Matthew 19:4-6 (NLT) “Haven’t you read the Scriptures?”...

... Jesus replied. “They record that from the beginning ‘God made them male and female.’ And he said, ‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’ Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.” As we continue this series on boundaries I want to share with you today one of the safest places you can be is in the Church…the Body of Christ. We are not talking about just showing up and being here physically but what I am talking about is being in covenant relationship with each other. It is absolutely true that we are stronger when we are together spiritually, physically, and emotionally and bonded together by Holy Spirit.  

1. Jesus speaks of being in covenant relationship and how those boundaries protect you. We are to cleave to one another in the church in covenant love just like a husband and wife cleave to each other in marriage…at least, the way God intended.Notice where it says the words joined or joined together…there is a Greek verb “Kolloah” which means being joined together in covenant relationship between a husband and wife.

2. This being “joined together” can also be carried over into our business relationships. This Greek word “Kolloah” can be used in a contract with two business people having an agreement like with the prodigal son.

Luke 15:14-15 (NKJV) “But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.” Notice the prodigal son had joined himself…he had a commitment (covenant) to work for this man.

3. We can also be in Covenant relationship with the Lord…we must be “joined together” with Him.1 Corinthians 6:17 (NKJV) “But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. When we are in “Kolloah” with the Lord we are in the safest place we can be in. Beautiful boundaries that truly provide relationship and protection. 

4. This concept of “being joined together” also applies to being in covenant with the local church body. Paul who had previously been Saul had a major conversion on the road to Damascus and God turned him every which way but loose. He saw his need to be joined to the local church. 1 Corinthians 1:10 (NKJV) “Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” When you are joined to us in covenant relationship, you are in the safe boundaries of the church.