There are many reasons why individuals leave the church, but there are only a handful of values that tend to keep people plugged into regular cooperate worship and the ministry of God’s people. At the very top of the list is the personal conviction that a relationship with Jesus is the only way to find true fulfillment in this life.
Observations & Conclusions:
- Disciples are disclosed as faithful
- Disciples are defined by continuing conformity
- Disciples are depicted by their reputation
- Disciples are described by transformation
Application:
An Identity crafted by Experiencing Jesus as The Transformational Truth means:
- Leaning on God
- Listening to God
- Looking for God
- Living for God
How can I help?
- Cooperative Relational Investment
- Correct vs Cultural Christianity
- Create space for and openly engage the “big” questions
- Carefully Follow Jesus
- Curate Close Connections with Jesus
- Church 2nd Home 1st
3 John 3-4
“It gave me great joy to have some brothers come and tell about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
John 18:37
“You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”
John 14:6
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Revelation 3:7
“To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.”
Isaiah 30:20-22
“Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Then you will desecrate your idols overlaid with silver and your images covered with gold; you will throw them away like a menstrual cloth and say to them, “Away with you!”
John 15:18-21
“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me.”