(Today’s post includes our anniversary look back and look ahead.)
The message that Jesus wanted to be communicated, first and foremost: “There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.” – Luke 24:47 Jesus’ mission for us. Jesus gave his followers a purpose. We are to communicate this message: Freedom, forgiveness, and new spiritual life are available in Jesus.
Jesus made clear the focus of God’s “big picture” purpose: “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16
This is what Peter and the witnesses of Jesus were focused on communicating, constantly, everywhere: “everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name.” – Acts 10:43
This is the message that the early believers and Paul focused on telling in Rome: “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9
The message of the early church at large was focused: “Through this man Jesus there is forgiveness for your sins. Everyone who believes in him is declared right with God – something the law of Moses could never do.” – Acts 13:38-39
“God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.” – Ephesians 2:8
“So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” – Romans 8:1
“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17
“For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.” – Colossians 1:13-14
Jesus gave his followers a purpose. We are to communicate this message: Freedom, forgiveness, and new spiritual life are available in Jesus.
This is why we are a “safe place to find and follow Jesus”. Everything that we have done and will do flows from this.