Early in the history of the Church, a two-fold tradition developed. New believers were instructed in the basics of the Christian faith and baptized, then they learned what it meant to be a member of Our Lord's Church... which goes way beyond simply giving correct answers to doctrinal questions.
One may become a Christian ("saved by faith") then take steps to be a Christian and live The Good Life ("to your faith, add goodness").
- Faith was declared when you were baptized, as 292 people were baptized in GCC's Palm Sunday Services. In faith, you were buried with Christ. You were raised up with him through your faith in God’s power that was shown when He raised Christ from the dead.
- Faith deepens when we're reminded God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of GOD... which we'll hear when we gather at Noon for GCC's Good Friday Service.
- Faith soars in this reality, Christ is Risen! If Christ had not been raised, our preaching would be futile, empty and useless and our faith would be futile, empty and useless. Praise GOD in worship during one of our six Easter Services this weekend.
After Easter we'll take steps to "add to our faith, goodness."
I'm teaching a new "New Member's Class" and we're grouping-up, serving together and reflecting on GOD's instructions for living The Good Life in the months ahead. What it means to be a Christian will become clearer as we engage a 10-week study of The Ten Commandments.
After Easter, our next step is The Good Life.
Let's live it... together.
2 Peter 1:5-7 - Do your best to add these things to your lives: to your faith, add goodness; and to your goodness, add knowledge; and to your knowledge, add self-control; and to your self-control, add patience; and to your patience, add service for God; and to your service for God, add kindness for your brothers and sisters in Christ; and to this kindness, add love.
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