// Covenant Family Church

If you are looking for a Christmas Eve Worship Service, here are three choices: Kirk of the Hills (PCA) in Chesterfield Valley (5:00 and 9:00 pm); and St. Stephen (UMC) in Troy (11:00 pm).

Paul, the unlikely convert. Jesus won us as His trophies of grace. What is Grace? The blessing of God Almighty on His people. The unmerited favor of God. God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. The grace of our Lord overflows upon us in abundance. What is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit? Someone who rejects God throughout the whole course of their life. Knows the truth, yet rejects it. A burden for the lost: pray for God’s mercy, and that God would give us a word in season. God reaches into the darkness of Paul’s unbelief and brings the light of mercy. Grace is measured by the presence of faith and love. Christ Jesus displays his perfect patience toward His people.

Text: 1 Timothy 1:12-17

I have a few trophies in my old storage chest–mainly from track and field competitions during my High School years. These trophies were won my my hard work, personal sacrifice, and careful observation of the rules. As Paul rightly says, “An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.” (cf. 2 Timothy 2:5) Jesus Christ also won trophies through his hard work, personal sacrifice, and careful observation of the rules. He kept the law perfectly; he sacrificed himself for his disciples, and he carefully fulfilled God’s justice. In this way, he won each of his disciples as a “trophy of grace”, since their redemption was accomplished by his gracious sacrifice on the cross. Therefore, it is imperative in the matter of salvation that Jesus Christ gets all the credit. Your family background did not save you, nor did your efforts at reformation, or did personal decision (cf. John 1:12-13). Jesus Christ gets all the credit in the matter of salvation and your subsequent sanctification (cf. WCF, Shorter Catechism questions #33-35).

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#208 “O Come, All Ye Faithful”.

Following the worship service on Sunday, December 21st, we will gather for a fellowship meal. Besides enjoying some excellent food, we will sing carols, hear some Christmas readings, and listen to a brief performance from Covenant Children’s Chorus. Call Pastor Serven if you would like to help!

At our last Men’s Meeting we discussed several of the defining principles of our church that were culled from the founding documents. Please take a copy of these and thoughtfully review them for future discussions. On February 1st, we will celebrate CFC’s 5th Anniversary and hold our annual meeting.

If we are redeemed, all the benefits Christ earned our ours. We are His people. We have been knit together. We have unity in Christ. We have a new identity in Christ. Christ is grieved by injuries done to his body the church. An attack on the body is an attack on God and you. Honor given to the church is honor given to Christ. Christ protects his body. The church is not an orphan. Christ humbles his converts, so that they submit to him and his church.

Text: Acts 5:1-20
Guest Preacher, Pastor Jeff Yelton.

Jesus Christ died on the cross as an atoning sacrifice for his church. By doing this, he has united himself to his church, so that the church is his mystical body. Furthermore, as members of the church, every Christian is a part of Jesus’ body. Jesus cares for his body. Therefore, Jesus regards any injury to his church as an offense against himself. Likewise, Jesus regards any honor done for the church as an honor done for himself. Since the church is Jesus’ body, He protects it, nourishes it, and serves it. This is obvious from the life of Paul, especially the circumstances surrounding his conversion: God transformed a zealous persecutor of the church into a zealous servant of the church. In the same way, God converts us from people who neglect the church to people who honor the church. We honor Jesus, when we honor his church. While being a part of his mystical body is certainly a great privilege, it is also a great responsibility. Let us appreciate the privileges, and perform the duties. In so doing, we will glorify our Lord Jesus, who is the head of his mystical body.

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Text: 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Paul concludes his first letter to the Thessalonians by making a passing statement, “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Perhaps you are wondering, like I am, is Paul really serious about us obeying this admonition? How can a person “give thanks” in everything? After all, there are some truly awful parts of life where it is challenging to find anything to be thankful about!

The key to interpreting this passage is found by investigating Paul’s own personal circumstances. Since he never asked anyone to do what he wouldn’t also do himself, then it is reasonable to conclude that he meant to apply this statement to his own life situation.

With this interpretive principle in mind we observe that Paul does not expect Christians to ignore feelings of sorrow, grief, suffering, or disappointment. Nor, does he expect us to “put on a happy face” as it nothing were the matter.

Instead, we are to carefully note, the providential hand of God is active in the midst of difficult circumstances—and give thanks for all that the Lord does. This is just what Paul did in his own life. Let us, then, follow Paul’s example (cf. 1 Cor. 4:16, 11:1).

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Text: 1 Timothy 1:8-11

The Bible clearly states that the Christian is saved by grace alone through faith alone (cf. Ephesians 2:5, 8-10). Since this is true, then what should be one’s attitude toward the Law of God? Should the Christian reject it entirely as a set of unnecessary regulations, or is there some on-going use for the Law of God in the life of the Believer? In answer to these questions it should be noted that the Bible teaches three uses of the Law of God:

(1) It is a light to expose our sin and point us to the Savior.

(2) It is a curb to restrain wickedness in this fallen world.

(3) It is a rule to guide the Believer in knowing how to live.

Thus, we see that the Law of God has an on-going function in this world, even in the life of the Believer. It is to our benefit, then, that we study and apply the Law of God as a “rule of life” (WCF 19, Article 6)

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On Wed., Dec. 10th (7 pm) the Majors will host us in their home. This will be a meeting filled with hymns, prayer, the Bible, discussion, and reflection on God’s many blessings. Neil Bringe, Church Treasurer, will also give us an update on our church finances.

Introduction to the sermon series on the Pastoral Epistles. Christ Jesus our Hope. Paul an apostle by royal command of God. The power of the gospel to transcend culture and ethnic differences. From one generation to the next. Team work on the track field. Gnosticism. The aim: a heart purified by the work of Christ; a transformed conscience informed by Christ and his Word; Sincere and consistent faith (word and life match). Then, love abounds.

Text: 1 Timothy 1:1-7

With the first seven verses of Paul’s letter to Timothy we have a very fine introduction to all of the Pastoral Epistles. What exactly are the Pastoral Epistles?

They were three letters written near the end of the Apostle Paul’s lie; about A. D. 62-64. In them he urges his young disciples–Timothy, Titus, and several other key leaders within the early church–to remain faithful to all that he has taught them. In essence, these letters were a loving exhortation to “guard the deposit entrusted to you” (cf. 1 Tim. 6:20).

The depth of Paul’s relationship with Timothy, and the other disciples, is clearly evident in these letters. Keep in mind that Paul was a converted Jew, and that Timothy, Titus, and other men were from Gentile stock. Yet, within Christ’s kingdom such ethnic and cultural differences made no difference (cf. Gal. 3:28).

In this way, Paul could thoroughly invest himself in these young men with the expectation that they would faithfully carry on the gospel that he had passed on to them (cf. 1 Tim. 1:19; 2 Tim. 2:2; and Titus 1:5).

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