Church Street

Church neighboring daily life.

Forming Forming

Lingo

We've all encountered it: CEO-speak, lawyer-talk, academic word salad, politician punch. Words were uttered, but nothing was said. Gauging success in communication rests with the hearer.

Christians have our lingo, too. We might not even have a good grasp of their meaning, but some words make us feel secure in some theological safe zone. To make new disciples of Jesus, we need to turn lingo into language. Our words and our actual lived lives can communicate a coherent message of faith working through love.

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Forming Forming

Baptized

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in (eis) the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit... — Matthew 28:19

And whoever welcomes one such child in (epi) my name welcomes me. — Matthew 18:5

When we are baptized, we are immersed, not just into water and fire, but into (Greek eis) God's name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Following baptism, we represent him in all that we say and do in (Greek epi) his name.

What we must not do is take (bear) God's name in vain, misuse his name.

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Kingdom Kingdom

A Poor Self-Image

For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession. — Deuteronomy 7:6

We aren't independent actors, free to build whatever brand we want.

Nor do we wear the labels others administer to humble (humiliate?) us and make us feel small in God's eyes.

God believes we are his treasured possession. This says something beautiful about us. And it says something truly remarkable about our God.

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