The Gospel

Taken from the T4G website:

The Gospel

The Gospel is the joyous declaration that God is redeeming the world through Christ (Matt 1:21; Luke 1:68; Eph 1:7; Col 1:20), and that he calls everyone everywhere to repent from sin and trust Jesus Christ for salvation (Mark 1:15; Acts 2:38; 17:30).

Each of us has sinned against God (Rom 3:23), breaking his law and rebelling against his rule, and the penalty for our sin is death and hell (Rom 6:23). But because he loves us, God sent his Son Jesus (John 3:16; Eph 2:4; 1 John 4:10) to live for his people’s sake the perfect, obedient life God requires (Rom 8:4; 1 Cor 1:30; Heb 4:15) and to die in their place for their sin (Isa 53:5; Mat 20:28; 26:28; Mark 10:45; 14:24; Luke 22:20; John 11:50-51; Rom 3:24-25; 4:25; 1 Cor 15:3; 2 Cor 5:21; Eph 5:2; Heb 10:14; 1 Pet 3:18). On the third day, He rose bodily from the grave (Mat 28:6) and now reigns in heaven (Luke 22:69; 24:51; Heb 8:1), offering forgiveness (Eph 1:7), righteousness (Rom 5:19), resurrection (Rom 8:11), and eternal blessedness in God’s presence (Rev 22:4) to everyone who repents of sin and trusts solely in Him for salvation.

The Apostles' Creed

The Apostles' Creed

I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried. On the third day, He rose again from the dead, ascended to heaven, sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, from thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy universal church, the communion of the saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

An Explanation of the Apostles' Creed

From as early as the second century, Christians used Statements of Faith, like the Apostles' Creed, to publicly declare their faith in Christ. Usually these statements were made prior to their public declaration of the faith at baptism.

Although these earliest statements were found primarily in Rome, the Apostles' Creed has become a useful tool to teach believers throughout the world and throughout the centuries.

At CrossView Church, we use this brief statement in our public services to declare before God, before each other, and before the world that these are truths Scripture has revealed. In other words, we are united by our faith in God, the Father Almighty, Jesus, His only Son and the Holy Spirit.

The Nicene Creed (381)

The Nicene Creed (AD 381)

We believe in one God, the Father, Ruler of All, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible;

And we believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten from the Father before all time; Light from Light, true God from true God; begotten, not made; of the same essence as the Father, through Whom all things were made.

Who for us and for our salvation, came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary, and was made a man.

He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried, and rose on the third day, according to the Scriptures, and ascended to heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father.

He shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead: His Kingdom shall have no end.

And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, Who proceeds from the Father and the Son, Who is worshiped and glorified together with the Father and Son, and Who spoke through the Prophets.

And we believe in one holy, universal and apostolic church. We confess one baptism for the remission of sins, and we look for the Resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

History of the Nicene Creed (AD 381)

Belief in God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit is an essential part of Biblical faith. Knowing God, and constantly affirming this faith is part of what it means to be a Christian.

In AD 381, in the city of Constantinople, a group of elders formed a council to write a statement reaffirming their faith in Father, Son and Spirit. This statement, commonly known as the Nicene Creed of AD 381 declares Biblical truths such as 1) Jesus is God; 2) Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead; 3) the Holy Spirit is Lord as well; 4) there is one universal church; and 5) the dead will be resurrected. Later, this creed was amended to make clear that the Spirit proceeds from both the Father and the Son. This creed was an appropriate response to false teaching of the past, and to guard against false teaching that might occur in the future.

This morning, we confess our faith aloud through these words of the Nicene Creed because we believe Jesus Christ is God, our Savior, Lord and Creator, and we believe the Holy Spirit is our Lord and giver of eternal life. At CrossView Church, we know that what we believe about God matters, and so we join saints throughout the centuries who have confessed the same Biblical truth.

The Nicene Creed (325)

The Nicene Creed (AD 325)

We believe in one God, the Father, Ruler of All, maker of all things visible and invisible;
And we believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God
Begotten of the Father as only begotten, that is, from the essence of the Father.
God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten not created, of the same essence as the Father.
Through whom all things came into being, both in heaven and in earth.
Who for us and for our salvation came down and was incarnate, being made a man.
He suffered and the third day he rose, and ascended into the heavens.
And he will come to judge the living and the dead.
And we believe in the Holy Spirit. Amen.

History of the Nicene Creed (AD 325)

What do you say when some asks, “Who is Jesus Christ?” Maybe you answer, “Jesus is the Word who became flesh and died for sins once for all before God raised him from the dead on the third day” (John 1, 1 Peter 3, Acts 10). If this is your response, you join Christians who, throughout the centuries, have summarized their faith to proclaim the Gospel and to ensure that teaching in the church is thoroughly Biblical. These summaries are often called “creeds.”

You may already be familiar with the Apostles' Creed, but the Nicene Creed of AD 325 is less well known. Its origin is interesting. 1,675 years ago, a preacher named Arius began to teach false doctrine such as: 1) God the Father alone is God; 2) Jesus Christ is a created being; and 3) there was a time when Christ did not exist.

This Nicene Creed came to be when about 220 elders gathered in the town of Nicaea (in modern0day Turkey) to address Arius' false teaching. They wrote a brief statement, using biblical wording, to clarify that Christians believe Jesus Christ is fully God, and furthermore, that those who believe and teach anything less lack Biblical faith. We have omitted one paragraph from this creed that condemns a particular false teaching of the time.

At CrossView Church, we believe Scripture teaches that at the center of our Christian faith is Christ, Himself. Therefore we rejoice in joining with saints throughout the centuries who have confessed the same, Biblical truth.

I'm Jolted by God

This is sobering: GOD still tests our hearts and pays careful attention to our individual and church's gospel ministry (1 Thess. 2:4).

L. Ron Hubbard on starting a religion as the quickest way to make money

I couldn't find a direct quote from him, but here is a report of several instances of him saying something along this line:

http://www.don-lindsay-archive.org/scientology/start.a.religion.html

Sermons by Date

June 7 What a Good Church Looks Like
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

June 14 Serving Others in Church
1 Thessalonians 2:1-12

June 21 Responding to God’s Message
1 Thessalonians 2:13-16

June 28 God’s Care for New Churches
1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13

July 5 L.A. Living that Pleases God
1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

July 12 Loving the Church and the
Neighborhood
1 Thessalonians 4:9-12

July 19 Jesus is Coming Again
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

July 26 Judgment Day is Coming
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

August 2 The LA Christian Lifestyle
1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

August 9 Why Did Jesus Die?
1 John 2:1-2

August 16 Why God Has You in LA
Jonah 1

August 23 When God Disciplines His People
Jonah 2

August 30 Accomplish Your Mission in LA
Jonah 3

September 6 God Cares for LA More than You Think
Jonah 4

Sermons by Series from June-September

Instruction for L.A. Churches

A series of nine studies in 1 Thessalonians

June 7 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

June 14 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12

June 21 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16

June 28 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13

July 5 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

July 12 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12

July 19 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

July 26 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

August 2 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

The Cross

August 9 1 John 2:1-2

Guest Preacher: Eric Tibayan

God Sends People to L.A.

A series of four studies in Jonah

August 16 Jonah 1

August 23 Jonah 2

August 30 Jonah 3

September 6 Jonah 4

Ate Nina's response to our Sunday Gathering (6/6/09)

We actually talked about [PJ's] preaching (in the car on our way back to DB) and how it is straight to the point and that [PJ] explain[s] and decipher[s] the scripture well. Even Trina agreed that it was easy for her to understand. That night, Dennis also mentioned how we should really be thankful that God chose Niko – we wouldn’t have realized this without [PJ] explaining that to us. I’m also thankful for the time that I had with Frances. We had a good time sharing and praying for each other. I’m so excited for Ruby’s heart to take on the breakfast ministry. Because of that, I think the people at the park are always looking forward to seeing us there on Sundays.

- Ate Nina

What God taught me on June 6 at our Sunday Gathering

The Lord impressed upon the need to encourage people more regularly in preaching rather than exclusively commanding or exhorting to action. I was challenged by 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 to point out evidences of God's grace working in people as an important way to encourage our church and other Christians.

Now how did God encourage you or what did you learn from him?

Our City

Today was unexpectedly used by God...

We all went to the park to exercise, and before leaving a lady was shouting in Spanish if anyone wanted free bread. Out of curiosity I headed over there. She told me she gets tons of bread through her church. I told her I was also part of a local church too. She wanted my information because she'd like to give us her excess breads so we can give out to the homeless community or use it as a church. She gave me a huge bag with about 15 various breads. PJ, the kids, and I headed to a bridge where there are a handful of homeless people. We tried to get them to come out to us from their squatter homes, but it seemed like no one was there. Before heading back home, we saw a man sleeping near the bridge, I asked him if he wanted some bread and he kindly said yes! We began talking to him and he said he'd just gotten a job down the street and would love to treat us at his restaurant. Before leaving we'd asked him if he needed anything and he said he needed a room to rent for $400-$450 and if we can help him look for a place. We were excited and said we'd meet up with him tomorrow. I started looking on Craigslist for a place and a few have poped up. Lord willing we can help get him into a place. We'll hopefully be seeing him tomorrow but we decided we don't want him to treat us but we just want to continue building a relationship with him. God is working in our hearts and using CrossView to reach our city people, little, by little.