Spiritual Friendship
Spiritual friendships are needed by all people; are discovered through the immediate bond of the love of Jesus Christ; are created through shared faith, prayer, possessions, feelings, and decisionmaking; and will last forever.
The Community of Jesus
Jesus not only saves us from our sins, he weaves us into a new human community. That community is characterized by a reversal of values. When we realize that we are both sinners and saved by grace, we will have freedom from the values that previously defined us, and yet a regard and love for those who don’t share our values.
Hope, Race and Power
Racial and cultural differences exist. They cannot be resolved by simply embracing broad-mindedness, but by adjusting our lives and forming deep relationships with people from whom we are different. These relationships will enable us to finally view all aspects of God’s glory.
Love, Lust, and Liberation
Lust exists, it is powerful, and we must respect its power. The Bible rejoices in sex and sexual desire, but lust is an impersonal, inordinate desire and an idolatrous search for meaning. Lust can be overcome if you esteem Jesus as your bridegroom and the lover of your soul.
The Gospel, the Church and the World
The church is described as “living stones” to represent it as a deeply interconnected community. We must neither give into culture nor withdraw from culture, but maintain our beliefs while engaging and serving the world. The power to maintain this balance comes from being secure in Christ and united as a church body, with him as our cornerstone.
Worship and Community
The identity and mission of the church centers around human relationships, and we need to be in relationships with each other to understand God. As “spiritual temples” we become the dwelling place of God through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. As part of a “royal priesthood” we are called to worship and offer spiritual sacrifice to God. All of this is done in community with the past, present, and future body of believers.