Family Road Trip
August 29, 2021
“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”Philippians 1:3-6
WHY PARTNERSHIP
- Romans 12:10-13 “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.”
- Church is a family, not an event (Romans 12:10-13)
- Partners vs. Members (Philippians 1:3-6)
COVENANT PARTNERSHIP
- Hebrews 13:17 “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.”
- Two-Sides of Accountability
- Partners voluntarily being accountable to spiritual leaders
- Spiritual leaders are accountable to God for how they care for partners
JOINING THE FAMILY
- Having repented of my sin and believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, and having been baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, we humbly and joyfully enter/renew our covenant with each other. (1 Corinthians 12:12-13)
- We will work and pray for the unity of the Holy Spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:2-3)
- We will walk together in brotherly love, exercising affectionate care and watchfulness over each other, and faithfully admonish and entreat one another as occasion may require. (1 John 4:7)
- We will not forsake gathering together, nor neglect praying for ourselves and others. (Hebrews 10:24-25)
- We will rejoice at each other’s happiness and pursue with tenderness and empathy to bear each other’s burdens and sorrows. (Romans 12:15-16)
- We will seek to live our lives in worship of Jesus through ongoing surrender, with obedience to God in everyday life, by the power of the Holy Spirit. (John 15:5)
- We will work together in faithful ministry to sustain our church family’s worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines. (1 Peter 4:10)
- We will contribute joyfully and regularly to support the ministry, expenses of the church, relief of the poor, and the spread of the Gospel to all nations. 2 Corinthians 9:7)
- We will, when we move from this local body, do so in a spirit of unity, joining some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word. (1 Peter 5:2-3)
- May the grace and peace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all. (2 Corinthians 13:14)
APPLICATION