Covenant Life Church

Last week, we learned that there’s a sound before there’s a sight. We often hear something before we see something, and this is supported by numerous verses throughout the Bible. This timely and important message reminded us that God is always speaking to us and provided a necessary reminder that, if God ever stops communicating, we’re in serious trouble.

Thankfully, the author of Psalm 29 shows us that the voice of God is everywhere. Sounds from heaven are emanating from the throne like a spiritual radio station, but we often miss it because there’s too much interference from doubt or distraction. This week, we’re exploring the sounds that surround us and the ways the Father, Son and Holy Spirit speak into our lives.

Back in April, Pastor John asked the Lord to speak clearly about what He was saying and doing in the body of believers at Covenant Life. What he received was a prophetic word that he has been waiting to share. Since God never contradicts His Word, the first thing Pastor John did was check it against the Bible, and after finding that it was in line with the Word, he sought confirmation from a couple of trusted individuals.

The word he received bore witness with their spirits, so Pastor John asked the Lord to confirm it for me as well. He received a spiritual insight that shows up again and again in the Bible, which has served as the confirmation he requested. This week, Pastor John shares this prophetic word openly, encouraging us about things to come in the future of our church and urging us to be serious about our relationship with Jesus.

Throughout history, the role of the father has been vital to the stability of their children. Fathers have been the cornerstones of their families and the communities. In modern times, the role of the father has been diminished as part of an intentional spiritual attack designed to weaken our families and the fabric of our nation.

In honor of Father’s Day, we’re talking about the investment that we make in our kids. There are thousands of dollars and thousands of hours spent raising a kid to 18, but this week, we’re looking at a different kind of investment: what fathers say, display and pray. These three areas naturally define a child — whether positively or negatively.

At Covenant Life Church, we’re devoted to making disciples who are real, relational and reaching. That is our mission and vision statement, and it’s derived from what we read in Acts 2:41-47. The early church established a discipleship system designed to fulfill the Great Commission — one that revolved around meeting, ministering, praying, worshipping, serving and giving together in community.

This week, we’re talking about the power of community and how being an active part of the body helps people become better disciples of Jesus. To do this properly, we must KNOW Jesus, GROW in faith and fellowship and GO into the mission field. The challenge following this message is to get involved by finding ways to serve and using your gifts at Covenant Life or any church you call home.

In John 14:27, Jesus said that He was giving His followers a gift of peace that we can’t get anywhere else. Rather than being a peace that requires a solution to every problem or the silencing of every storm, it’s an internal piece that holds, keeps and sustains us. It is His peace, and it is able to bring us calm in every circumstance and courage and strength for every challenge.

If this is a gift we can freely receive, it begs the question: what keeps us from being peaceful? A lot of people would say worry, but that’s actually an effect instead of the cause. Others might say that anxiety or busyness steal their peace, but the root cause behind many of these issues is fear. This week, we’re talking more about peace and how can we obtain it by defeating fear.

Over the past three years, we have seen unprecedented growth at Covenant Life. It has been a productive, fruitful and exciting season, but it has also been unbelievably painful and difficult. Amid the challenges we have faced collectively and as individuals, we can take comfort in knowing that God sees our sacrifice. He sees the losses you’ve experienced, the battles you’ve fought and the storms you’ve faced. He knows the fear, dread and uncertainty you may be facing now.

In John 14:26-27, Jesus says that He has a give for us: His perfect peace. That peace has the ability to give us calm in every circumstance and courage and strength in every challenge. Nothing on earth can help with the battles and storms of life. It may ease the burden for a moment, but nothing truly satisfies, heals or makes the situation better. This week, we can be encouraged, knowing that we can overcome our fear by accepting what Jesus is offering and consistently relying on Him.

As Covenant Life celebrates its recent high school graduates, Matt Carlisle shares words of wisdom, reminding them about the importance of keeping their faith strong as they enter adulthood, overcoming fear and praising God in both good and bad times.

Mothers wear many hats and fill countless roles for their families, including alarm clock, short order cook, accountant, toxic waste disposer, wardrobe consultants, hair stylist, editor, referee, chauffeur and more. According to Galatians 6:2, we're called to carry each other's burdens, but sometimes, it can get out of balance, which can lead to uncertainty in our relationships.

This week, Pastor Jay Mann walks us through some of life's "loading zones," situations and circumstances that cause us to take on more than we can reasonably bear. Afterward, he shares four biblical principles we can use to overcome the cynicism, burnout and tiredness we feel, relieving uncertainty and allowing us to live in peace with God and other people.

Throughout the “Employed by the King” series, we have learned that Kingdom work needs to be done in order for more people to be saved and ministered to. Since none of us is truly qualified for the Kingdom, Jesus made us qualified by what He did for us on the cross. He gave everyone gifts that we can use to carry out that work, and although those gifts may not all be spiritual in nature, they are made spiritual in their application.

If you’re saved, you got the job. You’re employed by the King, but at some point, you’ll want to know how to increase your effectiveness. You got the job, but how do you advance? How can you be successful in serving Jesus? The Lord addresses this topic in Matthew 20 and flips the worldly definition of success on its head. The path to leading is one of service and humility; it isn’t a ladder to the top but a staircase to the bottom.

Regardless of what you think about their politics, you have to appreciate the way Starbucks has taken over the country. A coffee shop that began in the Pacific Northwest sells coffee to people in Haralson County and around the world. How did they do it? Starbucks created a culture that attracted people, and coffee was only part of it. They have what’s called the “Third Place Policy.” They want to be the third place in your life: home, work and Starbucks.

This week, we’re continuing our “Employed by the King” series with a discussion about Kingdom culture. If you’re going be employed by the King in any capacity, it doesn’t matter what your job description or title is; God wants to create a culture around that work. As a matter of fact, once you understand and surrender to His culture, it won’t matter what the job is. People will know that you’re employed by the King by the way you live out the culture of the Kingdom.