The Heart of God: Covenant Life (5)

And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. Luke 24.27

Read and meditate on Hebrews 11, Ephesians 6, Colossians 1 and 3, and 2 Peter 3.
We will be more fruitful and effective in our work as we pursue it within the true parameters of our Kingdom-and-glory calling (1 Thess. 2.12). We have continuity with the past and expectations for the future that we need to keep in mind and work within as we carry on the ongoing work of the Lord Jesus Christ.

For reflection
1.  Read the assigned chapters in a single sitting. Why is it important that we keep in mind the heritage which is ours as members of God’s covenant people? Is it a good idea to be ignorant of our forebears in the faith? Why or why not?

2.  How do these chapters describe the spiritual environment in which we pursue the ongoing work of the Lord (Eph. 6, Col. 3)? How does this manifest itself? How should we prepare to overcome the obstacles posed by this parameter of our work? How can we maximize the vision of this parameter to our advantage?

3.  Meditate on 1 Chronicles 12.32. Looking at 1 Peter 3, in what sense or way are all believers called to be “sons of Issachar” in our generation?

4.  Paul said (Col. 1.19-29) that he expected his readers to grow to completeness in Jesus Christ. How can we take Jesus and His Kingdom as the primary parameter for our walk with and work for the Lord?  How do you do this in your own life?

5.  Our covenant past, the spiritual world, the present realities of life in this world, and the world which is to come: These are the parameters within which we are called to be witnesses for Christ and do the good works He has prepared for us as members of His new covenant community. Meditate on Ephesians 5.15-21. How should you view the time of your life, each week, every day?

Summary
As members of the Body of Christ, we exist in Him, and He is pursuing His ongoing work of Kingdom progress by His Word and Spirit in His Church, and through local churches and their members around the world. According to Ephesians 5.15-17, if we are not making the most of our time for the work of Christ and His Kingdom, what happens to our time?

Closing Prayer
Those who trust in the LORD
Are like Mount Zion,
Which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
So the LORD surrounds His people
From this time forth and forever.
For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest
On the land allotted to the righteous,
Lest the righteous reach out their hands to iniquity.
Do good, O LORD, to those who are good,
And to those who are upright in their hearts.
As for such as turn aside to their crooked ways,
The LORD shall lead them away
With the workers of iniquity.
Peace be upon Israel!

Psalm 125

T. M. Moore

Two books can help you gain a fuller understanding of the terrain we will be covering in this series. Kingdom Documentsprovides a concise overview of the primary teaching of the Old and New Testaments, and shows, through early Church creeds, how our forebears understood the primary teachings of God’s Word. (click here to order). I Will Be Your Goddevelops more fully the idea of God’s covenant and leads us to consider the practical implications of our covenant relationship with God (click here).

Visit The Ailbe Seminary, where our course, Introduction to Biblical Theology, offers a parallel study of our theme in this series, using brief video presentations and the workbook God’s Covenant: An Introduction. All courses at The Ailbe Seminary are available without charge.

We are happy to be able to offer each week’s Scriptorium studies in a free weekly PDF, suitable for personal or group use. You can download all the studies in this series by clicking here. Please prayerfully consider sharing with The Fellowship of Ailbe through your giving. You can contribute to The Fellowship by clicking the Contribute button at the website or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.