CORE CONVICTION 1 | Jesus Treasuring
Today's core conviction is rooted in the fact that we are not doing anything new because the God we follow is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Jesus said He would build His church and He has been bringing people together in His name across the world for thousands of years. So we want to honor what He and His disciples established from the beginning by being a church in Worcester that is connected to His church in the past, present, and future.
CORE CONVICTION 2 | His-Story Honoring
A Local Church in Worcester Connected to Jesus' Church Throughout Past Millenniums, Around the World, and in the Years to Come
We want the foundations for why we come together as a local expression of people who follow Jesus together in Worcester to focus on the four foundational actions of the church in how they lived among each other, encouraged each other to persevere in the faith, and loved each other. These foundations were and continue to be:
(1) Devoting ourselves to listening to and doing what God reveals to us in His Scriptures
(2) Enjoying life together
(3) Expressing gratitude for what Jesus has done through the Eucharist (i.e. Lord's Supper or Communion)
(4) Praying with and for each other by His Spirit
With these means of God's grace working together for our good and the good of those we love, we will be able to listen to and obey Jesus' words, share His good news with others, and see the church grow and start new communities of faith that honor Him in areas around our city and surrounding towns in Massachusetts until the Day He returns as King.
"They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer" (Acts 2:42).
"...let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith...Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching" (Hebrews 10:22-24).
"For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, 'This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.' In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of Me.' For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes" (I Corinthians 11:23-26).
"They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers" (Acts 1:14).
"...respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus"
(I Thessalonians 5:12-18).
Check back soon for CORE CONVICTION 3 | DISCIPLE MAKING
– Sully
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