We are hearing a series of sermons on the 10 points of the Evangelical Free Church of America Statement of Faith as adopted by delegates to the 2008 EFCA Leadership Conference. Included in this post is a schedule for the series and the pastors who will be preaching.
During these same 10 weeks our Adult Education Fellowships (AEFs) will be studying the statement with a “round robin” of teachers moving from class to class. Everyone is welcome to join an AEF for these series to engage in study and discussion of each point.
Pastor Dave Martin was a member of the committee that wrote the new statement of faith. He will be preaching on June 24 on what the statement has to say about the Bible: Why do we need an authoritative text like this, and how do we misuse it?
In September, members of the congregation will be voting on the revised church constitution and bylaws. This statement of faith, which is part of our constitution, will be presented to members for approval in the fall, also.
Click here to read and download the new statement of faith, including referenced Bible verses. Click here to read our current statement of faith that was last revised in 2000.
Statement of Faith Sermon Series Schedule
“Shaped by the Truth”
June 17 (George Davis)
“God”
Suggested texts: Isa. 40:10-11; Acts 17:24-28
1. We believe in one God, Creator of all things, holy, infinitely perfect, and eternally existing in a loving unity of three equally divine Persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Having limitless knowledge and sovereign power, God has graciously purposed from eternity to redeem a people for Himself and to make all things new for His own glory.
• How does the reality of a Creator God shape us?
• What happens if we focus on one dimension of God’s character and overlook others?
June 24 ( Dave Martin)
“The Bible”
Suggested texts: 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:20-21
2. We believe that God has spoken in the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, through the words of human authors. As the verbally inspired Word of God, the Bible is without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for salvation, and the ultimate authority by which every realm of human knowledge and endeavor should be judged. Therefore, it is to be believed in all that it teaches, obeyed in all that it requires, and trusted in all that it promises.
• Why do we need an authoritative text like the Bible?
• How do we misuse the Bible?
July 1 (George Davis)
“The Human Condition”
Suggested texts: Gen. 3; Rom. 1-3
3. We believe that God created Adam and Eve in His image, but they sinned when tempted by Satan. In union with Adam, human beings are sinners by nature and by choice, alienated from God, and under His wrath. Only through God’s saving work in Jesus Christ can we be rescued, reconciled and renewed.
• What does it mean to be made in the image of God?
• How does our understanding of the human condition shape our response to others?
July 8 (Bob Sproul)
“Jesus Christ”
Suggested texts: Phil. 2:5-11; Col. 1:15-20
4. We believe that Jesus Christ is God incarnate, fully God and fully man, one Person in two natures. Jesus-Israel’s promised Messiah-was conceived through the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life, was crucified under Pontius Pilate, arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father as our High Priest and Advocate.
• Why is it important to say that Jesus is fully God and fully human?
• What’s the significance of Jesus as Israel’s promised Messiah?
July 15 (Kevin Dixon)
“The Work of Christ”
Suggested texts: Isa. 53; Rom. 3:21-26
5. We believe that Jesus Christ, as our representative and substitute, shed His blood on the cross as the perfect, all-sufficient sacrifice for our sins. His atoning death and victorious resurrection constitute the only ground for salvation.
• What is the significance of Jesus being our representative and substitute?
• How are we to understand “justification”? What difference does this make?
July 22 (Bob Sproul)
“The Holy Spirit”
Suggested texts: Ez. 36:22-28; John 16:5-15
6. We believe that the Holy Spirit, in all that He does, glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ. He convicts the world of its guilt. He regenerates sinners, and in Him they are baptized into union with Christ and adopted as heirs in the family of God. He also indwells, illuminates, guides, equips and empowers believers for Christ-like living and service.
• What is the ongoing ministry of the Spirit?
• What are the ways in which the Spirit’s work is undermined?
July 29 (George Davis)
“The Church”
Suggested texts: John 17; Eph. 2:11-3:13
7. We believe that the true church comprises all who have been justified by God’s grace through faith alone in Christ alone. They are united by the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ, of which He is the Head. The true church is manifest in local churches, whose membership should be composed only of believers. The Lord Jesus mandated two ordinances, baptism and the Lord’s Supper, which visibly and tangibly express the gospel. Though they are not the means of salvation, when celebrated by the church in genuine faith, these ordinances confirm and nourish the believer.
• What does it mean to be part of a church?
• Why is membership important?
August 5th
Global Vision Sunday
August 12 (George Davis)
“Christian Living”
Suggested texts: Col. 1:9-14; 1 Pet. 1:3-11
8. We believe that God’s justifying grace must not be separated from His sanctifying power and purpose. God commands us to love Him supremely and others sacrificially, and to live out our faith with care for one another, compassion toward the poor and justice for the oppressed. With God’s Word, the Spirit’s power, and fervent prayer in Christ’s name, we are to combat the spiritual forces of evil. In obedience to Christ’s commission, we are to make disciples among all people, always bearing witness to the gospel in word and deed.
• What’s the relationship between justification and sanctification? Why is this important?
• What’s the relationship between the inward and outward dimensions of Christianity?
August 19 (Kevin Dixon)
“Christ’s Return”
Suggested texts: Matt. 24:36-51; 2 Pet. 3:3-13
9. We believe in the personal, bodily and premillennial return of our Lord Jesus Christ. The coming of Christ, at a time known only to God, demands constant expectancy and, as our blessed hope, motivates the believer to godly living, sacrificial service and energetic mission.
• Why is it important to understand the reality of Christ’s return?
• How do we live with a “constant expectancy” concerning Christ’s return?
August 26 (George Davis)
“Response and Eternal Destiny”
Suggested texts: Matt. 7:13-27; Rev. 20:11-15
10. We believe that God commands everyone everywhere to believe the gospel by turning to Him in repentance and receiving the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe that God will raise the dead bodily and judge the world, assigning the unbeliever to condemnation and eternal conscious punishment and the believer to eternal blessedness and joy with the Lord in the new heaven and the new earth, to the praise of His glorious grace. Amen.
• In what ways does the gospel demand a response?
• How do the statements in this document lead us to a place of worship and praise?
