The New Life Community Church Podcast

The Apostles' Creed ends on a high note and brings humanity into it's confession.  There's much to unpack from the necessity of forgiveness, to the acknowledgement of sin, resurrection of the body, and life eternal.

 

The church should not simply be defined by a physical place or a specific building, but rather by the wonderful community of people who come together to make it up and share in their common faith in Jesus. When people stop going to church and start being the church is when they can support and encourage one another as God intends.

We believe in a triune God, consisting of three distinct persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Each person is fully and equally God, sharing the same divine essence while functioning in unique roles within the creation and redemption of the world.  Together, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit embody a relationship of perfect love and unity, inviting us to participate.

The ascension of Jesus to heaven is essential for the gift of the Holy Spirit. It gives hope that humans can also join him in heaven. The ascension confirms that Jesus' sacrifice on the cross was enough for our sins. Having a human Jesus in heaven means that we can approach him confidently in prayer, knowing he sympathizes and intercedes for us.

Jesus died on Friday and rose from the dead on Sunday morning, personally, bodily, physically, actually, and literally. It was Jesus himself, not a substitute, and he rose in his crucified body. He rose as a physical being, not as a ghost or phantom. In this message we explore the resurrection of Jesus who was raised immortal, incorruptible, and will never die again. 

Jesus, in His great compassion for humanity, chose to experience the entirety of our suffering and grief during His time on Earth. His decision to carry the burden of our sins led Him to the ultimate sacrifice of His life on the cross. Jesus, our Lord, not only reigns supreme but also embodies the sacrificial love of the Suffering Servant who selflessly endured crucifixion for the redemption of all.

Do you bear the name of Christianity but not the essence of Christian living?  Fake Christians are individuals who claim to follow Jesus but do not align their actions with His teachings, choosing not to obey His commandments and words.  We need to understand that salvation and the lordship of Christ are intertwined and inseparable in our faith journey. 

The Apostles' Creed was developed by the early church to ensure correct belief and was used in spiritual formation. The opening line, 'I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth,' echoes Genesis 1:1, emphasizing the belief in God as the Creator and the concept of creation ex nihilo.

The Apostles' Creed is a declaration of our understanding of God's revelation. It serves as a public statement of faith, anchors Christian belief in tradition, and provides a doctrinal basis for unity. Like the moon, it reflects truth and similar to the Olympic torch, has been handed down from generation to generation.

Greatness in the kingdom of God is different from that in our culture, which values wealth and possessions, while the kingdom measures greatness by fruitfulness and faithfulness. Greatness in the kingdom requires responding to God's unconditional love with obedience to love others, resulting in becoming conduits of Jesus' love for the world, transforming into people who love as Jesus does.