Vision for Village Seven Presbyterian : We envision Village Seven Presbyterian Church to be a live-giving and reproducing church, according to the Word of God and for His glory alone.....
weekly reflection: Reflection Quotes
Grace Presbyterian Church of Silicon Valley: "The Christian life is not a solo adventure. It's a shared life with others who are following Jesus. These links help us move into the deepest levels of relationships within the church. Belonging to Jesus includes belonging to one another. We value the gospel's ability to make a new community out of people who otherwise wouldn't unite. If you need help getting plugged into the life of the church, please contact one of the pastors at the church office. We can help you connect with the right people and places to belong.
Diaconate--Grace Presbyterian Church of Silicon Valley: Diaconate Values and Beliefs Gospel Centrality: Sinners are forgiven and accepted by God's grace alone because of the work of Jesus Christ (2Cor 5:17). This grace transforms anyone and any place that it touches. We acknowledge that the only one we truly lean on in order to help someone who is undergoing hardship is Jesus Christ. We are unable to effectively help anyone, spiritually or otherwise, without Him. Changed Attitudes: The Gospel brings joy. Christ sets us free from anxious self-righteousness and worry. We can delight in the gifts God has given us. Our lives, worship, church, communication should be beautiful and full. Our loving and strong Father cares for and delights in his people. We are most at peace when we enjoy God in all of his fullness in our lives. We encourage clients to continually seek the Lord's ways according to the Bible, and to work on changing sinful behavior, especially as it contributes to their hardship. Changed Lives: The Gospel produces changed lives. We no longer take our identity from what others think of us or what we think of us, but from what God thinks of us in Christ (I Corinthians 4:3-4). The Gospel produces neither an inferiority complex (since we are a beauty in Christ) or a superiority complex (since we are sinners standing only by grace.) This unique boldness and humility at once is a sign of the unique Gospel-psychology.
Water into Wine: John 2:1-2 (Andrew Field) 1-20-08
Eugene peterson ... Christians ought to be the most celebratory and fun
Gave wine so that all the world would share in it. Extend the joy. christians.... If you aren't laughing -- even when you are crying....ou are forgetting somehting crucial about the gospel. Repent of your sour nature and be joyful....
http://www.gracepres.com/sermons.asp
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
3For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.
4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function,
5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith;
7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching;
8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness." Ro 12:1
TV - Cheers. The bar was where people knew your name. Family and church were not.///
In the 2000, we've seen reality shows: individual vs. community. Who can outsmart the community?...
A desire to be autonomous. Want connected life ... on our own terms. Tension. Sometimes we want to be known...
Church. Structure of accountability. Yet can be individualistic.... build relationships with those we gravitate to. Small community....
In this passage... show how we find our... in community...
In gospel community you can find an authentic community.... exciting purpose.... lasting
If you are in Christ you are part of all others in Him
After 11 chapters... "therefore I urge you brothers in view of God's mercy....Offer your body a living sacrifice.... " Purpose and conduct of community... and how individuals fit into that community. Remember....In view of all this mercy... offer your bodies -- plural -- as one living sacrifice. Many people becoming one living sacrifice. Gospel is the story of a people . its not the story of how you or I get to go to heaven individually. That's a subset. ... To form a community! That's why Jesus went to the cross. ... You are a community, whether or not you act that way....
The story of One People Jesus has put his affection on, He is forming a people for himself.
Authentic identify
Everyone got in because of God's mercy. Tim Keller.... Gospel is not to think less of oneself but to think leas about oneself. Out of private life into community.....
As we come out of isolation? we find our identity....
In community, you don't have to pretend... I'm a sinner.... creates a safe place for community
Exciting Purpose
vs. 4-5 Every body part is essential... in order to achieve the purpose.... Every individual disease affects the whole body. ... So our sin, our struggle affects the body of Christ. Think a moral lapse or great sin is the biggest problem, but ... the body is to restore.
The most destructive disease to the body is generalized selfishness. ... see themselves as individuals rather than part of a larger whole...part of a community.... the person who won't be around uncomfortable people. .... rather than in light of the mission of the larger community. That's what kills community..... That's the disease that each of us have to fight...
Church meant to be the place where.... (diverse) can love and serve one another. Church is meant to be a counter culture community. It's to be a message of what's most fundamental. Many become a metaphor of one.... United under the gospel.... Each member belongs to all the others.
You belong to all the others. ... you have to give up certain desires. You belong to the community... to each other. ...
Selfishness is very subtle... we can come into church and set up our own law ..... virtuous sounding ideals. You belong to the community, not the other way around. ....
Gifts
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith;
7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching;
8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness." Ro 12:1
Gift projection, universalizing gifts (doesn't value diversity), gift envy.... Gift ignorance....
Give yourself fully to the church....
Joy! God has always lived in community. He has made you and me in his image. ... Serve! Do it cheerfully. Root word hilarity. Laughing, smiling.
Contrast serving vs selfishness. .... live sacrificially. Our model is Jesus, who came to serve.... for the joy set before Him He endured the cross. sacrifice their own desires for the good of community.
At the center of the gospel story is a call to joy.