Covenant Member’s Class – 2020

Covenant Member’s Class – 2020

Subject – Requirements for Covenant Membership

By Rick Welborne

1. Importance of being in Covenant.

–Many have resisted church membership because of a variety of reasons...they have been hurt at another church, they have seen the abuse of leadership, seen splits, and maybe have doubted if membership or being in covenant is biblical...hopefully we can answer these.

–If you have been in church any time at all you have probably been hurt or seen things that have not been Christian...things that have caused hurt and pain.

–Question: Have many of you who are married been hurt by your spouse and have thought...what in the world was I thinking when I married this person...Poor Tricia!

–We stood before a preacher or judge and made a vow (that is what they are called “wedding vows”) and promised for better or for worse, rich or poor, sickness and in health...until death do we part...it was a covenant before God. Sadly, broken!

 –Tricia and I committed to never allow the word “divorce” to be brought up even when we are angry...never thought of divorce...murder but not divorce.

–The marriages that have the most problems are those who entered into them with the thought of what can I get out of this relationship...not what can I give. Escape clause!

–When a couple comes to me and wants to get married...many are so goo goo eyed and can’t see reality because of their infatuation with each other...I just love him or her...!!!!

–When you entered into those vows or covenant you should be sober (in every sense of the word) and with your eyes wide open. Exp. - Was he that way when you met him?

–As covenant members we cleave to our local church (to each other) with the same kind of gravity (commitment) with which we cleave to our spouses or our families. How so?

Matthew 19:4‑6 (NLT) 

4 “Haven’t you read the Scriptures?” Jesus replied. “They record that from the beginning ‘God made them male and female.’ 

5 And he said, ‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’ 

6 Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.” 

–In v.5 the Greek verb kolloa refers to being joined in covenant commitment between husband and wife...let no one split apart what God has joined together.

–Jesus’ prayer for us before He left.

John 17:20‑23 (NIV) 

20 "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 

21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 

22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 

23 I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 

–Other places this Greek word kolloa can be a contractual labor agreement (Lu.15:15- Prodigal) and this word is also used to describe our relationship with the Lord.

1 Corinthians 6:17 (NLT) 

17 But the person who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him.  

–This verb (kolloa) is also used with reference to joining the local assembly even if one is already in the universal body of Christ. Exp. Paul after his conversion: already saved!

Acts 9:26 (NIV) 

26 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple.  

–Saul came to Jerusalem to join the assembly but could not until Barnabas gave him a good reference. Why we check references. You may be a persecutor of the church.

–After he was confirmed by Barnabas his relationship was described as “with them”. He became a member of that community (church) under the leadership there.

Acts 17:34 (NKJV) ³⁴  However, some men joined him and believed…

–When someone is joined to us...it is not when they fill out the application for membership...it is when they stand in front of the pastor and church and proclaim their covenant...yes, they are already saved. This should not be taken lightly.

–I agree that we may not be able to find in the Scriptures places where someone signed a piece of paper but there are many places people were joined to the local church (kolloa) or were encouraged to be joined in the same covenant as a husband and wife.

1 Corinthians 1:9‑10 (NKJV) 

9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 

10 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 

–Paul is talking to the universal church in this verse but in the context here he is speaking to the local church at Corinth. Again listen to Paul speaking to the local church:

1 Corinthians 3:16‑17 (NLT) 

16 Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? 

17 God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple. 

2. Church Finances

--We expect those in Covenant Membership to be faithful in their giving. The tithe first but also missions. Pastor, I believe tithing is just an Old Testament teaching. Really?

--If you believe tithing is just OT and you want to be strictly New Testament, sell everything you have and bring your money to the pastors and let us distribute it. 

Acts 4:34-35 (NLT2)
³⁴  There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them
³⁵  and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.

--If that doesn’t help you, listen to what Jesus says about tithing.

Matthew 23:23 (NLT2)
²³  “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.

--We are a Mission’s Church (203 missionaries) and we expect everyone to help fulfill the Great Commission.

Mark 16:15 (NLT2) ¹⁵  And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.

3. Church Discipline 

Matthew 18:15-17 (NIV)
¹⁵  "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.
¹⁶  But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.'
¹⁷  If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector. 

4. Secret Societies – Please see me after this teaching tonight or call me this week.

5. How to Leave a Church – The difference in leaving and being sent out.

A. Prayerfully – Make sure it is God’s will.

B. Respectfully – Consider the Kingdom of God.

C. Kindly – Communicate with your leadership your intentions. 

D. Gently – Careful not to hurt God’s little ones. Especially new converts.

6. Ministry Involvement. 

 1 Corinthians 12:12&27 (NIV)
¹²  The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ.
²⁷  Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 

7. Water Baptism

Romans 6:3-5 (NLT)
³  Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death?
⁴  For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.
⁵  Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was. 

Questions?