Messages

We have a message to take to the unbelieving world, but the gospel must also be applied to the believer. Zeroing in on compassion, grace, and word.

​ The gifts of the spirit, speaking and serving, are given for the building up of the body of Christ, primarily for the body, not unbelievers. The Thessalonians and the woman at the well both are transformed after encountering the Christ so that they go and tell everyone with whom they come into contact. Why should we evangelize? Everybody says so in the Bible! God (Isa 59:21-60:1; Acts 17:29-31; 2 Cor 5:20-21) Jesus (Mark 1:14-17; Matt 28:16-) Prophets (Isa 40:6-9) Angels (Rev 14:1-7) Apostles (Eph 6:10-15; Phil 1:12-18, 29-30)

"A person is going to have to die to show the glory of God! Martha’s faith is a great example to us; she is struggling with belief because things are not playing out the way she thought they should, like Job, but she still comes to Jesus to talk with him! Jesus voice raised Lazarus from the dead, and upon his return with a shout, he will raise all his saints. He is the resurrection and the Life. Do you believe this?"

The Council of Nicea

Blessing always involves God’s favor (eternally significant things like forgiveness of sins, approval of God, etc), and often has nothing to do with possessions, and sometimes even involves persecution, trials, and suffering. The blessed person has come to see the world for what it is because he has come to see the Word for what it is.

Jesus saved us into one body. In the book of Ephesians, Paul emphasizes the unity that ought to be in the body of Christ, God's church!

Baptism is the God-given picture of the redemption of the gospel. 1. A Picture of discipleship (Matt 28:18); making disciples includes two things: baptize (immerse) and teach; (Acts 2:37-38) baptism is a public profession of faith in Jesus and tight association with Jesus’ death 2. A Picture of Our Union with Christ-death and resurrection (Rom 6:1-7; Col 2:8-12)