Gatherings | Calendar | Listen | Give | Contact | FAQ
Gospel Identity
The Gospel Motivates
Our lives and ministry will be hi-jacked by another gospel (consider the Galatian church) if we don’t let THE Gospel guide our Motives and Methods… Our motivation is not based upon trying to accomplish something (performance), become something (significance), obtain something (security) or cover up something (create a false impression). Our motivation is based upon what God has accomplished for us in Jesus Christ (our justification); who He has made us to be and is making us to be (a new creation – new identity); and what He is doing in us and through us by the power of His Spirit (Sanctification and Restoration).
Who are you in Christ?
As new creations in Christ we leave our old identities behind, along with everything in our pasts (titles, successes, failures, etc...) in order to find ourselves in Christ. Once we come to Christ we begin to see ourselves in the light of a holy God, having no righteousness of our own. Once we understand who God is, we can begin to understand who we are in Him. This is our primary identity! This becomes the lens through which we see life! We no longer need to struggle to improve ourselves and change our behavior, but we can now rest in God as we begin to believe who He has made us to be... our behavior will begin to flow from those beliefs held in our heart (not just our heads). If we are living different lives than our identities would suggest, it is because we are acting out of character, and in that moment we are not believing the truth of God's word, and who He says we are. We see this throughout the Bible, example after example. If we will learn to understand who we are in Christ, begin to believe it in our hearts, and begin to live our lives out of those identities, our lives will be both fruitful and fulfilling.
Our Gospel Identity:
We have a new identity because of what He has accomplished and it is in light of what He has done for us and who we are in Christ that we do anything rightly. Our Sanctification comes out of our Justification. We live differently because of what he has done and who we are in Christ. Our doing comes out of our being.
Family
We are children of God who live and care for each other as a family.
God has always desired a people–an earthly family–who would live in such a way that the world would know what he is like. Jesus said that those who live in his ways and obey his Father are truly his family. Through Jesus we believe we are children of God and brothers and sisters with each other. As family we see it as our obligation to personally care for the needs of one another – both physically and spiritually. We disciple, nurture and hold each other accountable to this Covenant life together. We do this through regular celebration gatherings and consistent involvement in a DNA group. (Genesis 12:1-3; John 1:12-13; Romans 12:10-16)
Ambassadors
We are sent by God to restore all things to himself.
God sent his son, Jesus, to Earth to take on human form and live within the culture. He worked, ate and interacted among the people; living in such a way that those around him could see and experience what God was truly like. Jesus came so that all people, places and things could be restored to a right relationship with God. In the same way, we believe we are ambassadors sent into our culture to restore all things to God through Jesus. We live this out as part of a missional community. (John 1:14; 20:21; Colossians 1:19; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21)
Servants
We are servants of God who serve others as a way of life.
Fully God–fully human, Jesus took on the posture of a servant. He gave his life, even unto death, so that others could experience salvation, peace and restoration. Jesus said, “I am among you as one who serves…” All those who follow Jesus are called to serve in the same humility. For us this means joyful submission to God, leadership and to each other, as we serve whomever God brings into our lives. We do Whatever needs doing, Whenever it’s needed and Wherever it leads us (W3). (Matthew 20:25-28; 25:31-46; John 13:1-17; Philippians 2:5-11; 1 Peter 2:16)
Apprentices
We are disciples of Jesus who take responsibility for our own development and the development of others.
He learned from local religious teachers, by living in community, and through regular times of listening to God. Jesus called others to follow his ways, to be his disciples and live in obedience to all that God commands. He then sent these followers out to make new disciples. We believe we are also called to be followers of Jesus who take responsibility for our own development and the development of others. This includes both our personal time with God as well as involvement together in training provided by spiritual leadership. (Luke 2:52; Matthew 28:18-20; Ephesians 4:11-13; 2 Timothy 2:2)
"We are a family (family) on mission (ambassadors) sent by God to serve (servants) our worldand continually learn (apprentices) how to walk in His ways"
Our lives and ministry will be hi-jacked by another gospel (consider the Galatian church) if we don’t let THE Gospel guide our Motives and Methods… Our motivation is not based upon trying to accomplish something (performance), become something (significance), obtain something (security) or cover up something (create a false impression). Our motivation is based upon what God has accomplished for us in Jesus Christ (our justification); who He has made us to be and is making us to be (a new creation – new identity); and what He is doing in us and through us by the power of His Spirit (Sanctification and Restoration).
Who are you in Christ?
As new creations in Christ we leave our old identities behind, along with everything in our pasts (titles, successes, failures, etc...) in order to find ourselves in Christ. Once we come to Christ we begin to see ourselves in the light of a holy God, having no righteousness of our own. Once we understand who God is, we can begin to understand who we are in Him. This is our primary identity! This becomes the lens through which we see life! We no longer need to struggle to improve ourselves and change our behavior, but we can now rest in God as we begin to believe who He has made us to be... our behavior will begin to flow from those beliefs held in our heart (not just our heads). If we are living different lives than our identities would suggest, it is because we are acting out of character, and in that moment we are not believing the truth of God's word, and who He says we are. We see this throughout the Bible, example after example. If we will learn to understand who we are in Christ, begin to believe it in our hearts, and begin to live our lives out of those identities, our lives will be both fruitful and fulfilling.
Our Gospel Identity:
We have a new identity because of what He has accomplished and it is in light of what He has done for us and who we are in Christ that we do anything rightly. Our Sanctification comes out of our Justification. We live differently because of what he has done and who we are in Christ. Our doing comes out of our being.
Family
We are children of God who live and care for each other as a family.
God has always desired a people–an earthly family–who would live in such a way that the world would know what he is like. Jesus said that those who live in his ways and obey his Father are truly his family. Through Jesus we believe we are children of God and brothers and sisters with each other. As family we see it as our obligation to personally care for the needs of one another – both physically and spiritually. We disciple, nurture and hold each other accountable to this Covenant life together. We do this through regular celebration gatherings and consistent involvement in a DNA group. (Genesis 12:1-3; John 1:12-13; Romans 12:10-16)
Ambassadors
We are sent by God to restore all things to himself.
God sent his son, Jesus, to Earth to take on human form and live within the culture. He worked, ate and interacted among the people; living in such a way that those around him could see and experience what God was truly like. Jesus came so that all people, places and things could be restored to a right relationship with God. In the same way, we believe we are ambassadors sent into our culture to restore all things to God through Jesus. We live this out as part of a missional community. (John 1:14; 20:21; Colossians 1:19; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21)
Servants
We are servants of God who serve others as a way of life.
Fully God–fully human, Jesus took on the posture of a servant. He gave his life, even unto death, so that others could experience salvation, peace and restoration. Jesus said, “I am among you as one who serves…” All those who follow Jesus are called to serve in the same humility. For us this means joyful submission to God, leadership and to each other, as we serve whomever God brings into our lives. We do Whatever needs doing, Whenever it’s needed and Wherever it leads us (W3). (Matthew 20:25-28; 25:31-46; John 13:1-17; Philippians 2:5-11; 1 Peter 2:16)
Apprentices
We are disciples of Jesus who take responsibility for our own development and the development of others.
He learned from local religious teachers, by living in community, and through regular times of listening to God. Jesus called others to follow his ways, to be his disciples and live in obedience to all that God commands. He then sent these followers out to make new disciples. We believe we are also called to be followers of Jesus who take responsibility for our own development and the development of others. This includes both our personal time with God as well as involvement together in training provided by spiritual leadership. (Luke 2:52; Matthew 28:18-20; Ephesians 4:11-13; 2 Timothy 2:2)
"We are a family (family) on mission (ambassadors) sent by God to serve (servants) our worldand continually learn (apprentices) how to walk in His ways"
