Who I am in Christ

Because you are in Christ, every one of these statements is true of you.

I am loved (1 John 3:3)
I am accepted (Ephesians 1:6)
I am a child of God (John 1:12)
I am Jesus' friend (John 15:14)
I am a joint heir with Jesus, sharing His inheritance with Him (Romans 8:17)
I am united with God and one spirit with Him (1 Corinthians 6:17)
I am a temple of God. His spirit and his life live in me (1 Corinthians 6:19)
I am a member of Christ's body. (1 Corinthians 12:27)
I am a saint (Ephesians 1:1)
I am redeemed and forgiven (Colossians 1:14)
I am complete in Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:10)
I am free from condemnation (Romans 8:1)
I am a new creation because I am in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17)
I am chosen of God, holy and dearly loved (Colossians 3:12)
I am established, anointed, and sealed by God (2 Corinthians 1:21)
I do not have a spirit of fear, but of love, power, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7)
I am God's co-worker (2 Corinthians 6:1)
I am seated in heavenly places with Christ (Eph 2:6)
I have direct access to God (Ephesians 2:18)
I am chosen to bear fruit (John 15:16)
I am one of God's living stones, being built up in Christ as a spiritual house (1 Peter 2:5)
I have been given exceedingly great and precious promises by God by which I share His nature (2 Peter 1:4)
I can always know the presence of God because He never leaves me (Hebrews 13:5)
God works in me to help me do the things He wants me to do (Philippians 2:13)
I can ask God for wisdom and He will give me what I need (James 1:5)

We take time to rest, play, create and restore beauty in ways that reflect God and the work of the Gospel to others

After powerfully and joyfully creating the universe, God rested. We were created in his image and therefore were made to joyfully create and rest as well. We regularly take time to rest, play, create and restore beauty in ways that reflect what God is like to our community. (Genesis 1:1-Genesis 2:3; Deuteronomy 5:12; Mark 2:23-28; Hebrews 4)

In every culture and with every person we witness the desire to rest and create – although the means by which people work it out might be different, we find a universal and historical practice of ReCreating. However, apart from the gospel people remain restless in their work and labored in their rest. The Gospel enables people to rest while working because the work that justifies them was accomplished in Jesus – they don’t need their work to give them significance any longer. The Gospel also enables people to truly rest when not working, because they know that God is always working–they don’t have to worry their lack of work will stop the world from spinning.

Upward

Because God has accomplished everything necessary for our justification and is the one who will finish the work He started in us, we can rest. Whether working, playing, sleeping or creating – we rest in His work and His abilities and His power. Our rest then is not only a result of the Gospel, but a demonstration to the world not at rest in the gospel.

We now approach work not needing validation or security – we can truly work unto the Lord and be free to do it as worship (not worshipping the job, the boss, the paycheck or the credibility we obtain). We can also truly rest – vacation or not, sleeping or not, etc… because the world is held together and run by Him and it will be restored by His work in and through us, not our work apart from Him. We can also create freely, not dependent on the quality of the creation or the validation of others to say it is good, but rather because we are already called good in Jesus Christ. Finally, we are free to play, because our Father is in charge and gives us all we need.

Inward & Outward

We recreate together as a way of preaching the gospel to one another. We also become a display together of the truth of the gospel to a watching world. Our resting, creating, working and playing all proclaim that our God is Creator, Sustainer, Provider and Redeemer.

We regularly eat meals with others to invite them into Gospel Community

Meals are a daily reminder of our common need for God and his faithfulness to provide both physically and spiritually. Jesus called us to remember him and his sacrifice for us through a meal. When we eat together, we commune around this truth. We regularly eat meals with those not in our immediate family or circle of close friends, discipling them toward a life of dependence on God. (Leviticus 23; Matthew 6:11; 26:17-30; Acts 2:46-47; Romans 12:13)

In every part of the world hunger is a daily reality – whether they have plenty or lack – we all get hungry more than once a day. God gave Adam and Eve the opportunity to demonstrate their faith through the eating of food. They choose to eat unto themselves out of unbelief and rebellion. God has likewise given every person in every part of the world a regular reminder of their need and an opportunity to eat unto themselves in unbelief and rebellion or unto God in faith and with thanksgiving.

So what does this mean for our three values: Upward (me and God), Inward (me and God's people), Outward (me and kingdom reconciliation)

Upward

Whatever we do, whether we eat or drink, we do it unto God. Every meal really is a demonstration of the gospel. We come hungry (a real need) and our need is graciously met (Whatever we have is from God). Since we eat three times a day, we get a gospel reminder over and over again IF we eat unto God. It’s interesting that throughout the Story, food continues to be the prime example of God’s provision meeting their need. And in every case, they ate unto God or unto themselves.

Inward

When we eat together we commune over our common need and God’s provision. In doing this we proclaim the gospel to each other over and over again. That is why it is so important to eat together regularly – a loving community of believers communing around the work of Christ is the best apologetic of the gospel AND eating together is one of the ways we are commanded to do this.

Outward

The table for the Jews, as also in our day, is very symbolic AND communicative – who we eat demonstrates who we love. This is why Jesus was called a friend of sinners – he ate with people who were dirty, unreligious, and visibly or sociably unacceptable. The table is one of the most powerful displays of God’s love and acceptance of sinners.

We intentionally bless others through words, gifts or actions

God desires that all people would be blessed through Jesus. And now, as his Body, we believe we live out this mission as we bless others. We intentionally seek God’s direction for who he would have us tangibly bless each week (Genesis 12:1-3; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:8-10; 1 Peter 2:12). We all have talents, resources and time. Some of us believe we have earned these things and therefore we are entitled to them. This leads to greed and selfishness stemming from pride and causes fights, quarrels, divisions and anxiety (James 4:1-6). When we believe that all we have is from God’s gracious hand – gifts given not due to our own work – then we selflessly share what we have for the sake of others leading us to acts of service, sacrifice and love.

So what does this mean for our three values: Upward (me and God), Inward (me and God's people), outward (me and kingdom reconciliation)

Upward

Just like Abraham we have been blessed – we have received unmerited favor and provision. This is not because of anything we have done, but because of all that God has done for us in Jesus Christ. We are co-heirs with Christ and blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms.

We are not blessed just for our own good. We have been given what we have so that others might also receive. We must regularly take account of what has been given to us and realize that it is not ours, but God’s to steward. Then, in light of the gospel that reminds us that He become poor so that in his poverty we might become rich, we are freed up to pour out our lives and things so that others might be blessed and taste and see that the Lord is good.

Inward

When we believe the gospel and realize that I didn’t gain what I have nor do I really own what I have, and then see that our Father in heaven provides for his children through sharing what we He has given us each other. Then I come to see that I don’t really own anything and yet at the same time I have more than I ever dreamed (brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, houses, cars, clothes, food, etc (Luke 18:29-30)). All that we have is His and all that is His is ours.

Outward

God’s intent in blessing His people has always been so that those who don’t know Him and his grace might see Him at work in and through us and come to Him through our lives. We must direct our eyes outward and begin to believe that He has given us everything for life and godliness. He has resourced us with what we need to do the gospel work of blessing others who don’t know Him yet.

We gather together to celebrate God’s extravagant blessings in Jesus

God’s calls people to regularly celebrate his goodness and grace. We gather weekly in missional communities and regularly as a larger family, to share stories and celebrate all that God is doing in and amongst us. We invite everyone to these celebrations as a way of displaying and declaring God’s Glory, exhorting each other in the Gospel and encouraging each other in Mission. (Leviticus 23; Acts 2:42-47; Hebrews 10:24-25)

We are created to worship and one of the ways is through celebration. Every person in every part of the world celebrates. The question is: To whom or what is the celebration directed? Because of sin and idolatry we are prone to celebrate the creation instead of the Creator.

So what does this mean for our three values: Upward (me and God), Inward (me and God's people), Outward (me and kingdom reconciliation)

Upward

If we truly understand and believe the gospel, we should be the most celebratory people on the planet. God regularly called his people to celebrate through feasts and parties because he did not want them to forget His grace and abundant provision. The very celebration wasn’t just a response – it was also a demonstration of what God is like and has done. We must enter into a regular rhythm of celebrating God’s extravagant blessings.

Part of my ability to live out the gospel is dependent upon my regular reflection on the gospel. I need to regularly set my affections on things above – the work of God in Jesus Christ and what is now true of me because of Him. I should ask myself:

Inward

We are called to not give up meeting together so that we might spur each other on to love and good deeds. Jesus himself demonstrates this through his first recorded miracle – at a wedding feast where he affirms the celebration of life together because celebrating life together demonstrates the working out of and one of the purposes for the gospel. Ask yourselves:

Outward

The people God has sent us to are also celebrating – they happen to be celebrating a different god and a different story. We need to enter into their celebrations and do it unto the true God, fully aware that even this celebration is within His Story. Then, within the celebration we are to look for ways to serve, redeem, bring gospel light, etc...

We submit to God through consistent backward and forward listening

Jesus listened to God in prayer to know his Father’s will. We listen to God because through the Gospel we are now aware of our ongoing need for Him. We listen ‘backward’ by regularly interacting with God’s Word–the Story and the Son. We also listen 'forward' to hear what God is saying to us today. We believe He declares to all people what He is like through His creation and specifically speaks to those who belong to Him through His Spirit. (Mark 1:35-37; John 16:7-15; Hebrews 1:1-3; Romans 1:20)

Everyone is listening to someone or something as the primary voice or voices that they submit their lives to – an expert or teacher that they follow. These might include a school of thought, a leader or charismatic personality, demons, or lies from the past. Until the Creator is THE Expert and THE Teacher to whom they compare all other voices, they are prone to deceit and lies and worship of self or others. As Believers, I think we need to be better listeners before we become talkers, or as the Psalmist states: When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. - Prov 10:19 (NIV).

So what does this mean for our three values: Upward (me and God), Inward (me and God's people), outward (me and kingdom reconciliation)

Upward

The gospel reminds us that we are fully dependent upon God’s Spirit to teach us the truth, convict of sin, and show us the way to go and empower us to do everything God wants. So, we must walk in submission to the Spirit if we are going to live as God intends.

Pay attention to what you say to yourself. C.J. Mahaney states in his book, Living the Cross Centered Life, that when listening to ourselves, we should speak the gospel to ourselves. In order to regularly realign ourselves to the truth of the gospel, we need to listen closely to what we say to ourselves and compare that to the gospel and our gospel identity. Where what we are hearing doesn’t match up to the gospel, we should preach the gospel again to ourselves (2 Peter 1:9). Ask the Spirit:

Inward

We need to listen to each other carefully to discern where they are not yet gripped by the gospel, paying careful attention to whether their story is about them and dependent on something other than God. Listen for the fruit of the Spirit and the works of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16-24)

Outward

The people in our community are telling us what they believe and why. We need to ask questions and listen. If we are to be prepared to give an answer for the hope we have, we must spend less time just preparing answers and as much time listening for the questions. Listening to others first is prerequisite for gospel engagement. We should be listening constantly to know which story they believe in and where that story has proven weak and ineffective to save. (Acts 17:16-33)

I think the strongest voice people are listening to in our culture is that of Consumerism. Alan Hirsch has an excellent analysis of this:

What are some next steps you and your community should take to grow in Gospel Listening?

We know and submit our lives to the Story of God while also becoming familiar with each other’s stories and the stories of our culture.

God has been unfolding his Story since before time began. We believe we are participants in the Story and our only hope for redemption and restoration from our fear and prideful rebellion is when by faith we submit our lives to the overarching Story of God. Therefore, we regularly reacquaint with and submit ourselves to The Story by interacting with God’s Word. We look for ways and times to tell the Story often. We also take time to listen to others stories and lead them to submit their lives to God’s Story (Genesis 1:1-2; John 1:1; Psalm 1; 2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Every person on the planet is living their life inside of and in light of a larger story shaped by the country they live in, the cultures surrounding them, the family they were raised in, the worldview they believe... Until they understand all of this in light of the Redemptive Story of God, they will give themselves to lesser stories that do not work.

So what does this mean for our three values: Upward (me and God), Inward (me and God's people), outward (me and kingdom reconciliation)

Upward

We are a story-formed people who are living our lives based upon and within a story. All of our beliefs, identity and actions are all connected to the dominant story. This is why we need to know it and we are to talk about it when we sit, stand, walk along the way, eat, lie down, etc... (Deuteronomy 6:6-9)

I need to continue to grow in the gospel of grace and truth. I need to be self-aware and let the Spirit and the Word show me where my life past and present is not in line with the gospel story.

Inward

I find it fascinating to note how often the New Testament writers are imploring people to remember the Gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1; Galatians 1:6-11; 2 Thessalonians 2:5; 2 Timothy 2:8; 2 Peter 1:15), and even to remember it as part of our maturity (2 Peter 1:9). Its important how much we tell the story of God to each other as part of our growth.

We need to get to know each other’s stories and pay close attention to where we are not believing the Gospel. As we hear each other’s stories ask:

Outward

Paul was a good example of understanding the stories. He often used stories and cultural cues that shape the people to help engage in how he told God's story (Acts 17:16-33; 1 Corinthians 15:32; 1 Corinthians 9:19-23)

In order to be an effective missionary, we need to know the story of our culture – what has shaped it, what is the dominant story line, what are the idols, where are the open doors for the gospel – both demonstrated and declared and be prepared to show how the Gospel Story fills in the gaps, corrects the lies or successfully completes it’s story.

In our discipleship at Resonate we focus a lot on who we ARE and what Scripture will tell us about our identity in light of the Gospel. Through resources like The Gospel Centered Life, we focus on identity, which in turn leads to action. For example, who we are in Christ is a people who have been blessed, not because we earned blessing but that it was given to us while we were still sinners. But that blessing was never meant to end on us... we were blessed to be a blessing, so therefore our identity as 'blessed' people in Christ is meant for action. The struggle is for people to see themselves often as truly blessed, but our identity in Christ is people who have been LAVISHLY blessed.

If we start basing our discipleship on what we DO, instead of a growing understanding of who we ARE, then we've missed the point. Trust me, I am heavily about the doing, but I think its a marker and fruit of a further understand of who we are. So, how do we make the move from focusing so much on missional to incarnational (that spurs the mission). Out at Soma Communities in Washington, they have come up with the concept of Rhythms which I think is incredibly helpful. Instead of looking at doing in terms of tasks, they look at doing in terms of lifestyle and living. Over the next few weeks, we'll unpack some of these, but here's a brief overview of the six Rhythms:

Story-formed

We understand, experience and intersect with God’s Story and Other’s.

God has been unfolding his Story since before time began. We believe we are participants in the Story and need to understand it and see how our lives intersect with it. Therefore, we regularly reacquaint ourselves with the Story by interacting with God’s Word. We look for ways and times to tell the Story often. We also take time to listen to others stories and help them find their lives within God’s Story. (Genesis 1:1-2; John 1:1; Psalm 1; 2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Listen

We set aside regular times to listen to God both backward and forward.

Jesus listened to God in prayer to know his Father’s will. We are also called to listen to God. We listen ‘backward’ by regularly interacting with God’s Word-the Story and the Son. We also believe he speaks today through his Spirit in us and through creation. We spend time actively listening ‘forward’ to hear what God is saying to us today. (Mark 1:35-37; John 16:7-15; Hebrews 1:1-3; Romans 1:20)

Celebrate

We gather together to celebrate God’s extravagant blessings.

God calls people to regularly celebrate his goodness and grace. We gather weekly in missional communities and regularly as a larger family, to share stories and celebrate all that God is doing in and amongst us. We invite everyone to these celebrations as a way of displaying God’s glory. (Leviticus 23; Acts 2:42-47; Hebrews 10:24-25)

Bless

We intentionally bless others through words, gifts or actions.

God desires that all nations—all people—would be blessed through Jesus. And now, as his Body (soma), we believe we live out this mission as we bless others. We intentionally seek God’s direction for who he would have us tangibly bless each week. (Genesis 12:1-3; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:8-10; 1 Peter 2:12)

Eat

We regularly eat meals with others to invite them into the community of God.

Meals are a daily reminder of our common need for God and his faithfulness to provide both physically and spiritually. Jesus called us to remember him and his sacrifice for us through a meal. When we eat together, we commune around this truth. We regularly eat meals with those not in our immediate family or circle of close friends, discipling them toward a life of dependence on God. (Leviticus 23; Matthew 6:11; 26:17-30; Acts 2:46-47; Romans 12:13)

ReCreate

We take time to rest, play, create and restore beauty in ways that reflect God to others.

After powerfully and joyfully creating the universe, God rested. We were created in his image and therefore were made to joyfully create and rest as well. We regularly take time to rest, play, create and restore beauty in ways that reflect what God is like to our community. (Genesis 1:1-2:3; Deuteronomy 5:12; Mark 2:23-28; Hebrews 4)

We sometimes ask people to imagine they are part of a church planting team in a cross-cultural situation in some other part of the world:

• What criteria would you use to decide where to live?
• How would you approach secular employment?
• What standard of living would you expect as pioneer missionaries?
• What would you spend your time doing?
• What opportunities would you be looking for?
• What would your prayers be like?
• What would you be trying to do with your new friends?
• What kind of team would you want around you?
• How would you conduct your meetings together?

We find it easier to be radical in our thinking when we transplant ourselves outside our current situation. But we are as much missionaries here and now as we would be if we were part of a cross-cultural team in another part of the world. Mission is central to us wherever we are. These are the kind of questions we should be asking wherever we are?

How would you answer those questions?

After much discussion with others about what community can and should look like within the context of going and making disciples of all nations, we are aiming towards a four level way of looking at relationships and community at Resonate. This is largely based upon Jesus' model of relationships, from a 2-4 person model of intimate relationship (Matthew 17:1-9; Mark 9:2-8; Luke 9:28-36; John 21:20; John 21:15; Matthew 26:37), the 12 person model as with the Disciples, the 12 plus witnesses larger context (Luke 20:45; Mark 3:7; Matthew 5:1; John 13:35; Acts 2:47) as well as larger church-wide gathering (Acts 19:39; Hebrews 10:24-25; Acts 2:46; Acts 20:7; 1 Cor 16:2)

It will be HIGHLY important to remind you of two things before you read through all this:

1. Relationship and Community is HIGHLY organic. That is to say that its not easy to program relationships, growth, dynamics, and people's spiritual journey. Sometimes relationships form very naturally, sometimes they need to be developed very intentionally. Some people have a knack for community, some people are more closed off and it requires more work to learn to trust. Either way, the constant preaching of the Gospel addresses all our deficiencies as broken, relational beings, and helps remind us of our sin and need for God to be center in relationship. All that being said, we can provide a trellis for which the relationship vine can grow, allowing structure for something that will grow organically.

2. This requires intense leadership and discipleship of a few key individuals. Community that continually grows and focuses on discipleship does not form just by putting people in a room together. At Resonate, we train, admonish, teach, develop, grow, disciple, encourage, and equip a few leaders to provide structure, vision, and leadership to our larger communities. This HAS to happen, otherwise you end up with small groups that gather, sometimes talk about Jesus, and really do not show any signs of disciple making disciples.

Four Levels of Community at Resonate 

Relational - LifeTogether

As I have found in my experience, even within the traditional 'small group' model, there are often just 2-4 people that I may TRULY do life with. They were the people that I spent any considerable time outside of 'small group' with, who knew me well, consistently had dinners with, etc. They are almost always same sex relationships, often groups of about 2-4 men or 2-4 women who develop a framework for confession, accountability, encouragement, prayer, and support. An even small community that allows very high levels of vulnerability. LifeTogether RARELY has to be "programmed," because most people often develop or connect with 2-3 close friends. It is simply looking at these relationship with the lens of discipleship and the Gospel.

Communal - LifeGroups

The traditional small group model was birthed out of a good place, that is... Jesus' model of intimate relationships. Jesus chose twelve men to follow him around, to go deep in spiritual development, and to be His disciples. In relationships of about twelve we develop dynamics including conflict, refinement, and bearing with one another in love that may not happen among the the smaller LifeTogether relationships. In these groups, there is an ability to walk together through spiritual disciplines, such as prayer, study of Scripture, fasting, and accountability. This also provides a context to plan, develop, and implement the larger LifeGatherings below, as well as pray, equip, and remind each other of the mission to make disciples. Most LifeGroups will meet 3-4 times a month.

Missional - LifeGatherings

Taking the definition from the previous post, this is truly the "Missional Community." This is often groups of 30-50 and provides the ideal environment for building new relationships. Often these groups are formed geographically, but can also be focused on specific segments of society. Say a LifeGroup starts as a group of artists who really have a heart for the artist community within Atlanta. That same LifeGroup may start having LifeGatherings with other artists in the area with the intention of making disciples and proclaiming the Gospel to an artist community. Often these will occur over meals, just as the early church did (1 Corinthians 11: 20; Acts 20: 7) and Jesus did, so much so, he was even called a glutton (Luke 7: 34). Within these larger groups is where we socialize, serve, and celebrate, alongside nonbelievers or young Christians, as well as allowing them to see our joy, celebration, and love for each other. Most LifeGatherings will occur 1-2 times a month.

Incarnational - Resonate Gatherings

Eventually, as the pattern of meetings gets established, Resonate will begin to meet every week for the purpose of gathering all the LifeTogether groups which are part of LifeGroups which are part of LifeGatherings together to celebrate together. We will be 'incarnational,' representing the very body of Christ as we worship together. At these larger meetings, we will tell stories of how God is working in each missional context, pray for the larger needs of the city, mobilize and leverage the larger influence for larger mercy projects, celebrate the diversity of God's people, and to continue to rally around the message of the Gospel of Jesus through teaching, songs, liturgy, and more. As people who have 'Good News,' this will often be a celebratory environment, but also recognizing the awe and wonder of the God who created all things.

Going Forward

We are novices at this, and don't have all the answers, and some of this could change, but at this point, this is where our biblical convictions, cultural discernment, and vision has lead us. We look forward to seeing how best this plays out in our communities. If you are interested in getting involved in one of our LifeGroups, drop me a line at chriscase@resonateatlanta.org.