Berea

Introduction to Thessalonica 1.This was a healthy church. 2.This was a young church. 3.This was a threatened church. 4.This was a watchful church.

Significance 1.A memorial of Jesus’ death till he returns. 2.A checkpoint for the individual 3.A checkpoint for the community

1 John 1:6-9 “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”

Isaiah 53 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Church Covenant Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and on the profession of our faith having been baptized in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, we do now most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant one with another, as one body in Christ. AMEN

In our personal lives we pledge to Christ our love, faith, and obedience and covenant to live as Christians in our community and in our world, to be exemplary in our conduct, just in our dealings, and faithful in our engagements. We strive to maintain a Christ-like walk, always guarding our testimony, and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the Kingdom of our Savior. AMEN

In our homes we covenant to engage in personal and family devotions, to teach our children by instruction and example that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Lord; and to seek the salvation of our family and acquaintances. AMEN

In our church we covenant to live with one another in Christ-like love; to pray for one another; to help each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian friendships and to be hospitable to strangers; to avoid all tattling, backbiting, gossip, and excessive anger; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation; to forgive one another as Christ has forgiven us; to be gentle with those of differing preference and opinion; and to minister to one another in compassion, sacrifice, and concern as we share each other’s joys and sorrows. AMEN

As disciples of Jesus Christ, we covenant to grow in His grace and knowledge; we will not forsake the assembling of ourselves together; nor neglect to study the Holy Scriptures; nor fail to pray faithfully. We will seek to know and develop our spiritual gifts to serve others in love as God gives us opportunity. We also covenant to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel through all nations. AMEN

We will, when we move from this place, as soon as possible, unite with another church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word. AMEN

Amazing grace! how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now I am found, was blind but now I see.

‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear. And grace my fears relieved. How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years bright shining as the sun, We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we’d first begun.