Identification Sunday: 

Commitment to Follow Jesus 

 

I abide in Christ as I walk with Jesus as the Son of Man (share his suffering, death and resurrection); as I worship Jesus as the Son of God (empowered in Spirit and truth); as I serve Jesus as Lord (submit to His will); and as I serve and love others as if they are Jesus in “distressing Disguise.”

Application of the above four commitments 

1. I will protect the unity of our spiritual family in love and peace

2. I will share in the responsibility of our fellowship in worship, work and hospitality

3. I will support the ministry of our body with time, talents, treasure and a servant’s heart

4. I will grow in the mission of our congregation in discipleship, in outreach and by the witness of my life, on the job or school and in service to my neighbor.    

 Last Sunday Richard's message called us to get “purple-feet.” He gave reasons why we sometimes are “under-employed” in God’s kingdom: maybe we haven’t been asked, or we haven’t asked, or we are still in training, etc… You will be able to view this and other messages on our www.covenantlifechurch.com website by clicking the “v” for vimeo at the bottom of the page.

We return to Patti Amsden’s book, The Reformers' Creed: A blueprint for reformation in the 21st century, that God’s intention is to unite heaven and a renew earth, in the heavenly pattern of His image so God and man may ultimately dwell together and the whole earth be filled with his glory.  Chapter 9 in her book reviews the ways the covenant theme was developed  through the old Testament using "representative Adams": Noah, Abraham, Moses and finally David.

The Old Covenant promises culminate in King David: the promises that Christ (Messiah) will rule over the earth from His Fathers right hand, beginning with his victorious resurrection, his glorious ascension and confirmed by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on all mankind. From then on the new order is conferred on us, His body, his re-presentatives.

Our training to be his bride and share his glory and rulership is prayer, worship and praise, the loving service of others, the stewardship of the environment, the influence for justice and righteousness into every institution and mountain of the culture, the ability to work and produce resources creatively and with excellence,  and the proclamation of the gospel of this new order of heaven's rule and heaven's King.

-PD

2012 God Present: pruning and producing John 15:2