Oct. 4, 1998 Renewing Our Vows! Eph. 5

By Ronald E. George Jr. at the Sand Fork Baptist Church

SAND FORK BAPTIST CHURCH COVENANT

"Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior and, on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, 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 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 secret devotions; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances.

To walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting and excessive anger; to abstain from the sale and use of intoxicating drink as a beverage; to be zealous in our efforts to advance the Kingdom of our Savior.

To further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember one another in prayer; to aid one another in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and Christian courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation and mindful of the rules of our Savior, to secure it 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."

Scripture Text: Eph. 5:14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. 15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. 18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; 21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

Will we renew our commitment and promise?

1. Will we this morning renew our commitment to God, to Christ, and to the Spirit?To know him better by making the most of every minute of time which he gives us. To serve him as an humble servant of the one who knows everything that was, is and is to come. To love him with our whole person, heart, and body. To give ourselves to him in all things in all ways of our lives. To know him and love him as he is revealed himself in the Son.
2. Will we this renew our commitment to the family, our family to strengthen, to provide, and to give to them our best? God helping us?
3. Will we this day renew our commitment to the church and to this church? The body of Christ that God has brought us into to become a part of his body. With his leadership and guidance to serve one another. Which includes the individual members of the congregation who make up this body of believers.
4. Will we this day renew our commitment to the community / world that we are living in? Our commitment to seek to shine as the light of Christ to show to all who see us that there is a living God who lives and loves within me. God is alive and well within my life.
5. Will we this day renew our commitment to ourselves to provide for ourselves the very best that we can afford.??? By following the Lord and keeping his commands and by living up to our promises we have provided for ourselves the best that God can afford to give to those who choose to join themselves with him…!

By receiving this communion this day we join ourselves to him who gave himself for us.

By receiving this communion this day we join ourselves to one another and to our selves as God has created us in his image.

Will we renew our promise to Him and to each other today?