OUR HEARTBEAT

God, by His very nature, loves relationship and people (Genesis 1:26, John 3:16). Mankind, whose nature it is to sin (Romans 3:23), has been separated from relationship with God because of that sin (Ephesians 2:1-3). Jesus came to this world to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15), and to restore relationship with all who trust in Him (John 1:12-13). It’s the desire of our Church to emulate Jesus’ simple approach to life – love God and love people with the love that He supplies. Three simple themes emerge as one studies the New Covenant, and they keep us focused on living a Christ-centered life:

1) WALK WITH JESUS – In the third chapter of the Gospel of Mark, Jesus chooses twelve men with whom He would spend the remainder of His days on earth. He lived with these men. He ate with these men. He shared His life with these men, because God has always loved relationship. How amazing that Jesus chose twelve men, as verse 14 states, to “be with Him”! He did not command them to memorize the Torah, fast for 40 days, or wear funny clothes. He simply desired that they would be with Him. Everything in the life of the believer flows from this simple friendship with the Savior.

2) WORSHIP JESUS – In the fourth chapter of the Gospel of John, Jesus again displays His desire for relationship when He crosses culture and gender lines in order to reach out to a hurting Samaritan woman. Jesus explains that His Father is seeking worshippers who “worship in Spirit and in Truth” (verse 24). Worship is not merely something we do with our lips, worship is a lifestyle. “To bow and to kiss” is how the New Testament defines worship. This attitude of surrender and adoration should influence every aspect of our lives, as we respond to the gracious love of God. If done according to Jesus command, our life of worship will be inspired and empowered by the Holy Spirit, and never in conflict with His Word of Truth, the Bible.

3) WITNESS WITH JESUS – In the first chapter of Acts, verse 8, Jesus promised His disciples that they would receive dynamic power when the Holy Spirit came upon them.  The text tells us that the result of these men being “baptized with the Holy Spirit” would be a powerful witness for Jesus throughout all the earth.  We believe that this promise of power is available to all believers, and is absolutely necessary if we desire to effectively share His love and grace with a lost and dying world.  Just as Jesus always endeavored to join in His Father’s work (John 5:17-20), we simply watch to see where He is at work around us, and we join Him.  With this simple approach and by the power of His Spirit, it’s impossible for us to fail; we simply join Jesus in His work and leave the results to Him.  We believe the message of John 3:16; God loves mankind, and He’s done everything possible to demonstrate that love.  It’s our highest honor to share that great news… Jesus died that we might live!