1 John 5: 12-14
Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 

 

Our confidence is in Jesus and what He has done.

 

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 

Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures 

 

The Gospel is of first Importance and what we stand in.

 

1 Thessalonians 2:8 

We cared so much for you that we were pleased to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. 

 

We desire to share our lives with on another and seek the kind of community that is dear and deeply valued.

 

1 Corinthians 14:24, 25 

But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you. 

 

Our gatherings are intended to be spiritually impactful and focused on God’s presence.

 

Ephesians 4:16 

“He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.”

 

God is a work in the body and each of us have a special part in encouraging one another and seeing the church grow healthy and full of love. 

 

Acts 2:41-47

“So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”  

 

They devoted themselves to teaching, to life together, to prayer, to generosity  and to gladness and gratitude. 

 

Titus 3:8-9

This saying is trustworthy. And I want you to emphasize these things, so that those who have believed Godwill take care to devote themselves to good deeds. These things are excellent and profitable for the people.9But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the law, because these things are pointless and worthless.

 

We are going to keep primary things first and will not bind the conscience over secondary issues. 

 

John 3:27

John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven.”

 

We will preach Jesus, die, and be forgotten. Everything we have was given to us by grace. We will not lay claim to God’s glory.