ACBC The Covenant: Part 6
Notes
Transcript
The Covenant
The Covenant
We agree, by the aid of the Holy Spirit:to walk together in Christian love, faithfully seeking by all means to grow in grace and in understanding of the truth of God;to pray and work for the kingdom of God, seeking to have His will done in our lives, in our homes, in the affairs of our community and world, and to contribute to the support of the Church at home and abroad;
We agree, by the aid of the Holy Spirit:to walk together in Christian love, faithfully seeking by all means to grow in grace and in understanding of the truth of God;to pray and work for the kingdom of God, seeking to have His will done in our lives, in our homes, in the affairs of our community and world, and to contribute to the support of the Church at home and abroad;
to be faithful to our commitments, watchful of our manner of life and speech, and careful to guard the name of the Church and its members;to faithfully take the Word of God as the guide for our conduct, to remember each other in prayer, aid each other in sickness and distress and do unto others as we would have them do unto us, remembering always to set a worthy example.When we remove from this place we will, as soon as possible, unite with some other Christian Church where we may carry out the principles of God’s Word.
to be faithful to our commitments, watchful of our manner of life and speech, and careful to guard the name of the Church and its members;to faithfully take the Word of God as the guide for our conduct, to remember each other in prayer, aid each other in sickness and distress and do unto others as we would have them do unto us, remembering always to set a worthy example.When we remove from this place we will, as soon as possible, unite with some other Christian Church where we may carry out the principles of God’s Word.
to remember each other in prayer, aid each other in sickness and distress and do unto others as we would have them do unto us, remembering always to set a worthy example.
to remember each other in prayer, aid each other in sickness and distress and do unto others as we would have them do unto us, remembering always to set a worthy example.
Thanks For Not Giving Up
Thanks For Not Giving Up
When I was in fifth grade I was diagnosed with lazy eye, To correct it they put a patch over one eye. It messed up my peripheral vision and for a while I would bump into things. Many kids picked on me as they don’t know any better and truth be told watching someone bump into things has always ben funny. By best friend Sean Haley remained my best friend during that hard time.
We moved to Sackets Harbor where my mouth got me into trouble. I was a skinny and bullied kid for the most part but I always had a best friend.. Greg Stephens and to a lesser degree.. Randy Sherman (I will be performing his father’s funeral this May.
Watertown, Florida had there own things.
In SC I have a long list of people who never gave up on me through my failures and the failures of those around me I had Doug Henderson, Ben Sinclair, Steve and Sherri Burris, Mike Carrol, Scott Haselden and many more
When I look back on those people, I am convinced that much of who I am today is because of those friends that no matter how stupid I was and how many failures I made, they were simply not willing to let me fall.
And, .... None of those even come close to my wife. This year will be are 24th wedding anniversary and she has been there every step of the way. If I get down she is not will ing to let me stay down. She will never give up. She will always love. This passage we are about to read starts out with Love your enemies… and can I tell you .... and I know you know it’s true some times your enemy is the one who supposed to love you the most.
“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
“If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
Lk 6:
The Extremes
The Extremes
since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
Rejoice always,
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
This passage is one of those extremes. It is a standard we are supposed to strive for. BUT it needs some help. So I want to describe for you the standard, the practical ways we can apply it, and the great reason we have to practice this impossible task.
The Standard
The Standard
Love your enemies
Yes this is agape
It is a perfect love despite circumstances
The Practical
The Practical
Do good to those who hate you
Bless those who curse you
Pray for those who abuse you
Make allowance for and welcome the pain they may inflict on you
If someone steals from you … give them more.
Give to those who beg
If someone takes from you don’t demand retribution.
The Reason
The Reason
We are to rise above what the world may say is fair.
We will get a great reward
Sons of the Most High (We were created to be in His image)
He is kind to those who never deserved it (Father forgive them…)
He gave mercy to those who didn’t deserve it (But God demonstrates His own love....)
And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.