Norsk BokmålWhat is central to BCC’s preaching?
A SIMPLE EXPLANATION
JESUS’ OWN WORDS
The love of God is revealed through His own words, particularly in the teaching of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. These are laws of life that are given for the benefit of both individuals and society.
Jesus’ grace to those who believe in Him also contains the power to keep His commandments, and these in turn contain promises that make people happy, without exception.
This influences our relationships at home, in the church and in working life.
And the starting point is the same for all people.
Our starting point: Everyone needs salvation
We preach that, because of sin, there has been a separation between God and people.
“As it is written: ‘There is none righteous, no, not one …’”
Romans 3:10
Because every human being has come under God’s judgment over sin, everyone needs to be reconciled with God.
Forgiveness and reconciliation
Jesus made reconciliation possible by suffering death on the cross for the sake of all people, even though He was innocent and had never sinned. Because of this sacrifice, anyone who wants to believe in Jesus and confesses their sin can have their sins forgiven and be reconciled with God.
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8
A personal invitation
We believe that Jesus came both with forgiveness of our sins, and a new life in growth and development as a follower of Jesus. We believe that after being reconciled by Jesus’ death, we will then be saved by His life.
“For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.”
Romans 5:10
In Luke 9:23, Jesus Himself explains what it means to be saved by His life:
“Then He said to them all, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.’”
This is a personal invitation.
But each person must choose for themselves if they want to follow Jesus.
Jesus died on the cross of Calvary for our justification.
But Jesus also spoke of the cross before He was crucified on Calvary.
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
Galatians 2:20
Denying ourselves and taking up our cross is something that must be done every day and is a part of life for those who follow Jesus.
Those who follows Jesus’ call will experience the cross as a force that makes sin lose its power. This influences those thoughts and actions that have a negative impact on both interpersonal relationships and our relationship with God. The Bible calls this process “sanctification.”
This development lasts our whole life.
Personal experiences
Our preaching emphasizes what we personally experience through obeying Jesus’ commandments, and the promises that come with this obedience.
This also includes rest from worry, unbelief, doubt, unrest, and all the sins that destroy and make life difficult for people.
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
Romans 8:28
All those who follow Jesus and take up their cross daily will personally experience God’s love and care, as well as His discipline, guidance and comfort.
Titus 2:11-12
This makes us strong in faith and provides certainty in the hope that God’s promises will be fulfilled.
God’s eternal kingdom
God will establish an eternal kingdom where sin no longer exists, and is thus not something that destroys our happiness.
The invitation to salvation is therefore an invitation to be freed from the power of sin, which brings sorrow and misfortune.
This kingdom has already begun to take shape in those who follow Jesus and consists of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
We are invited to enter into true and happy rest and personally partake of this kingdom that will last forever.
