The Lord Jesus Christ came to build His church (Matt. 16:18). He is its chief cornerstone (Eph. 2:20); its Head (Col. 1:18); its foundation (1 Cor. 3:11); and its body (Col. 1:24). The church universal to be sure made up of the elect from every tribe, tongue and nation; but also the local church as well. The Cross Church has four key pillars it is built upon from which all other ministry flows:
- The One Triune God
- The Word of God
- The Gospel of God
- The Worship and Glory of God
Our prayer is that this website and our local church’s ministry directly to you may encourage you daily in your walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. To live more holy, faithfully, boldly, truthfully in His gospel. That is why we’ve chosen for our core verse for ministry and life at The Cross Church (TCC) is Galatians 6:14, “But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world.” There is our daily rejoicing, hope, confidence, and peace – the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ! He is our First Love; He i4s our Sovereign; He is our Sufficiency; and He is our Savior. On Sunday – we are the church gathered to worship and honor and praise and adore Him. But Monday through Saturday – we are the church scattered going into our community where we live to proclaim and exemplify the gospel in all walks of life. We call this missional living. I hope the following article sums up the heart of our church and ignites yours to keep Jesus and His cross central in everything you do. For us at TCC. it is why exist; why we love; why we labor for the Lord and His people.
Grace and peace to you on behalf of all the elders, Steve Pastor/TeacherWhy We Love The Church
“The church is the community of all true believers for all time. This definition understands the church to be made of all those who are truly saved. Paul says, “Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Eph 5:25). Here the term “the church” is used to apply to all those whom Christ died to redeem, all those who are saved by the death of Christ. But that must include all true believers for all time, both believers in the New Testament age and believers in the Old Testament age as well” -Wayne Grudem
The closest fellowship, as Christians, that we can ever enjoy on earth is within the body of Christ. “Brethren” is an endearing word for the intimacy of our union with Christ and, therefore, with each other. It was used by our Lord immediately following His bodily resurrection from the dead to portray His deep affection and love for those He came to save (John 20:17; cp, Heb. 2:11). There are close to fifty “one anothers” in the New Testament that describe in wonderful detail how our lives are to be woven and lived together within the body of Christ. The world may not know of Paul, Stephen, Luke, Peter, even Moses or David, etc.; but they do know you and me and they are watching. What a joy to give up all rights to self and serve without reservation each other in the body of Christ as a witness and testimony of His life-changing grace. We should not come to church seeking what we can get, but more importantly, asking how we can give (1 Peter 4:10). I have defined ministry as:
service to God and His creatures as we employ our Spirit-given giftedness, according to the instruction of Scripture as good stewards of the manifold grace of God for the advancement of His kingdom; that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. (cp, 1 Peter 4:10-12)
God has designed genuine ministry to be inseparable from the life, fellowship, and leadership of the local church. Any ministry that does not strengthen one’s commitment to the local church is inconsistent with the purposes of Christ (Acts 2:42-47; Hebrews 10:23-25).
Committed to the Lord of the Church
Firstly, Jesus Christ promised to build the Church-therefore, my commitment should be to it (Matthew 16:18; Acts 2:39-47). Committed to Love the Church
Secondly, He purchased the Church with His own precious blood-therefore, I love those for whom He died (1 Peter 1:19; 1 John 3:14-16). Committed to Labor and Serve with the Church
Thirdly, the Church is the predominate agency through which God’s will is manifested on earth-therefore, it is the community with whom I labor (Ephesians 1:9-10; Colossians 1:28-29). Committed to the Life of One Another in the Church
Fourthly, the Church is the only earthly expression of heaven-therefore, we must daily grow together in conformity to the fullness of Christ (2 Peter 3:10-14; Revelation 4:4-11; Ephesians 4:12-13). Committed to Lasting Victory for the Church
Fifthly, the gates of Hades will not prevail against the Church-therefore, in light of the assured victory through our Lord Jesus Christ, our worship and toil is not in vain (Matthew 16:18; 1 Corinthians 15:54-58).
