Dave’s Monday Blast – May 27, 2019

Last week we examined a passage from Luke 12:54 – 56 in which Jesus chastised His listeners for not being able to “discern the winds” of their times. Christ calls us to be interpreters of the present times. We must be able to recognize winds not rooted in the gospel…those that foster principles of the kingdoms of the world. We are only able to accomplish this mandate if we immerse ourselves in Scripture, spend quality time with the Father in prayer and meditation, and of course “forsake not” our moments of connection with the church.

During a time when we see the Church bending to cultural norms, we must be unwavering in our commitment to the authority of the Word, the lordship of Christ and possess a Spirit-led collegiality and a heart for the gospel. Rather than bending with the winds, we fortify our mission by standing firm. We believe that the world longs for a strong community deeply devoted to Christ, that challenges “speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God,” and who take “every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:3 – 5).

Obedience to Scripture under the lordship of Christ is the best way to live. We must live out the gospel as defined by the Apostle Paul: “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, he was buried, and he was raised on the third day according to the Scripture” (1 Corinthians 15:3 – 4). We want to share this good news in word and deed to advance the kingdom of God. All our compassion and justice flow out of being made new by Christ’s blood.

At AGCC we have to believe resolutely in the three following principles that are, at their core, represented in our Mission Statement: Connect – Grow – Serve. In truth, these principles are also at the core of all INTENTIONAL followers of Christ.

Those principles: 
Be Biblically centered in truth.
Recognize the spiritual transformation available to us as His chosen people.
Embrace His kingdom mandate to testify to this transforming truth.

In a world that is closely watching us, we need firm centers (biblical authority), but soft edges; known for hospitality, humility of spirit, profound Christ-likeness, and an ability to listen to one another (Micah 6:6 – 8).  And with the fruit of the Spirit as our testimony and the Word of God as our foundation we will continue to accurately “discern the winds.”