DOCSLIB.ORG

Frequently Asked Questions

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Frequently Asked Questions HOMESTEAD UNITED METHODIST CHURCH CHARGE REALIGNMENT WITH ASSURANCE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What is a Charge? How does it The Bishop, on behalf of the United Methodist Church, assigns each Pastor a “charge” relate to this relationship? which represents a local church. In this case, Homestead UMC is being added to the pastoral and leadership responsibilities of Assurance UMC and Rev. Chris Westmoreland. Where is the church location? 6729 Old Mount Holly Road, Charlotte NC 28214 The facility was established in 1932 and sits on five acres. It includes the main church building, a gym/community life building, and a parsonage. Homestead UMC has taken remarkable care of that facility and property. What is the vision for the ONE CHURCH – ONE VISION – MULTIPLE LOCATIONS Homestead location? The United Methodist Church at this location will take on the vision of Assurance United Methodist Church: Assurance is a church whose singular mission is to “Grow and Go.” Assurance is Growing Disciples (followers) of Jesus Christ so that we can Go serve Christ in the world. In “Growing and Going”, we emphasize the three S’s: Spirit, Serve, and Share. We grow our Spirit in worship, prayer, and small group connections. We grow by Serving others inside and outside the walls of our church. And we Share our gifts and the Good News that God loves us all. How will things change for Worship: The worship style will be different and more reflective of the community. Homestead United Methodist There will be a transition period with no worship services for two to three months to Church? renovate and discern what worship needs to look like to be fully reflexive of that community. Current Homestead members will be invited to worship at Northlake during the three months. Assurance leadership is committed to the following for the West Campus: Music needs to reflect the language of the community. Rev. Danny Meyer, Assurance’s West Campus Minister, will be the primary preacher but rotating preachers and same sermon theme as Northlake Campus when possible. Service in the community will be an emphasis of worship. Worship style will be more modern than traditional. Name: The name of this new worshipping community is unlikely to be Homestead or West Campus, but the ultimate name is yet to be determined. Staff: Alexis Coleman, current pastor of Homestead UMC is being reappointed to another United Methodist Church. Other staff positions are being evaluated and, where appropriate, staff will be encouraged to reapply. Facility: The church will be designed more for children, families, and community life. There are no specific plans yet, but the facility will look different. The plan will come soon when Assurance leadership has access to the space and can evaluate. Calendar: All events on the church calendar will be cleared and Assurance leadership will re-evaluate what goes back on. July 1, 2013 will be the start of a new year for this community. Who will pay for ministry at Ministries at the new Assurance campus will be funded by offerings from both campuses West Campus/Homestead and grants will assist with funding our West Campus. building? The Reynolds Foundation has awarded Assurance two grants to get the West Campus started - 2012: $30,000 and 2013: $20,000. Page | 1 HOMESTEAD UNITED METHODIST CHURCH CHARGE REALIGNMENT WITH ASSURANCE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Timing of Transition? Assurance leadership will be prepared to use the building and integrate finances as soon as possible. Assurance feels strongly that when the checkbook is transitioned, so is responsibility for this building (liability insurance, etc.). Assurance leadership team assumes authority when that transition happens. Some significant dates are: April 14 – Assurance Leadership meets with current Homestead members to share the vision of the future of this campus. April 30 – Assurance Transition Team Kick-Off. July 1 – transition period begins in main church building. September 2013 - FIRST ASSURANCE WORSHIP SERVICE AT NEW CAMPUS. Many of the existing West Campus ministries will transition immediately to parts of the Homestead facility and continue to touch the community throughout the summer. It is known that Assurance Examples of ministries for adults to Grow and Go in Jesus can be found in our latest cares about kids in West Quarterly Newsletter, the Small Group flyer, the Service flyer, and even more on our Charlotte, but what do they website (links to these documents can be found at www.assuranceumc.org). have to offer adults in that Assurance Northlake has a healthy and vital adult community of servants and so will the community? West Campus. What is the role of existing During the period of September 2011 and May 2012, Pastor Alexis Colman led a Homestead members in the Homestead visioning team through an Exodus study that focused on where they wanted changes that will happen and to go and what they wanted to leave behind. This team dreamed of a growing how can they be leaders at the community church where children were present and active. They dreamed of tutoring new church? and food ministries within the community. Many on the visioning team also dreamed of a multi-ethnic and multi-racial community that was alive in worshipping together in a contemporary manner. Assurance, during this same time period, also went through a visioning process and saw the same thing in this neighborhood. Assurance leadership invites those Homestead members who were part of this process, and those who believe in the dream, to walk alongside us together and create that kind of church community. There will be one Assurance church structure and leadership with the existing Assurance Church Council, Ministry Council, SPRC, Finance Team, and Trustees. There will be no immediate changes to the make-up of these leadership teams as they were intentionally selected for Assurance with multi-campus in mind. Over time existing Homestead members will be able to offer themselves up for leadership through the Assurance lay leadership process. Assurance Pastors, in addition to meeting with Homestead families, would like to offer a version of our new member gathering called “BEGINNINGS” with existing Homestead members. This will encourage conversations around engagement in the vision of “Growing as Disciples and Going to Serve Christ.” What will Assurance offer Our desire is that existing Homestead members will join us in sharing God’s love with existing Homestead members? this community and making it real. Regardless of their decision, a safe place will be provided to help figure out what is best for moving forward. Pastoral care, Stephen Ministry, and help finding a new church, if that is what is needed/wanted. Assurance will offer a vital way to be church and a caring community of people that Grows and Goes. Page | 2 HOMESTEAD UNITED METHODIST CHURCH CHARGE REALIGNMENT WITH ASSURANCE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What will the role of the West Rev. Danny Meyer, Assurance’s West Campus Pastor, will be the primary pastor campus pastor be? responsible for this worshipping community. In addition to being a husband and father of three, Danny has a full-time job outside the church. Given the large vision for West Campus, we are fortunate that Assurance is a lay-led church. Most of Danny’s time will be spent preaching, teaching, raising up and encouraging leaders, giving pastoral care, and rearticulating the vision of Growing and Going. Will existing Assurance Absolutely not. members be forced to choose Assurance believes that everyone should worship and serve God in the way they feel one of the campuses? most connected. Many of the members of the Assurance community already live out their faith in many different ways. Attending worship in West Charlotte at Connections, fellowshipping on Wednesday nights at Northlake, and living out their “go” downtown at the men’s shelter breakfast, as just an example. It is the hope that each person will be drawn to where God wants them to worship, pray, come together in small groups, and to use spiritual gifts to share the Good News of Jesus’ love. Assurance currently offers a workshop called Discover Assurance in Ministry (AIM) that helps to discover Spiritual Gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, and Experience. In this new endeavor, some Assurance Northlake members will decide to primarily connect to Assurance through West Campus and still very much be a part of Assurance. Servants will be needed in Assurance ministries done from the Homestead facility, particularly in the beginning. These members may live out their Spirit, Serve, and Share in the West Campus either “for a time” or “for all time.” Feel free to reach out to an Assurance leader or staff member to help you pray about how God is calling you. What does the Assurance Prayer for the transition. The existing Homestead congregation can count on the leadership team expect of the support of the Assurance family through this change. congregation? Participation in the upcoming Town Hall Meetings. Consideration in serving as a member of the Launch Team to fill vital servant roles as they are identified. Support for all ministries at Northlake and West Campuses through Growing and Going. Thanks and praise to God for the ministry He is allowing Assurance to do through Him. What can be expected from Honesty, even when the truth is hard. Assurance leadership team? Integrity that honors God and people. Respect that says that everybody matters, even those that aren’t represented. Faithfulness to the mission of Growing and Going. If I am interested in supporting Assurance Lead Pastor: Chris Westmoreland ([email protected]) the Assurance West Campus West Campus Pastor: Danny Meyer ([email protected]) or would like more Community Life Pastor: Daniel Corpening ([email protected]) information about the vision Adult Discipleship and Leadership: Dave Zietlow ([email protected]) of Assurance, who should I Director of Children’s Discipleship: Tina Springs ([email protected]) contact? Communications and Connections: June Freeman ([email protected]) You are welcome to call the church office (704-391-9567) with any questions.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Baptism: Valid and Invalid
    BAPTISM: VALID AND INVALID The following information has been provided to the Office of Worship and Christian Initiation by Father Jerry Plotkowski, Judicial Vicar. It is our hope that it will help you in discerning the canonical status of your candidates. BAPTISM IN PROTESTANT RELIGIONS Most Protestant baptisms are recognized as valid baptisms. Some are not. It is very difficult to question the validity of a baptism because of an intention either on the part of the minister or on the part of the one being baptized. ADVENTISTS: Water baptism is by immersion with the Trinitarian formula. Valid. Baptism is given at the age of reason. A dedication ceremony is given to infants. The two ceremonies are separate. (Many Protestant religions have the dedication ceremony or other ceremony, which is not a baptism. If the church has the dedication ceremony, baptism is generally not conferred until the age of reason or until the approximate age of 13). AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL: Baptism with water by sprinkling, pouring, or dunking. Trinitarian form is used. Valid. There is an open door ceremony, which is not baptism. AMISH: This is coupled with Mennonites. No infant baptism. The rite of baptism seems valid. ANGLICAN: Valid baptism. APOSTOLIC CHURCH: An affirmative decision has been granted in one case involving "baptism" in the apostolic church. The minister baptized according to the second chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, and not St. Matthew. The form used was: "We baptize you into the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive a gift of the Holy Ghost." No Trinitarian form was used.
    [Show full text]
  • John Wesley's Teaching Concerning Perfection Edward W
    JOHN WESLEY'S TEACHING CONCERNING PERFECTION EDWARD W. H. VICK Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan Wesley has often been characterized as Arminian rather than as Calvinistic. The fact that he continuously called for repentance from sin, published a journal called the Arminian Magazine, was severe in his strictures against predestination and unconditional election, engaged in controversial cor- respondence with Whitefield over the matter of election, perfection and perseverance seem to indicate a great gulf between his teaching and that of Calvin. Gulf there may be, but it need not be made to appear wider at certain points than can justly be claimed. The fact is that exclusive attention to his opposition to predestination may lead to neglect of his teaching on the relationship between faith and grace. This is not to deny that Wesley was opposed to important Calvinistic tenets. In his sermon on Free Grace, delivered in 1740, he states why he is opposed to the doctrine of pre- destination : (I) it makes preaching vain, needless for the elect and useless for the non-elect ; (2) it takes away motives for following after holiness ; (3) it tends to increase sharpness of temper and contempt for those considered to be outsiders ; (4) it tends to destroy the comfort of religion ; (5) it destroys zeal for good works ; (6) it makes the whole Christian revelation unnecessary and (7) self-contradictory ; (8) it represents the Lord as saying one thing and meaning J. Wesley, Sermons on Several Occasions, I (New York, 1827)~ 13-19. 202 EDWARD W. H. VICK another: God becomes more cruel and unjust than the devil.
    [Show full text]
  • Towards an Understanding of Lived Methodism
    Telling Our Stories: Towards an Understanding of Lived Methodism Item Type Thesis or dissertation Authors Edwards, Graham M. Citation Edwards, G. M. (2018). Telling Our Stories: Towards an Understanding of Lived Methodism. (Doctoral dissertation). University of Chester, United Kingdom. Publisher University of Chester Rights Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Download date 28/09/2021 05:58:45 Item License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10034/621795 Telling Our Stories: Towards an Understanding of Lived Methodism Thesis submitted in accordance with the requirements of the University of Chester for the degree of Doctor of Professional Studies in Practical Theology By Graham Michael Edwards May 2018 1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The work is my own, but I am indebted to the encouragement, wisdom and support of others, especially: The Methodist Church of Great Britain who contributed funding towards my research. The members of my group interviews for generously giving their time and energy to engage in conversation about the life of their churches. My supervisors, Professor Elaine Graham and Dr Dawn Llewellyn, for their endless patience, advice and support. The community of the Dprof programme, who challenged, critiqued, and questioned me along the way. Most of all, my family and friends, Sue, Helen, Simon, and Richard who listened to me over the years, read my work, and encouraged me to complete it. Thank you. 2 CONTENTS Abstract 5 Summary of Portfolio 6 Chapter One. Introduction: Methodism, a New Narrative? 7 1.1 Experiencing Methodism 7 1.2 Narrative and Identity 10 1.3 A Local Focus 16 1.4 Overview of Thesis 17 Chapter Two.
    [Show full text]
  • The Great Awakening and Other Revivals in the Religious Life of Connecticut
    TERCENTENARY COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT COMMITTEE ON HISTORICAL PUBLICATIONS The Great Awakening and Other Revivals in the Religious Life of Connecticut (DOUBLE NUMBER) XXV/ PUBLISHED FOR THE TERCENTENARY COMMISSION BY THE YALE UNIVERSITY PRESS *934 CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION LIBRARY SERVICE CENTER MIDDLETOWN, CONNECTION . TERCENTENARY COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT COMMITTEE ON HISTORICAL PUBLICATIONS The Great Awakening and Other Revivals in the Religious Life of Connecticut MARY HEWITT MITCHELL I HE Puritan founders of Connecticut, like those of Massachusetts, were the offspring of a remarkable revival of religious fervor in England. They moved across the Atlantic to Tset up their religious Utopia in the New World. Spiritual exaltation and earnestness sustained them amid the perils and pains of establishing homes and churches in the New England wilderness. Clergymen were their leaders. On the Sabbath, the minister, in gown and bands, preached to his flock beneath a tree or under some rude shelter. On other days, in more practical attire, he guided and shared the varied labors incident to the foundation of the new settlement. The younger generation and the later comers, however, had more worldliness mingled with their aims, but re- ligion continued a dominant factor in the expanding colonial life. Perhaps the common man felt personal enthusiasm for religion less than he did necessary regard for provisions of the law, yet as he wandered into un- occupied parts of the colony, he was not leaving the watch and ward of the church. Usually, indeed, he did not wish to, since even the most worldly-minded desired the honors and privileges attached to membership in the church-state.
    [Show full text]
  • Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry
    This electronic file is made available to churches and interested parties as a means of encouraging individual and ecumenical discussion of the text. For extended use we encourage you to purchase the published printed text, available from WCC Publications. (In case of any discrepancies the published printed text should be considered authoritative.) BAPTISM, EUCHARIST AND MINISTRY FAITH AND ORDER PAPER NO. 111 WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES, GENEVA, 1982 © Copyright 1982 World Council of Churches, 150 route de Ferney, 1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland TABLE OF CONTENTS PREFACE................................................................................................................................. v BAPTISM I. THE INSTITUTION OF BAPTISM ............................................................................ 1 II. THE MEANING OF BAPTISM ................................................................................... 1 A. Participation in Christ’s Death and Resurrection.................................................... 1 B. Conversion, Pardoning and Cleansing .................................................................... 1 C. The Gift of the Spirit ............................................................................................... 2 D. Incorporation into the Body of Christ ..................................................................... 2 E. The Sign of the Kingdom ........................................................................................ 2 III. BAPTISM AND FAITH................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Reflections on Assurance
    WTJ 54 (1992) 1-29 REFLECTIONS ON CHRISTIAN ASSURANCE* D. A. CARSON I. Introduction O far as I know, there has been no English-language, full-scale treat- Sment of the biblical theology of Christian assurance for more than fifty years. There have been numerous dictionary articles and the like, along with occasional discussions in journals. There have also been sophisticated studies of assurance as found in the theology of some notable Christian thinker or period, such as the book by Yates that examines assurance with special reference to John Wesley, 1 or the discussion of assurance that per- vades Kendall's treatment of the move from Calvin to English Calvinism, 2 or the dissertation by Beeke that studies personal assurance from Westmin- ster to Alexander Comrie. 3 There have been countless studies of related biblical themes: perseverance, apostasy, the nature of covenant, the nature of faith, justification, and much more—too many to itemize; and there have been numerous popular treatments of Christian assurance. But although at one time assurance was not only a question of pressing pastoral importance but in certain respects a test of theological systems, in recent decades it has not received the attention it deserves. This paper makes no pretensions of redressing the balance. My aim is far more modest. First, I shall identify a number of tendencies in contemporary literature that bear on Christian assurance. Then I shall offer a number of biblical and theological reflections—really not much more than pump- priming—designed to set out the contours in which a biblical theology of Christian assurance might be constructed.
    [Show full text]
  • Arminianism and Adventism: Assurance of Salvation
    Andrews University Digital Commons @ Andrews University Memory, Meaning & Life Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary 10-16-2010 Arminianism and Adventism: Assurance of Salvation David Hamstra Andrews University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/mml Recommended Citation Hamstra, David, "Arminianism and Adventism: Assurance of Salvation" (2010). Memory, Meaning & Life. 60. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/mml/60 This Blog Post is brought to you for free and open access by the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Digital Commons @ Andrews University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Memory, Meaning & Life by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. The Wayback Machine - http://web.archive.org/web/20120716005955/http://www.memorymeaningfaith.org/blog/2010/… Memory, Meaning & Faith Main About Archives October 16, 2010 Arminianism and Adventism: Assurance of Salvation Keith also brought an Arminius tee-shirt to the conference, but decided not to wear it for similar reasons to Dr. Olson. He's stopped wearing it generally because he got tired of people coming up to him asking him why he was wearing a Shakespeare tee-shirt. Keith Stanglin remarked that his paper, "Assurance of Salvation: An Arminian Account," is still a bit rough as he only recently found out about the conference. So, he said with tongue in cheek, we'll just have to trust him that he's not making this up, since it's still missing many footnotes. Arminius view on assurance is important for thee reasons. 1. Historical - It illuminates the shape of his debate.
    [Show full text]
  • Justification, Sanctification, Good Works and Assurance Presents
    presents... Justification, Sanctification, Good Works and Assurance “Aslan,” said Lucy, “you’re bigger.” “That is because you are older, little one,” answered he. “Not because you are?” “I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger.” Marcus Honeysett was C.S. Lewis, Prince Caspian London Team Leader for UCCF before founding Living Leadership, which serves churches around the UK in growing disciple-making What a profound picture of sanctification this is. As the leaders. He has authored or co- understanding of the faith-filled Lucy grows and her authored four books and many articles. He is married to Ros relationship with Aslan deepens, so he gets bigger and bigger. and they are members of Crofton As she grows – if she grows, when she grows – he is magnified Baptist Church. in her eyes. @marcushoneysett L The purpose of the Christian life – indeed of life – is the magnification of the greatness of God and his glory, most especially in the glory of his Son and the gospel of his grace. The purpose of justification is nothing less than union with Christ. Created in him, crucified with him, united with him in his resurrection, justified, sanctified, made alive in him and seated with him in glory. The Christian life is, literally, Jesus everything. To live is Christ. To live is to have Christ formed in us. Not only to be justified, but to become Christlike. As we grow, he is magnified. How could it be otherwise, seeing as the point of creation itself is that he might be supremely preeminent? (Col 1:18) No wonder Paul was wracked with anguish when the Galatians seemed to be allowing Christ’s formation in them, and them in him, to slip away: Gal 4:19 …I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you… Christ in us, but not us in him? Some time ago I found myself in conversation with an evangelist.
    [Show full text]
  • Tradition and Change in Methodism
    Easter 2006 Tradition and Change in Methodism William J. Abraham ohn Wesley (1703–1791), the founder of that Christian tribe we generally identify as Methodists or Wesleyans, was a stouthearted Protestant. Epistemologically he Jbelieved in sola scriptura as embedded in a wider vision of divine revelation that was generally skeptical of natural and speculative theology. His ponderings on the insecurity of natural theology left him at one stage thoroughly unsettled and close to suicide. It is true that his ponderings on the veridicality of religious experience brought him to an aggressive commitment to genuine perception of the divine that was organized in and around a novel appeal to the inner witness of the Holy Spirit. Yet even these ponderings, to be valid, had to be secured by appeal to scripture. Hence he developed his epistemo- logical ramblings through exegesis of scriptural texts like Ephesians 2:8, Hebrews 11:1, and most especially Romans 8:15–17. So Wesley’s spiritual empiricism, while it was foun- dational in the sense that it posited a form of perception of the divine that was direct and noninferential, was also derived from scripture. Wesley wanted nothing less than revela- tory foundations for his foundations. Every thought, including our thoughts about thought itself, had to be brought captive to Christ. Tradition was important, but it was altogether secondary. By tradition, Wesley meant the non-biblical tradition of the church developed before the fourth century (Constantine was the great Corrupter), a tradition that was recaptured by the Anglican Reformation. Its role was hermeneutical, not epistemological. It enabled one to read scripture better; it was radically subordinate epistemologically to scripture.
    [Show full text]
  • Methodism and Moral Character: the Function of Methodist Satire in Henry Fielding’S Novels
    University of Tennessee, Knoxville TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange Masters Theses Graduate School 8-2008 Methodism and Moral Character: The Function of Methodist Satire in Henry Fielding’s Novels Caitlin Lee Kelly University of Tennessee, Knoxville Follow this and additional works at: https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_gradthes Part of the English Language and Literature Commons Recommended Citation Kelly, Caitlin Lee, "Methodism and Moral Character: The Function of Methodist Satire in Henry Fielding’s Novels. " Master's Thesis, University of Tennessee, 2008. https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_gradthes/3666 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange. It has been accepted for inclusion in Masters Theses by an authorized administrator of TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange. For more information, please contact [email protected]. To the Graduate Council: I am submitting herewith a thesis written by Caitlin Lee Kelly entitled "Methodism and Moral Character: The Function of Methodist Satire in Henry Fielding’s Novels." I have examined the final electronic copy of this thesis for form and content and recommend that it be accepted in partial fulfillment of the equirr ements for the degree of Master of Arts, with a major in English. Misty G. Anderson, Major Professor We have read this thesis and recommend its acceptance: John P. Zomchick, Jenn Fishman Accepted for the Council: Carolyn R. Hodges Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School (Original signatures are on file with official studentecor r ds.) To the Graduate Council: I am submitting herewith a thesis written by Caitlin Lee Kelly entitled “Methodism and Moral Character: The Function of Methodist Satire in Henry Fielding’s Novels.” I have examined the final electronic copy of this thesis for form and content and recommend that it be accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts, with a major in English.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 John 5:13 Assurance That You Have Eternal Life
    Romans 8:31-39 We Won! HOME | BIBLE STUDIES & SERMONS | ABIDING IN CHRIST | SEARCH | DEVOTIONS | PERSONAL GROWTH | LINKS | LATEST ADDITIONS Romans 8:31-39 We Won! Romans chapter eight moves to a grand climax of assurance of salvation and sanctification. No matter what the circumstances are, we are "more than conquerors" through Christ who has loved us and died for us. Is there anything that can defeat God's eternal purpose? Anything? Can anything separate us from the love Christ has for us? Paul looks over the full range of life and gives a resounding, "No!" "Nothing!" "No, in all these things we are super–conquerors through Him who loved us." The last verses in Romans eight are the song of triumph for the believer. The contemplation of God's saving purpose for His people in Romans 8:28– 30 leads to a stronger encouragement to walk by faith. Christ will carry us through all chances, changes and circumstances in life giving us strength and encouragement. "WHAT IS OUR RESPONSE TO THESE THINGS?" (8:31a) Salvation is entirely of God’s grace through faith. We have already seen in Romans 8:28–30 salvation is God's gracious favor and work. From beginning to end our salvation is of God. There is no place for human merit. The purpose of divine predestination is not favoritism, but holiness. It is Christ likeness. When God is through with us He will glorify us. He will take us to heaven to be with Him, and present us to the Father in a glorious resurrected body, clothed in moral and spiritual character like Christ's.
    [Show full text]
  • Christianity 101: the Basics of the Christian Faith #7 Assurance…The Foretaste of Glory Divine First John 4:13-16A, 5:11-13 and Second Timothy 1:11-12 (NRSV)
    Christianity 101: The Basics of the Christian Faith #7 Assurance…The Foretaste of Glory Divine First John 4:13-16a, 5:11-13 and Second Timothy 1:11-12 (NRSV) We have come a long way along our “Path of Salvation.” This, of course, has been the subject of our sermon series outlining the basics of the Christian faith. We began our faith-journey having owned up to our Original Sin. We then rejoiced at the news that God’s Prevenient Grace seeks us out and draws us to himself. We have Repented of our sinfulness, and have celebrated that we have been Justified before God, thanks to the cross of Jesus Christ. And, last Sunday, we were challenged that we need to be Born Again by the power of the Holy Spirit if we are to see the Kingdom of God. This morning, we come to another milestone along our journey of faith, one that was very dear to the heart of John Wesley, our denomination’s founder. For today we are offered the blessing of ASSURANCE. As has been true for each of the sermons in this series, before we can take the next step along our “Path of Salvation,” we first have to understand what that step means. What DO we mean by “assurance?” Well, the meaning of the word “assurance” is different, depending on who you are talking to. Those in the secular world might describe “assurance” as “peace of mind.” Psychologists would define “assurance” as “a personality free from frustration” or …”an emotional state of contentment.” But Christians see “assurance” from a Biblical perspective.
    [Show full text]