2 July, 2017

How do we deal with a post-truth culture?

TRUTH IS THE NEW HATE SPEECH (1903-1950) TRUTH IS THE NEW HATE SPEECH

15 …you must worship Christ as 1 Peter 3 15 …you must worship Christ as Lord of your life.

And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. 16 But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear.

Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.

for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek Romans 1 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek

“The just shall live by faith.” 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

Evangelical Free Church of Canada This We Believe

Meaning of “Evangelical Free” Our “foundational principles” EFCC character and “calling” Statement of Faith

Meaning of “Evangelical Free”

and sufficient guide to faith and practice. Evangelical refers to our commitment to the authority of Scripture as being inerrant in the original autographs and the only safe and sufficient guide to faith and practice.

we can be reconciled to our Heavenly Father. It also speaks to our belief that the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ form the only basis upon which, by God’s grace, we can be reconciled to our Heavenly Father.

Free not a state-controlled church – Christ is the head of the church congregational church government

Free local congregations maintain their autonomy they voluntarily band together interdependently and freely

Meaning of “Evangelical Free” Our “foundational principles”

Conviction regarding foundational principles: Church membership Tenets based on Scripture Local church autonomy

Conviction regarding foundational principles: Ordinances for believers only Active involvement of lay persons Missionary activity

Historical Background As a result of revival movements among Norwegian immigrants in 1911 in Winnipeg, the EFCC was born The first EFCC congregation was established in Alberta in 1913

Meaning of “Evangelical Free” Our “foundational principles” EFCC character and “calling”

Our Character: ...Every local church, denomination and ministry organization is a part of the Kingdom [of God] and carries some responsibility in the work of the Kingdom.

Our Character: As a part of the Body of Christ, EFCC desires to understand and fulfill its particular calling in the work of the Kingdom.

The EFCC will seek to live out our calling Our Character: The EFCC will seek to live out our calling to be a community in Christ, reflecting the fullness of His vision for the Kingdom of God “on earth as it is in heaven.”

the gospel of God’s grace. Our Character: We will do this by putting aside the prevailing values of our time and replacing them with the radical demands of the gospel of God’s grace.

Our Calling: In essentials, unity; In non-essentials, charity; In all things, Jesus Christ

Meaning of “Evangelical Free” Our “foundational principles” EFCC character and “calling” Statement of Faith

was released – because of friction THE LAW OF THE PENDULUM Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) A pendulum can never return to a point higher than the point from which it was released – because of friction and gravity...

“...the universe dwarfs us both in age and extent, and this teaches us of the majesty of God...

is in the center of creation, Even while humans are the highest member of God’s creation, we must not lose sight of the fact that God is in the center of creation, not us.” D. Snoke – U. Pittsburgh

EFCC is committed to God’s evangel – the Gospel of Jesus Christ Who died and rose again to give us eternal life.

...there are some who trouble you Galatians 1 ...there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.

Galatians 1 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.

Our essential theological convictions are To God’s glory, the Gospel is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes. Our essential theological convictions are vitally connected to this Gospel.

God’s Gospel originates in and expresses the wondrous perfections of the eternal, triune God God’s Gospel is authoritatively revealed in the Scriptures God’s Gospel alone addresses our deepest needs

God’s Gospel is made know supremely in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. 5. God’s Gospel is accomplished through the work of Christ 6. God’s Gospel is applied by the power of the Holy Spirit

7. God’s Gospel is now embodied in the new community called the church 8. God’s Gospel compels us to Christ-like living and witness to the world God’s Gospel will be brought to fulfillment by the Lord Himself at the end of the age

10.God’s Gospel requires a response that has eternal consequences.

What Next? 6 …without faith it is impossible Hebrews 11 6 …without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

What Next? 1 Peter 3 15 …you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. 16 But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear.

Then if people speak against you, they will What Next? Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.

In Remembrance of Me

Turn your Eyes Upon Jesus

O soul are you weary and troubled. No light in the darkness you see O soul are you weary and troubled? No light in the darkness you see? There's light for a look at the Saviour, And life more abundant and free:

Will grow strangely dim In the light of His glory and grace. Turn you eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face; And the things of earth Will grow strangely dim In the light of His glory and grace.

In Remembrance of Me

Through death into life everlasting He passed, and we follow Him there; Over us sin no more hath dominion For more than conquerors we are!

Will grow strangely dim In the light of His glory and grace. Turn you eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face; And the things of earth Will grow strangely dim In the light of His glory and grace.

In Remembrance of Me

His Word shall not fail you—He promised; Believe Him, and all will be well: Then go to a world that is dying, His perfect salvation to tell!

Will grow strangely dim In the light of His glory and grace. Turn you eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face; And the things of earth Will grow strangely dim In the light of His glory and grace.

we rejoice in Your greatness and power, Your gentleness and love, Lord God, we rejoice in Your greatness and power, Your gentleness and love, Your mercy and justice.

Chrysostom's Prayer (modified), Enable us by Your Spirit to honour You in our thoughts, and words and actions, and to serve You in every aspect of our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Chrysostom's Prayer (modified), based on Matthew 18:19-20