Ps David Jones - 2024
Foundational Beliefs - What we believe at citywest church
Have you ever been asked “what is the church?” There are many different answers to a question like this. We are going to tackle one part of the answer to this question. It is not a whole lot of people turning up to a building on a Sunday morning. No matter where people gather, what country, what culture, what race and colour of the skin, when we are born again and become disciples of Jesus, we are connected as children of God in His family. We are the largest family in the world. At citywestchurch you will often here us say “church family” because it conveys how important our relationships are with other believers. We also believe gathering is where relationships are built, and real discipleship is done.
WHAT DOES THE FATHER SAY ABOUT FAMILY?
We are children of God
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are” 1 John 3:1
We are the sons and daughters of the almighty Father, adopted into his family through faith in Jesus Christ. We now have a living relationship with our heavenly Father. Knowing we are His children helps us trust him and know He has a plan for our life. The world is a broken place with broken and fractured relationships. Families' breakdown, authority is abused, and sadly to many believers caught in religious practices trying to please God. We are on continual journey as a church family help each other discover the Father heart of God. Our true identity is found only in the Father, through excepting His free gift of salvation. This is grace and grace describe is the un-merited favour of God for you and me.
We are a family of believers
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Galatians 6:10
In Gal 6:9 it encourages very believer “Let us not grow weary in doing Good” Being a part of a family everyone contributes in some way to the family of God and has things God has placed in our life for others. Consider the Three Ts - Time Talents Treasure:
Let us not grow weary in giving of our Time – You can do good to all people.
Let us not grow weary in giving of our Talents – Do not hide away, hold on to your God given gifts
Let us not grow weary in giving of our Tresure – Believers should be the most generous people on earth
We are members of God’s household
“Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:19-20
Paul is referring to Christians of Gentile background in this verse reminding everyone who is in Gods family they are not a “stranger or a foreigner”. Everyone belongs in the family of God. At citywestchurch we place high value on people belonging in this church family. People should not regard themselves as “second-class citizens” in God’s kingdom. They are not only full citizens, but also full and equal members of God’s household.
Key Thoughts
1. The Church is perfectly designed by the greatest Architect.
Gods Family is not a haphazard pile of stones, randomly dumped in a field.
God arranges the Church for His own glory and purposes.
2. The Church is a dwelling place where God Lives
It is not an empty house that is virtually a museum, with no one living inside.
The Church is to be both the living place of God and a living place for His people.
3. The Church is a temple holy and set apart to God (Hebrews 13:15)
God’s children are to be holy and set apart to God.
We serve there as priests, offering freely and cheerfully the spiritual sacrifices of our lips and hearts, our praises to God. We are a sweet aroma to the God. He loves our worship.
We are all in this together
“And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honoured, all the members rejoice with it.” 1 Corinthians 12:26
The body of Christ is made up of so many different people. Often illustrated by or referred to as the moving parts of a human body. Every part of the body has its place, just as we have a place, and we all belong working in unity together (1 Corinthians 12).
We are part of a living, spiritual household.
“But if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” 1 Timothy 3:15
The Greek Word - “Church” in the ancient Greek language, was a non-religious word for a group of people called together for a purpose. The church must consciously be in tune to God and His Holy Spirit. He is living and active in His people in Sunday services, groups, teams, around tables and wherever you and I go. We are a church family on a mission and filled with purpose to proclaim the good news of Jesus to all.
Natural Family at citywestchurch
At citywestchurch we place high value on creating a nurturing loving home and a protective environment for families. Where people of all ages, families can grow in their relationship with God and one another. Our heart is that when the children of this house grow up and they look back and have had some of the greatest memories growing up in this church family.
We believe the word of God has given us the biblical standard for family. We uphold scripture and endeavour to live according to the traditional family unit. We understand people come to us in all sorts of situations and our heart is to help each person in love and grace, and with time help them –gain a deeper understanding of God.
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