We Believe: God the Father

As Christians we think and talk about God a lot, but what do we actually believe about God? Who is he? What are his attributes? What has he done throughout history? And can an ancient idea like God actually be relevant in the 21st century?

God is more than just an idea; he is the powerful, righteous, and gracious creator and re-creator of everything that exists. This morning we learn some of the most essential Christian beliefs about the first person of the Trinity, God the Father.

Resources:

SOAP Guide (pdf) (more SOAP guide formats on Documents page)

Statement of Faith draft (pdf)

Hymn: His Mercy is More (link)

We Believe: The Scriptures

There is more information available today than ever before.  And most of that is trying to make you act a certain way.  So how do you know what is true?  How do you know what information will actually help you in your life's purpose?  How do you know what your life's purpose even is?

This morning we remind ourselves why we trust the Bible as our highest authority, and we learn a simple way to study the Bible for ourselves, so we can learn from it directly.

You Reap What You Sow

It's common knowledge: you get out what you put in.  This fact is true in our work lives, in our schools, even in our relationships with what another.

It's also true of our spiritual lives.  This week, as we conclude our series in Galatians, we ask why Paul chose this simple reality to conclude such a powerful letter.

Source and Resources

Sometimes we get sources and resources confused.  Jesus teaches us in John 15 that he is the source of our life, not just a resource.

Our job as Christians is to remain centered in Christ—vitally connected to him.  Our very life depends on it.  

My Brother's Keeper

"Look out for number one," right?

Wrong.

In the last chapter of Galatians we see how our faith in Christ compels us to care for one another—for our neighbors and for the world.  True Christian faith inevitably results in generous, compassionate relationships.  And these relationships are rooted in our understanding of a God who has been incomprehensibly generous and compassionate to us.  

Roots and Fruit

You can't fix a bad apple tree by spray-painting the apples red.  The apples may look nice, but if you really want to fix the problem, you have to look at the roots.  The same is true of our spiritual lives.  We can't "fix" ourselves just by changing our behavior; we have to address our spiritual roots.  Find out how:

To Emulate Christ

It's an unfortunate fact that there are some people who teach a false version of Christianity in order to exploit or control people.  In fact, any time someone uses "Christianity" to get ahead of someone else, they are embracing a false faith.  Christianity is not about control; it's about freedom.  This week we see how God set us free not only from spiritual slavery, but he set us free to love and serve one another.  

Jesus + Nothing = Everything

Jesus set us free so that we could live free.  It sounds obvious when you say it that way, but we all struggle to embrace the freedom that he offers us.  We look at three reasons why religious laws can't set us free, two spiritual equations that help us understand where Jesus fits in the big picture of our faith (hint: he's a big deal!), and two diagnostic questions that can reveal what or whom our hearts really trust.

Our Plans vs. God's Plans

Sometimes life doesn't turn out quite like we think it will.  We make plans, we anticipate certain events, and life takes an unexpected turn.  For Bill and Ann Clemmer, life took several dramatic turns.

Hear from Ann, a missionary to the Democratic Republic of Congo, who shares about her life's twists and turns, and how God's plans are always better than our plans.

My Way or the High(er) Way

When we take God's promises into our own hands, things turn out disastrously.  It happened when Abraham and Sarah thought God needed their help, and it happens when we think God needs our help.  But, when we trust that God does things his way, in his timing, we not only enjoy a more free life, but we avoid a self-righteous or insecure faith.

From Slave to Son

Slave or Son?

The Curse of the Law

Sons and Daughters of Abraham

Two Futures

First Things First

Grace and Growth

The real good news

Delighting Yourself in the Lord

Life and Death