Anderson Hills

We’ve been talking about faith as a journey. On any journey, the logical question to ask is “Where are we going?” To what ultimate destination are we all heading? With this understanding, it changes your view of life here on earth. This world matters, but it’s not the only thing that matters. We look forward to having all of eternity to live how God created us—no sin, no separation from God. Perfection. But is this just something that we only get to experience after we die? Or is there something more to this Christian life? We will see that the Kingdom of Heaven is not just a future reality, it is something that we begin to live the moment that we give our lives to Jesus.

We’ve been talking about faith as a journey. On any journey, the logical question to ask is “Where are we going?” To what ultimate destination are we all heading? With this understanding, it changes your view of life here on earth. This world matters, but it’s not the only thing that matters. We look forward to having all of eternity to live how God created us—no sin, no separation from God. Perfection. But is this just something that we only get to experience after we die? Or is there something more to this Christian life? We will see that the Kingdom of Heaven is not just a future reality, it is something that we begin to live the moment that we give our lives to Jesus.

How do we handle it when our faith is tested? Can we ever really be sure of our salvation, or do we need to constantly be proving ourselves? This week we will look at the idea of being assured of our salvation, even in the midst of doubt and sin. We will come to understand believers can be assured that they are children of God by the inward witness of the Holy Spirit, by faith in the promises of God’s Word, and by the fruit of the Spirit in their lives. Having this assurance brings hope and peace, and provides boldness to live the Christian life in turbulent times and when we are under enemy attack.

How do we handle it when our faith is tested? Can we ever really be sure of our salvation, or do we need to constantly be proving ourselves? This week we will look at the idea of being assured of our salvation, even in the midst of doubt and sin. We will come to understand believers can be assured that they are children of God by the inward witness of the Holy Spirit, by faith in the promises of God’s Word, and by the fruit of the Spirit in their lives. Having this assurance brings hope and peace, and provides boldness to live the Christian life in turbulent times and when we are under enemy attack.

This week we will focus on how Wesley described the means of grace and the process of sanctification. After becoming a child of God, believers begin to live in holiness through faith in Christ and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. We need to remember that we do not drift towards holiness. What are the tools and trades God has given us to navigate this life? How do we sail on open water, after moving away from the port? We’ll look at the grace God gives us in these stages of our journey, as well as the structure of supporting each other, so that we are able to live daily by faith, set apart, and trusting God to work in and through us.

This week we will focus on how Wesley described the means of grace and the process of sanctification. After becoming a child of God, believers begin to live in holiness through faith in Christ and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. We need to remember that we do not drift towards holiness. What are the tools and trades God has given us to navigate this life? How do we sail on open water, after moving away from the port? We’ll look at the grace God gives us in these stages of our journey, as well as the structure of supporting each other, so that we are able to live daily by faith, set apart, and trusting God to work in and through us.

In response to the traditional belief of “Original Sin”, John Wesley used the terms “New Birth” and “Prevenient Grace” to help describe the beginning of a person’s faith journey. Since all of us begin our journey from this place, this describes the proverbial “starting line.” This week we will see that salvation is a gift from God and is available to everyone who puts their faith in Jesus as an act of free will. We will unpack the meaning of Wesley’s terminology so that we have a better understanding of the biblical truths regarding salvation and what it means for our lives.

In response to the traditional belief of “Original Sin”, John Wesley used the terms “New Birth” and “Prevenient Grace” to help describe the beginning of a person’s faith journey. Since all of us begin our journey from this place, this describes the proverbial “starting line.” This week we will see that salvation is a gift from God and is available to everyone who puts their faith in Jesus as an act of free will. We will unpack the meaning of Wesley’s terminology so that we have a better understanding of the biblical truths regarding salvation and what it means for our lives.

The third time Jesus takes bread into His hands, blesses it, breaks it, and gives it happens on the road to Emmaus. This time it is a moment of mission. Jesus is blessing bread to open the eyes of people who are disillusioned and downcast. In a way, this encounter shows that being blessed, broken, and given, is for the sake of the world—not just for ourselves, and not even just for the church. To be given is to be spent out of love for Jesus. It is the profound love of Jesus that leads us to give ourselves for others. To be given is to live for the life of the world. Like Jesus, we need to listen, learn and then enter the places of pain in our communities. To be given is to continue the circle of grace. Our God’s self-giving generates our own self-giving to others.

The third time Jesus takes bread into His hands, blesses it, breaks it, and gives it happens on the road to Emmaus. This time it is a moment of mission. Jesus is blessing bread to open the eyes of people who are disillusioned and downcast. In a way, this encounter shows that being blessed, broken, and given, is for the sake of the world—not just for ourselves, and not even just for the church. To be given is to be spent out of love for Jesus. It is the profound love of Jesus that leads us to give ourselves for others. To be given is to live for the life of the world. Like Jesus, we need to listen, learn and then enter the places of pain in our communities. To be given is to continue the circle of grace. Our God’s self-giving generates our own self-giving to others.