OUR FAITH
The people of the Redlands Christian Reformed Church are ordinary people from all walks of life who believe that Jesus Christ is Saviour and Lord.
Our central message is the Good News that God so loved the world that he sent His Son into it. Jesus came into our world as a man, so that he could die for the sins of His people. But this was not the end of the story! Through rising again, He secured our forgiveness and the free gift of eternal life. Not only that, we have God’s promise of comfort, hope and meaning of life – regardless of what our situation may be. As Christians this is the good news we wish to share with the people of the Redlands.
Regardless of your situation, Jesus Christ offers hope, peace and meaning for your life. Only he can forgive sin and provide eternal life. He is our only answer to the problems and struggles we come across at home and in the community. We would love to share this with you.
In a world where so many things are changing, we really need to know what the Bible says.
Our beliefs are outlined in the statements of faith our Church subscribes to:
– The Heidelberg Catechism
– The Apostle’s Creed
– The Belgic Confession
– The Nicene Creed
– The Canons of Dort
– The Athanasian Creed
These documents adequately summarise what we believe.
OUR BELIEFS
THE GOSPEL IS AT THE HEART OF ALL WE SAY AND DO.
The gospel is so large and so infinite that it is nearly impossible to put into one sentence but at its core is John 3:16. It is the message of the good news of salvation, the word of truth offered to mankind by grace through faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross. It is a message not only of eternal life, but one that encompasses the total plan of God to redeem people from the ravages of sin, death, Satan, and the curse that now covers the earth. It is this gospel message that is the power of God to the salvation of all men (Romans 1:16)
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Romans 1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
Acts 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.
GATHERING PEOPLE TO CHRIST, AS HIS WORD IS PROCLAIMED
Week by week in church, in small groups and other ministries, and one on one, so that we might worship Christ as a church, encouraging each other to walk faithfully with Christ, through prayer, the study and application of the Bible in our lives, loving and caring for each other as brothers and sisters in Christ.
John 4:24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth. Colossians 3:16-17 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Revelation 14:7b Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.
GROWING EACH MEMBER OF OUR CHURCH TO MATURITY IN CHRIST.
Through prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit we will instruct, encourage and assist people to grow in their knowledge of Christ and his Word, forming them into a people with a commitment and desire to love and serve God.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. Titus 2:7-8a In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned. Hebrews 10:24-25b And let us consider how we may spur up one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together… but let us encourage one another.
2 Peter 3:18b But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
GIVING OURSELVES BY LOVING AND SERVING OTHERS.
God has graciously given so much to us – life, salvation, gifts, and resources. Following Jesus’ example we will give our time, gives and ourselves to serve God and others and building his Kingdom.
Psalm 24:1 The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. Romans 12:1, 5-8 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship… so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
GOING AS FAITHFUL SERVANTS OF CHRIST INTO THE COMMUNITY AND THE WORLD.
This is so that our families, friends, neighbours, school-mates and work colleagues whether in Australia, or around the world may also come to know Christ, and of the great news and hope that can be found in Him.
Matthew 28:19-20 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in [a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Luke 10:2 He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Mark 16:15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
ALL OF THIS IS TO THE GLORY OF GOD.
“Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.” (The Westminster Shorter Catechism)
Living for the glory of God is an act of complete surrender; declaring God sovereign over every aspect of our lives. As humble creatures of God’s creation surrendering our lives to allowing Him to shape them is an important means of glorying God.
Living for the glory of God also means to be a man after His own heart. In searching for a successor for the wayward King Saul, 1 Samuel 13:14 reveals that “the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart” and we all know that David went on to become a man with God’s passionate heartbeat.
Living for the glory of God we become good stewards of our God-given talents and time.
Living for the glory of God also involves giving him reverence as our Creator and Saviour, respect and acknowledgement for all the wonderful works He’s done in our lives, and most importantly making his name known to the world as we fulfil the great commission.
John Piper put it this way:
“God created us ‘in his image’ so that we would image forth his glory in the world. We were made to be prisms refracting the light of God’s glory into all of life. Why God should want to give us a share in shining with his glory is a great mystery. Call it grace or mercy or love—it is an unspeakable wonder. Once we were not. Then we existed for the glory of God! Therefore it is the duty of every person to live for the glory of God. ‘So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all for the glory of God’ (1 Corinthians 10:31). What does it mean to glorify God? It does not mean to make him more glorious. It means to acknowledge his glory, and to value it above all things, and to make it known. It implies heartfelt gratitude (Psalm 50:23). It also implies trust (Romans 4:20).” (Desiring God)
JESUS
Why Jesus?
No matter what you think of him, Jesus Christ has transformed human history. Our calendar is divided by his short life, hospitals and schools are built in his name, and more songs have been written about him than anyone else. And though he ascended to heaven over 2,000 years ago, his followers continue to gather, continue to worship him, and continue to spread across the globe.
What did Jesus come to do?
To put it simply, Jesus came to reveal God and to restore our relationship with Him. Both of these purposes find their fulfilment in the momentous events that took place at the end of his life; his death and resurrection. If you want to really know who Jesus is and why he came, you must look to the cross upon which he died and the empty tomb from which he emerged. These events tell us of a God who is infinitely holy, and so the penalty of sin had to be paid; but also of a God who is infinitely loving, and so he paid the penalty himself. God so loved the world that he sent Jesus to die for the world, so that whoever believes in him can have life; a life of purpose, joy, and hope, both now and forevermore.
What does it mean for me?
God’s love is not for the people that have it all together; in fact, God’s love is for the people that know they don’t have it all together! It’s for all people — whether young or old, male or female, broken, weak, lost, questioning, confused, or anything else. It’s not for those who do the right things but those who trust that Jesus has done everything to bring them to God.
If you’re not sure about Jesus and want to find out more about who he is and what we believe about him, we’d love for you to join us on Sunday and we will do whatever we can to help you know and experience the love of God.
