Covenant Service

Belonging

What does it mean to belong?

Truth: I belong because God has made me to belong.

Lie: I don’t fit so I don’t belong.

How do I know I belong somewhere?

Feelings?

Fulfillment?

How do I help others feel like they belong?

Invitation

Genuine care

Covenant People

Covenant Community

Three Elements that are active in Covenant Community:

Met each others needs

Worshiped together

United in the Spirit to boldly witness

Covenant Accountability

Three Elements that are active in Covenant Accountability:

Encouragement

Endurance

Exhortation

Covenant Service

Three Elements that are active in Covenant Service:

Key Element One: Attitude

Philippians 2:1–11 ESV

1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Attitude: I am here to serve and let God get and give the glory.

Key Element Two: Aptitude

Romans 12:3–8 ESV

3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

Gifts of grace that differ:

Romans 12:6 ESV

6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;

Use your gifts

Prophecy: Faith

Service: Serving

Exhorts: Exhortation

Contributes: Generosity

Leads: Zeal

Acts of Mercy: Cheerfulness

Service is essential.

Key Element Three: Affection

Affection toward God

Romans 12:1–2 ESV

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Affection toward the Church

Romans 12:9–13 ESV

9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

How I fit in Covenant Community

I see myself as part of this church

I see myself in relationship with this church

I see myself as essential to this church