Belonging at Hope Slide New Members Classes 3 Classes

Belonging at Hope                What Makes Hope Tick?

First of all, we are Christians.

Second, we are Evangelicals.

Third, we follow the Protestant, Reformed view of God and Salvation.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Jesus gives Pardon       "Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life."

Jesus gives Peace   "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on them."  John 3:36

I am the Door John 10 So Jesus again said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep…. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.

 The Only Door

Not by Birthright                  Not by Baptism      Not by Church Membership

How To Be Sure Of Your Salvation

1John 5: 11 And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.

"I am the way and  the truth and the life.    No one comes to the  Father except through me." John 14:6

Christianity is distinct from all other religions – Every other religion = DO   Christianity = DONE

John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst….37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out          John 6:35-37

"Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent" (John 17:3).
THE MEANS OF THE NEW BIRTH

He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,6 whom He poured out upon us richly

J. I. Packer defines "Regeneration, or new birth, is an inner re-creating of fallen human nature by the gracious sovereign action of the Holy Spirit"

Joyfully following Jesus and sharing his love

WIN …..  EVANGELISE

BUILD….. ESTABLISH

SEND….. EQUIP AND EXTEND

Christian Reformed Churches of Australia

 Contemporary Reformed – we are confessional and contextual.

Word Based –

Gospel Focused –

Local Church Empowering –

Prayerful Urgency 
Our Vision & Mission

Matthew 28:18–20: 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising 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."
Colossians 1:28:  He [Christ] is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.

Ephesians 4:16:  From Him [Christ] the whole body  [the church], joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Joyfully following Jesus and sharing his love

WIN …..  EVANGELISE

BUILD….. ESTABLISH

SEND….. EQUIP AND EXTEND

What is Reformed?

Scripture Alone

Christ Alone

Grace Alone

Faith Alone

To God Alone Be the Glory

Ephesians 1:3-14 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love5 he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

Ephesians 2: 1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience---3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ---by grace you have been saved---6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Martin Luther 1517 95 Theses

1. Sola scriptura ("by Scripture alone")
2. Sola fide ("by faith alone")
3. Sola gratia ("by grace alone")
4. Solus Christus or Solo Christo ("Christ alone" or "through Christ alone")
5. Soli Deo gloria ("glory to God alone")

 

John Calvin  The five "points" of Calvinism     TULIP

T – Total Depravity.  This doesn't mean people are as bad as they can be.  It means that sin is in every part of one's being, including the mind and will, so that a person cannot save himself.

T – Total Depravity.

U – Unconditional Election.

L – Limited Atonement.

I – Irresistable Grace.  When God has chosen someone, he opens their eyes to the wonders of who He is.  Then, out of their own free will, they always chose to accept Christ as Savior and follow him.

P – Perseverence of the saints. 

 

 

HOW WE FUNCTION      LEADERSHIP & STRUCTURES

Local church members annually elect the Session (elders and deacons)  for three years meeting monthly.

Committee of Management look after the issues of building and maintenance.

Other committees are answerable to Session.

Who Led the Synagogue?

1 Timothy 3: 1 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church?  6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.

Pastoral Leadership of an Elder:

(a)          Elders teach:

1. "Shepherd the flock" (Acts 20:28)
2. "Able to teach" (1 Tim. 3:2)
3. Scriptural foundation (Tit. 1:9a)
4. Instruct (1 Thess. 5:12)
5. Teach God's plan (Acts 20:20, 27)
6. Get paid for teaching (1 Tim. 5:17)

 

1 Timothy 3:8-13 (NIV)

8Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. 9They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. 10They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.  11In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. 12A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well. 13Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.

CONFESSIONS AFFIRM BELIEFS

The Belgic Confession  1561

The Heidelberg Catechism  1563

The Canons of Dort  1618

 

Acts 2

Acts 2:36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified."  1. The right response to the Sent One

2. The right response to the Saviour

Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

 

3. The right response to Salvation  42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

W           Worship         I     Instruction         F              Fellowship      E   Evangelism

46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Nine Reasons for Developing Your Personal Ministry

1. We have been created for ministry:

2. We have been saved for ministry:

3. We have been called into ministry:

4. We have been individually and uniquely gifted for ministry:

5. We have been authorized for ministry:

6. We have been commanded to minister:

7. We are accountable for our ministry:

8. We will be rewarded for our ministry:

9. The Body of Christ needs our ministry: 

"All of you together are the one body of Christ and each of you is a separate and necessary part of it." 1Corinthians 12:27 (LB)

"Now the body is not made up of one part, but many" (1 Cor. 12:14)

Speaking and serving Gifts

Five Steps to Discovering Your Personal Ministry   Romans 12:1-11
Dedicate your body

Eliminate worldly distractions

Evaluate your strengths & weaknesses

Cooperate with other believers

Activate your gifts – now!

"Now the body is not made up of one part, but many" (1 Cor. 12:14)

5 Factors Determining Your SHAPE
Spiritual Gifts

Heart

Abilities

Personality

Experiences

 

Profession of Faith

During a church service

Profession of faith by baptism and testimony

   Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God sent to redeem the world, do you love and trust him as the one who saves you from your sin, and do you with repentance and joy embrace him as Lord of your life? I Do

   Do you acknowledge and  believe that the Bible is the Word of God revealing Christ and his redemption, summarized in the Apostle's Creed and our Confessions, and taught in this Christian church faithfully reflect this revelation and is the true and complete doctrine of salvation?  I Do

   Do you accept the gracious promises of God sealed to you in your baptism and do you affirm your union with Christ and his church which your baptism signifies? I Do

   Do you promise to do all you can, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to strengthen your love and commitment to Christ by sharing faithfully in the life of the church and its means of grace, honouring and submitting to its supervision and discipline; and do you join with the people of God in doing the work of the Lord wherever you are?

I profess that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Saviour and I want to follow and serve Him as His disciple. So with all my heart, by the grace of God, I say 'Yes!' to these questions.
 Congregational Welcome  (all stand)

 In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we now welcome you to full participation in the life of the church, the privileges of communion, the responsibility of exercising your gifts, the fellowship of its joys and sufferings.