// Covenant Family Church

Duty. A Christian Culture in the Home. To have a well managed home, Ephesians 6 must have been taught. The Duty of Children to Parents. The Promise to Children from the Lord. The Requirement for Children of Church Leaders. How Do Children Show Honor to Their Parents? By demonstrating attitudes of obedience, by not holding past grudges, by showing forth repentance, by speaking words of respect and gratitude, by taking correction and rebuke, by the imitation of godly examples, and by providing for future care.

Text: Ephesians 6:1-3; Colossians 3:20; 1 Timothy 3:4-5, 12; Titus 1:6

Today we will consider the 5th Commandment and all of the blessings that come from diligently observing it. At first thought many adults may consider this sermon is only for children. They are quite mistaken, for the 5th Commandment applies to adults even if they are fully grown and their parents are no longer living.

Let me say it clearly­: this “commandment with a promise” applies to all people whatever age they may be. It is an injunction from the Lord that relates to our past memories, our present actions, and our future decisions. Failure to heed it will result in many frustrating troubles and difficulties throughout a person’s life.

Ultimately, the 5th Commandment points to the Lord Jesus Christ, who was always eager to obey and bring honor to his Father (cf. Luke 2:49; John 5:19-47; 6:25-51; 10:14, 17-18, 27-30; 14:1-14). As Christians, we should follow his perfect example.

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Today, practices resume for the CFC Children and Youth Chorus. The children’s choir is open for children ages 6 years old through the time that their voice deepens. The youth choir is for youth ages 13 and older. Both choirs will perform at the Spring Concert on May 8th. Speak with Rebecca Serven if you have any questions.

Sign up now to participate in a musical concert on Friday, May 8th (7 PM). This event is being orgnaized by the Houghton and Serven families. See Rebecca Serven to sign up before May 5, 2009.

The 4 P’s for men. The 4 R’s for women. Its Joyful Worshipers. Its Long-Awaited Arrival. Its Beautiful Bride. Its Blessed Participants. Its Anticipated Fulfillment.

Text: Revelation 19:6-10

Having witnessed a beautiful wedding yesterday, it is appropriate for us to consider the meaning of marriage in light of the larger purposes of God. Here is some key background information for us to consider:

Jewish Wedding Customs
From: Ralph Gower, The New Manners and Customs of Bible Times
(Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1987), 64-69.

A Bride is Chosen ­– arranged by the parents, or individually.
The Betrothal – a legal commitment is made with a pledge, witnesses, and a blessing­ yet, it is not fully consummated. The betrothal can be broken by either party if negative information comes to light.
An Interval of Time – the time between the betrothal and the consummation of the marriage gives the groom an opportunity to pay a dowry to the bride’s father and to prepare his own house. In the meantime, the bride readies herself to be joined in marriage to her future husband.
A Procession – the groom proceeds in his best attire and with his closest friends to the bride’s house where he receives her, and they then proceed together to his home (or his parent’s home) where the local Rabbi leads them in a formal exchange of vows, prayer, and a solemn blessing.
The Marriage Supper – following the vows the newly married couple and their guests enjoy an extended celebrative feast­ sometimes for seven days or more.

We currently live during “an interval of time” of unknown length. God is busily preparing his Church (the bride) to be married to Jesus Christ (the groom). It is a testimony of God’s sovereign plan, holiness, and grace.

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The problem of the Stone. The problem of the Missing Body. The problem of the Faithless Disciples. The problem of the Supernatural Circumstances.

Text: Mark 16:1-8

There are many people in this fallen world who steadfastly reject the resurrection of Jesus Christ. What is their problem? After all, the evidence seems reasonable, and the benefits for believing in Christ are widely known. Why, then, won’t these skeptics believe like the rest of us? It is important for each Christian to understand that belief does not come about on the basis of one’s intellect (cf. Jon 3:3, 5; James 2:19). Paul argues that, “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.” (cf. 1 Cor. 2:14; Rom 8:7). Therefore, finding specific answers to the “classic problems” associated with the resurrection of Jesus minister primarily to the believer, and not to the unbeliever. They are,

1. Who moved the grave stone?
2. Who took away the body of Jesus?
3. How could the weak and faithless disciples give a convincing testimony for the resurrection of Jesus?
4. How could the resurrection of Jesus be true when it is based upon supernatural circumstances?

Let every Christ, then, acquaint themselves with the compelling evidences for the resurrection of Jesus. Moreover, let these answers bolster our faith in the purpose, plan, and power of our sovereign God. And, if God gives us an opportunity, let us bear witness to the unbeliever of the glories of God.

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The Lord Jesus fulfilled the role of deacon better than anyone. The office of deacon. A deacon is especially desirous and conscious of meeting people’s physical and spiritual needs, both inside and outside the church. Qualifications of deacons. Rewards for Deacons.

Text: 1 Timothy 3:8-13

Two offices were established by the Apostles for the on-going welfare of Christ’s Church—elders and deacons (cf. Acts 6:1-6; 1 Tim. 3:1-13; Titus 1: 5-9; Heb. 13:7, 17; 1 Pet. 5:1-5). Paul, having already set forth the qualifications for elders, now shifts his focus to the deacons. In a similar fashion he enumerates general lifestyle issues and personal character traits that each deacon should manifest. Moreover, he identifies several negative behaviors and vices the deacon should not have.

The vision of the Apostles was to establish an office within the Churcn that emphasized the meeting of physical needs. But, this office was more than just for “serving tables”—it was an ordained office with spiritual authority to preach, teach, and assist in governing the local Church.

Some have wrongly taught that women are able to serve as “deaconesses”. But the arguments for this view are exceedingly weak and should be rejected (cf. Acts 6:5-6; 1 Tim. 2:11-15). Instead, we see Paul commending the “wives” of deacons to assist them (vs. 11). Thus, Paul lists qualifications of the deacon’s wives as well.

Pray that the office of deacon will be firmly established within our congregation.

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