Covenant Community

Acts 2:40
Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

 Note the formation of community:

1. Continued in Apostolic teaching and fellowship 2. Breaking of breadinterpersonal relationships 3. Prayers 4. Ministry 5. Common sharing 6. Worship 7. Favor throughout the city 8. Evangelism

 This is what you would call the church in ACTION! It is NOT a call to convention but to covenant. There is a mutual reward in developing these kind of covenant relationships.

 Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Eccl.4:9-12

 Ointment and perfume delight the heart, And the sweetness of a mans friend gives delight by hearty counsel. Pr.27:9 We all need good counselwhy do we resist such relationships in our lives?

 We must take serious our responsibility to not only TAKE counsel but to GIVE it as well. Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, But who can find a faithful man? Pr.20:6 Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold Is a wise reprover to a listening ear. Pr.25:12

 Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety. Pr.11:14 Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counselors they are established. Pr.15:22

 We can all hear God FOR ourselvesbut you should never fear to bring it to the safety of the counsel of the church. For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe. 1 Thes. 2:13

 Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, But a man of understanding will draw it out. Pr.20:5 Look at how having a faithful friend who gave good counsel saved David in a time of turmoil 2 Sam.15-18