Striving for Advancement
Our Church Covenant Part 3
Introduction: It is very important to have a target or an objective when you aim or set a goal. The old
adage is true, “He who aims at nothing hits it every time.” Our covenant gives us three areas in which
we are to strive for advancement in this specific body.
A. Striving, Webster’s
1. To make great effort
2. To try very hard
B. Advancement, Webster’s
1. Progress
2. Improvement
C. Areas to be advanced
1. Knowledge, occurs about 50 times KJV
(a) Words used
(1) Intellect, 4907, sunesis, “mental putting together”, Eph. 3:4
(2) Knowledge, 1108, gnosis, “to know, to understand”, Phil 3:10
(3) Knowledge, 1922, epiginosko, “knowledge involving the senses”. Eph. 4:13
(b) What are we to know?
(1) Knowledge of God
(a) Salvation, Jn. 17:3
(b) Creation, Rom. 1:19-20
(2) Experiential knowledge, Rom. 12:2; II Tim. 3:7
(a) Maturing knowledge of things about God
(b) His will, Eph. 1:17
(c) Morality, Jn. 7:17
2. Holiness, Rom. 12:2
(a) Words used
(1) Holy, 3741, hosios, “properly, right”
(2) Holy, 40, hagios, “sacred, consecrated, set apart”
(b) How are we holy?
(1) Positionally
(2) Practically
(3) Physically
(a) Morally blameless
(b) Consecrated
3. Comfort
(a) Words used
(1) Comfort, 3874, paraklesis, “solace, comfort”
(2) Comfort, 3870, parakaleo, “call near, comfort”
(b) Are you comfortable, II Cor. 1: 3-7
(1) Source, vs. 3
(2) Action, vs. 4
(3) Purpose, vs. 4
(4) Abundance, vs. 5
D. Application
1. Do you strive to advance in the knowledge of God?
2. Do you strive to advance in holiness?
3. Do you strive to advance in comforting others?
Conclusion: We, as one body, should be working out our salvation for the advancement of knowledge,
holiness, and comfort. Are you personally doing your best for His honor and glory?