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Grace
As a regenerated community of devoted Christ-followers, we are saved by
grace (Eph. 2:8), grow in grace (Acts 20:32; 2 Peter 3:18), are
strengthened in grace (2 Timothy 2:1), and relate to one another in grace
(2 Cor. 8:6). As a spiritual community, we are to live as grace-receivers
and grace-givers.
Truth
Jesus made a radical statement when He said, "I am the way and the
truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
(John 14:6) He proclaimed Himself as the source of all ultimate truth,
leaving no room for opinion. This is not a popular thought today, as many
believe truth to be created ("What is true for you may not be true
for me"). But truth is not created. Truth is revealed and
discovered. It is revealed through God's Word (the Bible) and discovered
by those who are willing to receive it by seeking the one true God. In
Jeremiah 29:13 God says, "You will seek me and find me when you seek
me with all your heart." God continually pursues us with His love,
yet waits for us to seek Him out. He rewards those who prioritize
spiritual things and seek Him out. All truth is from God, and though we
will use many creative ways to communicate truth, we will do so only as
it supports and is validated by the Word of God and the Person of Jesus.
Beauty
God is beautiful and He is the author of beauty. He created a beautiful world
full of life, shape and color, and then created man and woman in His own
image to richly enjoy and reflect it. (Genesis 1:27-31) The fact that we
have a propensity to admire and enjoy beautiful things points to the
existence of a loving and creative God. And it is God who has given us
the ability to communicate beauty through creative forms of expression.
One of the ways that God reveals His nature to us is through the beauty
of creation (Romans 1:20). God has made us creative individuals with the
ability to express beauty and truth through different forms. As a church,
we will seek to point people to God and His beauty through music, art,
and other creative forms, honoring Him. This will be done excellently,
because God is worthy of our best, and because by doing so we minimize
distraction and maximize the Message.
Community
God created us for relationship with one another and with Him. To be a
follower of Jesus is to be part of a worldwide community of people who
are of like-mind, purpose and faith. The Christian church began with this
pattern in mind. They [the early believers] devoted themselves to the
apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, and to the breaking of bread
and to prayer. “They broke
bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,
praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added
to their number daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:42,
46b-47)
At Emmaus, we
desire to be a local representation of this global community of
believers. Through His written word, we will foster a relationally
healthy environment where believers can worship together, grow
spiritually, and use their God-given gifts to serve one another. We will
journey together, seeking God as we relate honestly with one another with
a spirit of love and encouragement. This community is inclusive, one that
welcomes and encourages growth through the receiving and accepting of new
and existing followers of Jesus.
Purpose
Many often wonder about the reason for human existence. We're not here
just to take up space! God has made it clear that our ultimate purpose is
to know God personally by experiencing His love, maturing in our faith,
and by helping others do the same. (John 17:3) Simply put, we are to be disciples and
make disciples. Jesus Himself has given us this task: “Therefore go
and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] and teaching them to
obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to
the very end of the age."
Matthew 28:19-20
At
Emmaus Road Church we take our purpose seriously by striving to be
growing, devoted followers of Jesus, by loving and reaching out to those
who have yet to personally experience His love.
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