Sermon: Family Traits
Gospel Truth
Gospel truth brings God and His Word to the people. God's Word distinguishes the Christian message from other religions, philosophies, or ideologies that make truth claims about meaning and purpose. Gospel truth is not another ideological alternative; it is submission to the absolute truth of God foundational to all of life. Gospel truth is not purely a set of historical facts, it is truth personified in a man. Gospel truth is news of what God has done to accomplish salvation through Jesus Christ in history. Gospel truth helps us to grow in every way, empowers us to overcome any barrier, and equips us to solve every problem we encounter.
Gospel Community
Gospel community brings people to God. God creates men and women in his image to live in community together, imitating the eternal relationship shared by the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Gospel Community is a gathering of people in loving submission to one another, fulfilling their God-intended role to serve as unto the Lord. Gospel Community proclaims their faith in Gospel Truth by how they actively love through fellowship, ministry, and discipline. Gospel Community is where the world hears about the love of God, where it sees the love for God, and where it experiences the love of God's people as they are invited to belong before they believe. Gospel Community exists as an expression of God's Kingdom on earth.
Gospel Living
Gospel Living brings God's Lordship to our lives. God conforms us to the image of His Son, calling us to a life in total submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Gospel living is a life of self-denial lived for the approval of God, not men. Gospel Living is a life of humility, sacrificing the pleasures of the world to love and serve. Gospel Living is a life of continuous worship, glorifying God in everything big and small. Gospel living is a life on mission, fulfilling His call to go into the world and make disciples. Gospel Living is a life where Jesus is the supreme hope and joy in all of life and death.