,” (Bible Project).
So, a covenant is a relationship between two partners who make binding promises to each other and work together to reach a common goal. They are often accompanied by signs. We must remember that covenant is relational and personal (like the marriage example).
Why God Partners with Human Beings
The covenantal story begins when God created human beings in his image to partner with him in spreading his good rule throughout the world. “Covenant” is not used in Genesis 1, but the idea lingers in the background.
God invites Adam and Eve to be his representatives by ruling over the earth. They would enjoy God’s blessings so long as they do not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (note the conditions). In this test of covenantal faithfulness, they failed. They ate from the tree and brought a curse on humanity and the world. We would be trapped in the spiral of sin and self-destruction if God had not intervened to restore his partnership with humanity through covenants.
There are five covenants that build upon one another to bring about the salvation of the world…
The Five Major Covenants of the Bible
The Noahic Covenant (Genesis 9:11-13) – By the time of Noah, sin has enveloped the whole world, and evil has corrupted everything and everyone. In response, God sends a flood to restore Creation and begin again with Noah’s family.
After the flood, God enters a formal relationship with Noah and all living creatures promising that he will never again flood the earth. “I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth,” (11). Then God gives the sign of the rainbow as a reminder of this covenant. God will preserve the world no matter how bad humanity becomes and promises to rescue humanity and creation through the “offspring of the woman” (Gen. 3:15). God’s covenant in this instance is unconditional, meaning that God will keep his promise regardless of human compliance or sin.
The Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 17:4-8) – Even after the flood, sin continues to infest the world. Humanity continues to do its own thing and ignore the God who created them. How is God going to restore his good world?
God calls Abraham into another covenant relationship. Slowly, over the course of his life (Gen 12, 15, 17), Abraham is led to understand what God is going to do. This covenant is the most central to the biblical story of redemption. God calls out Abraham to be the father of a huge family that will bless the world for generations to come. “Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations…And I will establish my covenant with you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant..." (4, 7). God promises to give his people a land and to be their God.
The sign of this covenant is circumcision which is to be a reminder to Abraham and his children that they are set apart for God. While the covenant is primarily unconditional, there is a conditional part: Abraham needs to believe that God will do this. And Abraham does believe and is called the father of those who have faith.
What is particularly significant is that Abraham will be a blessing to all the nations. Though it is not said “how,” Abraham’s family means something good for the world.
The Mosaic Covenant (Exodus 31:12-18) – Through Abraham’s one and only son, Isaac, Abraham’s family increases in the land of Egypt numbering probably 2 million. But they are under the boot of Pharaoh who feels threatened by God’s people. They cry out to God and God calls Moses to lead his people out of the slavery of Egypt to the land of Promise.
They escape Pharaoh and his army through miraculous means and end up at Mount Sinai. On the mountain, God reveals himself to Moses and revisits the promises made to Abraham. With Moses as representative of the people of God, God makes a covenant with them. God promises to make them a nation of priests who will represent God to the world.
It is here at Mount Sinai that God gives his people the law that is meant to transform them into a people unique in all the world. This covenant is conditional, meaning there is something that the people need to do: obey the law. If they do, there will be blessings; if they don’t, there are curses. A sign of this obedience to the covenant is keeping the Sabbath. The Lord said, “Above all you shall keep my Sabbaths, for this is a sign between me and you…that you may know that I, the LORD sanctify you,” (13b).
The Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7:12-16) – God’s people enter the Promised Land, but after a time they forget the covenant at Mount Sinai and want a king like other nations. We know about the first king, Saul, and how that went badly. Then God chooses a man to be king who was a “man after God’s own heart.” David establishes the kingdom of Israel and wants to build God a temple. The Lord responds by making a covenant with David.
The Lord promises David, “And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever,” (16). The promise is an everlasting legacy, and the sign will be that someone in David’s family will sit on his throne forever.
The Messianic Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34) – God continued to keep his end of the covenants even if his people failed to keep their end of the partnership. But somebody had to fulfill the human side of the agreement so that God could repair his relationship with his people. Amid the sin and rebellion of humankind, God made a covenant with the people that would be an everlasting covenant.
The LORD said, “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…(see 31-34).” Before this time, the law had been external, a harsh taskmaster that stood over the people and reminded them they were sinners. But now, the LORD would make the law internal, a more natural inclination to obey that came from within. God would forgive their sins, and a David-like king would rule over them forever.
Jesus is the climax of this covenant promise. Jesus fulfills all the covenant promises. Where humanity failed to keep their part of the partnership, the man Jesus Christ, is a blessing to all nations, he is obedient to the whole law, he is the perfect son of David, king of kings and Lord of lords. Jesus succeeded at every point where humanity failed.
The sign of this covenant is the bread and the cup. These signs remind us of the faithfulness of Christ and the unconditional promise that he has made us children of the Father in heaven.
Our Covenant at Rosenort Fellowship…
What do these covenants have to do with covenant membership at RFC?
I have a dream… (sounds like MLK) …I have a dream that we would agree to partner together to follow Jesus Christ. I have a dream that those who pursue a life with Jesus would partner together to be a community of followers who love each other, encourage one another in faith, help each other when one falls in sin, pray for each other when we suffer, remind each other of the power of Christ when we feel weak. I have a dream that people of all walks of life and ethnicities could come together and agree on Jesus, that he is our Savior, and he is our LORD.
By covenanting together, we are agreeing that the story of redemption that I have just outlined is our story. We are the continuation of that story. We are blessed through Abraham; we are the representatives of God in this world pressing on to make this world better through the gospel of Jesus; we are priests in the kingdom of the Son of David ministering to a fallen world, bringing healing and love and shalom.
I have a dream that we would be a community that stands out against the coldness and bitterness of our world. I have a dream that a person who seeks God would know that they may belong to this covenant people.
Do you share my dream?
The following Covenant stipulations are found in our Church handbook. If you would like a copy to study further, please contact our office.
The Covenant | Biblical Reference | Promised Blessing | Conditions | Sign |
Noahic | Genesis 9:11-13 | God will never again flood the earth | Unconditional | Rainbow |
Abrahamic | Genesis 17:4-8 | Abraham will be the father of many peoples, he will inherit the land, and will be a blessing to the world | Unconditional | Circumcision |
Mosaic | Exodus 31:12-18 | Israel will be a holy nation of priests who will represent Yahweh to the world | Conditional | Obey the law and commandments; keep the Sabbath |
Davidic | 2 Samuel 7:12-16 | David’s name will be great and one of his descendants will sit on his throne forever | Unconditional | Throne of David |
Messianic | Jeremiah 31:31:34; Luke 22:19-22 | The law will be written on the hearts of God’s people, their sins forgiven, and will enjoy the reign of David’s Son | Unconditional | The Bread and the Cup |
Why
A. Rationale
We believe that the church is a community of faith bound together by the covenant of Jesus Christ. Believers are in a covenant relationship with God and with each other. Jesus taught that the Christian life could be best nurtured and expressed when an individual commits himself or herself to a group of Christ-followers, the body of Christ.
The New Testament clearly teaches commitment and accountability within a local body of Christ-followers. In the context of this local body, we look for ways to encourage commitment and reflect what it means to be part of the local and visible church.
A covenant commitment to a church community is necessary for the following reasons:
A Biblical Reason: The New Testament reveals that local churches were a reality and a necessity.
Romans 16:1, 5 “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae...Greet also the church in their house...”
1 Corinthians 1:2 “To the church of God that is in Corinth...”
Galatians 1:2 “To the churches of Galatia...”
1 Thessalonians 1:2 “To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ...”
A Cultural Reason: Community counters the trend of society.
• In an age of isolation and individualism where commitment to a marriage, a job, or a family is at a low point in society, a covenant community offers an alternative to “going it alone.” We believe that committing oneself to a body of believers makes a person stronger in character and in faith.
3. A Practical Reason: It reveals who the church community can depend upon.
• Covenant commitment identifies our church family. Just as sports teams have rosters and schools have an enrolment, church communities need a tangible way of identifying those who have chosen to belong to the local body.
4. A Personal Reason: It produces spiritual growth.
• The New Testament places a major emphasis on the need for Christians to be accountable to each other for spiritual growth. By committing ourselves to the body of believers, we face challenges or crises together. When we work together with others who are committed to Christ, we grow in our spiritual life.
B. Our Commitment to Each Other at RFC
Recognizing the awesome responsibility of being the church, the group of people who corporately make up the body of Christ, we, the RFC Church family, covenant to provide you:
1. The Opportunity to Fellowship
RFC is a community where you can belong.
RFC is a community where you will be cared for.
RFC is a community where you will be held accountable in your faith walk.
RFC is a community with whom you can worship the Lord.
“So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another,” Romans
12:5.
“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a
spirit of gentleness...Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ,” Galatians 6:1-2.
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g. “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,” Ephesians 5:19.
The Opportunity to Serve
In the area of your giftedness.
In the church community and in the constituency.
“Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them...” Romans 12:6a.
“...as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the
household of faith,” Galatians 6:10.
The Opportunity to Learn
Through preaching and teaching.
For spiritual growth and guidance in daily living.
“Preach the Word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete
patience and teaching,” 2 Timothy 4:2
“Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how
you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus,” 1 Thessalonians 4:1-2.
The Opportunity to Receive Spiritual Care and Nurture
Through instruction and Believer’s Baptism.
Through participation in communion.
Through visitation and prayer in times of special needs.
In preparation for and during significant life events (weddings, funerals, etc.).
“Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him,
anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord,” James 5:14.
“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread
and the prayers,” Acts 2:42.
C. Your Commitment to the RFC Family
Having received Christ as my Lord and Savior and having been baptized upon the confession of my faith in him, I feel led by the Holy Spirit to unite with the RFC Church family. In doing so, I humbly commit myself to God and to this community of believers to:
Guard the Unity of My Church
By acting in love toward other members.
By refusing to gossip.
By following the leaders.
By accepting and supporting corporate decisions.
“May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another,
in accord with Christ Jesus,” Romans 15:5
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as first
the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear,” Ephesians 4:29.
Share Responsibility for the Growth of My Church
By praying for its growth.
By inviting the unchurched to attend.
By warmly welcoming those who visit.
“...Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.” Luke 14:23.
“...welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God,” Romans 15:7.
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Serve in the Ministry of My Church
By living a godly life.
By discovering and using my gifts and talents.
By developing a servant’s heart.
By serving for God’s glory and not the praise of people.
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace...” 1
Peter 4:10
“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this in
mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus...taking the form of a servant,” Philippians 2:4-5, 7.
Support My Church in Practical Ways
With my time, by attending faithfully.
With my resources, by serving where possible.
With my finances, by giving regularly.
“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one
another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching,” Hebrews 10:25.
“From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and
builds itself up in love, as each part does its work,” Ephesians 4:15-16.
“On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his
income...” 1 Corinthians 16:2.
My Covenant with Christ and RFC:
With my signature below, I declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, that the Bible is the very Word of God, and that salvation is only through the Lord Jesus Christ. I have repented of my sins and have received cleansing and forgiveness through faith in the shed blood of Christ. In obedience to Christ and because I desire to publicly proclaim my faith, I have been baptized as a believer.
Trusting in the Holy Spirit for guidance, I seek to lead a consistent Christian life, honoring Christ in all my relationships. I am in agreement with the statement of faith and practices of RFC, as well as the RFC church covenant statement, to the extent that I am prepared to covenant with the RFC, becoming an active covenant member. I commit myself to support RFC through prayer, regular worship, giving, and service.
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