Church Street

Church neighboring daily life.

Forming Forming

Cost of Ownership

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. — Matt. 13:44

Some cars have a high cost of ownership. But people happily buy them for a particular lifestyle. Christian discipleship also has a high cost: deny yourself, take up your cross every day, and follow Jesus. And in our joy, we count that cost negligible when compared with Kingdom life.

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Forming Forming

The Interpretive Key

I and the Father are one. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. ⏤ John 10:30, 14:6

Have you noticed Christians use the same language, from the same texts, yet seem so different? Mother Teresa and the Crusaders. Domination and withdrawal. Prosperity and asceticism. To read scripture well, we need an interpretive key. Jesus came to reveal to us what God is truly like and what a human being should be like. His words and ways unlock wisdom and understanding. All eyes on Jesus.

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Forming Forming

Belong to Become

We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. — 1 John 1:3

We try to be independent, logical, and objective. Realistically, we are social, relational, and interdependent, formed in groups and families. Seth Godin says, "When you pick your tribe, you pick your future." As a pastor, I hope people identify with fellowships that are wholly devoted to Jesus and formed by Jesus in the ways of Jesus. That's choosing a right good future!

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