Faith that Works A Study of the Langhorne Presbyterian Statement of Faith Week 6 – Transformed Rather than Conformed

Faith that Works A Study of the Langhorne Presbyterian Statement of Faith 1.Why we Confess – the Call to Worship 2.Honor, Respect and Care Without Regard 3.Truthful, Honest, Sober, Self-Controlled 4.Joyful, Prayerful, Thankful 5.Chaste and Faithful 6.In This World but not of This World – Serving the World in Word and Deed

That truth is in order to goodness; and the great touchstone of truth, its tendency to promote holiness, according to our Savior’s rule, “By their fruits ye shall know them.” And that no opinion can either be more pernicious or more absurd than that which brings truth and falsehood upon a level, and represents it as of no consequence what a man’s opinions are. On the contrary, we are persuaded that there is an inseparable connection between faith and practice, truth and duty. Otherwise it would be of no consequence either to discover truth or to embrace it. F The Book of Order, PC(USA) Adopted by the first General Assembly in 1789

…we are persuaded that there is an inseparable connection between faith and practice, truth and duty. Otherwise it would be of no consequence either to discover truth or to embrace it. F The Book of Order, PC(USA) A faith worth stating is a faith worth living

We believe in the Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, who always was, is and will be. God is all powerful, and perfectly holy. We believe that all things, seen and unseen were designed and created by God for his purposes. In sovereign love God reigns over his universe with providential care. God exists in both perfect love and perfect justice. We believe that God created humankind in his image for fellowship with him and community with one another. But the first humans rebelled against God and his good commands, losing fellowship with God and breaking community with one another. We believe that this first sin has tainted the lives of all persons; that having lost our fellowship with God, each of us lives in a sinful state which is separation from communion with God. This separation from God has resulted in broken relationships with each other and misunderstanding of our selves.

We believe that God in his perfect holiness cannot look upon sin and that sinful persons cannot stand in his presence. In his perfect justice God rightly condemns us to death, which is separation from his eternal presence and his perfect love. We believe that in his perfect love and never ending mercy, God the Father has sent his one and only Son to redeem sinful humanity. Jesus atoned for our sins and restored our fellowship with God. This restoration also has yielded a right relationship with others and a right understanding of our selves.

We believe that in Jesus Christ, born of the Virgin Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit, God became a man; revealing both the fullness of God and the fullness of human life lived in fellowship with and obedience to God. Jesus lived among us, healing the sick, loving the outcast and teaching us the ways of God’s Kingdom. Tempted in every way as we are, he did not sin. We believe that in perfect obedience to the Father’s will, Jesus willingly suffered death on a cross, taking upon himself all human sin – the sinless one receiving the punishment due the sinful ones. But death could not hold him and on the third day he rose bodily from death to life. He ascended into heaven and now lives ever to intercede for us.

We believe that in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God has opened the way to salvation which is the free gift of eternal fellowship with God and purposeful and abundant living in this life. Jesus is God’s sole provision for the salvation of humankind; the only way, the only truth and the only life that leads to reconciliation with God and others. We believe that this gift of salvation is by God’s grace alone received through faith alone by no human works or merit. This gift is ours to receive as we confess our need of a Savior repenting of our sinful state. We believe that nothing can separate those who have received the grace of God from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. We believe that aside from the saving grace of God offered in Jesus Christ, all human persons will receive the punishment due them: the pain and anguish of eternal separation from God.

We believe that having received the gracious gift of salvation, we are called to a life of sanctification which is the daily work of living a holy and godly life. Empowered by Jesus’ promised gift of the Holy Spirit, we are to practice daily prayer, daily study of the Scriptures, and continuous fellowship with one another as we joyfully await the return of Jesus and his coming Kingdom. We believe that the church is the Body of Christ, Jesus being its head and Lord. The Body consists of those who claim him as Savior and Lord, in all times and all places, regardless of denominational identity. We believe that Langhorne Presbyterian Church is but one small part of the Body of Christ and that we are called to worship, grow, connect, serve and share as God’s people in our time and place.

We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, inspired by the Holy Spirit, are the infallible Word of God, perfectly useful for instruction, correction, reproof and training in righteousness. We believe that through the Scriptures and by the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, God calls his people to live lives of holiness, obedient and submissive to God in all aspects of our lives.

We believe, then, among other things that God calls us to: Worship God in spirit and truth Honor and respect all people as made in the image of God. Care for all people without regard to race, ethnicity, nationality, economic or social status, beliefs or (lack thereof), sexual orientation, political preference(s), or the expectation of repayment. Be truthful and honest in all our dealings with everyone. Be sober and practice self-control in all aspects of our lives. Be joyful, pray continually and give thanks in all circumstances. Use our God-given gifts to build up Christ’s body, the church. Honor chastity in singleness and fidelity in marriage which is Biblically defined as between one man and one woman. Present our bodies as a living sacrifice to God, to live in the world, to serve God and do His will, and yet not be enticed by the false promises of the world. Live in the power of the indwelling Spirit allowing us to choose to do good and not fulfill the lust of the flesh. We understand that in this life our worldly desires will never be fully eradicated but we must choose through the power of the Holy Spirit to keep the flesh in subjection to Jesus Christ. Carry the Good News of the Gospel of Salvation in Jesus Christ to all people everywhere in the world using words and deeds.

Romans 12 1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Don't let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold, but let God re-mold your minds from within, so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all his demands and moves towards the goal of true maturity. Romans 12;2 (Phillips)

3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Conformed: Transformed:

6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. Conformed: Transformed:

9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Conformed: Transformed:

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Conformed: Transformed:

19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Conformed: Transformed:

Faith that Works A Study of the Langhorne Presbyterian Statement of Faith Week 6 – Transformed Rather than Conformed