WORSHIP
Ultimately, our response to God’s unending love for us is to offer our whole
lives to Him as an act of worship and adoration.
John 4:23
“But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshippers will worship the
Father in spirit and in truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.”
Romans 12:1
“Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies
a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, (which is) your spiritual
service of worship."
THE WORD
God has given us his word as the revelation of himself and his will for
mankind. This mean that we must hold his word as supreme in giving us
everything we need for life and godliness. Therefore, we preach and meditate on
the word of God as his sword to penetrate our hearts and the worlds.
2 Peter 1:2-4
"Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of
Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us everything we need for life and
godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and
goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises,
so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the
corruption in the world caused by evil desires."
Hebrews 4:12
"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword,
it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges
the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."
PRAYER
God desires that we commune with Him in prayer. Prayer is primarily a
relationship, not a religious activity. It is a two-way fellowship with God
that involves both speaking to Him and listening to Him. Thus, prayer is a
means whereby we grow more intimate in our love relationship with God. Prayer
also expresses our utter dependence on God for everything. And it is a means
whereby we join God in advancing His Kingdom.
Matthew 21:13
"It is written," he said to them, "My house will be called a house of
prayer..."
Ephesians 6:18
"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and
requests."
COMPASSION
Not only do we desire that our neighbors be spiritually whole through a
relationship with God, but also that they be physically, socially, and
emotionally whole and healthy. This requires that we care for those in need.
This may also lead to working to change social and political structures that
harm the well-being of our neighbors.
Luke 4:18-19 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me to
preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted. To
preach deliverance to the captives. And recovery of sight to the blind. To set
at liberty those who are oppressed. To preach the acceptable year of the Lord."
RECONCILIATION
Our love for each other requires that we be reconciled and unified, both
individual to individual and group to group. This means reaching out to others
within our body and purposing to overcome divisions created by age, gender,
ethnicity, and economic status.
Ephesians 2:12-15
"But now, In Christ Jesus, you who sometime were far off are made near by the
blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who has broken down the middle wall of
partition between us; having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of
commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself one new man, so
making peace.”
EVANGELISM
Loving our neighbors, both locally and worldwide, means wanting them to be
reconciled to their Father in heaven. Telling others about God's love is the
greatest gift we can give.
Matthew 28:19,20
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name
of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe
all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the
end of the age. Amen."
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