8. Mission STatement To be a Christ-centered community that worships the Trinity and loves our neighbors by applying the Gospel to all areas of life. 8
13. Group Questions Spend a few minutes learning the names and background of your group members. What has been one unique aspect of Grace Church that you’ve noticed ? What do you hope to learn about the church today? 13
16. What Do We Believe? Key Doctrinal Issues SESSION TWOGospel Centrality 16
17. Three Circles of Christian Belief Historic Christian Churches Reformed EvangelicalProtestants 17
18. Outer Circle: All Christians Apostle’s Creed Who Is God? Unique. Creator. Infinite. Trinity. Who Is Jesus? Fully God. Fully Man. 18
19. Evangelical Protestant Circle What is the Bible? Revelation. Canon. Clarity. Who is Mankind? Image of God. Fallen. Sinner by nature and choice. What is Salvation? Reconciliation. Restoration. 19
20. Reformed Churches Sovereignty of God Centrality of Christ’s Work Covenantal view of Scripture Comprehensive worldview 20
21. Why Am I A Christian? new creation creation pre-creation 1 2 3 4 Father: Rom 9:11-13 Romans 3:10-12 Deut 6/Rom 9:23 Eph 1:1-14 Son: Eph 5:25-27 John 10:15 John 10:26-29 John 6:39-40 Holy Spirit: Romans 3:23 John 6:44 2Tim 2:25 John 3:3 Preservation: Phil 1:6 Rom 6:11-14 Rom 12:1-2 Eph 2:9 How do I know that God has saved me? John 6:37 21
26. God’s Call To Community Circles of Relationship Christian community = redemptive relationships Each person is a “minister” Developing real community takes effort,moving friends from outer to inner cicles >> 26
27. Grace Church Community Groups 27 Serves as the Social > Close Friends bridge Our Community Group Systemprovides systematic pastoral care through groups, enabling Christian growth Each group develops a primary Christian community where lives are transformed by the Gospel through mutual ministry Worship| Study | Prayer | Fellowship | Service
28. Membership in a local church Why church membership? Church membership is different: a provider, not a consumer Biblical community and commitment (Heb 3:13) Oversight and care by spiritual leaders (Jer. 17, Hebrews 13:17) Use of spiritual gifts in ministry 28
29. Membership vows 1. Do you acknowledge yourself to be a sinner in the sight of God, justly deserving his displeasure, and without hope except through his sovereign mercy? 2. Do you believe in the Lord Jesus as the Son of God, and Savior of sinners, and do you receive and rest upon him alone for salvation as He is offered in the Gospel? 3. Do you now resolve and promise, in humble reliance upon the grace of the Holy Spirit, that you will endeavor to live as becomes a follower of Christ? 4. Do you promise to support the church in its worship and work to the best of your ability? 5. Do you submit yourselves to the government and discipline of the Church, and promise to strive for its purity and peace? 29
31. How Do I Become a Member? Membership Seminar Membership Application / InterviewContact a pastor to set up an appointment Session Approval Take Public Vows (+ Baptism, if needed) Do I Have To Be A Presbyterian To Join?NO! 31
32. Invested and connected together Meet Worship Events Sunday Classes Sunday Teams Pastoral Care Grace@Work Community Groups Belong Serve Retreats GraceCares Leadership GraceGlobal 32
33. Group Questions What does community look and feel like to you? Where at Grace Church have you already participated? How did that help you get involved? Have you connected to a community group? Share a highlight of that group. 33
34. Living Out the Gospel For Others SESSION FOURGOSPEL MISSION 34
35. “Missional Church” What compels us since our launch? Not for ourselves but for others Stay ‘simple’ and focused on mission Speak in plain language, avoid “us/them” Not embarrassing to your friends “Success” = gospel changed lives Enter into the world around us Live radically changed and surprising lives 35
36. Missional: Christ Centered Church Life 36 Community Centered Around Jesus, Not the “Boundary” Entry Church Focused on the “Boundary” Markers And Not Focused on the Core Gospel
37. ‘Restarted’ Grace Extends gospel Focus on mission Reach neighbors Develop leaders Leverages staff Multi-Site and New Churches 37
38. One Church in Many Locations 38 Future Sites Stanford RUF Future Sites
39. Global Missions 39 RESTARTING a new emphasis on mission in 2010 Supporting missions in other cities – SE Asia, Mexico, Africa, Bulgaria, Pakistan Sending short-term teams from Grace to help church plant networks (ex: Saltillo) Helping foreign church planting and training local leaders Concern for physical needs of developing nations and issues of justice: Compassion, Chalmer’s Center, Kiva, IJM
40. Worship IN mission First: God’s GloryWorship at Grace Church connects Christians to God Second: Expanding God’s GloryWorship at Grace Church connects other people to God. 40
41. Stewardship in Mission 41 All Money is God’s Money Giving Must Be In Significant Proportions. 10%+ Evaluate your heart with regard to money What do you most enjoy spending money on? What percentage of your income is going to: God's causes, people in need. How close is it to 10% of your income? Giving Must be Regular and Consistent Prayerfully distributed among Christian causes as God directs
45. Gospel Transformation Gospel brings a new relationship with God:Not boss/employee, but father/child Change from the inside out: New identity united in Christ Jesus. Real change is deeper than behavioral change Idolatry is the root sin: a functional savior that’s not Jesus. Examples: Despair, guilt, fear, anger, manipulation, lust, hopelessness… evidence of idolatry Worshiping the Real God, loving Jesus more, leads to greater holiness Christians continually grow by grace, through faith, in deepening circles 45
46. Transforming Grace 46 Dynamic of Spiritual Transformation: Faith / RepentanceOn New / Off Old >> Means of Grace Private Prayer, Bible Worship, Sacraments Preaching, Teaching Fellowship Service Study Meditation, etc.
47. THE Christlike Life (God’S Law) Why Commandments? God's law expresses his character, i.e. what he is like, what he loves, what he hates. Since we are created in his image, we can only find fulfillment in a life of law-keeping. The law expresses what we were both made and redeemed for (Exodus 20:1-2). Law and Love Sinless Perfection, or a Lifetime of Repentance? Christian Ethics in the Public Sphere 47
48. Case Study: Grace in Conflict Matthew 18:15-17 Conflict resolution. Colossians 1:19-20 Focus on God Focus on self Focus on ‘enemy’ 48
49. 4 Steps of Forgiveness Glorify God Get the log out of your eye Gently show your brother his fault Be reconciled 49
50. Peacemaking In the Church Informal Discipline (below the surface)Self-examinationSitting under ScripturesGeneral interaction among believers. Personal conflict resolution. Formal DisciplineFor non-repentanceElders and PastorsWhole church 50
51. purpose of church discipline Maintain the honor and glory of God(Rom. 2:23-24) Maintain and promote the purity of Christ's Church (1 Cor. 15:33-34) Restore the fallen to a life of godliness(Gal. 6:1) 51
53. Cities and Cultures 53 Broken Design: Separation, class and danger Competition and inhumanity Cultural gods dominate(tallest buildings = home for the ‘gods’) God’s Design: Refuge for the weak and safety Culture making and creativity Spiritual center for God’s glory
54. Social Problems are worship problems Societal “Functional Saviors” Wealth Race/ethnicity State Reason/education Progress/technology Leads to injustice, violence, strife, dependency, intolerance 54
56. Gospel is neither Left nor right Brings Hope to Hopeless, Humility to Powerful, Unity to Separated, Bond of Common Grace Mercy partners Community Pregnancy Center CityTeam Hope for a Child Compassion International Leland House (with RUF) New Ministies… plus personal and group ministries 56
59. God’s Kingdom purposes Redeeming the World: New Heavens and New Earth Your Whole Life is for God’s Glory and to serve his Kingdom Gospel: You have been saved for a purpose 59
60. Calling in Church and Life Where Do I Serve Best? ABILITY AFFINITY OPPORTUNITY 60
CALL TO PLANT CHURCH: DONNA, KIDS AND MYSELF.FUNDRAISING AROUND THE COUNTRY. CHURCHES AND PEOPLE PRAY AND GIVE. MOVED HERE SUMMER OF 2000FOUNDING GROUP– 10-15 PEOPLE PRAYING/PLANNING/REACHING
FIRST SERVICE 8 YEARS AGO. APRIL 2001 – 50 PEOPLE? ONLY CHURCH THAT YEAR STARTED ABOVE A SPORTS BAR: KNUCKLE’S AT RICKEY’S HYATT– EMPHASIS ON SCRAPPY, LOW-KEY, SMALLVALUES IN PLACE, EVEN SO A REAL IMPACT
2003CHILDREN’S MINISTRY GREW BEYOND FOUNDINGFAMILIES. RUF STARTED. DAVID AND MINDI JONES: SIGNIFICANT BOOST FOR STANFORD STUDENTS.
ELDERS, DIACONATE, ASSOCIATE PASTORORGANIZATION SERVICE ESTABLISHED US AS AN OFFICIAL CHURCH IN ONLY 4 SHORT YEARSPEOPLE COMMITTED TO SACRIFICIAL SERVICEGRACE TEEN AND GROWING KIDSSERVING IN MERCY AND COMPASSION
Improving CommunityApplying Lessons LearnedCommunicationPeople interactionCommunity GroupsFinancial Stability“More with Less”Budget RestraintConsistent StewardshipMember InvolvementAdding more lay leadershipClarifying rolesCreativityRecovering MissionMulti-SiteMercy Ministry
Areas of fundamental agreement between all Christians:Who is God? 1. Absolutely Unique (Exodus 3).2. Incomprehensible yet Knowable - Both Infinite and Personal(Job 11:7; Isaiah 40:18; John 17:3; I John 5:20).3. Trinity - God is One (Deuteronomy 6:4; James 2:19).God is Three Persons (Matthew 28;19; John 5:23; 14:15-26; 16-27; 20:22).Who is Jesus Christ? 1. Fully God (Mark 2:10; Matthew 28:20; John 8:19, 58; 5:18).2. Fully Man (John 1:1, 14; Hebrews 2:10-18).
What is the Bible? 1. Revelation - The very words of God (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21).2. Canon - Scripture alone is our final standard.Traditions that conflict with scripture have no authority (Matthew 15:6) .3. Clear for all believers - Understanding, Interpretation, Application (2Tim 3:16-17). Who is mankind? 1. Created in God's Image - Original and Continued Glory (Genesis 1:26 - 31). 2. Fallen - Shame (Genesis 3). 3. Sinful - Both By Nature (Mark 7:21-23; Ephesians 2:1-10). And By Choice (Romans 3:23; 6:23). What does it mean to be Saved? 1. Reconciliation - answers the sin nature problemThough we are sinners, God seeks us out in love (Romans 5:6).Jesus came to rescue us from the sin dilemma (Matthew 1:21; I John 4:14).On the cross, Jesus took our place. He became our sin-bearer (I Peter 3:18; 2 Corinthians 5:21).Through Christ's work we are reconciled to God, and have peace with God (Romans 5:1-2; 8:1-2).Salvation is freely offered to all - by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9).2. Restoration - answers the ongoing sin problemGod enables us to hate our sin and turn away from it (2Tim 2:25).He sends his Spirit into our lives to restore us into his image, i.e., to make us like Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18; I Thessalonians 5:18-21).Sanctification is the process of renewal in time; Glorification is the finished product (Romans 8:28-29).
1. Because God Chose You Unconditionally Before TimeGod chooses whom He will save. His decision is not based on anything we have done good or bad (Romans 9:11-13). He doesn't “foresee the good guys” because there are no good guys. We are all guilty (Romans 3:10-12). If election were based on merit no one would ever be elect! (Deuteronomy 6:9; I Corinthians 1:27; Romans 9:23). God shows his mercy to people who neither want nor deserve it. Why did God choose you and me? The answer is a mystery. It was for his own glory, and because in his mercy He was pleased to do so. Not fair? (Ephesians 1:1-14; Romans 9).2. Because Christ Died for You Personally on the CrossChrist's atonement is personal. He died for his church (Ephesians 5:25-27). He “laid down his life for his sheep” (John 10:15, 26-29). He came to give his life for “all the Father had given him” (John 6:39; 10:29; 17: 2,24), and promised to raise all of them up on the last day (John 6:39 - 40). 3. Because the Holy Spririt Made You Alive When You Were Spiritually DeadWe have free will, in that we are free to do whatever we desire; however, no one naturally desires to love or obey God (Romans 3:23; 8:7; I Corinthians 2:14). We are not sick with sin - we are dead in it! (Ephesians 2:1-2). Our only hope is for Christ to make us alive (Regeneration), for him to draw us to himself (John 6:44). Just as God created the world out of nothing by calling it into being - “Let there be” - so he calls us into life out of death (2 Corinthians 4:5-6). The ability to repent and place our faith in Christ is a gift (2 Timothy 2:25; Ephesians 2:8-9). God acts first in our salvation - He is its author (Hebrews 2:10; 12:2).Regeneration (God's action) must come before faith (our response), or faith wouldn’t be a gift and our salvation would be ultimately based on our good works. We must be born again to see the kingdom (John 3:3), and that new birth comes from God (John 1:12-13). God's grace is the only reason one person is a Christian and another is not. For who makes you different than anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive?” (I Corinthians 4:7).4. Because God Wants You Forever And Will Preserve YouGod begins our salvation and promises to carry it through to completion, i.e., complete restoration to the image of Christ (Philippians 1:6; John 10:27-30). Our growth is a matter of cooperation with God's Spirit (Romans 6:11-14; 12:1-2; 13:12-14; Ephesians 6:10-18), but God is the ultimate source of our growth (I Thessalonians 5:23 -24; Ephesians 2:9; Philippians 2:12-13). 5. How Do I Know That God Has Chosen Me?John 6:37 says “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.” We know that those who truly come to Christ (believe in him) do so because God has made them alive, Christ has died for them, and God has chosen them.
GO OVER THE CHART QUICKLY. Compare the two ways of avoiding the gospel.GOSPEL ‘THIRD WAY’… a Christian is someone who has adopted a whole new system of approach to God. They realize their entire reason for either irreligion or religion has been essentially the same and essentially wrong! Christians realize that both their sins and their best deeds have all really been ways of avoiding Jesus as savior. “... the way to avoid Jesus was to avoid sin.” (Flannery O'Connor). As Luther put it, the Christian is simuljustus et peccator—simultaneously accepted, yet a sinner. When the gospel dawns on the soul, it becomes a transforming power (Romans 1:17). A Christian says: “though I have often failed to obey the law, the deeper problem is why I was ever trying to obey it!” Even our effort to obey it is just a way of seeking to be our own savior. In that mindset, even if we obey or ask for forgiveness, we am really resisting the gospel and setting ourselves up as Savior. To “get the gospel” is turn from self-justification and rely on Jesus' record for a relationship with God. “Lay your deadly doing down, down at Jesus' feet. Stand in Him, in Him alone—gloriously complete.” (Unknown)
New relationship because of God’s graceUnion with Christ, changing from the inside > outIdolatry is the root sinExamples of behavior/symptom caused by idolatryHoliness = true worship of ChristSanctification by grace through faith…. Leads to the NEXT slide for the process
Respond to Conflict: Who is glorified? Who has the focus: God? Me? Opponent?Personal PeacemakingOVERLOOK AN OFFENSE— Many disputes (SPOUSES ! DO THIS OFTEN)are so insignificant that they should be resolved by quietly overlooking an offense. “A man’s wisdom giveshim patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense” (Prov. 19:11). Overlooking an offense is a form of forgiveness,and involves a deliberate decision not to talk about it, dwell on it, or let it grow into pent-up bitterness or anger.RECONCILIATION— If an offense is too seriousto overlook or has damaged our relationship, we need to resolve personal or relational issues through confes-sion, loving correction, and forgiveness. “[If] your brother has something against you…go and be reconciled” (Matt. 5:23-24). “Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin,you who are spiritual should restore him gently” (Gal. 6:1; see Matt. 18:15). “Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Col. 3:13).NEGOTIATION— Even if we successfully resolve relational issues, we may still need to related to moneyASSISTED – Helped by ‘one or two others’…. Then the elders…. Then the church
