By Jared Mellinger

 

There was a real point in time when the eternal God became a man.  God himself was conceived in a real woman and entered a real world as a real baby, and it all happened so that the blessings of God might flow “far as the curse is found” through this baby boy. 

 

This is astonishing. 

 

And, what happened long ago is not the end of the Christmas story, because this God-man who was once born as a baby is now reigning in heaven as the Lord and King to whom every knee will one day bow. 

 

Now He's standing in the place of honor,
Crowned with glory on the highest throne,
Interceding for His own beloved
Till His Father calls us to bring them home!
Then the skies will part, as the trumpet sounds
Hope of heaven or the fear of hell;
But the Bride will run, to her Bridegroom's arms,
Giving glory to Immanuel!

 

(From Stuart Townsend’s “From the Squalor of a Borrowed Stable”)

 

The month of December gives us an opportunity to give glory to Immanuel by reflecting on who Jesus is and what he came to earth to accomplish.  The incarnation is a part of the gospel, the good news of God’s salvation for sinners.  If we do not understand what is happening in Bethlehem, we will misunderstand what happens at Calvary.  If we do not understand the identity of Christ, we will not be able to appreciate the work of Christ as we ought.

 

Next Sunday we begin a 3-week preaching series on Matthew 1-2.  “God With Us” will help us celebrate the glory of the incarnation.

 

1.      On Dec 6, God With Us: The Genealogy (Matt 1:1-17)
2.      On Dec 13, God With Us: The Birth (Matt 1:18-25)
3.      On Dec 20, God With Us: The Star (Matt 2:1-12)

 

 

And of course, there is the special Christmas Eve service. 

 

All of these Christmas services throughout the month of December will be great Sundays to bring guests to Covenant Fellowship, and you might find people are more open to coming to church this time of the year.  If you haven’t had the chance to hear Jim’s message from yesterday, it will stir you to faith for how our Sunday gathering is not for Christians only.  You’ll find Jim’s list of how each part of the Sunday gathering can make the Gospel relevant in this week’s Take It Home summary of the message.

 

Our prayer as pastors is that this month would be full of moments like that moment the wise men shared as they were seeking the Savior: “They rejoiced exceedingly with great joy…and they fell down and worshipped him’ (Matt 2:10-11).  I can’t imagine a more appropriate response to seeing Jesus Christ for who he really is.

 

 

 

By Rob Flood

 

When we lived in Little Rock, we discovered the wonder and the magic of the Super Walmart.  In one place, you could buy lettuce, soda, produce, socks, motor oil, potted plants, and a television.  It was the ultimate in one-stop shopping.  A task we all need to do made simple by putting everything we could possibly need in one place.

 

As we depart Thanksgiving and run head-long toward Christmas, many of us will see family and friends.  We will find many we encounter far more open to spiritual conversations than they may be at other times of the year.  Wouldn’t it be great if you had a Super Walmart at your disposal in your conversations with such people?

 

Well, we have created such a wonder for this holiday season.

 

Celebrate Christmas is our winter season invitation intended to be used for evangelism.  Just like the Super Walmart, it has a vast variety of items in it, to fit nearly every occasion.  Check out what it covers:

 

~   God with Us (Our Christmas preaching series)

~   The Christmas Concert

~   Christmas Eve Services

~   The Children’s Christmas Musical

~   A Holiday Blood Drive

~   The Alpha Celebration Dinner

~   Financial Peace University

~   Explore

~   Word of Comfort (Our preaching series that will follow Christmas)

 

Folks, that’s better than motor oil and lettuce.

 

But notice that this blog is not titled “The Mission Done for You.”  It is titled “The Mission Made Simple.”  This “Super Walmart” of an invitation is as useless as the Super Walmart is if you never go.  It has to be used.

 

It provides all the information you would need to communicate, so you don’t have to remember anything.  It covers a wide array of topics, so you don’t have to fear it will be irrelevant.  The only hitch is that they still need to be carried from our church to people’s doors, desks, pockets, etc.

 

Consider picking up 5, 10, or even 20 of them.  Consider the block you live on, the department you work in, the gym you workout in.  Consider having one handy at all times and praying that God would open your eyes to opportunities to hand them out.  When you run out…we have plenty more. 

 

By Tim Ashford    

I recently listened to a biographical sketch on John Bunyan.  I’m was reading The Pilgrim’s Progress, so it was fitting to hear about the life of the man who wrote it.  The Pilgrim’s Progress is not all that Bunyan wrote, though.  I learned from the bio that he wrote a lot of things.  Many of his writings were penned during times of severe trial and persecution.  During the message I was listening to, a quote from another of Bunyan’s works stuck out to me.  It continues to affect me as I think about it.  He wrote on the cost of Christian discipleship:

“Following of me [Christ] is not like following of some other masters.  The wind sits always on my face and the foaming rage of the sea of this world, and the proud and lofty waves thereof do continually beat upon the sides of the bark or ship that myself, my cause, and my followers are in; he therefore that will not run hazards, and that is afraid to venture a drowning, let him not set foot into this vessel.”

In America, living for Christ is often times less than life threatening.  Bunyan’s life and testimony, though, is a glass of cold water splashed on my face in the land of ease.  He reminds me that those who follow Christ must lean hard on Him for the grace to be courageous.  The Master I follow is a stench in the nostrils of a world that functions on principles and practices that evoke His wrath.  Following Him will inevitably bring ridicule from those who oppose Him.  As a disciple of Christ I am not called to complacency but to courageously stand up and be counted for Him.  

At the outset this idea may appeal to us as men.  There’s something about standing up for what you believe that inspires us.  It’s honorable.  Brave.  Loyal.  But if the truth be told I think we all have our fair share of Peter Moments - “I do not know the man” (Matthew 26:74).  When’s the last time you thought better speaking up about Christ because the people around didn’t seem to be open to it?  Personally, I don’t have to think long. 

Bunyan’s description of discipleship reminds me that cowardliness is sin for the disciple.  Those who are ashamed of Him have no part with Him (Matthew 8:38).  But what grace is available for those humbly trust Him for courage.  Thankfully Matthew’s account of Peter’s denial is not the last we hear of Peter.  Filled with the Holy Spirit in the book of Acts, Peter boldly testifies of Christ to his fellow Jews (Acts 2:14 – 36).     

I can’t avoid feeling the wind on my face nor can I fear it when it blows.  It’s simply part of following Christ in a world that opposes Him.  I may not be called upon to suffer like Bunyan or to preach to the masses like Peter, but this I pray: God give me grace to courageously live for Christ.  Not man-centered, prideful, worldly courage but Spirit-filled, Christ-centered, God-glorifying courage.  I need it to be a true disciple.   

By Rob Flood

 

Thanksgiving is one of the those holidays that practically all Americans celebrate.  We’re told to be thankful for our country: for the freedom we enjoy.  The first Thanksgiving was celebrated by people from different cultures, different religions, and different backgrounds. 

 

From one perspective, this is a wonderful thing.  Regardless of religion, background, and culture, all of humanity enjoys common grace from God.  They enjoy the warmth of the sun, the nourishment of the rain, breath in their lungs, and a beating heart in their chest.  So, why not celebrate that over turkey and stuffing?

 

From another perspective, though, there is an opportunity on this ecumenical holiday for Christians to be the most thankful of all.  As followers of Christ, as sons and daughters of God, we have far more than common grace to be thankful for. 

 

When there is an increase in our thanksgiving for the benefits of the gospel and for the character of our God, God is glorified. (2 Cor 4:15)  When we are filled with gratitude to overflowing because of our faith, our eternity, our deliverance, God is glorified.

 

Psalm 50:25 tells us outright:

 

The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!"

 

So, if our thanksgiving glorifies God, why do we fail to be thankful so often?

 

We forget God. 

 

We look at a promotion at work, a healthy marriage, thriving children, a sunny day and forget the God who gave them and holds them together.  We look at struggles with friends, failures of our health, difficulties at home and forget the sovereign God who allows them.

 

It is why Psalm 50 ends comparing the thankful person with the one who forgets God:

 

"Mark this, then, you who forget God, lest I tear you apart, and there be none to deliver! The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!" (vv22, 23)

 

It is also why the Scriptures, from front to back, are faithful to remind us to be thankful to God:

 

~   Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! (Psalm 100:4)

~   Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. (Ephesians 5:4)

~   …do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:6)

 

 

This Thanksgiving, express your thanks for a good meal, for family and friends, and for the freedom and providence our country has enjoyed.  These are good gifts from the hand of God.  Yet, these are gifts available to more than just the church.

 

So, this Thanksgiving, command your own soul the way the Scriptures do…remember the unique grace we’ve received from God.  Remember the cross on which Jesus died.  Remember that each breath is from His hand that each passing of a saint is entrance into his rest.  Remember that all we encounter is an expression of God’s love for us.

 

Command your soul to make this Thanksgiving a day when you enter his courts with praise and his gates with thanksgiving.  A day when you give him thanks and bless his name.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Ramona Doyle

I love encouragement. I’m sure you do, too. I can’t think of anyone who doesn’t love encouragement. When I am specifically encouraged by a friend, I find my burdens lightened, my hope brightened, and my heart motivated in the area in which I’ve been encouraged. This is not surprising; Proverbs 25:11 tells us, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.” Encouraging words are like salve for our souls.

As much as I love to be encouraged, however, I find that I don’t regularly give what I delight to receive. My husband needs encouragement, too. He labors long hours to provide for our family, he carries the mantel of leading our family, and he cares for our hearts and souls. He bears much responsibility and wears so many hats…husband, daddy, co-worker, friend, fellow-servant, wiper of tears, and fixer of everything broken.

The Lord calls us to excel in this wonderful task, and so be used by him as he accomplishes his ongoing Gospel work in our lives: “For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:9-11) So let us encourage!

Here are some suggestions…

~   Abide in the Lord and daily drink deeply of His love:  I find that when I have basked in the Lord’s ever-faithful, extravagant love, my heart becomes full and expressing loving encouragements to my husband flows much more naturally. I am also less likely to try to draw from him what only the Lord can supply.

~   Pray for your husband:  Lift his burdens before the Lord. If you don’t know his burdens…draw him out. You will be surprised at how simply doing so will encourage him and knit your hearts together. Add prayer to that, and you’ve lifted his needs into very capable hands.

~   Thank the Lord for your husband:  Think of the ways your husband serves you and your family…of the ways he is a blessing in your life. Be specific. Thankful hearts easily encourage and seldom grumble and complain. Don’t forget to let him know specific ways that you are thankful for him.

~   Purpose each day to point out where you see the Lord at work in his life.  Ask the Lord to give you eyes to see even the little things. God is at work; encouraging this in specific ways will lift your husband’s soul.

~   Point your husband to the Lord:  When he is discouraged, encourage his heart with promises from Scripture. God’s Word is powerful and the Lord delights to work through it.

Let’s make encouraging our husbands a daily habit… the Lord is glorified, his work in our husbands, our lives, and our marriages is furthered, and we reap the fruit of deepening trust, joy, and passion in our relationships.

By Jared Mellinger

In our house we just recently pulled out our Andrew Peterson Christmas CD.  (A great CD poetically, conceptually, and musically brilliant!)  This means Christmas is coming. 

As head of the home, I have the joy of leading the family through celebrating the birth of Christ and seizing this opportunity to help my family treasure Christ.  A few years back Meghan and I made an Advent wreath that sits on the table, with 4 candle holders around the outside and one in the middle.  Its homemade, but we like it and it gets the job done.  We set aside time once a week on the 4 weeks leading up to Christmas to remind ourselves of what we are celebrating on this Holiday.  Sunday evening works well for us.

You will notice that this family Christmas liturgy includes not only the usual Bible reading, singing, and prayer (the 3 staples of family worship), but also an opening Christmas question and cookies.  No family Christmas liturgy is complete without cookies. 

Hopefully this helps you think through what you want to do in your family, or with your friends.       

Week 1
Question for the kids: What is the meaning of Christmas?
    2) A prophecy fulfilled: Around 4000 BC, Adam and Eve receive the prophecy  that the Messiah would be born of a  woman.  Promise: Gen 3:15.  Fulfillment: Gal 4:4.
    3) A song from Luke: Read Mary’s Song (Luke 1:39-55)
    4) Singing: Joy to the World
    5) Prayer.
    6) Cookies: Sugar cookies with icing on top.

Week 2
    1) Question for the kids: What is one memory you have from Christmas?
    2) A prophecy fulfilled: Around 700 BC, Isaiah prophesies that the Savior’s mother would be a virgin and that this baby would be God himself.  Promise: Isaiah 7:14.  Fulfillment: Matthew 1:18-23.
    3) A song from Luke: Read Zechariah’s Song (Luke 1:57-80)
    4) Singing: O Come, O Come Immanuel
    5) Prayer.
    6) Cookies:  Sand tarts with sprinkles.  

Week 3
    1) Question for the kids: Tell us the story of how Jesus was born.
    2) A prophecy fulfilled:  Around 700 BC, Micah prophesies that an eternal Savior would be born in the town of Bethlehem.  Promise: Micah 5:2.  Fulfillment: Luke 2:1-7. 
    3) A song from Luke: Read the Angel’s Song (Luke 2:8-20)
    4) Singing: Hark the Herald Angels Sing
    5) Prayer.
    6) Cookies: The ones with the Hershey kiss on top.

Week 4
    1) Question for the kids: What would happen if Jesus never came?
    2) A prophecy fulfilled: Around 400 BC, Malachi prophesies that Jesus would enter the temple (which was destroyed in 70 AD).  Promise: Malachi 3:1.  Fulfillment:  Luke 2:25-27.
    3) A song from Luke: Read Simeon’s Song (Luke 2:21-38)
    4) Singing: The Gospel Song; Joy to The Word
    5) Prayer. 
    6) Cookies: Stuff ourselves with whatever is left. 

By Stefan Bomberger

 

As many of you know the Thrive community handed out about 180 boxes of food in Chester through our annual Boxes of Love event on Saturday, November 7th. This was the third year we've done this Thanksgiving outreach, and every year its been a huge blessing and highlight for many of us.  What was particularly special about this year, is that we did it in partnership with a local church in Chester called Freedom Baptist Church. The pastor, Sidney Harrell, has been pastoring there for over twenty years and has a real heart to reach the community with the Gospel. As we gathered with them that Saturday, you could feel the joy both groups had to be serving alongside of one another.

 

In the morning, before distributing the boxes, we were able to focus our energies on doing renovations and projects around the small church building. In just a few hours, we were able to tile the foyer, paint the exterior, clean out a basement, bust out a window, put in a door, trim a hall, clean up the street, and more. Our team worked very hard alongside of many other contractors and professionals from our church to execute all the various projects quickly and with excellence.  We broke for lunch around 1:30 p.m., where Pastor Sidney Harrell told us about his story of coming into ministry, into Chester, and how we both connected as local churches. It was a real highlight.

 

Then in the afternoon we broke into seven groups to hand out the Boxes of Love. Members from Freedom Baptist joined all the groups so that they could connect directly with their neighbors. We as a church also created special invitations to Freedom Baptist Church which went out with every box.  As we distributed the Thanksgiving meals, so many of the residents expressed their gratitude through warm receptions and even hugs. We were also able to pray with many folks right there on their porch. Besides the food, inside every box was a New Testament and an invitation to our Christmas events at Covenant Fellowship.

 

The evening ended with a bonfire back at Covenant where we shared stories, ate dinner, and closed out the night with praise and worship. It was an amazing day where God met us and blessed us. We thank God for each of you that filled up a Box of Love. We couldn't have done it without the dozens of families that went grocery shopping and filled the boxes with food, gifts, and prayers.

 

Feel free to join us on any Second Saturday in the future to participate in more outreaches like this. For example, December 5th we will be putting up Christmas Door Hangers for the Share the Good News of Christmas Campaign. See goodnewsofchristmas.org to learn more. Thanks for being the kind of church that proclaims the Gospel and is eager to share the mercy of God through your actions.

 

 

By Rob Flood

 

In his book, The Godly Man’s Picture, Thomas Watson says:

 

Let us test our godliness by this touch-stone: Do we love God?  Is he our treasure and centre? Can we, with David, call God our “joy,” yes, our “exceeding joy” (Psalm 43:4)?  Do we delight in drawing near to him, and “come before his presence with singing” (Psalm 100:2)?  Do we love him for his beauty more than his jewels?  Do we love him, when he seems not to love us? (p.31)

 

It can be tempting to measure our godliness by what we read or don’t read, by what we watch or don’t watch, by what we do or don’t do.  Yet, it is not hard to find someone who does not profess Christ that abstains or partakes in such things.  Testing our behavior is not the most effective means of testing our godliness.

 

That is by Watson proposes that we test our godliness by the touch-stone of our love for God.  Our love for God is the ultimate test for our godliness because true godly behavior flows from it. (John 14:15)  It is the ultimate test because no one loves God on their own…in their flesh.  All who genuinely love God are first loved by God. (1 John 4:19)

 

So, how can we know if we love God?  Not primarily by our behavior, but by our loves…by what we delight in.  That’s why Watson asks the questions he does.

 

Do we delight in drawing near to him? – Many men struggle in their devotional times.  They find them dry and unfruitful.  Yet, our joy and delight in drawing near to God is an evidence of our love for him.  A godly man will live with Christ as the center.  A godly man will anticipate times in the Word with excitement…and will regret time lost.  A man who loves God will love to be with him…through his Word and through his presence.

 

Do we love him for his beauty more than his jewels? – Is our pursuit of God more about the benefits of the Kingdom or is it about the wonder of the King?  There is an old Contemporary Christian song that went, “Lord we praise you because of who you are.  Not for all the mighty deeds that you have done.”  If God took away our peace, our homes, our children, our friends, and our health, would God alone be enough?  For a godly man, such as Job, God is enough.  It doesn’t make our loss fun or enjoyable, but even in the midst of loss, a godly man is content in God more than the jewels that come from him.

 

Do we love him when he seems not to love us? – There are times when God will feel distant.  Is our godliness dependant upon the tangible presence of God.  Or are we faithful enough to be steadfast when it doesn’t feel like the Spirit is a’movin’? 

 

Our love for God is in jeopardy when it relies upon anything other that the cross.  However, when our love for God flows from the cross, none of life’s circumstances can steal our joy.  When our joy is firmly fixed upon the unchangeable events on Calvary, then our joy will stand unswervingly. 

 

Men, this is not optional…something that just the ambitious men in our midst pursue.  We are all called to love God.  We are all called to godliness.  And now, there is an inseparable tie between our godliness and our love for our saving God.

By Gina Flood

 

Editor’s note: Yesterday, Gina wrote on the first two of five ways a mother’s heart remains focused on Christ.  These characteristics provide a wonderful litmus test for the state of our hearts.  Before reading this post, you may want to read the beginning of the list, posted yesterday here.

 

As we saw yesterday, Proverbs 4:23 says, “Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.” [emphasis added] Whatever has residency in my heart determines what springs forth.

 

As God continues to conform and transform my heart, He seem to have revealed five areas for mothers to concentrate on.  Here are the last three.

 

 

3. The Heart of a Mother Loves Her Children

 

I suffer from a syndrome that my dear friend calls “Lemmejus.” Perhaps you suffer from it, too. Here’s the most striking symptom: Your child (or husband) approaches wanting to show you his latest invention, tell you about the story he’s read or something else requiring your attention. Your response sounds like this, “Okay. Lemmejus (let me just) [fill in the blank] and I’ll be right there.”

 

I am convinced that, in order to capture the hearts of my children, to help them from seeking worldly acceptance, and to point them to the cross, whatever I filled that blank with must wait (at least, under most circumstances).

 

Each time I say “lemmejus,” I am saying, “Child, you are not as important as fixing dinner, cleaning the toilet, finishing this project, writing this email, finishing this hour long phone conversation, etc.” I need to confess, repent, release my “lemmejus” to the Savior, renew my mind with the Word, and say, “Here I am, sweetie.”

 

4. The Heart of a Mother is Joyful

 

When I am filled with joy from God, our home atmosphere is typically joyful, fun, and a pleasing aroma to all. However, when I am sour, depressed, or frustrated, my oppressive, unsavory spirit smells like a leaky landfill. The day is harder, the children are unhappy or brought to tears (not to mention the affect on my husband). By the end of the day, their little spirits are crushed – all because I was too self-absorbed to confess my sin and rejoice in the Savior of my soul.

 

My loving Father has shown me that the heart of my joy lies in depending on Him, the Supplier of every need, to fill all, all, all of my supply. (Ephesians 1:22-23) I must look to God (not my children, my husband, my friends, my goals, my activities) to supply absolutely everything.  I must also reject every sinful, deceptively wicked desire to be served, admired, and worshipped. God has called me to serve; only He is to receive praise, admiration, and worship. Joy lies in the bosom of my Father.

 

5. The Heart of a Mother is Content

 

I can usually trace a sinful word, thought, emotion, attitude, desire, or action back to being discontent with something.  It’s usually because things are not going my way due to someone or something hindering my getting what I want.

 

Contentment brings peace.  Discontentment brings covetousness. I desire something that I do not have, something my Father, in His infinite wisdom and love has chosen for me not to have. Why?  Sometimes I don’t know why. But I do not need to know why – He is my heavenly Father and He never makes a mistake.

 

I must confess, repent, release it to Him, renew my mind with the Word, and rejoice in the Savior of my soul. Praise God, I’m heavenbound! If I never receive anything else – that’s scandalously more than enough for me to be content.

 

As wives and mothers, as Christians, the condition of our hearts is absolutely critical. The springs of life will indeed flow from within – in quantity there is no question. The question lies in quality. Is your spring producing muddied, polluted waters from the depths of unconfessed sin, resentment, envy, anger, discontent, or self-pity? Or is your spring gushing forth with sweet, life-giving, refreshing, clear, crisp, beautiful life that blesses your family and others? By God’s grace, through His Word, confession, prayer, and worship, clean water will bubble up and burst forth with much joy.

By Gina Flood

 

As much as I enjoy being a mother, without daily sustenance and supply from Christ, my children would dwell with a scowling, self-absorbed, selfish mommy whose main goals were immediate peace and ceaseless comfort using the chief means of convenience and behavior modification to reach those goals. How merciful is our God, that He does not deal with us in such ways!

 

His lovingkindness is everlasting! He is longsuffering! He is abundantly more interested in changing our hearts than He is in changing our behavior. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.” [emphasis added] Whatever has residency in my heart determines what springs forth.

 

As God continues to conform and transform my heart, He seem to have revealed five areas for mothers to concentrate on. 

 

1. The Heart of a Mother Loves Jesus Christ

 

Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:8-9)

 

In the midst of the hectic busyness of a mother’s life, we are reminded that we are to be filled with “inexpressible and glorious joy.” Why? Because we are “receiving the goal of [my] faith, the salvation of [my] soul.” Our every day is to be characterized by joy in Him!

 

Are we grumbling, annoyed, frustrated, harried? If we are, it’s because we’re not focused on loving the One who saved us. Most likely, we’re focused on ourselves. How much easier, by the grace of God, it is to be filled with glorious joy inexpressible when I am dwelling on what I am already receiving – the goal of my faith – salvation!

 

2. The Heart of a Mother Loves Her Husband

 

Does your heart leap when your husband enters the room? Again, in the business of daily life, I can easily forget to focus my heart’s full attention on my blessed gift – my husband. I happily greet him with a pleasant salutation, hug and kiss because I am, indeed, very glad to see him…but that’s not a leap. I wanted a leaping heart, so I went to my Father for wisdom.

 

His answer came from His Word in Ephesians 5:33. “However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.”  I need to be dwelling on respecting the blessing God has given me in my husband and allow that gratitude to spill forth from my mouth in praise and thanksgiving for all to hear: my husband, my children, and others. And I must choose to be intentional in doing this daily.

 

These are just two of the five areas where we can be protected from mothering in our own strength, apart from the daily sustenance from Christ.  Tomorrow will bring the remaining three.  In the meantime, may we all be constantly aware that our call to motherhood comes from a loving God, whose power has been made available to us for the task.  He will never leave us nor forsake us…not even in motherhood.

By Jared Mellinger

 

We benefit from our partnership with Sovereign Grace Ministries in countless ways.  One of those ways is the simple fact that we have the ESV Study Bible.  Let me explain. 

 

Wayne Grudem recently spoke at Covenant Life Church and publicly expressed his gratitude for the strategic role Sovereign Grace churches played in the development of the Study Bible.  Sovereign Grace helped provide funding for Grudem to take time off from teaching to serve as general editor of the ESVSB. 

 

I wanted to pass this on to you as yet another example of what your giving to Sovereign Grace makes possible.  You may not have realized it, but your giving to Covenant Fellowship and Sovereign Grace means that you played a part in developing the Study Bible that sits on your shelf.  

Many of you know Justin Taylor from his blog.  Justin served on the Study Bible editorial team as the project director and managing editor, and he sent the following letter.  It is aimed at Sovereign Grace pastors, but we know that we can only give out of what you have given as a church.  So read and be encouraged by all that God is doing through our partnership with Sovereign Grace.  And know how grateful we are for you.

 

Dear Sovereign Grace Pastors,
 
Warm greetings in Christ. I hope this finds you enjoying God’s great grace.
 
It was just one year ago that the ESV Study Bible was published. God, in his kindness, has enabled us to put 400,000 copies of the ESVSB in print during that time. I wish you could see a sample of the encouraging feedback that has come in: prisoners using it as their only source to help them understand the Bible, schools making it mandatory reading for their middle-schoolers and high-schoolers, people using it to explain difficult passages to unbelievers, students in the third world having more between two covers than they do in their whole library. God is graciously using it as a tool to accomplish his purposes.
 
But, just for a moment, put yourself in Crossway’s shoes four years ago. Crossway wanted to put together a Study Bible in the ESV, but didn’t want it to take 7-8 years to produce, as is the typical length of time. But in order to do that, we’d have to find a scholar to serve as general editor. He had to be passionate about God’s glory, moved deeply by the gospel, and committed to an “essentially literal” translation philosophy. He had to be someone that people could trust to help them communicate the Bible at a level they could understand. He had to be faithful and prayerful; careful and joyful; respected in the academic world but committed to his local church.
 
Wayne Grudem was the obvious choice.
 
But from a practical, earthly perspective, how could we ask him to drop out of regular teaching and writing for a few years in order to take on a project that would deal with every book of the Bible and would wind up at over a million words?
 
That’s where you, the pastors of Sovereign Grace, enter in.
 
Without your kindness and generosity in supporting Dr. Grudem’s sabbatical time and reduced teaching load, we would not have the ESV Study Bible that we have today.
 
Thank you, brothers, for your example in the Lord. Thank you for giving not only your resources, but even yourselves, for the cause of the gospel. Thank you for loving Jesus and for laboring for the advancement of the Kingdom.
 
Words cannot adequately convey our gratitude to God for you. Few will know your act of sacrifice and love, but we know that our Father who sees in secret will reward you.
 
Yours faithfully,
 
Justin Taylor
 

By Doug Hayes

 

Editor’s Note:  Doug is training for and running in two half marathons for Covenant Mercies.  To learn more, check out his original blog on this here.

 

When I left for Africa in September, my suitcase was full of running clothes.  I needed to maintain a training regimen that I had found difficult to maintain even at home.    Now, running in Africa earned me a lot of puzzled looks (except in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - distance running capital of the world!).  The more rural the area, the more strange my behavior seemed.  My running in rural Uganda evoked the most smiles, laughter, and head scratching. 

 

It wasn’t simply the blinding whiteness of my legs that struck them as so unusual… it was the running itself.  You see, in rural Uganda, life is exercise.  So much energy is expended simply carrying out the tasks of daily survival, the thought of going out of one’s way for exercise is a strange thought indeed.  Daily life is exercise enough.  

 

Many times, I’ve questioned my own sanity and felt like quitting.  I’ve thought, “You don’t need to do this! If you were to stop now and simply decide this was a bad idea, life would go on.”  When battling such thinking, I have often wandered back in my mind to those puzzled stares in Uganda.  The hardship of their life is the reason my behavior seemed so strange.  Could it be good for me to endure some hardship so that they might benefit?   

 

I am accustomed to a life of ease.  My 5-6 mile commute to work, preparation and enjoyment of three square meals (okay, my wife prepares most of them), and drawing of water for drinking/bathing are daily tasks that require little effort on my part.  For the average person in rural Uganda, the same tasks are a backbreaking ordeal, and they often consume most of one’s energy and time in a day.  I don’t feel guilty about this contrast.  It’s a great blessing to have the mundane tasks of life made easier; there’s nothing to be gained from an ascetic desire to give up conveniences for the sake of renouncing them.  But it’s helpful to remember that these are blessings…not birthrights.  And it may be helpful to consider whether embracing a certain element of suffering or discomfort could be a net positive for my spiritual health.   

 

I’m not looking to over-spiritualize the act of running.  However, there can be something enriching about enduring a bit of discomfort that I don’t need to endure, with a direct connection to others who routinely endure such hardship as a matter of survival.  To suffer with them as a choice could be a guilt-ridden act of aesthetic noise, but it could also be profound expression of biblical compassion: suffering together with another while alleviating their need. 

 

Have you ever considered doing something like that?  Are there certain conveniences or luxuries that you could intentionally forego as a means of identifying with others in need and alleviating their suffering?  For example, there’s nothing wrong with going out to lunch at work, but what if you fasted one day a week and gave the savings to serve orphans lacking access to a good, nutritious diet?  There’s nothing wrong with Starbucks coffee, but what if you chose to forego this privilege (or some other beverage you enjoy) for a season, giving the money you save to bless communities lacking access to clean water?    

 

These ideas aren’t just clever ways to raise funds.  They’re actually a means of “suffering with” the ones whose suffering you intend to alleviate.  And you might just find, as I’ve found with my running this year, that there are many side benefits you hadn’t anticipated. 

 

For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.  (1 Tim. 4:8)

By Rob Flood

 

Faithfulness in the life of a man is least in danger when most directly threatened. 

 

Imagine someone breaks into your home and there is immediate danger.  That is a time when most men, without a second thought, step in and are faithful to their call to provide and protect.

 

The directness of the threat calls us into action.

 

Or, if there is an outright invitation to abandon your wife and family and follow after riches or fame.  If the choice is laid out in front of us with that clarity, it is easy to resist.

 

The directness of the threat calls us into action.

 

However, faithfulness in the life of a man is most in danger when least directly threatened.

 

Many a man has been slowly lulled to sleep by the lures of pleasure, only to wake, discovering that his family is gone…that his home has been invaded…that he has left the straight path.

 

There are at least a few things that are true of faithful men.  These attributes can help us and drive us to our knees.

 

A faithful man is a tethered man – He is tethered to his God.  Though his heart may want, in its folly, to drift, it can never drift far.  The tether ties him to his God.

 

A faithful man is a holy man – It is his relationship with his God that tethers him.  It is his own holiness before and with his God that keeps him near and prevents him from drifting too far.

 

A faithful man is a humble man – It is his holiness that makes him humble.  He realized that he is nothing without Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit in his life.  Apart from God, the faithful man withers.  But, as a branch connected to the vine, the faithful man flourishes when we stops seeking to be something greater or stronger than he’s been created to be.

 

A faithful man is a content man – It is his humility and holiness before God that causes him to look at his lot and be content.  He doesn’t strive for more than his providing God has given.  He is satisfied with the Lord’s provision in and for his life.

 

A faithful man is a purchased man – His life has been purchased by the blood of Christ and consequently no longer belongs to him.  Thus, a faithful man is a servant of the King of Kings.  He is duty-bound to walk in the path God has set for him and to do so in a manner that worthy of his calling.

 

A faithful man is a tethered man – And so, we come full circle.  Because he is purchased, he cannot drift far from  his Master.  And his Master will not let him drift far.  He is unseveringly tied to his God.

 

And so, men, as you consider sowing seeds of faithfulness, be alert to our common vulnerability.  Our faithfulness is not mostly endangered by the obvious pitfalls.  Rather, it is the slow, subtle temptations…the ones that go unnoticed until the path is far out of view…that are likely to get us.

 

Rather than living in fear…or in constant awareness of our vulnerabilities…if we are faithful to live our lives as though they are purchased by Christ and tethered to Christ, then the testimony that will resonate from our lives is one of faithfulness. 

 

May we be driven to our knees in desperation for the tethering of Christ.  And may we be driven to our knees in gratitude that none can pluck us from His hand.

By Rob Flood

On November 1^st, Jared Mellinger preached a message on the sacrament of baptism here.  In response to that message, many of you have expressed a desire to be baptized yourselves.  We praise God for this response.

We also praise God for the response of those who have faithfully and humbly asked questions about the content and implications of Jared’s message.  In light of those questions, and the fact that this Sunday’s message will focus on the sacrament of communion, I want to draw your attention to two tools that are intended to be used.

1) The Sacraments: Questions & Answers for Parents - With the help of our sister church in Fairfax, Virginia, we’re making available this booklet to walk you through 19 questions that parents may ask…or questions children might ask of their parents.  Questions such as:

a. What is a credible profession of faith?
b. Should unbaptized children take the Lord’s Supper?
c. What is the role of the church in evaluating a child’s readiness to be baptized and receive the Lord’s Supper?

The booklet is small, but it is also effective in helping move forward on what could otherwise be some confusing topics and questions.

These booklets are available at the Info Center in the lobby of the church.  If you did not receive one when we handed them out at church, please take advantage of this helpful tool.

2) Vital Life: The Sacraments – On November 21^st, we’re offering an entire Vital Life class on the Sacraments to view the Vital Life page click here.  While there will be some additional teaching on the subject, the bulk of the time will be set aside to field your questions.  As your pastors, we desire to take the time to be sure your questions are answered as we enjoy a fresh prominence in our practice of the sacraments.  We took time to study this topic and want you to do the same.  We want to be available to help in that however we can.

A couple of important things to remember with this class:

a. It will be held in the Whitefield room – the downstairs level of the children’s wing.
b. Please do not use the lobby to enter.  If you park on the far side of the parking lot, you can enter the Whitefield directly from the outside.  The sidewalk in front of the church wraps around the building to take you to this door.

Admission to the class is free, but we’re asking you to register so we can know how many people to expect.  You can register here.

By Christina Roth

This past September, Bill and I celebrated our twelfth anniversary.  It made me think of that amazing day when we were joined in our marriage covenant.  As the pastor spoke he held up a piece of rope.  “A rope with three strands is not easily broken,” he said pulling on the rope.  Those three strands, he told us, represent Bill, me and the Lord.  This wisdom we will carry with us as long as we live.

However, lately I needed to be reminded of our three strand marriage once again.  The Lord has graciously revealed a trend going on in my life.  I increasingly found myself making decisions on my own, without even speaking to Bill about it.  Recent examples include volunteering Bill to coach my daughter’s soccer team, scheduling various parties to attend, and inviting people over to our home.  When I make these decisions they all seem reasonable, even honoring to God.  The soccer team provides a great outreach opportunity, parties always provide wonderful fellowship with other women, and the Bible is very clear about the importance of hospitality…right?  Well, not so fast.  Each of those choices led into conflict with my husband and consequences that showed me these choices were in fact not as reasonable or God honoring as I thought.

In conversations with Bill I began to realize that I was acting as a single strand, weak and ready to break at any moment.  By not consulting Bill on these decisions, I was not considering him and the wonderful role he has as my husband, my leader, my protector.  I was acting alone, not accessing the wisdom and care that my husband often provides.  Even though we may have ended up doing the very same things that I planned, the process of making decisions alone deprived us an opportunity to seek the Lord together on important priorities in our lives.  As we resolved the conflict, Bill helped me see our three strand marriage vision, the same morning that my faithful Lord reminded me of it in His Word.

“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.  For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow.  But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!  Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone?  And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him- a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”  (Ecc. 4:9-12)

By Andy Farmer

Jared is out so I’m guest blogging.  I recently had some opportunities to give out some of the “How Good Are You” tracts, both after opportunities to share the Gospel, and just as invitations to the church.  I find that the thought that is usually in my head when I hand a tract to someone is, ‘they’re going to think this is really stupid, and therefore think that I’m stupid.  Then maybe they’ll think that God is stupid, and then they’ll go to Hell.  Or something like that.

So I love to be reminded that tracts can actually work.  One certainly did for the great 19th Century missionary Hudson Taylor.  Here is how a tract changed his life. 

A bored youth of seventeen, apprentice of his druggist father, took out a tray of tracts to find a story to while away an hour off duty in June 1849.  He picked one and went into a warehouse in the stable yard of their shop and home in the Yorkshire town of Barnsley, intending to enjoy the story and skip the moral.  James Taylor, his father, was a Wesleyan lay preacher as well as a druggist and apothecary, but Hudson Taylor, his only son, had inwardly distanced himself from religion, having been influenced by a free-thinking fellow clerk during a brief spell in a bank.
      
Taylor began to read about a sick coalman who believed his sins stopped him from reaching Christ, until some pious visitors read him the Bible verse:  “Who His own self bore our sins in His own body on the tree.”  The coalman cried, “Then it’s done – my sins are gone!”

Contrary to all Taylor’s expectations, the words struck him with force.  Underneath his rebellion had lingered a longing for that friendship of Christ that thrilled his parents and his sister, but he had given up the struggle to reach Him.  Suddenly, as he read the tract, he realized that Christ had opened the way by dying on the cross.  God could not deny His own promise – all that was necessary was to repent and trust Him.  This he did instantly, on the warehouse floor.

(From the book, More Than Conquerors, by John Woodbridge, p. 50-51)

By Rob Flood

If we’re not careful, we can fall victim to the “over there” mentality of mission.  Mission is something that happens “over there” that someone else does.  It happens in special events or special sacrifices or other lands.  Mission is an E-Team trip.

Yet, our mission statement is:

We exist to treasure, proclaim, and grow in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

And if that is true (which it is), then we actually need a place and a body in which to do these things.  And, while special events or special sacrifices can be part of mission, there is a sustaining work that must be done in the local church to provide a platform, a forum, a home for our mission.

And this is where Ministry Teams come in.

Our Ministry Teams are not just ways to feel like you are helping.  No…our Ministry Teams serve the life of our church in the same way internal organs serve the life of our bodies.  Each organ plays its part in keeping our bodies running.  And, if you don’t think kidneys or lungs are important to the mission of a body, just consider how a mission might go without them.

Over the past couple months, we’ve highlighted some of these “internal organs” of our church to draw your attention there.  Of course, this gives us an opportunity to honor those who have served.  But equally as important is letting you know of the need to keep those internal organs staffed and functioning.

Three of the teams that have been covered are listed below.

~    Ushers – It is because of this team that we as a church are able to collect Tithes and Offerings, enjoy the elements during Communion, and even find seating.  But this “organ” does more than that.  These folks stand poised to step into the types of unanticipated needs that often arise each Sunday.  We are thankful for our Ushers.

~    Function Support – These are the folks that make sure the auditorium is ready for our services.  Among the many duties they carry is the preparation of seating and the setting of the lobby.  So much of what we enjoy each Sunday is because of this team…most of us don’t even know how we rely upon them.

~    IMag / Sound – The combination of these two teams gives us our eyes (IMag – Image Magnification) and our ears (Sound) on Sundays.  These are the people who, when they do their job perfectly, you never even notice them.  Think of how many Sundays you are completely unaware of the people serving on these teams.  That is due to the excellence of their work. 

While there is much value in mission that is “over there,” there is plenty of mission to be had “right here.”  As you consider how you fit into the mission of treasuring, proclaiming, and growing in the gospel of Jesus Christ, consider these vital organs of our church.  And how you can join them in their work.

By Chris Radano

For the last 10 years I’d say that I’ve been pretty healthy, rarely getting even a case of the sniffles.  In fact, I recall my coworkers and I while in graduate school joking about wanting to be sick so we could take some time off from coming into the lab, mainly to avoid the crack of our advisors’ proverbial whip.  The 12+ hours a day in the chemistry laboratory often led to physical and mental exhaustion, but rarely did it ever turn into good old-fashioned sickness.  But…when we did get sick, we would treasure the day at home.  Nowadays, for whatever reason, getting sick is no longer hard to do.  And as a result, I have found myself considering how God has been using my sickness to grab my attention.

I first thought about this as I was recently returning home from a vacation visiting some friends.  After coming down with a head cold during the week, I was in no mood to drive ten hours on the turnpike.  Preparing for my departure home, my friends and I prayed for safe travel as well as this time for my healing.  As we were praying, I felt led to thank God for my sickness.  Sure I wanted to feel better, but I also wanted to express to God my thanks for giving me this cold.  This wasn’t meant to be a “look how spiritual I can be” kind of moment, but sincere thanks for the sickness God brought to me.  I know I’m not the only one who has thanked God for his sickness.  I’m also aware of people who praise God for their trials, carrying them during periods of chronic and even terminal illness.  But to me it seemed a bit weird to thank God for a cold which, honestly, was a real nuisance and I know would eventually go away in about four days, whether I prayed or not.

In my younger years I enjoyed the idea of temporary weakness.  After all, if being weak meant sleeping in, not going to work, and staying home relaxing then I might actually enjoy being weak more often.  What connected with me now was that I became much more excited about the prospect of eventually being healthy again.  And what began as a general hope of getting better became enjoyment of God’s promise that there will be a day when there is no more sickness and complete bodily restoration.

In John Piper’s The Passion of Jesus Christ, he describes one of the many purposes behind the atoning work of Christ’s death,

“But all this misery and disease is temporary.  We look forward to a time when bodily pain will be no more.  The subjection of creation to futility was not permanent…One day all disease will be banished from God’s redeemed creation…We will have new bodies.”

A new body, absent of disease, is definitely something to look forward to.  But this time the presence of disease in the body allowed me to reflect on a spiritual healing of my soul.  And though I’m never really happy to be sick, if the result is to refocus on God’s word, the gospel, and his promises, then I can actually enjoy it.  Even if I have to enjoy it on a ten hour turnpike drive. 

By Rob Flood

On Tuesday evening, Covenant Fellowship Church hosted Fight Night: 3 Rounds to Conflict Resolution: an event designed to help married couples address conflict in their relationships.  (The messages from Tuesday night will be posted no later than Monday, November 9th, and can be found here.

In his helpful tool called “A Test for Arguing Wisely,” Andy Farmer gave four categories to keep in mind when entering or actively involved in conflict.  You’ll find those categories and a sampling of his questions below.

1. Be trustworthy; attack the problem, not the person
Proverbs 20:6 (ESV) Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find?

- Do I resist bringing up past failures in present situations?
- Do I resist exaggerating or using universal language? (always/never)

2. Be humble
Proverbs 11:2 (ESV)  When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.

- Do I resist turning an argument into a courtroom to win my case?
- Am I willing to acknowledge my sin once I see it, even if my spouse isn’t owning theirs?

3. Be self controlled
2 Tim. 1:7 (ESV)  For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

- Do I seek to keep a calm, reasonable tone of voice and let the other person complete their thoughts when we argue?
- Am I committed to using objective, biblical language when I speak in conflict.

4. Work Toward Reconciliation
Matthew 5:23-24 (ESV)  So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,  leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

- Am I committed to resolving arguments through clear statements of confession and forgiveness?
- Am I committed to inviting the perspective of a trustworthy friend into our conflicts if we are having trouble resolving them?

Conflict is a very revealing thing.  It reveals those things about which we are most passionate.  It reveals how far we’re willing to go to get them.  And it reveals how well we understand the seriousness of our sin, our need for forgiveness, our need for Christ, and the usefulness of the gospel of grace.

These four categories will not, in themselves, solve your conflict problems.  They will, however, foster an environment in your relationship where the real solution will gain traction and flourish.

By Trish Donohue

It’s time for a little game.  Let’s divide everybody into two groups: the worriers and the non-worriers.  Life is not that simple, I know, but general categories can be helpful at times.  So we have our two teams.  Places everyone.

On one side we have the worriers.  Worriers do not like to be called worriers; they like to be called thinkers.  I personally much prefer that title.  We consider ourselves thoughtful people who do not have our eyes stuck on the moment, but look circumspectly into the future and see the big picture.  We possess a gift for considering the implications of things, weighing their effect, and sharing our contemplations free of charge. 

For instance, if we have a child who lives with his finger up his nose, we “thinkers” will consider the long-range implications of this.  He will certainly never get a wife (no grandchildren for us), no one will hire him (he’ll be living in our basement), and his nose will become infected, fall off, and require our retirement fund for plastic surgery.  The short-sighted among us who say, “He’ll grow out of it in a month,” are stuck in the moment and unable to partake of our long-range perspective.  Their loss.

One of the members of the other team, the short-sighted non-worriers, had the gall to correct my long-range ponderings.  It happened to be my husband, who coincidentally, and irritatingly, is neither short-sighted nor stuck in the moment, but tends to trust God very well for the present and the future.  And since I’m knocked out of my fun little stereotyping anyway, I might as well get serious and share it with you (if, by chance, you happen to be a member of my team.)

He said that although I look into the future, I don’t look far enough into the future.

Hmmmm, interesting.  It’s a correction that speaks my language—I like that!  I think he dropped this little nugget of wisdom while brushing his teeth, and then walked out, leaving me and my toothbrush to ponder the accuracy of such a bold statement.

We decided he was right.  We worriers—I mean long-range thinkers—look far into the future.  We can clearly visualize things (usually negative things), or at least we think we can.  But we don’t look far enough to reach the end.  When we look that far, we see heaven, a place of incredible perspective.  We see a time when all the tiny details of this life will be swallowed up by the record of God’s perfect faithfulness.  We’ll then see that the promises of God were accomplished—that He did work all things for good to those who love Him, that He did uphold us with his righteous right hand, that He never did leave us or forsake us.  We’ll see that it didn’t matter if all our earthly dreams came true, or if there were some unexpected bumps on the road.  We won’t be evaluating life on the basis of ease and comfort, but on whether it magnified the glory of God. 

So, gaze on, worriers, keep looking ahead and imagining the future.  Just make sure you look far enough ahead, and imagine the real future.  It will make a huge difference.

By Jared Mellinger

The reason we have a bookshoppe at the church is because we want to be a church of readers who are continually growing in our knowledge and love for God’s Word.  Every sermon series provides an opportunity for deeper study and reflection through the resources in the bookshoppe.

Here are some of the books we have that are related to the “When We Gather” series, along with the publisher’s description.  I’ve read these books, benefited from them, and highly recommend them.  

Why We Love the Church, Kevin DeYoung

Publisher's Description: Authors Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck present the case for loving the local church. Their newest book paints a picture of the local church in all its biblical and real life guts, gaffes, and glory in an effort to edify local congregations and entice the disaffected back to the fold. It provides a solid biblical mandate to love and be part of the body of Christ and counteract the “leave church” books that trumpet rebellion and individual felt needs.

Worship Matters, Bob Kauflin

Publisher's Description: Combining biblical foundations with real-world application, a pastor and professional songwriter guides worship leaders and pastors to root their corporate worship in unchanging scriptural principles rather than divisive trends.

What is a Healthy Church Member?, Thabiti Anyabwile

Publisher's Description: A "IX Marks" Book. For Christians, playing an active part in the local church is not optional. God intends for every believer to contribute to the mission of the local church and experience profound spiritual growth as a result. This book shows church members, pastors, and church leaders what a healthy church member looks like.

Spiritual Disciplines within the Church, Donald Whitney

Publisher’s Description: In Spiritual Disciplines Within the Church, seminary professor, author, and former pastor Don Whitney shows us how to build a sense of community and be active participants instead of passive attendees. Whitney looks at such frequently asked questions as: Why can't I get by on my own? Why should I go to church? Why should I give of myself to the church? Why do I need to worship in church? Couldn't I just worship in nature? Why does it matter whether I become a member of the church? Committed love must mark the local expression of the body of Christ. By putting spiritual disciplines into practice in the church, congregations can return to the depth of community present in the New Testament church, where they 'devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.'