Song & sword Membership
TRUST TRANSFORM TESTIFY TOGETHER
These words summarize all that we believe God is calling us to do at Song & Sword Church.
trust
Week One
Matthew 14:22-33
The first step in following Jesus is trusting him as Lord and Savior and the story of Peter walking on the water is the scripture that will illustrate this clearly. In this story, we find Jesus identifying who he is (“take heart, it is I”). His power to walk on water and later, calm the winds and waves indicates his Lordship and the confession of the all the apostles “Truly you are the Son of God.” As Jesus invited Peter to “come” he invites all to trust him as Lord. But we also trust him as Savior. This is found in Peter’s cry to Jesus as he began to sink, “Lord, save me.” All were sinking in sin and death, but Jesus reached out his hand and saved us by his death, burial, and resurrection. Ultimately, Peter would summarize trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior in his good confession from Matthew 16:16.
transform
Week Two
Mark 5:1-20
After we trust (believe in) Jesus as Lord and Savior, we are transformed into a new creation (II Corinthians 5:17) clothed in Christ (Galatians 3:27) being formed into his likeness (Galatians 4:19) by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:11) and the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2) growing up into him (Ephesians 4:11-16). The healing of the demon possessed man from Gadara and the complete change Jesus brings in his life will be the backdrop for this teaching on transformation. This sermon on what is typically called “spiritual formation” will encourage our whole congregation to grow in the grace of giving, serving others, and regular participation in life groups and the weekly gathering of the church.
TESTIFY
Week Three
John 9:25
After we trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior and are being transformed into his likeness, the natural next step is to testify. Using the story of the man born blind as the foundation of our teaching we will illustrate through his testimony (“I was blind, but now I see”) how we all have a before Jesus (I was blind) and after Jesus (now I see) story to share. Jesus has changed us and we cannot help but speak of what we have seen and heard (Acts 4:20). We are called to go into all the world (Matthew 28:19) as the Jesus’ witnesses (Acts 1:8). Our first and best witness will be the godly lives we live day to day (I Timothy 2:1-4) living by example what we profess (I Timothy 4:11-15) as we serve those around us in Jesus' name (Matthew 25:35-40) prayerfully seeking an opportunity to share our story of faith (I Peter 3:15).
Together
Week Four
Ephesians 4:11-16
Everything in Christ is done together. This passage from the apostle Paul will end our series with an invitation to the unique fellowship of the church (Acts 2:42-47). Together we are one body (I Corinthians 12:12&;13) given different spiritual gifts to build one another up. By the Spirit’s power we bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2), openly confess to one another for healing and restoration (Galatians 6:1&; James 5:16) forgive one another (Ephesians 4:32) and pray for one another (James 5:16). Ultimately, our fellowship will be marked by generosity (II Corinthians 8:2) our love for one another (John 13:34&;35) and humble unity (Philippians 2:1-11).