What do we believe about the Holy Spirit?

That he is God, coeternal with the Father and the Son, and that God grants

him irrevocably to all who believe.

In this powerful message, we explore the profound story of Jesus' third appearance to His disciples after the resurrection, as recounted in John 21. We're challenged to consider our own spiritual journey through Peter's experience. Just as Jesus asked Peter three times, 'Do you love me?', we're prompted to examine our own love for Christ. The message emphasizes three key callings for all Christians: to 'leave our past and pasture His lambs,' to 'lead to feed,' and to 'mature to nurture.' These callings remind us that our faith journey isn't just about personal growth, but about guiding others towards Christ. We're encouraged to move beyond our past, recognize our influence on others, and continually deepen our love for Jesus. This teaching invites us to reflect on how we're living out our faith and whether we're truly allowing God to use us in nurturing both new believers and mature Christians.

Since we are redeemed by grace alone, through faith alone, where does

this faith come from?

All the gifts we receive from Christ we receive through the Holy Spirit, including faith itself.

Since we are redeemed by grace alone, through Christ alone, must we

still do good works and obey God’s Word?

Yes, because Christ, having redeemed us by his blood, also renews us by his

Spirit; so that our lives may show love and gratitude to God; so that we may

be assured of our faith by the fruits; and so that by our godly behavior others

may be won to Christ.

In this powerful message, we're called to embrace a kingdom-minded perspective, focusing on Matthew 6:33 as our guiding principle. We're challenged to prioritize God's kingdom and His righteousness above all else, trusting in His provision for our needs. The sermon emphasizes the importance of aligning our hearts with God's purposes, rather than serving mammon or worldly desires. We're reminded that where our treasure is, there our heart will be also, urging us to invest in eternal values rather than temporary earthly possessions. This message encourages us to examine our priorities, trust in God's promises, and seek His righteousness in all aspects of our lives, transforming us into true kingdom-minded believers.

Should those who have faith in Christ seek their salvation through their

own works, or anywhere else?

No, they should not, as everything necessary to salvation is found in Christ.

To seek salvation through good works is a denial that Christ is the only Redeemer and Savior.

In this powerful exploration of the Good Samaritan parable, we're challenged to examine our understanding of neighborly love. The story reveals how religious figures often fail to show compassion, while an unlikely hero - a Samaritan - demonstrates true love without boundaries. This teaches us that genuine faith transcends prejudice and comfort zones. We're called to look beyond surface-level differences and see the humanity in everyone, just as Christ sees us. The message urges us to move past mere religious knowledge and actively demonstrate God's love to all, even those society might deem unworthy. It's a stark reminder that our actions speak louder than our words when it comes to living out our faith.

What do justification and sanctification mean?

Justification means we are declared righteous before God, made possible

by Christ’s death and resurrection for us. Sanctification means our gradual,

growing righteousness, made possible by the Spirit’s work in us.

In Romans 6, we encounter a powerful message about the nature of sin and grace in the Christian life. The central question posed is whether we should continue in sin so that grace may abound. The resounding answer is 'God forbid!' This chapter reminds us of the magnitude of Christ's sacrifice and the freedom we have from sin through His death and resurrection. We are called to recognize our new identity in Christ - dead to sin and alive in Him. This isn't just theological rhetoric, but a practical reality that should transform how we live. The passage challenges us to embrace our 'baptism into Christ's death,' which means identifying with His suffering for a greater purpose. As we reflect on this, we're encouraged to live out our faith boldly, knowing that our struggles and sacrifices can reveal Christ's power to a watching world.

In this powerful message, we're reminded of the crucial importance of reconciliation in our Christian walk. The central theme revolves around Matthew 5:23-24, where Jesus instructs us to reconcile with others before offering our gifts to God. This teaching emphasizes that our worship and offerings are meaningless if we knowingly harbor unresolved conflicts with our brothers and sisters. We're challenged to examine our hearts, seeking out those we may have offended, and take the initiative to restore those relationships. This act of reconciliation isn't just about saying 'sorry,' but about genuinely seeking to mend the friendship and resolve any misunderstandings. The message powerfully illustrates that obedience to God's command of reconciliation is more pleasing to Him than any sacrifice we could offer.