Happy: The immediate sense of pleasure that comes from knowing God, receiving His favor, and living in the center of His will.
As a happy church, we know what God has done for us, and we receive it.
Confidently, we know who we are; we know what God calls us to do; and we do it.
1. By grace, God freely saves us from our sin and all its effects.
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
Born sinners (proud, selfish, and independent), separated from God, and lost, we could never save ourselves. Like men lost on the edge of a great gulf, we could never build a bridge to God (Ephesians 2:1-3). However, God took action. Because of His great love and mercy, God sent His son into the sinful, hostile world in order to save us from our sin, and the consequent judgment we deserved (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:4). We love him because He first loved us (1 John 4:10, 19). He caused us to be “born again” giving us a fresh start in life (John 1:13; 3:3-8; 1 Peter 1:3).
The great metaphors of salvation portray an active God who took initiative to save us through the work of Christ. God adopts us into His family like a loving Father (Ephesians 1:5; Romans 8:15). As in the marketplace, God redeems us, or purchases us from the slavery. Relationally, He breaks down the barrier between us and Him, reconciling us, so that we have peace with God (Romans 5:1,11). Moreover, Jesus describes himself as a bold and aggressive liberator, who frees captives from the tyranny of cruel oppression (Luke 4:18-19).
Nowhere does Scripture indicate that God does these things reluctantly. Freely, kindly, generously and lavishly, God reaches towards us to give a new and better life (Isaiah 55:1-3; Ephesians 1:3-9). In light of such love, we turn from our sin, pride, selfishness and independence, in order to live for God.
“God loves people because of who God is, not because of who we are.” Philip Yancey, Whats So Amazing About Grace
“The only thing that we contribute to our justification is our sin.” Martin Luther
“One might as well try to cross the Atlantic in a paper boat than get to heaven by works. Charles Spurgeon
“Works, Works! A man get to heaven by works! I would as soon think of climbing to the moon on a rope of sand.” George Whitefield
“Grace plus nothing equals grace” Gordon Fee
“Just Judge + Guilty Sinner + Death of Christ + My Faith = No Condemnation” John Piper
2. We receive God’s love, and we know God forgives us.
Because God forgives us, we do not live with a guilty conscience, and voices from the past do not rise up and condemn us.
How blessed is the man whose transgression is forgiven,
Whose sin is covered.
How blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity;
And in whose spirit there is not deceit! Psalm 37:1-2
Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. Psalm 103:1-5
And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins. Luke 1:76-77
The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. And I, Paul, am the foremost of sinners. 1 Timothy 1:15
God gives this forgiveness as a free gift. We can never earn our own forgiveness, and consequently our own salvation. Salvation does result from our own efforts. God gives salvation as a free gift—“By grace we have been saved.” (Ephesians 2:8)
3. More than forgiven, God considers us righteous.
The righteousness we have is not our own, it comes as God’s good gift in Christ. But we will be righteous. Notice that this means more than being pardoned. The pardoned criminal bears no penalty, but he bears a stigma. He is a criminal and he is known as a criminal, albeit an unpunished one. The justified sinner not only bears no penalty; he is righteous. He is not a man with his sins still about him. Leon Morris, quoted in John Piper, Counted Righteous in Christ, p. 124
Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but what is due. But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness. Romans 4:4-5
He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:21
In life, Jesus took our place by living without sin, and in death, by taking the punishment we deserved. Jesus satisfied God’s demand for living a perfect, righteous life. And, he satisfied God’s just judgement upon those who fall short of his standards. Though we do not deserve it, God applies this dual righteousness to us. By His mercy, He does not condemn us for our sins, because Jesus was condemned in our place. However, it is not just that he died for us. Also, as a free gift, He credits Christ’s righteousness to us, and considers us righteous. In Christ, therefore, we have exchanged our sin for his righteousness. No longer condemned, we stand before God as new creations, “holy and blameless in His sight.” Ephesians 1:4
From this starting point of righteousness, we begin our walk with God. Rather than trying to become what we are not, we live out who we are. All Biblical exhortations to obedience are for us to become what we are. We do not work our way into righteousness. Rather, we work out the righteousness we have received from God. Righteous, that is what we are.
Trusting God, we receive this gift of righteousness by faith.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17
4. We seek to be continuously filled with the Holy Spirit.
… Be continuously filled with the Spirit. Ephesians 5:18
Since we can do nothing apart from Jesus (John 15:5), we continually seek to receive “power from on high (Acts 1:8).” God does not begrudge our request and freely gives us the Holy Spirit (Luke 11:13). Jesus invites us to receive the Holy Spirit like a thirsty man drinking water. Drinking like this causes our life to be like rivers of living water flowing from our innermost being (John 7:37-38).
We do not occasionally experience the Spirit like the intermittent pops of popcorn in a pop corn maker. The New Testament teaches that the Holy Spirit is more like a simmering pot of soup that occasionally boils over. He is God’s abiding presence with us, who teaches, leads and corrects us (John 14:16-17; 16:5-15). More and more this reality becomes our daily experience.
Jesus himself preached, healed and freed the oppressed because “the Spirit of the Lord was on him (Luke 4:18-19; Acts 10:38).” We follow his example of kingdom work in the power of the Holy Spirit. We will never accomplish anything good in our own strength, and instead depend upon the power of the Holy Spirit. Relying on the Holy Spirit, we proclaim and demonstrate the gospel to those around us. We passionately desire Jesus’ influence to grow and expand. We everyone to know what a Savior we have.
Visible signs accompany us as we are filled with the Holy Spirit. Supernatural manifestations of the Holy Spirit such as speaking in tongues, prophecy, dreams, visions, healing, boldness and unity are part of our life together (Acts 2:4, 17; 4:23-32; 10:44-46; 19:1-7).
Life in the Spirit also means that God’s character is growing in us, and that others see the evidence. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23
We experience the Holy Spirit corporately as well as individually. Together, our church is the people of God, “being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit (Ephesians 2:22).” When we gather in the presence of the Holy Spirit, God reveals Himself through spiritual gifts that strengthen each one of us (1 Corinthians 12:4-11).
5. God stirs our affections.
Our emotions and our thinking equal our affections. The affections concern what we desire and love. God has changed our internal motivations and desires so that we love God. Ultimately salvation touches our affections. A person can said to be saved when they cease loving one thing, and instead love God first and foremost. Therefore, we find ultimate satisfaction in Christ. No longer content with the puny, temporary pleasures of sin, we passionately pursue a deeper relationship with Jesus. This does not mean that we are never tempted, nor does it mean that we never sin. Rather, it means that God has raised us to a higher standard, and sin has become less pleasing to us. We prefer, and in fact long for righteousness, and the blessings that come from being in God’s will. God knows what is best for our long-term happiness, and that is what we want.
The following Scriptures demonstrate that God stirs us in the core area our affections. This means that we experience God intimately. We do not merely observe truth. We participate in it. We enter into the good God has for us.
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. Colossians 3:2
In our hearts and minds, sincere love for God always translates into love for others.
And Jesus said, “’Love your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” Matthew 22:37-39
Peace governs our emotions through the everyday challenges of life. Our peace with God extends to every area of life (Romans 5:1-5).
Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
Joy bubbles over in everyday life—we are not ruled by the mundane.
Without having seen him you love him; though you do not see him now, but believe in him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory. 1 Peter 1:8
We personally experience His sovereignty over our lives, and trust that God will meet all of our needs.
Instead of worrying about your material needs, continually seek His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be provided for you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will take care of itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:33-34
6. We express our joy in exuberant, participatory worship.
Though worship is a way of life, we frequently enjoy special times of exclusively focusing on God, singing and exclaiming our praises to Him. When we worship, God is there. We know His presence, and our affection for Him rises. We honor Him for who He is, and all that He has done.
Worship is like a feast at the table of God’s blessings. In worship we come to get. We come to get strength to love our neighbors, forgiveness for our sins, wisdom for our dilemmas, comfort for our sorrows, love for our enemies, boldness to tell others about Jesus etc. etc. etc.
We worship in spirit and in truth. There is a form, but the form is filled with life. Though our emotions are touched, we remain doctrinally aware. Far from platitude, truth grounds and governs our joy. More than lively music, both our heart and mind meet with God.
During worship, God often meets our needs directly. He also meets our needs indirectly through another person using the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the lands!
Serve the LORD with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!
Know that the LORD is God! It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him, bless his name!
For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. Psalm 100:1-5
Praise the LORD!
Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty expanse!
Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his exceeding greatness!
Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp!
Praise him with timbrel and dance; praise him with strings and pipe!
Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
Let everything that breathes praise the LORD! Praise the LORD!
Psalm 150:1-6
What then, brethren? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 1 Corinthians 14:26
7. Like a family, we desire and pursue, loving, open, and involved relationships.
More than anything, the church is a group of former sinners joined together in Christ, filled with the Holy Spirit, on a mission. Community, community, community! We can do more together than we can apart. In fact, the New Testament knows nothing of individualistic salvation; much of what God calls us to do cannot be done apart from community. People are always saved into community. Helping each other, working together in a common cause, praying together, teaching one another, and supporting each other in our weaknesses and trials all mean that we become deeply involved with each other’s lives.
Church is not a place we attend. Church is a community we belong to. Two words capture God’s best for our community: together and devoted.
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And fear came upon every soul; and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common; and they sold their possessions and goods and distributed them to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they partook of food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47
Now the company of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. Acts 4:32-33
Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart. 1 Peter 1:22
8. Everyone has an opportunity to contribute to our life together.
We recognize that each person has unique calling, gifts, and personality. We trust that these will make our church a better church. Our people stay active in our community, and because of them, our church is a better church. Leaders consider it their responsibility to help people discover their gifts, and find opportunities to serve. Control is not an issue for leaders, as they desire all members to do their part. God calls everyone to live a life of good works. Our church is committed to helping each person thrive in the calling they have received from God.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10
Jesus from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. Ephesians 4:16
9. We cultivate an atmosphere of grace.
We believe in more than a doctrine of grace. Grace tells a story. Jesus came to save sinners because the healthy do not need a physician (Matthew 9:12). He calls sinners, not the righteous (Matthew 9:13) Cries for mercy mean more to Jesus than shows of righteousness (Luke 18:9-14). An educated religious leader needs the same salvation as an adulterer from a despised race (John 3 & 4). Jesus welcomes convicted thieves into paradise (Luke 23:39-43). Liars, cheats and traitors are forgiven and given a fresh start (Luke 19:1-10). Those with a dark past are welcomed into the family (Luke 15:11-32). Jesus is the good shepherd who leaves the 99 in order to find the one lost sheep (Luke 15:4-7). Longing for acceptance, outsiders find this atmosphere of grace attractive.
Since the Fall, barriers have existed between people. Income, education, possessions, color, ethnicity, lifestyle and politics divide people. In the Lord’s church, barriers come down as we embrace one another as brothers and sisters in Christ. All are treated with respect and dignity. God wants those who consider themselves outsiders, inside His church. May the smile on our faces say “welcome” to all visitors.
Our church is accessible so that new people could easily find a home with us. Always making room for new friendships, we get richer as God adds new people to our lives. We don’t want anyone to stay on the edge of our church for long. God takes the lonely and places them in our family.
As a relational church, we receive a lot from each other. But we are by no means perfect, and there is no shortage of opportunity to practice forbearance. Because we understand people and their tendency to disappoint, we do not burden our relationships with expectations of perfection. Forgiveness is a way of life for us. Gladly we receive grace, and gladly we give it away.
Leaders lead by example, willingly and with integrity. Leaders lead by serving, and do not seek to have their emotional needs met by the ones they serve. They motivate with encouragement so that each person could fulfill God’s purpose for his or her life. More than teachers of sound doctrine, leaders stay involved with people. Without pressure on our members, the church moves forward in its mission.
In this atmosphere of grace the church thrives.
10. We get involved in the dark realities of life.
We rejecting a light, entertainment based ministry. Instead, we embrace real problems in personal lives, families and communities. We are not afraid of darkness, and long to set people free from the clutches of sin and death. We follow Jesus who, “God anointed with the Holy Spirit and with power, and he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil for God was with him (Acts 10:38).” We purpose to measurably improve lives, families, neighborhoods and diverse communities.
John Piper captures this reality confronting commitment in Counted Righteous in Christ.
To begin with the older I get, the less impressed I am with flashy successes and enthusiasms that are not truth based. Everybody knows that with the right personality, the right music, the right location, and the right schedule you can grow a church without anybody really knowing what doctrinal commitments sustain it, if any. Church planting specialists generally downplay biblical doctrine in the core values of what makes a church “successful.” The long term effect of this ethos is a weakening of the church that is concealed as long as the crowds are large, the band is loud, the tragedies are few and persecution is still at the level of preferences.
But more and more this doctrinally diluted brew of music, drama, life tips, and marketing seem out of touch with real life in this world—not to mention the next. It tastes like watered down gruel, not a nourishing meal. It simply isn’t serious enough. It’s too playful and chatty and casual. Its joy just doesn’t feel deep enough or heartbroken or well rooted. The injustice and persecution and suffering and hellish realities in the world today are so many and so large and so close that I can’t help but think that, deep inside, people are longing for something weighty and massive and rooted and stable and eternal. So it seems to me that the trifling with silly little sketches and breezy welcome-to-den styles on Sunday morning are just out of touch with what matters in life.
Of course it works. Sort of. Because in the name of felt needs, it resonates with people’s impulse to run from what is serious and weighty and what makes them most human and what might open the depths of God to their souls […]. I doubt that a religious ethos with such a feel of entertainment can really survive as Christian for too many more decades. John Piper, Counted Righteous in Christ, pp. 22-23
11. God shows us the best way to live.
All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
God’s wisdom is for every day life, and we are blessed to have a sure guide. God has something to say about every aspect of our lives. Whether it’s family life, relationships, work, money, morals or values, God does not leave us in the dark, trying to find our way on our own. God gives us the Bible, an objective standard of what to believe and how to live. Much of the Bible teaches us not only what to believe, but instructs us how to live in real, practical and everyday terms.
Also, we have each other, to help us, teach us, and comfort us. While we are always zealous to go to those who do not know Jesus, we, with equal zeal, teach those who do know Jesus, how to live for him.
With God’s word, the Holy Spirit and each other, we continually work to build healthy marriages, families and relationships.
Though we pursue God’s best for our lives, trials do exist. They are a part of life. But we know that God sustains the weak and weary, and that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).” We also know that one day, life as we know it will cease and that we will be with Him forever in a new heaven and a new earth.
Behold the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them and He will wipe away ever tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain. Revelation 21:3-4
12. We live with eternity in view.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and to an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while you may have to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold which though perishable is tested by fire, may redound to praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Without having seen him you love him; though you do not now see him you believe in him and rejoice with unutterable and exalted joy. As the outcome of your faith you obtain the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:3-9
Though this sounds more like wishful thinking than reality, we recognize that the New Testament church lived with eternity in view. Their lives were anchored in heaven rather than earth. This means that our happiness does not depend upon the turbulent waters of circumstances. Our present blessings and future hope of heaven infuse us with joy. Instead of complaining about what we do not have, we are always thankful for what we do have. Any lack in this life does not undermine our joy, as we trust God to meet all of our needs. With eternity in view, earthly, shallow concerns do not dominate our lives. We know that one-day we will meet him in a new heaven and a new earth.
13. Beginning with our neighborhoods, our mission extends to the nations.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age." Matthew 28:19-20
We resist the suffocating world of money, career, entertainment, and possessions, in order to embrace the big world of God’s kingdom. With the world of His loving reign open to us, we long to see that world spread from us to others. Through his great commission, Jesus frames our purpose. Long to tell others about Jesus, we urge them to repent, believe the gospel, be baptized and enter the kingdom.
Focusing on ourselves brings death; living for the good of others brings life. Making new friends, doing acts of kindness, praying for others, and sharing the gospel permeates our lives. What we have, we want others to have.
Because our mission is for the nations, we recognize that we are part of a world Christian movement that has been working since the time of Christ. We believe every corner of the world should have a vibrant expression of the Lord’s church. What is embodied in this paper, we want everywhere. In the words of one bumper sticker, we, “Think Globally, Act Locally.”
Now, with the baton in our hands we run God’s race. We are people of action. More than building a safe, secure church, we take risks and stretch ourselves, so that the good we freely enjoy can spread to many.