LIVE THE GOSPEL
“…Live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” (Philippians 1:27, HCSB)
“…and he [Jesus] died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.” (2 Corinthians 5:15)
“Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” (1 Peter 2:12. NIV)
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind…” (Romans 12:2, ESV)
The Gospel is the message of new creation for (at least) an individual. Our lives reflect the work God has done in our hearts. We do not mold our hearts by our outward works, but rather we ‘put on the new self’ created according to God’s likeness (Ephesians 4); an inward new life (the free gift of God to us) being worked outwardly (the joyful expression of our obedience to God) to the glory of God.
PREACH THE GOSPEL
“Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” (1 Corinthians 9:16, ESV)
“I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus…preach the word…” (2 Timothy 4:1-2, ESV)
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…” (Romans 1:16, ESV)
“And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” (Romans 10:14, ESV)
Not only do our everyday lives express the gospel work in our hearts, but our words will clearly tell the world the message of what God has done through the person of Jesus Christ. ‘We are not ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of God for the salvation of all who believe.’ Therefore, we publicly proclaim the miraculous message of the gospel to others and offer it to all who will believe.
TEACH THE GOSPEL
“Now we have received…the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.” (1 Corinthians 2:12, ESV)
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness…” (2 Timothy 3:16, ESV)
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another…” (Colossians 3:16, NIV)
The gospel is the work of God giving us new life instantaneously, continually, and eternally. The ramifications of the Gospel are experienced daily, in every moment and situation of life. We learn to interpret the happenings of life in the light of the Gospel, and we learn how the Gospel applies to every facet of our existence. The Gospel illumines our days, and our days are the space where the Gospel continually unfolds to us. Therefore, we teach (and learn) the full counsel of the bible, relying on the Holy Spirit’s ministry, in order to consistently and fully live and grow in this new life.
SHARE THE GOSPEL
“’Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has mercy on you.’” (Mark 5:19, ESV)
“’Freely you have received, freely give.’” (Matthew 10:8, NIV)
We believe in the supreme value of people and of God’s gift of life through Jesus Christ. We also know that we do not merit, in any way, the lavish love of God who made us his very own children. Therefore, we share the love and gospel of Jesus with those around us in our daily lives. We do this respectfully and gently in accordance with the context of our neighbor’s perspective that the message would be most clearly understood by them. We pray for the Lord of the harvest to send workers into the broader field of the whole world for the purpose of harvesting the fruit of people’s salvation and God’s glory.
DEFEND THE GOSPEL
“Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth…” (2 Timothy 2:25, NIV)
“…always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect…” (1 Peter 3:15, ESV)
“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God…” (2 Corinthians 10:5, ESV)
We speak clearly in response to opposing and contrary doctrines that distort and/or deny the truth of the gospel. We prepare our minds and hearts for this in order to be able to gently instruct others according to the truth of the gospel, and we remain hopeful that God will grant others the grace to turn from falsehood to truth.
