Who is Jesus?
Many argue that Jesus is the most intriguing figure in the history of humanity. In 2019, LIFE Magazine released an issue entitled, “Jesus: Who Do You Say That I Am?” Many other pop culture magazines have released similar issues. Our question isn’t so much, “did Jesus exist?” but rather, “who was he?” On top of that, if he did in fact resurrect from the grave, and the tomb was in fact empty, it changes everything.
So, who is Jesus?
Jesus is God (John 20:28, Matthew 8:27, John 1:14, Colossians 2:9)
Jesus is Human (John 1:14, Matthew 20:28, Luke 2:7)
Jesus is King (Revelation 19:16, Matthew 28:18, Hebrews 1: 3-4, Matthew 16:16)
Jesus is Teacher (John 3:2, Luke 5:5, Mark 10:51)
Jesus is Savior (Luke 2:11, Luke 19:10, Titus 2:13)
Each of these aspects of who Jesus is has implications for us in response.
Resource: Simply Jesus - Dr. NT Wright
What is discipleship to Jesus?
We all are being formed. Everyone is a disciple of something or someone...it’s a matter of who or what are we a disciple of.
DISCIPLE: Student, Follower, Apprentice
Jesus is most often referred to in the gospel as “master” or “teacher.” He calls a handful of men and women to follow him and be his disciples.
A disciple of Jesus is someone who has devoted (holiness) their life to follow Jesus and his teachings; orienting themselves around being with him, becoming like him, and doing what he did.
In discipleship, there is a call (Matthew 4), a cost (Matthew 16), and a commission (Matthew 28)
DISCIPLESHIP: Practicing the way of Jesus together
We believe disciples require community and practice. Jesus doesn’t call one, he calls multiple to be disciples (Matthew 4:18-21). He is also clear that to follow him requires obeying his teachings and then teaching others how to obey (John 14:23 / Matthew 28:19-20). The ultimate end goal of discipleship to Jesus is to be transformed (sanctification) to look more like him in desire, word, and deed - to love God and neighbor with all that we are (Luke 6:40 / 2 Corinthians 3:18 / 1 Thessalonians 5:23).
Resource: The Great Omission - Dr. Dallas Willard
We believe discipleship requires three communal spaces:
Intimate Space (you and God)
Personal Space (you and a few others)
Social Space (you and the gathered local church)
Our Response:
Jesus calls you to follow him and practice his teachings. He was and is a good rabbi, take his teachings upon you and learn from him the way of the good life. There are two ways in life, the narrow and the wide, Jesus calls us to take the narrow way that leads to life (Matthew 7:13-14). An important first step of discipleship to Jesus is baptism. We encourage you to consider the beauty as well as the cost and be baptized! If you are interested in baptism, fill out the form below.
What is the Gospel?
“Gospel” in the New Testament is the Greek word euangelion and it means a royal announcement or good news. In the first century, it was mostly associated with the proclamation made by messengers of the arrival of a king. Therefore, the gospel isn’t simply a good idea or a good belief, but rather a good reality. New Testament scholar NT Wright say’s, “The gospel is about events that have taken place that as a result of which the world is a different place.” So, what is this announcement or good news?
The gospel is the redemptive story of Jesus launching his kingdom on earth as it is in heaven and inviting us to enter in. In Jesus’ words, “The kingdom of heaven is near (Matthew 4:17).” This is why Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are referred to as “the gospels,” they tell the story of Jesus. Paul reiterates this clearly in 1 Corinthians 15: 1-8.
The gospel in three words: Jesus is King
Resource: King Jesus Gospel - Dr. Scot McKnight
Our Response:
Jesus invites you, by way of his grace, to trust (faith) in him as King/Lord of your life. By doing so, we are able to receive abundant life, salvation, and power to live in victory over sin.
What is the Mission/Story of God?
To understand the story of Jesus, we must understand the story of God, which has four parts:
Creation - Genesis 1 & 2
Fall (Israel) - Genesis 3
Redemption (Church) - The Gospel of Jesus and his Kingdom
New Creation - Revelation 21 & 22
The gospel is the climax of the story and mission of God in the world. In fact, the whole Bible reveals the mission of God.
God’s mission in the world is to bring healing and renewal to all of creation by way of his presence...healing and renewal result ultimately in flourishing and the common good (peace/shalom)
Our Response:
God invites us, through Jesus, to participate and contribute in his renewal project in the world - to see new life spring forth as people who carry the presence of the Holy Spirit and bear witness to the gospel of Jesus. We are to engage the original call of being image-bearers in this world and cultivating the world as a playground of God’s glory, beauty, love, justice, and peace.
Resource: Long Story Short - Dr. Joshua McNall
What Is The Bible?
The Bible in Latin simply means “the book.”
It is, however, not just a book but a collection of books, sixty-six in particular. You could even call it a library. Within this sacred library, there are various types of genres of literature - poetry, history, law, teaching, biography, letters, and apocalyptic. In fact, roughly 75% of the library known as The Bible is narrative or story. The beauty in this is that stories are what change us and give us a sense of meaning.
This collection is also referred to as Scripture, or “sacred writing.”
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. - 2 Timothy 3: 16-17
When you read the bible as Scripture, you are submitting to its intention to change you. The Scriptures are historically viewed as authoritative and inspired by God, but written through the personality and writing style of each writer.
Though the Scriptures were not written to us, they are for us. Because of that, we must read exegetically or “from the text out.” In other words, what was the author saying to his audience at that time, and what we are to glean from that? The Scriptures as a whole were given to the entire community of faith throughout time. They are authoritative - both human and divine.
Most important, the Scriptures reveal the Story of God and point to the person of Jesus. Here is what Dr. Tim Mackie and Jon Collins from The Bible Project have to say about the bible:
“From page one to the final word, we believe the Bible is a unified story that leads to Jesus. This diverse collection of ancient books overflows with wisdom for our modern world. As we let the biblical story speak for itself, we believe the message of Jesus will transform individuals and entire communities.”
Resources:
How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth - Dr. Gordon Fee & Dr. Douglas Stuart
Seized by Truth: Reading the Bible as Scripture - Dr. Joel B Green
What Does it Mean to be Human?
“Human” in Hebrew is the word adam. Sound familiar? What it means to be human is a question that dates back, literally, to the beginning of humanity’s creation. What separates us from the rest of the animal kingdom, or is there anything? Why are there human rights? These are important questions.
To put it plainly, historic Christian theology has taught that all humans are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). Humans are innately positioned as being created out of the image of God, distinguishing humans from the rest of the animal kingdom. This affirms that all humans, from the moment of conception, have inherent dignity and worth. On top of this, being made in the image of God also implies a vocation - to represent and image God into the world as priests and representatives. (Genesis 1:26). Unfortunately, due to sin, humankind has failed in its vocational call. Disintegration, disordered desires, and selfishness now exist and humanity’s reflection of God is distorted - this is why we needed the perfect human to redeem us; Jesus, the image of God (Colossians 1:15).
A human being has also been equipped with the necessary attributes to represent God in this world. This is seen in “The Shema” prayer of the OT, and Jesus repeats in the gospel as the summation of the law - “…Love (humans are lovers, see St. Augustine’s Confessions) the LORD your God with all your heart (will, emotions, mind, physical) and with all your soul (living thing) and with all your strength (muchness).
Due to the fact that God is our creator, and we are his creation, there is design, intention, morality, and accountability for what human flourishing looks like. He has a blueprint we were created to live in and out of. A basic model for human flourishing is found in Galatians 5:13, “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” Humans require freedom, meaning, love, and community to thrive.
Resources:
You Are Not Your Own - Dr. Alan Noble
Garden City - John Mark Comer
You Are What You Love - Dr. James KA Smith
The Liberating Image - Dr. J Richard Middleton