Some believe in Intellectual Universalism which is very dangerous. Such a belief does not hold to the belief of hell, the justice and wrath of God. But even worse is Functional Universalism, meaning we may believe in hell and the wrath of God intellectually, but in the way we function, live and act we do not. The problem is we do not share the gospel with others. We are not willing to put our rights, privileges and desires to the side for the sake of saving some like the Apostle Paul so longed to do. Yes, we are free in Christ, but we have been set free so that we can be a servant to others, so they might be saved. Come Sunday and be challenged to serve all.

Disciple: Be One, Make One. This is our focus as Christ’s church. Today, during our teaching we focus on making disciples. This is what Jesus wants to get our attention and to be the central action of our life. He wants us to be disciples, who make disciples, that make disciples, as our dear brother, Dale Howe would put it. So, are we as Christ’s church being obedient to His command to make disciples?

Praise God for Easter! But what is next for you and I, as we live between Jesus' ascension and His second coming? This week we look at the living hope we have, as Jesus is presently in heaven at the right hand of God and we are here on earth waiting for His appearing.

Where does your hope lie? Today we see the hope that is available to all. Today as we look at the resurrection of Jesus Christ we see that life on earth is not the end. In fact, death is just the beginning. This life is a vapor, that is here one day and gone the next. So, what do you believe about life after death? Do believe you will be with Jesus when you die? Today we will look at the hope we can have beyond the grave and what secures such a hope in light of the resurrection of Jesus.

Where does your hope lie? What are you on your tiptoes waiting with expectation for? Today as we begin the celebration of Holy Week, we begin a look into the Christian’s hope. Jesus is our only hope. His entry into Jerusalem remembered on this day is the beginning of His humble march toward the cross. This week begins with a crowd stirred over His presence and ends with the greatest act of love ever known.

Today we finish looking at our core values as a church. We have looked at the following values over the last few weeks that a disciple seeks to have mark his or her life: Love God, Follow Jesus, Know Truth, Deny Self, and Faithful Stewardship. Today we look at the last one which is Love People. This mark is most important for by this others will know that we are His disciples.

The church is to be Christ’s disciples and make disciples. This is a life that truly glorifies God. The disciple is to live out his or her love for Christ by giving up everything and being willing to lose everything for the sake of Christ. The values of His church are as follows: Love God, Follow Jesus, Know Truth, Deny Self, Faithful Stewardship, and Love Others. Today we look at the disciple as one who lives a life of faithful stewardship. You might be thinking as you read this, Oh great we are going to talk about money. Sure money will come up today, but the goal is not that. That is a little thing compared to the bigger issue. God owns all and has called us to be faithful stewards of everything He has given us.

The church is to be Christ’s disciples and make disciples. This is a life that truly glorifies God. The disciple is to live His life looking into God’s mirror reflecting who He is. The values of His church are as follows: Love God, Follow Jesus, Know Truth, Deny Self, Faithful Stewardship, and Love Others. May these be the marks of our life.

The church has a unique and awesome purpose. We have been chosen and called to fill every nook and cranny with the glory of God. The church is called to do this in all types of context. Whatever the context the way of the kingdom will have its opposition and hard times. Rejection will be faced on many levels. It is in this setting that Jesus says the disciples love for Him will be visible. As we begin to look at the marks of a disciple we see that the disciple first has a supreme and incomparable love for Jesus. May we have this most important value as His church.

What is your focus in life? Is it simply to survive, get through the day and make it to the next? Is it just to get up, go to work, go home, go to be bed and get up again the next day to do it all again? Christ has given the church, His disciples, a focus for their life. It is to be disciples and make disciples. Over the next few weeks we will take time to look at our focus as a church, Disciple: Be One, Make One. A life with this as its focus is a life lived for the glory of God. We look forward to you joining us this Sunday.