We are gospel-powered because the gospel is the power by which God’s
redemptive plan is initiated, and in it we see Him most clearly for Who He is
and what He has done.
Gospel-Powered
Worship
Life consists of constant worship. Every thought, word, desire and deed
involves the ascribing of worth and value—glory. Each attitude, affection and
activity is an expression of our allegiance, whether to our Creator or His
creation. God alone is worthy of our worship.
Worship is related to every area of our lives. We are called to eat,
drink, speak, think and work to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). Worship
cannot be narrowed down to a particular time and place as if God does not claim
authority over certain aspects of our lives. There are no neutral desires or
deeds; everything is an expression of worship.
Gospel-powered
worship is the fuel for discipleship.
It is nurtured through the gathering of the saints in a corporate
service—primarily weekend worship services and Elder-Led Prayer. Within these
venues, we worship God by remembering the gospel through preaching, teaching,
singing, praying and celebrating the ordinances of baptism and communion. Each
presents an opportunity for the church to receive, remember, respond and
rejoice in the work of our great King.
1 Corinthians 10:31, Psalm 145:1-21, Isaiah 43:6-7, Colossians 3:1-17
Gospel-Powered
Community
We worship a triune God, who has eternally existed as Father, Son and
Holy Spirit. In identifying the tri-unity of God, we recognize that God is
communal. Bearing the image of God, mankind is called to reflect this reality.
Though each Christian has a personal relationship with God, that
relationship is not individual or private. The Christian faith is not intended
to be lived in isolation. We were made for community—relationship with God and
with each other. The local church is not merely a place that we attend but a
people to whom we belong. The Bible calls us members of the body (1 Corinthians 12:12-31) with the
expectation that we contribute to the body for the glory of God and the good of
His people.
Gospel-powered community is a radical call amid a culture of mere
attendance and casual involvement. It involves mutual love, care, consistency
and authenticity as we seek to adorn the person and work of Christ with our
lives.
Gospel-powered
community is the context for discipleship.
Home Groups, men’s groups and women’s groups are examples of places
where our people can connect to the church body. Groups are not perfect and
those who participate in them will find them messy at times. However, our hope
is that group members will be radically committed to reform from within. This
takes time, prayer, effort, patience, love, trust and hope. Acts 2:42-47, Hebrews 3:12-13, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31
Gospel-Powered
Service
In John 13:1-20, we read
the account of Jesus washing His disciples' feet. This was no regular
rabbinical task, but was instead reserved for the lowest of all servants. Here
was the anointed King, the eternal Son of God, the blessed Lord, doing the
inconceivable.
By humbly cleansing the feet of His disciples, Jesus gave an abiding
example of service and issued a command for us to follow in His steps. We were
saved that we might now serve.
Gospel-powered
service is the overflow of discipleship.
It is motivated by the reconciling work of God and seeks to extend His
grace and mercy to others for His glory and not our own. It is an expression of
love and stewardship of grace marked by humility, generosity and hospitality
and empowered by a passion for the glory of God.
Service can and should be pursued in various ways by all recipients of
varied grace. Those who have been impacted by the gospel have countless
opportunities—both formal and informal—to serve others through the hospitality
ministry, volunteering in one of our children’s and youth ministries, teaching,
singing, serving on a board, giving financially to the needs of others, opening
their homes to their neighbors and church family, etc. John 13:1-20, 1 Peter 3:8-11, 2 Corinthians 8:1-9:15
Gospel-Powered
Proclamation
In perhaps the most famous passage on discipleship, Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus issues the Great
Commission for the Church, which involves proclamation. We are to become better
disciples through love for God and love for others by equipping and empowering
others to do the same. We are called to growth as we extend the gospel of life
to a dead world.
Gospel-Powered
Proclamation is the result of discipleship.
God has determined the exact time and place in which you live, work and
play for His glory (Acts 17:26). God was
intentional in directing our lives, so we should live with intentionality in
all that we pursue.
We multiply the kingdom by living with the purpose to make God known and
enjoyed. From missional living in interacting with neighbors and coworkers to
missional outreach or short or long-term mission trips, our lives have been
infused with purpose and meaning. The disciple's call is multiplication and
replication through the gospel—for the glory of our God. 2 Corinthians 5:11-12, Matthew 28:18-20