Because we are one in Christ, we will be eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit.1 Putting aside pride and considering others more important than ourselves,2 we will gladly submit to one another3 and constantly pursue unity in our beliefs and practices.4
Since Christ loved us and gave His life for us, we will lay down our lives for one another.5 We will rejoice when others rejoice, and weep when others weep.6 We will affectionately care for and watch over one another,7 knowing that without love we are nothing.8
Because we are members of one another in the body of Christ, we will actively use our spiritual gifts for the common good.9 We will not neglect meeting together, but will regularly participate in worship, prayer, study, fellowship, and the ordinances of baptism and communion.10
Since Christ, though he was rich, became poor for our sake,11 we too will give sacrificially and cheerfully to the support of this church, the relief of the poor, the care of orphans and widows, and the spread of the gospel to all nations.12 We will dedicate ourselves, our money, our time, and our resources to the cause of Christ as faithful stewards,13 carefully avoiding all forms of greed.14
Since Jesus loved the lost,15 befriended them,16 and invited them to come to Him,17 we will follow His example, and obey His command to go and make disciples of all nations.18 We will speak the gospel to our family, friends, and acquaintances,19 praying for them20 and imploring them to be reconciled to God.21
Because of God’s mercies, we present our bodies to Him as a living sacrifice. We will not be conformed to this world, but will be transformed by the renewal of our minds.22 Knowing the deceitfulness of sin,23 we will be quick to repent and make every effort to put to death the sin in our lives.24 Desiring to be above reproach in everything we do,25 we will be honest in all of our dealings with others,26 doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with our God.27
Because the Lord disciplines those He loves,28 we want our life together to reflect His loving discipline and correction.29 We will pray for one another,30 teach and admonish one another,31 and submit ourselves to the discipline of the church.32 Always aiming for restoration, we will strive to be gentle,33 tender-hearted, and quick to forgive34 in our practice of correction and discipline.35
Because we have not entered into this covenant with one another lightly, we will not set it aside lightly.36 As members submitted to the leaders of our church,37 we will prayerfully seek counsel from them before making a decision to leave.38 We will, when we move from this place, unite with another true church as soon as possible.39
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1. Eph. 4:3
2. Phil. 2:3-4
3. Eph. 5:21
4. Eph. 4:13
5. 1 John 3:16
6. Rom. 12:15
7. Phil. 2:1-2; Heb. 13:17
8. 1 Cor. 13:2
9. Rom. 12:5-8; 1 Cor. 12:7
10. Heb. 10:24-25
11. 2 Cor. 8:9
12. 2 Cor. 9:6-7; 8:1-7; James 1:27
13. Matt. 25:14-30
14. Luke 12:15
15. Mark 10:21; Matt. 23:37; John 3:16
16. Luke 5:30-32; 15:1-2; 7:36-50
17. John 7:37; Matt. 11:28
18. Matt. 28:18-20
19. Rom. 1:16
20. 1 Tim. 2:1
21. 2 Cor 5:18-21
22. Rom. 12:1-2
23. Heb. 3:13
24. Rom. 8:13; 1 John 1:9; James 5:16
25. Phil. 2:14-15; 1 Pet. 3:15-16
26. Eph. 4:25: James 5:12
27. Micah 6:8
28. Heb. 12:6; Rev. 3:19
29. Prov. 12:1; 15:31-32
30. Eph. 6:18
31. Col. 3:16
32. Matt. 18:15-17
33. 2 Cor. 13:11; Gal. 6:1
34. Eph. 4:32
35. Prov. 27:5-6
36. Psalm 15:4c
37. Heb. 13:17
38. Prov. 11:14; 18:1
39. Heb. 10:24-25
40. Eph. 3:20
Sermons (Main Index) 
