CORE VALUE 1 | SALVATION

INTRODUCTION

This circular image says all that needs to be said about what Illumine does. When the regular cycle of worship, education, and community service – in their unique ways – are engaging people with the Gospel of Jesus, Illumine is working. The plan, then is basically this: make that happen as efficiently, effectively, and for as many people as possible.

 Thus, Illumine’s mission statement is as follows:

Illumine exists so that Christ may shine on you, in you, and through you. Ephesians 5:13-20

We engage people in the discipleship cycle of worship (rest), education (growth), and community service (exertion) and help them grow via the Gospel in the cycle medium. That being said, the plan and mission only lead us so far – there are decisions that must be made about the practical forms of ministry. To make these, we look to a set of core values.

  • Define “core value” for yourself.

  • Can you think of a time that your personal core values helped you make a decision?

  • Can you think of a time when not making a decision according to your core values was a mistake?

 Prayer: “Celebrating Grace” by Thom Shurman

 i would prefer
to be left
leaning against the wall,
shuffling my two left feet,
watching the world
twirl by;
but you take me by the hand 
to teach me
the dance steps 
of grace;

when i walk near
the piano,
it shudders,
hoping
i will not sit down;
but you take my fingers
and place them on the keys,
whispering,
"play, play with joy, play!"

even with 
the biggest bucket,
i can't carry a tune;
but you push me
out onto the stage,
introducing me as
the new soloist
in the Good News Choir.

i will celebrate your joy,
sing your hope,
play your love,
leaping and whirling
in your grace
forever!

 

THESIS & SUPPORT

Nothing saves anyone except for Jesus. There can't not be Jesus life, death, and resurrection.

  • God wants perfect, satisfying communion with all people.

  • Sin makes this impossible.

  • Jesus is the solution to sin.

  • All of scripture centers on it.

  • The message of substitutionary atonement is the means to every other good end the church can offer a person.

  • You can't save anyone. Don't try to. Jesus can. Use Jesus.

  • Anything Christians do will only be as successful as those actions are subject to the gospel of Jesus.

BIBLICAL CONNECTIONS

Titus 3:4-7 | But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

  •  Find the Trinity in this passage.

  •  Define:

    • Righteous

    • Washing of Rebirth

    • Renewal by the Holy Spirit

    • Justified


Hebrews 7:23-27 | Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Such a high priest meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.

  • To what is Christ contrasted here?

  • What are the “high priests” of your life?

  • How can verse 27 be true? Why did Jesus’ sacrifice work?


Romans 10:9-13 | That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

  • What is the Law of this verse?

  • What is the Gospel of this verse?

EXPLANATION

The universal effects of Jesus' work are also exclusive effects - Jesus' vicarious atonement is the only solution for a universal problem. All other problems are subsets of the central universal problem of human blasphemy.

When humans considered themselves God, they upset the balance of the deity/non-deity relationship. God in turn became human to satisfy the natural requirements of the diety/non-deity relationship that each person should have lived to satisfy. He then offers, free of charge, the utopian reality of an in-balance relationship between deity/non-deity.

There is only one satisfying version of that relationship.

There is only one way for people to engage in that relationship.

There is nothing more important than engaging in that relationship.

The exclusive reality of the gospel is well-illustrated by the solas of the protestant reformation. Salvation comes only by God's grace, is received only by faith, is communicated only by Scripture, is accomplished only by Christ, is glorifying only to God. If these solas (and any other that can be thought of to express the exclusivity of the gospel of Jesus) are correct, then those who have learned and who trust them can only be moved to share and teach them to everyone who does not yet hold onto them.

Illumine fundamentally exists to connect every possible person to this one, singular message. There is only one version of success: a person learning and depending on the gospel.

In negative terms, we can't do or focus on things that don't promote the gospel. (For clarity's sake, this is not as black and white as Gospel v. gospel. Perhaps it can be said that there is a line that starts with Gospel and goes on forever into gospel, and that anything on that line is acceptable for a focus as long as we never separate the spot we stand from the source.)

In positive terms, we will focus on promoting the gospel and plan ministries and programs that do so exclusively, with a universal purpose.

 

SERVICE ACTIVITY | UNDERSTANDING FOOD DONATION

Charity Food Donations

These guidelines are for food DONORS. By following these guidelines, food DONORS will be able to safely prepare, handle, and provide food that can be accepted by DONATED FOOD DISTRIBUTING ORGANIZATIONS. Many individuals and groups (“DONORS”) provide food to organizations (“DONATED FOOD DISTRIBUTING ORGANIZATIONS”) that then serve or distribute the food to needy individuals. The distributing organizations must comply with state food safety rules (Chapter 246-215 Washington Administrative Code) and have limitations on the types and sources of food they can accept. Donors should follow these guidelines to help assure food provided to the needy is safe.

 

Definitions

“DONOR” means a person, corporation, association, or other organization that donates food to a DONATED FOOD DISTRIBUTING ORGANIZATION.

 

“DONATED FOOD DISTRIBUTING ORGANIZATION” means a charitable nonprofit organization under section 501c of the federal Internal Revenue Code that distributes food free of charge to the public.

 

“DONOR KITCHEN” means a kitchen that is used by a DONOR to handle, store, or prepare food for donation to needy persons through a DONATED FOOD DISTRIBUTING ORGANIZATION and which is not a residential kitchen in a private home.

 

Foods Suitable for Donation

Home-Prepared Foods

DONATED FOOD DISTRIBUTING ORGANIZATIONS are not allowed to accept or serve most types of home prepared foods. However, homemade baked goods that do not need refrigeration to remain safe (such as cookies, cakes, fruit pies, and breads) may be received from DONORS.

 

Commercially Packaged Foods Not Needing Refrigeration

The donation of commercially canned, boxed, and otherwise packaged foods is encouraged.

 

Fresh Produce Donations

Food donations may include fresh produce, including home-grown fruits and vegetables. Fresh produce should be protected from contamination and receive final preparation, such as washing and cutting, in a DONOR KITCHEN or licensed kitchen.

 

Food Prepared in a DONOR KITCHEN

Except for baked goods (such as bread, cookies, and fruit pies), DONATED FOOD DISTRIBUTING ORGANIZATIONS may not accept foods prepared in a home kitchen. Instead, foods for donation should be prepared in either a DONOR KITCHEN or a commercial food establishment, such as a restaurant.

A DONOR KITCHEN is a publicly available kitchen in a faith-based organization, community center, or other site. The DONOR KITCHEN does not need to have a health permit, but must have basic facilities such as adequate handwashing, dishwashing, refrigeration, and cooking equipment. It must have a safe water supply, be protected from weather and animals, and be cleaned before food preparation starts.