The Baton Pass – Pillars of Belief
Our Conviction = God is Good & He is For Us
John 10:10 English Standard Version (ESV)
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
God is good. Jesus was the manifestation of God’s love & goodwill towards humanity. God can turn any situation around for His glory. However, He is NOT the author of tragedy or evil.
Jeremiah 29:11 New International Version (NIV)
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Our Identity = A Chosen Generation and Children of God
Romans 8:14-16 New International Version (NIV)
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
1 Peter 2:9 New International Version (NIV)
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Our Expectation = Triumph in Christ
Matthew 28:18 English Standard Version (ESV)
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
2 Corinthians 2:14 Amplified Bible (AMP)
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us spreads and makes evident everywhere the sweet fragrance of the knowledge of Him.
Our Response = To Share the Comfort, Hope and Authority that We Have In Christ Jesus
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 New International Version (NIV)
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
Romans 15:13 Amplified Bible (AMP)
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you will abound in hope and overflow with confidence in His promises.
Hebrews 6:17-19 New International Version (NIV)
Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. 18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.
Luke 10:19 Amplified Bible (AMP)
Listen carefully: I have given you authority [that you now possess] to tread on serpents and scorpions, and [the ability to exercise authority] over all the power of the enemy (Satan); and nothing will [in any way] harm you.