A Kingdom Vision for the 21st Century
To bring about the changes that the human race needs, we don’t need more laws, more seminars, more education, more speeches. What we need is more changed hearts. Hearts that have been changed by the inbreaking of the kingdom vision of Jesus Christ.
When the historical Jesus of Nazareth began his earthly ministry, he immediately announced his mission: “Repent, because the Kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matthew 4:17). This verse of sacred Scripture would then be the guiding words of his earthly life.
Jesus began to bring about the changes a broken world was in desperate need of by living out and announcing the reality of Kingdom presence. This kingdom presence was to be understood as an invitation to a loving relationship with the heavenly Father and letting his principles bring about the needed transformation.
Therefore not more laws, education, and so on. But the kingdom vision of putting the world to rights through a loving relationship with the heavenly Father through Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit.
TC Robinson is the lead pastor of Christ Fellowship, which meets at 213 East E Street, Tehachapi, CA. 93561.
Christ Fellowship Is Missional
To be missional means to incarnate the gospel of Jesus Christ both in word and deed, that is, to share Jesus in what we say and do.
Too often believers are focused on saying the right things about Jesus but not living the right way for Jesus.
To be missional is to strike that all-important balance of both saying and living the right way for King Jesus.
So at Christ Fellowship Church, you’ll find a group of people who desire to not only share Jesus in words but also in our lives.
Our New Church Sign is Up!
Today Ralph and I put up our sign for Christ Fellowship Church. We were so elated!
Our mission is to lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ our Lord, in a community of faith, hope, and love.
Come check us out!
What is the Gospel?
A Definition
The word gospel means “good news.” When the Bible speaks of the gospel of Christ, it has in mind the “good news of Christ on behalf of lost humanity.”
The Human Tragedy
Humanity was lost and separated from the Creator because of sin. The Creator, being holy in character, demanded a payment for the treason of sin committed against him. This payment meant eternal separation from the Creator in hell (Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:1-3).
The Divine Solution
But the “good news” is that the heavenly Father reached us to rescue us in grace, his divine favor (Titus 2:11; Eph. 2:8)—Jesus took our place: he lived the perfect life. He became the perfect sacrifice for our sins. He died for our sins, was buried, and rose again that we might experience new life with the heavenly Father (John 3:16; Rom. 3:21-26; 6:23).
The “good news” means that we’ve now been reconciled to our heavenly Father because the sin debt has been paid in full (1 Pet. 3:18).
A Decision
The Father has been it possible for sinful humanity to be reconciled to him through the sacrifice for sin of his Son. Now we must make a decision to receive his Son.
We must recognize our separation from our heavenly Father because of our sinfulness, repent of our sins, that is, change our minds about sining against a holy God, and put our trust in his Son to save us, because he lived the perfect life, died for our sins, was buried, and rose again to reconcile us to our holy God.
When we do this, we’re giving new life through the Holy Spirit, adopted into the family of God, declared to be in right standing with the Father, and have our sins paid in full, past, present, and future.
There’s no better news.
If you have not repented of your sins and placed your faith in Jesus to save you, Why not do so today?
Our Fourth Sunday: Celebrating the Lord’s Supper with a Fellowship Meal
We were led in about 30 minutes of praise & worship songs (thanks Jeremy & Sarah). We celebrated the Supper as a community: the bread & the cup.
We explored our third Core Value: We are Holy Spirit-led.
Bob received the Lord as his Savior (Hallelujah!)
Nineteen adults and ten kids were in attendance, equaling 29 of us (we praise the Lord!).
Then we enjoyed a great fellowship meal.
Our Third Sunday as Christ Fellowship Church…
May 31, 2009 was a wonderful day for us. Our worship leaders, Jeremy and Sarah and the kids, were back from Denver. A couple of our visitors returned. And God continues to bless us financially.
TC preached on the second of Christ Fellowship’s Seven Core Values, that is, We are Christ-exalting.
Next week will be our Celebration Sunday: we will be celebrating the Communion and sharing in a Fellowship Meal on the first Sunday of the month.
This will be the beginning of a tradition we wish to establish in the life of Christ Fellowship for many years to come.
Next week, TC will be preaching on the third of our Seven Core Values: We are Holy Spirit-led.
Make plans to attend…
Our Second Sunday…
We had ten adults and five kids. God blessed us richly: we had Nick Philips as our guest worship leader (he’s blessed by the Lord).
In recognition of Memorial Day, pastor Ralph said a prayer on behalf of the faithful men and women who continue to serve their country in the military.
TC addressed the first of our Seven Core Values: We are God-glorifying.
You’re encouraged to get plugged into a Small Group this week.
Plug in to a Small Group
At Christ Fellowship Church of Tehachapi, we want to create safe environments for believers and nonbelievers to pursue intimacy with God and each other.
We believe this intimacy we seek could be fostered by getting plugged in to one of our Small Groups of fellow pursuers, people who are longing for the heart of God.
So we’re encouraging you to get plugged in.
Contact info:
Ralph @ (661) 557 7365
TC @ (661) 428 4251
17 May 2009: First day in the Public Life of Christ Fellowship Church
Christ Fellowship Church had its first public Sunday services at 10:03am. TC welcomed those in attendance, fourteen adults and four kids.
We were then led in praise & worship by Jeremy and Sarah Robbins, our worship team.
TC shared the vision of Christ Fellowship and presented a short lesson on God’s Vision for His Church from Acts 2:41-47.
We celebrated the Lord’s Supper together.
Before we closed our first worship with the Doxology, Ralph McDevitt, our associate pastor, ministered to us briefly.
When worship services were ended, we shared a few pies, coffee, and donuts.
P.S. We’re expecting great things from God.
Why Christ Fellowship Church?
Tehachapi metro already has about 34 churches. Why another one?
Christ Fellowship is a result of a vision to reach those who are unchurched or have been burned by the church, but are looking for a friendly environment to seek the heart of God through a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
So what is Christ Fellowship all about?
First, Christ Fellowship’s mission is to lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
Second, Christ Fellowship’s strategy is to create environments where people are encouraged and equipped to pursue intimacy with God, community with one another, and influence with nonbelievers.
Third, Christ Fellowship will seek to be:
A worshiping church, a loving church, a learning church, a praying church, and a going church (Acts 2:41-47).
Fourth, Christ Fellowship will seek to create Small Groups throughout Tehachapi metro to fulfill its mission of leading people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
Finally, Christ Fellowship exists by the grace of God, for the glory of God.
