Pastor Matthias kicks off 2019 with a sermon series in our Five Doctrinal Distinctives. This week, in our Prelude to the series, Pastor Matthias speaks on church membership and the invitation God had extended to us into his family.

CG Questions: Membership in 2019
Doctrinal Distinctives Intro: Week 1

Questions:

-Peter says that we have received “everything we need for life and godliness.” Do we believe this? Where do you feel like you might be lacking?

-Peter reminds us that we are “granted his very great and precious promises.” What are some of his promises that stand out to you? Reference scripture or seek our references with each other for familiar phrases or promises that come to mind. Do you trust that these promises are true for you? How are you challenged by these promises?

-Do you think or operate as though God has held something back from you that you need for life and godliness?

-Where would you be today if you did not know Jesus? What choices would you have made? What life trajectory would you have? Pray and praise together.

-When Peter says “make every effort” what is he referring to? How do you understand this in light of the message of salvation through grace? Which is it—grace or effort?

-How do you plan to grow in fruitful knowledge of Jesus this year? What are you willing to commit to this year? How can you keep each other encouraged and accountable this year?

-Are you a missionary? How are you challenged to be a missionary in everyday life?
Reflect and pray together that we have continual hope in the open invitation to believe, belong, and become. Celebrate that YOU are invited!

Scripture:
2 Peter 1:3-8

Notes:
EVERYTHING FOR LIFE & GODLINESS

3 INVITATIONS:
1. AN INVITATION TO BELIEVE - A GOSPEL INVITATION
2. AN INVITATION TO BELONG - A COMMUNITY INVITATION
3. AN INVITATION TO BECOME - A GROWTH INVITATION
GOSPEL:
SALVATION - COMMUNITY - TRANSFORMATION - MISSION

GREATEST COMMANDMENT - LOVE GOD SUPREMELY
GREAT COMMANDMENT - LOVE PEOPLE SELFLESSLY
GREAT COMMISSION - LOVE THE LOST SACRIFICIALLY

LET US OWN THE LOSTNESS OF OUR GEOGRAPHY

YOU ARE INVITED!

BELIEVE - SALVATION
BELONG - MEMBERSHIP
BECOME - TRANSFORMATION & MISSION

NEXT STEPS:
• Salvation
• Community Groups
• Membership
• Discipleship Journey
• Spiritual Disciplines
• Missional Opportunities

Quotes:
“Every Christian is either a missionary or an imposter.” ~Charles H. Spurgeon

“One of our chief blind spots has been to overlook the central importance of the church. We tend to proclaim individual salvation without moving on to the saved community.

Our message is more good news of a new life than of a new society… This vision of a renewed human community has stirred me deeply. At the same time, the realities of the lovelessness and sin in so many churches are enough to make one weep, for they dishonor Christ.

Yet increasing numbers of church members are seeking the church’s radical renewal. For the sake of the glory of God and the evangelization of the world, nothing is more important than the church becoming God’s new society.” ~John R. W. Stott