Imago Dei Community

Chris Nye, a passionate advocate for sound doctrine, dives into the critical importance of orthodoxy in teaching and doctrine. He discusses the New Testament's urgent warnings against false teachings and how they distort the faith. The conversation highlights the balance between correction and comfort found in scripture. Nye elaborates on the serpent's role in temptation and the need for discernment amidst contemporary false teachings. He emphasizes grounding faith in Christ and fostering a strong community while maintaining adherence to God's teachings.

The Bible is often misused and weaponized. But we are told God’s word will shape us into the image of Jesus. How and why can we trust God’s word when it says difficult, confusing, and sometimes abhorrent things?

The term gospel means “good news,” and the message of salvation found in the Bible is likened to treasure, honey, and a reward. Many see Scripture as limiting to our freedom and even evil. How do we know God’s word is as good as He says it is?

Our world is increasingly illiterate. During a time of distraction and digital forms of formation, we commit to allowing the word to dwell in us. But what is the “word” and why is it essential for it to dwell in us?

Seth King preaches on the call to be a neighborly community. 

The early church grew almost entirely off of the preaching of individual believers. Today, a sermon is a polished, 40 minute talk given by an educated professional member of the clergy. In the New Testament, it was a bold declaration by all kinds of common Christians that Christ was the risen Lord. To “proselytize” or preach in order to convert someone is looked down upon in today’s world. But what does a commitment to sharing the good news of Jesus look like for us in Portland? The word “witness” helps us see that the gospel goes forward through preaching and actual lived demonstration of God’s grace.

Desmond Tutu’s memoir is titled “No Future Without Forgiveness,” and sums up a key message for Christian living. So long as we call Jesus our Lord, we will be asked about the ways in which we give and withhold forgiveness. Our relationship with God is inextricably linked to our own relationship with our grudges. In a world of cancellation and social media juries, how do Christians offer the healing gift of forgiveness? And how much can we forgive?

God intended his community to be a multi-ethnic one. Michelle Jones preaches on why God wants that and how we can cultivate that in our church.

The book of Acts said of the church that they gave in such a manner that there “was no needy person among them.” When we consider this inside our modern capitalistic and individualistic society, it seems impossible. But what might God be asking us to grow in? The early church was marked by radical generosity, especially towards those in need. How might generosity become a defining feature of a local church?

What is necessary for great ministry to happen? We could list many things like prayer, discernment, courage, and community. But what about money? Every great work of God—in Scripture, in church history, and across the globe right now—has behind it “gospel patrons,” people who supply the financial resources necessary for the work of the gospel. Our world understands and is obsessed with consumeristic and capitalistic visions of investment. Christians have a larger vision for their possessions as they reject the worship of “mammon” (possessions) and embrace generosity.