Yesterday we started a new series called “Convergence Core Values”. Core values are important because they dictate our culture. As a new church, we’re trying to be intentional about the type of culture we create. Of course, our culture will be dictated by the people that God brings, but our hope is that we can influence culture enough to create a place that honors God more than anything else.
Over the next few weeks I’ll be sharing about the following Core Values of Convergence Community Church. We hope they will influence our culture in a positive way.
Core Values
- Scripture
- Relationships
- Creativity
- Empowerment
- The Gospel
Today, we’re talking about Scripture.
To be clear, our church holds that the Holy Bible contains 66 books (39 OT/27 NT) and is the final authority in determining all doctrinal truths.
The Bible is the final authority in determining all doctrinal truths.
It’s interesting to note that scripture itself has a lot to say about itself. Rhema, Logos & Gramma are all used to refer to scripture in the Greek NT. While each word contains its own history, meaning and significance, we’ll focus on the word Gramma, or written word. Since we base our faith primarily upon the written word, it is understood that in it we also have access to the spoken word “Rhema” and the actual word “Logos”. But I digress…
I grew up sailing off the coast of Southern California. We traveled as far south as Ensenada and as far north as the Channel Islands. One of the perks of such a lifestyle was learning a bit about navigation. I put time in working the charts, using a compass and practicing various types of navigation. I know my way around a compass pretty well, but I still find myself lost today without my GPS. Her name is Staci by the way and she’s never wrong… 😉
Honestly though, I remember the days of carrying a Thomas Brothers map in my car and guessing about which freeway would get me to where I was going the quickest. Today, if my iphone, or my wife Staci aren’t in the car with me I’m totally lost.
I’m afraid that many Christians find themselves in the same place spiritually today. They’re lost! Unsure of where to go or what to do with their lives they simply go about life aimlessly because they don’t carry God’s GPS with them.
Some people refer to God’s word as “God’s Positioning System” or “God’s Plan of Salvation”. Ultimately, there’s a huge difference between my GPS and God’s GPS. While my GPS gives me the benefit of knowing the quickest route to wherever I’m headed, God’s GPS not only tells me the best route, but whether or not I should be heading there in the first place. It also comes with a number of blessings. Check these out!
- God’s word brings a blessing!
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the way of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And on His law he meditates day and night.”
Psalms 1:1-2 - God’s word brings salvation!
“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings (gramma) which are able to make you wise unto salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” 2 Tim 3:14-15 - God’s word brings competence!
“All Scripture (graphe) is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:14-17 - God’s word brings life!
“You search the Scriptures (graphas) because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it’s they that bear witness about Me; yet you refuse to come to Me that you may have life.”
John 5:39-40 ESV - God’s word brings Jesus!
“In the beginning was the Word (Logos), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made.” John 1:1-3
Notice the progression in the blessings found in God’s word. If you look to God’s word for blessing, you’ll find salvation which leads to good works which lead to life which can only be found in Christ. In other words, if you look to God’s word, you’ll find Christ because He is the Living Word.
If you’re looking for life, look to the Word.
If you look to the Word, you’ll find Jesus.
From Genesis to Revelation, everything in God’s word points to Jesus. God’s ultimate plan of salvation is only possible with Him. God’s GPS always points us to Jesus.
Jesus is true North.
When God gave the Israelites the Law, it wasn’t meant to be a heavy burden, it was meant to be a blessing. God’s written word was meant to free them from the weight and penalty of the surrounding culture’s detrimental way of life. We call that sin. God’s word was meant to give them a life more abundant. Who isn’t looking for that? Ultimately, the fulfillment of God’s word (the law) can only be found in Jesus and the work of the cross.
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” Matt 5:17 (ESV)
If you’re looking for life, look to God’s word. If you look to God’s word, you’ll find Jesus. After all, He is the Living Word, and that’s better than any GPS this world has to offer.
“but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18 NASB)
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