OUR STORY
Every Nation Church Seattle began in 2001 when some friends from Corvallis, Oregon moved to Seattle to start a brand new church, led by Pastor Bruce and Carol Fidler, and Nik Harrang, our first campus missionary. We began as an outreach to the University of Washington and other local college campuses.
What started out as a few friends seeking God together in a living room has now turned into an intercultural and intergenerational community church made up of people from all over the greater Seattle area.
Since that first Sunday we have met in community centers, other church buildings, and even a movie theater! Now, we currently meet on Sundays at our ministry HUB within the U District and are grateful to be a part of this community.
Where we meet, however, is not nearly as important as why we meet. We don’t believe that the church is a building — rather, we believe people make up the church. The church is not merely an organization, but is first and foremost a family — a living, dynamic community of believers united in Jesus and living on mission with Jesus. We like to say, “We are a family on a mission together in our city.”
We invite you to learn more about who Jesus is, and what it means to love and follow Him within a diverse community of believers who are still learning how to love God and others.
No matter where you are on your spiritual journey — whether you are looking into the Christian faith for the first time, or whether you have walked closely with God for decades — we invite you to join our community, grow in Christ and get on mission with us in our city.
What started out as a few friends seeking God together in a living room has now turned into an intercultural and intergenerational community church made up of people from all over the greater Seattle area.
Since that first Sunday we have met in community centers, other church buildings, and even a movie theater! Now, we currently meet on Sundays at our ministry HUB within the U District and are grateful to be a part of this community.
Where we meet, however, is not nearly as important as why we meet. We don’t believe that the church is a building — rather, we believe people make up the church. The church is not merely an organization, but is first and foremost a family — a living, dynamic community of believers united in Jesus and living on mission with Jesus. We like to say, “We are a family on a mission together in our city.”
We invite you to learn more about who Jesus is, and what it means to love and follow Him within a diverse community of believers who are still learning how to love God and others.
No matter where you are on your spiritual journey — whether you are looking into the Christian faith for the first time, or whether you have walked closely with God for decades — we invite you to join our community, grow in Christ and get on mission with us in our city.
OUR IDENTITY
Christ-Centered
We focus on the words and work of Jesus Christ as the center of our lives. He is the foundation and cornerstone of everything we do.
Spirit-Empowered
We live dependent upon the presence and power of the Holy Spirit for the Christian life and ministry expressed through spiritual giftedness.
Socially Responsible
We act in ways that demonstrate the compassion and character of Christ to our communities locally and globally.
Intercultural
We value the beautiful diversity of the nations living in Seattle and embrace the gift of learning from each other in community.
Intergenerational
We celebrate all stages of life, honoring the older generations and reaching the younger generations.
Missional
We intentionally seek to share our lives and the life-changing message of the Gospel with our friends and family, neighbors, coworkers, and classmates.
OUR MISSION
To Honor God and Make Disciples of Jesus Christ who Love Well
To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
(1 Timothy 1:17)
(1 Timothy 1:17)
And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold I am with you always, to the end of the age."
(Matthew 28:18-20)
(Matthew 28:18-20)
“Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
(Mark 12:28b-31)
“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
(Mark 12:28b-31)
What does our discipleship look like?
We believe our discipleship should look like the ministry of Jesus which is summed up in a simple word: “restoration.” Jesus came to restore people to a relationship with the Father, His people, and His purposes by proclaiming the good news of the gospel, healing hearts, bringing freedom to those who are captive, and by comforting those in pain. The result of this kind of discipleship is people growing and becoming like oaks of righteousness, rooted and grounded in God, and able to restore others to fullness in Christ.
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.
They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for generations.
(Isaiah 61:1-4)
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.
They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for generations.
(Isaiah 61:1-4)
OUR VISION
Can you imagine a place that every person can come to each week, where they could experience the love of God through an intercultural, and intergenerational spiritual family, where the consistent presence of loving leaders will shepherd and pastor them, a place to eat together, celebrate together life’s victories and support each other in life’s challenges, a place to pray with others who know them, a place to discuss Scripture and apply the Gospel’s deep implications for our daily lives, a place to share needs, to use your gifts, and serve one another practically, and a place to bring friends and neighbors who we are praying for, reaching out to and are open to exploring Christianity, so that they too can experience the love of God?
Then it could be said of us that John 13:5 is really true: “they will know that you are my disciples by your love for another.”
This my friends is an ACTS 2 COMMUNITY:
Our vision is to give every person the opportunity to experience the love of Jesus through an Acts 2 community.
From the beginning of the church in Acts, those who accepted the Gospel were baptized, added to the church, and began to devote themselves to new habits and practices as Christ followers. They formed smaller communities that caused them to grow spiritually, emotionally, relationally and numerically.
We believe that the same devotion to shared life and Biblical practices as expressed in the Scripture like the early church and carried forward by generations of Christians, will not only spiritually shape us into healthy disciples of Jesus in our day and time, but it will help us build the kind of loving community that we are confident to invite our neighbors, coworkers and classmates to into.
To this end, we will aim to build, grow and multiply Acts 2 communities throughout Seattle and the world so that we can give every person the opportunity to experience the love of Jesus through an Acts 2 community.
Then it could be said of us that John 13:5 is really true: “they will know that you are my disciples by your love for another.”
This my friends is an ACTS 2 COMMUNITY:
Our vision is to give every person the opportunity to experience the love of Jesus through an Acts 2 community.
From the beginning of the church in Acts, those who accepted the Gospel were baptized, added to the church, and began to devote themselves to new habits and practices as Christ followers. They formed smaller communities that caused them to grow spiritually, emotionally, relationally and numerically.
We believe that the same devotion to shared life and Biblical practices as expressed in the Scripture like the early church and carried forward by generations of Christians, will not only spiritually shape us into healthy disciples of Jesus in our day and time, but it will help us build the kind of loving community that we are confident to invite our neighbors, coworkers and classmates to into.
To this end, we will aim to build, grow and multiply Acts 2 communities throughout Seattle and the world so that we can give every person the opportunity to experience the love of Jesus through an Acts 2 community.
OUR AFFILIATION & VALUES
Every Nation Church Seattle is a member of Every Nation, a global family of churches and ministries. Since being established in 1994, Every Nation has been making disciples, training leaders, and planting churches on six continents. Today we are located in over 80 nations.
Every Nation exists to honor God by planting Christ-centered, Spirit-empowered, socially-responsible churches and campus ministries in every nation.
You can learn more: www.everynation.org
Every Nation exists to honor God by planting Christ-centered, Spirit-empowered, socially-responsible churches and campus ministries in every nation.
You can learn more: www.everynation.org
Every Nation Values
The Apostle Paul exhorted Timothy to "guard the good deposit... with the help of the Holy Spirit" (2 Tim 1:14). Like Timothy, every ministry has a good deposit that must be guarded. As an Every Nation church, our core values articulate for us the good deposit we as a ministry must guard together, lest they be lost.
Lordship
Because Jesus is "King of kings and Lord of lords," we believe that the whole-hearted submission to God's will and his word is the starting point of the Christian faith and the foundation of all spiritual growth. (Colossians 2:6)
Evangelism
Because God's heart is to reach the lost, we're passionate about preaching the gospel and doing ministry in a way that engages people outside of the Christian faith. We seek to build churches primarily through evangelism, not transfer; through birth, not adoption. (John 3:16, Luke 19:10)
Discipleship
Because we're called to make disciples, our primary focus is establishing biblical foundations, equipping believers to minister, and empowering disciples to make disciples - not conducting meetings, facilitating programs, or building buildings. (Matthew 28:19-20)
Leadership
Because we're called to establish churches and campus ministries in every nation, we're committed to a culture of empowering leadership. We're intentionally multi-generational, and we deliberately create opportunities and platforms to develop the next generation of leaders.
(2 Timothy 2:2)
(2 Timothy 2:2)
Family
Because the family is the foundation of and validation of ministry, we refuse to sacrifice our marriages and our children on the altars of temporal success. And because we believe that God has called us to be a spiritual family, we embrace community, reject the idea of disposable relationships, and choose to walk in love, respect, and unity. (Psalm 127:1, 3)
CONNECTING WELL
Connecting and building relationships takes time and investment. So we would like to encourage you with a few tips.
Get to know the people.
- Come early and stay late after worship gatherings to talk with others. Find out what it is that they enjoy about this community.
- Go out to lunch with others.
- Visit a Community Group to get to know folks.
- Invite others into your home
- Take advantage of other events offered (classes, fellowship events, and other special events)
Get involved.
Healthy relationships are always reciprocal.
If you feel like you are receiving from this church, look for opportunities to give back (serve on a ministry team), commit to a community group or ministry, and attend our other discipleship classes.
Your personal involvement and investment will create a sense of personal ownership and deepen feelings of meaningful connection and belonging.
If you feel like you are receiving from this church, look for opportunities to give back (serve on a ministry team), commit to a community group or ministry, and attend our other discipleship classes.
Your personal involvement and investment will create a sense of personal ownership and deepen feelings of meaningful connection and belonging.
Take care of past relationships.
How you leave one season of your life will greatly affect how you enter the next. If you left another church, please discuss with a pastor or leader any areas of pain or disappointment with your former church, if applicable.
Be willing to go back (if necessary) and talk with your former pastor/leader(s) to resolve any outstanding issues. If possible, try to keep the door open relationally so you can return for functions, weddings, etc. Forgive any offenses and release them to the Lord.
Be willing to go back (if necessary) and talk with your former pastor/leader(s) to resolve any outstanding issues. If possible, try to keep the door open relationally so you can return for functions, weddings, etc. Forgive any offenses and release them to the Lord.
Extend grace.
No church is perfect, but we do strive to be a healthy community of faith focused on the Gospel, community, and mission of Jesus.
We want to extend grace, mercy, and love to all ENCS guests, attenders, and members.
Whether you are called to belong to this church family for many years, or for a season while in school or particular career, we ask you for that same grace from you.
As leaders we seek to be approachable and open. We invite feedback, questions, and open dialogue about anything in our community.
We want to extend grace, mercy, and love to all ENCS guests, attenders, and members.
Whether you are called to belong to this church family for many years, or for a season while in school or particular career, we ask you for that same grace from you.
As leaders we seek to be approachable and open. We invite feedback, questions, and open dialogue about anything in our community.
STATEMENT OF FAITH & CREEDS
You can read our Statement of Faith below. We also embrace and adopt the Apostles', Nicene, and Athanasian Creeds, which you can find via the link.
We believe... the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God. (2 Timothy 3:16; 1 Corinthians 2:13)
We believe... that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
We believe... in the special creation of the universe as indicated in Genesis. (Genesis 1; Nehemiah 9:6; Isaiah 42:5; John 1:3; Colossians 1:16-17)
We believe... in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood. In His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return to power and glory. (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; Matthew 1:21; Luke 1:26-35; John 1:18; Romans 4:25; 1 Corinthians 15:1-8; Matthew 24; Mark 16:19; John 14:2-3; Acts 1:9-11; Philippians 2:5-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Hebrews 9:28)
We believe... in the creation of humanity in the image of God and in the rebellion of humanity as recorded in Genesis; our total spiritual depravity and inability to attain divine righteousness. (Genesis 3; Romans 5:12, 18)
We believe... that sin is a transgression of, or falling short of, God's standard in action, thought, and character. All sin breaks relationship with God and others. All individuals are born with indwelling sin that affects our sense of identity, motivation, affection, volition, and actions. The results of sin include separation from God, from each other, and death. (Romans 3:10, 23; 6:23; 14:23; James 4:17; 1 John 5:17)
We believe... in the salvation of sinners by grace, through repentance and faith in the perfect and sufficient work of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection by which we obtain remission of sins. (Romans 5:11; Ephesians 2:8-9; Hebrews 9:12, 22)
We believe... that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
We believe... in the special creation of the universe as indicated in Genesis. (Genesis 1; Nehemiah 9:6; Isaiah 42:5; John 1:3; Colossians 1:16-17)
We believe... in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood. In His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return to power and glory. (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; Matthew 1:21; Luke 1:26-35; John 1:18; Romans 4:25; 1 Corinthians 15:1-8; Matthew 24; Mark 16:19; John 14:2-3; Acts 1:9-11; Philippians 2:5-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Hebrews 9:28)
We believe... in the creation of humanity in the image of God and in the rebellion of humanity as recorded in Genesis; our total spiritual depravity and inability to attain divine righteousness. (Genesis 3; Romans 5:12, 18)
We believe... that sin is a transgression of, or falling short of, God's standard in action, thought, and character. All sin breaks relationship with God and others. All individuals are born with indwelling sin that affects our sense of identity, motivation, affection, volition, and actions. The results of sin include separation from God, from each other, and death. (Romans 3:10, 23; 6:23; 14:23; James 4:17; 1 John 5:17)
We believe... in the salvation of sinners by grace, through repentance and faith in the perfect and sufficient work of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection by which we obtain remission of sins. (Romans 5:11; Ephesians 2:8-9; Hebrews 9:12, 22)
We believe... that for the salvation of the lost and sinful man, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential and by whose indwelling the Christian is united to Christ and enabled to live a godly life. (John 3:3; Romans 8:9-10, 13-14)
We believe... in the necessity of water baptism by immersion in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in order to fulfill the command of Christ. (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38-39; 19:1-6)
We believe... in the baptism of the Holy Spirit as a distinct aspect of the Christian foundational experience with evidence such as speaking in tongues, prophecy, empowerment to witness, to conquer sin, and to live a holy life. (Acts 2:1-4; 8:14-17; 10:44-48; 19:6)
We believe... in the exercise of spiritual gifts mentioned as evidenced in the early church. (1 Corinthians 12-14)
We believe... in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of judgment. (1 Corinthians 15; Revelation 19-21)
We believe... the Scriptures alone are authoritative to define what it means to be human, image bearers of God in all areas of life, including marriage, family, sexuality, morality, and ethics. (Genesis 1:26-28; Genesis 2:24; Exodus 20:1-21; Matthew 5:17-20)
We believe... the Scriptures define marriage as the covenantal relationship between a man and a woman. The importance of this union for the family, the church, and society requires that we support a Biblical view of marriage. (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:24; Matthew 19:5-6; Mark 10:8; 1 Corinthians 7; Ephesians 5:21-33)
We believe... in the necessity of water baptism by immersion in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in order to fulfill the command of Christ. (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38-39; 19:1-6)
We believe... in the baptism of the Holy Spirit as a distinct aspect of the Christian foundational experience with evidence such as speaking in tongues, prophecy, empowerment to witness, to conquer sin, and to live a holy life. (Acts 2:1-4; 8:14-17; 10:44-48; 19:6)
We believe... in the exercise of spiritual gifts mentioned as evidenced in the early church. (1 Corinthians 12-14)
We believe... in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of judgment. (1 Corinthians 15; Revelation 19-21)
We believe... the Scriptures alone are authoritative to define what it means to be human, image bearers of God in all areas of life, including marriage, family, sexuality, morality, and ethics. (Genesis 1:26-28; Genesis 2:24; Exodus 20:1-21; Matthew 5:17-20)
We believe... the Scriptures define marriage as the covenantal relationship between a man and a woman. The importance of this union for the family, the church, and society requires that we support a Biblical view of marriage. (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:24; Matthew 19:5-6; Mark 10:8; 1 Corinthians 7; Ephesians 5:21-33)
STUDY: THE CHURCH
God’s church is not a building, a meeting, or a religious organization; the church is the people of God all over the world. We are part of God’s people, part of the community that is the church. The Bible uses three primary analogies to describe THE CHURCH.
The Church is...
The Church is...
A Holy Temple
Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:20-23)
As a temple of the Lord, the church is a community that is seeking to worship Jesus in spirit and in truth, and love God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength.
A Family
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God. (Ephesians 2:19)
As a family, the church is a community that relates to each other as brothers and sisters who belong to one another, love another, pray for one another, and serve one another in love.
A Body
And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. (Ephesians 1:22-23)
As a body, the church is a community who images God to each other and our world, proclaiming the good news of the gospel, and using our time, talent and resources to practically serve the good of our church, our city, and our communities for the sake of Christ.
We believe that God has perfectly designed His church and how it functions to accomplish what He intends: to grow a people who are loving God, loving one another and serving the world.
We are being the church to the degree that we invest in these three relationships.
Let’s explore what this means.
We are being the church to the degree that we invest in these three relationships.
Let’s explore what this means.
The Church is...
A temple that loves God
The Great Commandment
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself. (Luke 10:27)
The more that we grasp and believe God’s love for us, the more we are enabled to love Him back and be His disciple.
A disciple is someone who has put their trust in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins (salvation) and has committed themselves to following Jesus as the Lord of their life.
This is the starting point for being a disciple. It is a decision to follow Jesus. This means actively turning away from everything the Bible calls sin and actively pursuing relationship with Jesus.
A disciple is someone who has put their trust in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins (salvation) and has committed themselves to following Jesus as the Lord of their life.
This is the starting point for being a disciple. It is a decision to follow Jesus. This means actively turning away from everything the Bible calls sin and actively pursuing relationship with Jesus.
Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. (Matthew 4:19)
In Luke 18:18-23, A rich and powerful businessman who had obtained all the world could offer came to Jesus wanting to know how he could also gain eternal life. After some discussion about trying to keep all the law, the young man was still unsatisfied. “All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said. Jesus finally said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.
Then come, follow me.”
The rich man was saddened by Jesus’ response. He had a higher value than God: Money. He loved it more than God, so Jesus challenged him. He was unwilling to part with his wealth, and the cost of following Jesus was too much.
Following Jesus is more than being a good person. It means to surrender our lives and wills to follow Him. Jesus put it this way: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24)
When we understand the Gospel, God’s great love for us demonstrated through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the proper response is to love Him back withholding nothing.
Then come, follow me.”
The rich man was saddened by Jesus’ response. He had a higher value than God: Money. He loved it more than God, so Jesus challenged him. He was unwilling to part with his wealth, and the cost of following Jesus was too much.
Following Jesus is more than being a good person. It means to surrender our lives and wills to follow Him. Jesus put it this way: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24)
When we understand the Gospel, God’s great love for us demonstrated through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the proper response is to love Him back withholding nothing.
The Church is...
A family that loves one another
The Great Commandment
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself. (Luke 10:27)
Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. (Matthew 4:19)
From the very beginning, Jesus told his disciples that He intended to form them into a community that was being transformed. It is actually here, in Christian community, that we are being changed as we learn how to love one another as Christ loved us.
We love because he first loved us. (1 John 4:19)
“When Jesus first called Matthew to love and follow Him, Matthew had to follow along with Peter and John. He was not given the option of following Jesus alone. Contrary to Western evangelicalisms’ obsession with the individual, discipleship has always been a group project. No one in the New Testament followed independent of other followers. Their faith was lived in community with other followers.” (Steve Murrell)
Question:
- How has God’s love for you and Jesus’ sacrifice impacted your love for God? What is one way you demonstrate your love for Him?
When a person becomes a Christ follower they become a part of God’s family, and are called to fellowship. This is the most common expression for relationships in the church. It means common union or companionship.
It implies more than greeting a few friends at church, but actually traveling alongside friends with whom you share your life as well as the Gospel.
It implies more than greeting a few friends at church, but actually traveling alongside friends with whom you share your life as well as the Gospel.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. (John 13:34-35)
The church “teaches” us how to be caring and forgiving by putting us with people who need care and forgiveness, otherwise known as people who are needy and sinful! To really love one another is to engage in authentic relationships.
Church can be an uncomfortable, messy place, but the relational struggles we experience there are designed to mature us into people who engage in mercy-based relationships.
Church can be an uncomfortable, messy place, but the relational struggles we experience there are designed to mature us into people who engage in mercy-based relationships.
Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. (Colossians 3:12-14)
To the degree we embrace the messiness of relationships is the degree to which we will experience truly loving and meaningful friendships. However, if we stay distant and disengaged from the people around us we will live lonely, empty lives.
God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land. (Psalm 68:6)
Questions:
- Jesus had the masses, the twelve disciples, and the 3 closest to Him - Think about the ways the “love one another” happens in those three spheres?
- How are you currently connecting and able to obey the love one another command? What changes do you need to make to grow in this command?
The Church is...
A Body that serves the world
The Great Commandment
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself. (Luke 10:27)
Jesus loves sinners. He said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” For I have not come to call the righteous but sinners.” (Matthew 9:12)
Jesus is on a mission to save sinners and therefore he desires for us, His people, to have the same compassion as He does and to join Him on mission.
Imagine a doctor who gets offended with sick people.
“I am committed to health,” the doctor says. “How dare you bring your sickness into my office.”
“But I don’t feel well. Can you help me?”
“No, I am dedicated to helping people stay healthy.”
“But healthy people don’t need any help.”
It is the sick that need a doctor. It is the sinner who needs a savior. The Church is a body who is called to help those who are not healthy or righteous.
Jesus is on a mission to save sinners and therefore he desires for us, His people, to have the same compassion as He does and to join Him on mission.
Imagine a doctor who gets offended with sick people.
“I am committed to health,” the doctor says. “How dare you bring your sickness into my office.”
“But I don’t feel well. Can you help me?”
“No, I am dedicated to helping people stay healthy.”
“But healthy people don’t need any help.”
It is the sick that need a doctor. It is the sinner who needs a savior. The Church is a body who is called to help those who are not healthy or righteous.
Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. (Matthew 4:19)
The original disciples were simple fishermen. Jesus let them know at the beginning that He was calling them to a new mission, to fish for people.
Matthew immediately understood this call to have Jesus’ compassion and to intentionally reach out to others and share the gospel in word and deed. He went home and threw a party at his house so all his old friends could meet Jesus as well as his new friends.
To love and serve people in the world, you have to be with them. To fish for men and women means we are intentionally building relationships with people outside the family of God, developing relationships, discovering their stories, and starting spiritual conversations with them, so that we can share the good news of Jesus with them.
This is why the church exists and this is what we are called to do; to reach, reconcile and restore people to God and others.
Matthew immediately understood this call to have Jesus’ compassion and to intentionally reach out to others and share the gospel in word and deed. He went home and threw a party at his house so all his old friends could meet Jesus as well as his new friends.
To love and serve people in the world, you have to be with them. To fish for men and women means we are intentionally building relationships with people outside the family of God, developing relationships, discovering their stories, and starting spiritual conversations with them, so that we can share the good news of Jesus with them.
This is why the church exists and this is what we are called to do; to reach, reconcile and restore people to God and others.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
(2 Corinthians 5:17-20)
(2 Corinthians 5:17-20)
Questions:
- How do you feel about being the hands and feet of Jesus, His body, who are called to compassion and outreach to those who don’t know about Jesus?
- How are you currently living out this purpose of the church? What changes do you need to make to grow your understanding and obedience to this call to reach, reconcile and restore others to Christ?