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Frequently Asked Questions
The views below are the pastors and not intended to speak for the whole United Methodist Church. The General conference has stated 'no person, no paper, no organization has the authority to speak officially for the United Methodist Church, this right having been reserved exclusively to the General conference.
- What does it mean to call Jesus Savior?
- What does it mean to call Jesus Lord?
- How does the Holy Spirit work in our lives?
- What is the church to be about?
- What is the Kingdom of God?
- What is the Resurrection?
- What is Eternal Life?
To call Jesus Savior means to accept the sacrifice Jesus made upon the cross for us. Jesus died for us to pay the penalty of sin that we might receive new life. To say Jesus is my savior means putting your whole trust in God's grace. God's grace is a free gift offered to us. We do not have to earn God's love. In Ephesians 2 it states "For it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast?" We are not saved by what we do but by what God has done through Jesus' death and resurrection. As we accept this free
gift, we ask the Holy Spirit to come into our lives entering into a new relationship with God and are thus declared right (justified) with God. "Associate Pastor David Goudie"
To call Jesus Lord means much more than simply an idea or a phrase. Every aspect of our lives challenges us to see where we put our allegiance. Daily we are called to place our complete trust in Jesus Christ. This is difficult in an ever-increasing secular world. Pressures of work and family and this world constantly makes demands upon our allegiance. Yet, it is only when we give over our allegiance to Jesus that we can have Jesus make a difference in our families and work and in the world. We thus cannot compartmentalize Jesus Christ to one area of our lives. Jesus Christ calls us to allow him to be
control over every part of our lives. "Associate Pastor David Goudie"
In order for Christ to be Lord over our lives every day, we need to be constantly in the presence of God. This is why I believe the gift of the Holy Spirit, is the best gift God can give us. I can't imagine living life without the presence of God. The Holy Spirit is there to talk with, to laugh with, and to give over my concerns. Yet, it is not only about "me and God". The Holy Spirit challenges me to reach out to others with this wonderful gift. The Holy Spirit unites us with each other as a family. The Holy Spirit works beyond our limitations and capabilities. The Holy Spirit is the power of God; pressing
the whole church to be what the Lord God calls us to be. "Associate Pastor David Goudie"
The nature of the church is to be the body of Christ in the world. We are to be a fellowship of believers that embodies the grace and love of God. This fellowship must go beyond the social club mentality. We are to care for one another. We are to hold each other accountable with love so that we can grow in God's grace. We are to welcome all into this fellowship so that they to may experience presence of Christ in their lives.
Therefore, our fellowship is not in isolation but
for the purpose of witnessing to God's reign in the
world. Our mission therefore, is to make disciples
of Jesus Christ. This means having a growing faith
in Jesus Christ and being sent to tell the good news
of Christ's ministry, empowered by his love for
people. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are
to show compassion, feed the poor, comfort the sick
and be instruments of Jesus' peace and justice.
"Associate Pastor David Goudie"
The Kingdom of God is the Holy Spirit's presence working in this world to bring about God's justice and righteousness. God's reign is always working to break into our lives and into the whole community. God's Kingdom is advancing when people turn toward Christ, when they have Christ to be over their lives and over every part of their community life. When we accept God's reign in our lives we rely upon the power of the resurrection of Jesus to bring new life. "Associate Pastor David Goudie"
The resurrection is central to Christian faith. It is the power of God to bring life out of death. When talking about the resurrection, we must begin with Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the one who conquered sin and death. It is only through faith in Christ's resurrection that we can also receive of the gift of resurrection. Christian faith is built on the belief that Jesus Christ was crucified and three days later rose bodily from the grave. The scriptures tell us "if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation has been in vain and your faith has been in vain" (1st Corinthians 15:14)
Christ's resurrection proves God's power of life over death. Through faith in Christ, we can share in that gift of eternal life. "Associate Pastor David Goudie" Top of Page
Eternal life is about both the life we can have with Jesus after we die and the life we can have with Christ now. Therefore, while it incorporates the future hope of heaven, it goes beyond just a hope of being in heaven someday. Instead, it is the power of God to work in our lives to experience true life. For instance, I have seen people go from despair, crushed by sin, pinning away their lives to accepting the new life that is found in Jesus Christ they had never felt alive before. Now even in hard times, they still experience life, because Christ has given their life meaning. "Associate Pastor David
Goudie"
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