Ephesians and the Church Covenant

you probably have a drawer at home that just serves as kind of like a catch-all for just all the junk that you don't have another home for besides that drawer right you know because you have to put the dead battery somewhere and they can't go into the trash because you need to pick them up and try to use them over and over and over again and so they go in the junk drawer along with the paper clips and rubber bands and old keys that you don't know what they go to and the gift cards that have only 35 cents on them but you can't throw them away because that's money my guess is you probably in that junk drawer have some membership cards that uh that you only occasionally or perhaps even never use:

Fitness Center

Wholesale Club

Blockbuster Video (piece of history)

now all these cards share a few things in common:

1. they identify you as a member as a part of a group

2. they signify a choice you made.

You didn't get that membership accidentally it's not something that happened to you without your knowing it you got it on purpose

3. It signifies some sort of a commitment from you in order to become a member of that group. Maybe it was a willingness to pay the annual dues. Or a trade of personal information. Maybe it was a commitment to attend a monthly meeting.

Church membership Bears some resemblance to those other memberships that we're familiar with in our culture and in our lives.

1. Membership is clearly defined a person is either a member or they're not.

2. It calls for a commitment. This commitment is something that we describe in a document called our church covenant.

A covenant is a promise. Our church covenant is a promise that we make to one another as members of this body to act like God wants his church to act and so our goal in our church covenant is simply to say What scripture says Christ's body is to be and to do and no more and no less.

Consider the covenant.

Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and on profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of our Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, we do now, in the presence of God, 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, holiness and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrines; to give it a sacred preeminence over all institutions of human origin; and 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 private devotions; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred, acquaintances, and all others; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful to our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger; to abstain from such worldly amusements as watching ungodly movies, gambling, rock music, and dancing; to be free from all oath-bound secret societies and partnerships with unbelievers; to abstain from the sale or use of tobacco in any form, narcotic drugs, or intoxicating drink as a beverage; and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the Kingdom 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 of speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the rules of our Savior, and to secure reconciliation 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.

Years ago a family had been attending the worship services here at South Knollwood. I was grateful for their participation and I thought they would be a good fit here in our congregation. So as I did at the time I scheduled a time and went and sat in their home.

This was for the purpose of getting to know them and they get to know me or ask any questions about our church.

The meeting went along as well as I would have expected. We shared a lot of details of our past and just enjoyed the afternoon together.

I remember that day just as I was leaving the wife asked me a question I had never heard before.

She told me a story...

Pastor I was once a Sunday School teacher I taught a little class of girls and we serve in the ministries of our church. One Sunday morning I went up to the office to make a few copies before class. There on the copier was a paper called a “church covenant”. Preacher I was so offended I left that day and never went back.

Her words to me were, “I would never go to a church where they expected something from my private life.”

I had to break the news to her that we are a church with a church covenant. We are a church that believes that your participation in a church means something about your private life.

I understand in the atomistic day that we live in we like to imagine that the highest expression of our person as a Creation of God is our individuality. But let me remind you, That when God saw Adam alone He said “it is not good for man to be alone”.

God gave to us that day the institution of the Family. When Christ left this earth he left in tact the institution of the local church.

The idea of a church as a place that would expect nothing in the lives of its congregants is not a Biblical conception.

Allow me this morning to remind you about the Call that God has in the life of every born again believer.

It is UNITY.

As we have become accustomed to Paul for the previous three Chapters

Our spiritual "possessions" in Christ (1)

Our spiritual "position" in Christ (2,3)

In the remaining three chapters of this epistle, Paul will focus on "duty", i.e., responsibilities that are ours because of the blessings we enjoy as described in the previous chaptersOf the blessings described, one upon which Paul elaborated is the "unity" that we have in Christ by virtue of His work on the cross...

He has reconciled both Jew and Gentile to God in "one body" - Ep 2:14-16

Now, Gentiles can be fellow heirs, of the "same body" - Ep 3:6

It should not be surprising, then, that the first duty that Paul exhorts us to fulfill is "to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" - Ep 4:3

Christ "attained" this unity by His work on the cross Our task is to "maintain" it

A Church Covenant is designed to remind us from whom our Unity is attained...

Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and on profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of our Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, we do now, in the presence of God, and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.

THE "BASIS" OF UNITY (4-6)

ONE BODY...

This refers to the body of Christ, the church - Ep 1:22-23

Many say, Paul speaks here of the church in the "universal" sense

The "body" of saved believers throughout the worldOf which Christ is the "head", and "savior of the body" - Ep 5:23 While there may be many "local" churches (congregations), there is only ONE "universal" church, with ONE "head" - Jesus Christ!

The boundaries of unity…

Remember that this is not a call to have unity with all Christians. It is not a call to the universal church.

This is a local church.

Written about local unity

With local tools.

This is obviously not a call to join with churches of error and doctrinal issues

This is not a call to join in unity for false teachers.

So the idea that this is some call to universal church is not supported by the context.

Some say that this is in the Spirit of Jesus call for unity among his disciples.

John 17:11 KJV 1900

And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.

And I actually agree we should have this same unity… Because we are like the first disciples a local body of believers following our savior Jesus.

ONE SPIRIT...

This would be the Holy Spirit Who has already been described in this epistle...

As "the Holy Spirit of promise" - Ep 1:13As "the guarantee of our inheritance" - Ep 1:14

By Whom both Jew and Gentile have access to the Father - Ep 2:18

In Whom God habitats those who are being built a "holy temple" - Ep 2:21-22

By Whom the "mystery of Christ" was revealed to the apostles and prophets - Ep 3:5

Through Whom God strengthens with might the inner man - Ep 3:16

As the One whose "unity" is to be maintained in the bond of peace - Ep 4:3

ONE HOPE OF YOUR CALLING...

For Paul, this pertains primarily to "the resurrection of the dead" - Ac 23:6; 24:15; Ro 8:23-24;cf. 1Co 15:19-23; Php 3:10-11,20-21Which necessarily includes such concepts of "salvation" (1 Th 5:8) and "eternal life" (Tit 1:2; 3:7)

ONE LORD...

This refers to Jesus, of course - 1Co 8:5-6Whom God has made "both Lord and Christ" - Ac 2:36

ONE FAITH...

This the body of truth, "the faith", which Jude says was "once for all delivered to the saints" - Jude 3It is that "pattern of sound words" of that Paul taught Timothy (2Ti 1:13), and which he was to commit to faithful men (2 Tit 2:2)We find this "pattern of sound words" in the pages of the New Testament, which contains that which all Christians must believe

ONE BAPTISM...

This is the baptism...

Commanded by Jesus - Mt 28:18-20; Mk 16:15-16

Preached and commanded by His apostles - Ac 2:38; 10:48

By which those who submit to are added to the Lord's body, the church - Ac 2:42,47

I.e., the baptism in which a penitent believer is immersed in water for the remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit - Ac 2:38; 10:47-48

Don’t let this worry you. You share one baptism here at SKBC. IF you are a member here we share a baptism under the doctrine that the Bible teaches. SO we like the Ephesians share a baptism.

Boundaries of Unity

Quakers look at the One baptism and have said, “we don’t baptize because there is only one baptism. (Ignoring the baptism commanded by jesus to the church in Matthew 28:20.)

ONE GOD AND FATHER...

The Father, Who together with the Son and Holy Spirit, makes up the "Godhead"Note that Paul emphasizes both: To assist us in our efforts to "keep the unity of the Spirit", Christ has given to His church certain "gifts". Let's now consider ...]

A Church Covenant is designed to remind us for whom our Unity is Maintained...

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, holiness and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrines; to give it a sacred preeminence over all institutions of human origin; and 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.

THE "GIFTS" FOR UNITY (7-16)

THE SOURCE OF THESE GIFTS... (7-10)

They come from the bounty of Christ's grace (7)As prophesied, they were given after Christ ascended to heaven (8-10)THE NATURE OF THESE GIFTS... (11)

Is Paul referring to "spiritual gifts" (cf. 1Co 12:1-11), or "functions"?

APOSTLES

Those who were to be eye-witnesses of the resurrection - Ac 1:15-22Their role in the church was foundational, necessary to the establishment of the church - Ep 2:20As such, their work or function was temporaryPROPHETS

These were inspired men and women used in the process of revelation - Ep 3:5; cf. Ac 2:17; 11:28; 21:9

EVANGELISTS

Literally, "bearers of good news"These are individuals like Philip (Ac 21:8), who proclaimed the gospel of Christ both publicly and privately - cf. Ac 8:5-13,26-40Timothy was charged to "do the work of an evangelist" - 2Ti 4:5

PASTORS AND TEACHERS

It may be that Paul intended these terms to describe one function (because "some" is not repeated)

The role of "pastor" (shepherd) certainly requires "feeding" or teachingWhile there is indication elsewhere that there was a special function of "teachers" in the local church - Ac 13:1; 1Co 12:28-29; 2Ti 1:11; Jm 3:1The term "pastor" is found only here in the Scriptures, but from Ac 20:17,28 and 1Pe 5:1-2 it becomes clear that "pastors, shepherds, elders, presbyters, bishops, overseers" are simply different terms describing the spiritual leaders of local congregationsThe nature of the work of "pastors and teachers" (i.e., overseeing and feeding the flock of God) naturally follows the work of the evangelistsAnd like the function of evangelist, continues to the presentWhat about DEACONS?

Clearly Paul does not intend this passage in Ephesians to be an exhaustive list of functions in the Lord's church, for he does not mention deacons - cf. Php 1:1; 1Ti 3:8But the list is adequate to illustrate the point: Christ has given "gifts" to His church!

THE PURPOSE OF THESE GIFTS... (12-16)

To prepare members of the body for service ("equip the saints for work of ministry")To build up the members of the body ("edify the body of Christ"), so they...

Can grow to maturity (13)

Possessing the unity of the faith

Having the knowledge of the Son of God

Measuring up to the stature expected of those in Christ

Will not be children (14)

Tossed to and fro by every doctrine that comes along

Easily deceived by cunning and false teachers

But instead will be "growing upward" as the body of Christ (15-16)

Growing up in all things into the Head, Christ From which the whole body can grow, provided every part does it share Made possible also as we "speak the truth in love" and "edify itself in love"

A Church Covenant is designed to remind us the benefit in those in whom the Unity is Contained...

We also engage to maintain family and private devotions; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred, acquaintances, and all others; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful to our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger; to abstain from such worldly amusements as watching ungodly movies, gambling, rock music, and dancing; to be free from all oath-bound secret societies and partnerships with unbelievers; to abstain from the sale or use of tobacco in any form, narcotic drugs, or intoxicating drink as a beverage; and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the Kingdom 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 of speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the rules of our Savior, and to secure reconciliation without delay.

CONCLUSION

If we can just...

No one is to give up their individual gifts or interests. But we do Display the "attitudes" necessary for unity.

The call is not uniformity but unity.

You can duct tape two cats together and get union but you will not have unity.

Hold fast to the "basis" upon which our unity rests.

No one can have unity in their own or in their flesh.

This is a grace that is given by Christ. We are naturally selfish and indulgent. But the wise believer will throw his selfishness on Christ and. Utilize the "gifts" Christ has given to assure we all come to the unity of the faith ...then Christ's work on the cross will not be in vain! - cf. Ep 2:16

Not only that, but then we will also truly conduct ourselves in a manner "worthy of the calling with which you were called" - Ep 4:1

We are then not those striving for unity by shedding our personality, nor are we in lock step conformity. But we are practicing the reality. That we "fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God" -

Ep 2:19We were called to be "a holy temple in the Lord", "a habitation of God in the Spirit" - Ep 2:21-22We were called to "make known the manifold wisdom of God" - Ep 3:10

Are you doing all you can as a member of the body of Christ to "walk together in unity", and by so doing walk in manner worthy of our calling?

Let’s talk practical…

How can we get connected at south Knollwood…

Worship

Come to the worship service. You can touch base with us. But this is not the fullest connection to our church. You can feel close to me or feel that you and I have an understanding. But that is not the church no matter how much we care for one another.

Enroll

When you get connected to your bible class you are able to build one on one relationships.

Partner

Humble yourself to serve the Body of Jesus Christ.