New Series: Essentials
What does it mean to be a Christian? What sense can we reasonably make of God? What is the significance of the Bible? Who was Jesus? What is the purpose and function of the church?
Essentials is a five week sermon series that explores the foundational elements of the Christian faith. Starting on May 21 we will preach through a series of essential Christian doctrines in a way that makes them accessible to all people, Christian and skeptic alike. Our goal is to gain a deeper understanding of the core beliefs that define us as Christians, and to be challenged to live out these beliefs with greater passion and conviction.
Week 1: God
Core to the Christian faith is the belief that God created humanity with a purpose and that despite the brokenness and pain of the world, God’s purpose remains the same. Together we’ll explore God’s intention for the world and we’ll look to the Bible as we seek an answer to the question “Who is God?”
Week 2: The Bible
Christians believe that the Bible is God’s word to humanity, that it was written by human authors under the supernatural inspiration and authorship of the Holy Spirit and that Christian believers today receive spiritual illumination, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to enable them to understand the Scriptures. Together we’ll unpack this belief and will explore the role of the Bible in the Christian life.
Week 3: Personhood
Christians believe that humanity was created in the image and likeness of God as male and female but that through rebellion towards God, sin, they incurred both spiritual and physical death. What we understand about humanity is central to how we make sense of what it means to be a Christian. Together we’ll explore human personhood in light of the Biblical story.
Week 4: Jesus and the Gospel
Christians believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, and by His sinless life, miracles and teaching, gave full revelation of the God the Father. He died upon the cross as a sacrifice for all people and rose from the dead on the third day. Through his life, death, and resurrection he has defeated the powers of sin and death and Christians await his second coming when he will establish His kingdom in righteousness and peace. Together we will explore this belief and will discuss why the Jesus is good news for humanity.
Week 5: The Holy Spirit and the Church
Christians believe that the church was commissioned by Jesus to make disciples and to be a signpost of God’s coming Kingdom to the world. By the power of the Holy Spirit, Christians live their lives in the reality of the good news of Jesus and participate in the community that he established, the church. Together we will explore the importance and significance of the Christian church and the importance of the Holy Spirit in the continuation of the church.
