The core values defined below are essential growth ingredients in the life of the church. Our purpose at Common Ground is to intentionally go with the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those who would be radically changed by the power of God's Spirit and Truth, so that they may live the Truth in community and compassion, all to the Glory of God! (See Acts 2.37-47)
You may click on each "stone" to go right to each description or simply scroll down through them all.
For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3.11
We must be motivated by Christ's love and compassion to reach out to those whom God can radically change by the power of His Spirit and living Truth. We must be motivated by what Christ Himself has already done for us:
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit," - Matthew 28.19
And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. " - Mark 16.15
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." - Acts 1.8
True believers everywhere are united together in Christ and belong to the invisible, universal body of Christ and yet are called to be functioning committed members of the local, visible body as well. The Church globally is built up and grows through the means of the church locally.
But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. - Hebrews 3.13
And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. - Hebrews 10.24-25
Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing. - 1 Thessalonians 5.11
There is no greater, higher or more exciting calling than knowing the God of the universe intimately, through His inspired, written revelation given to humanity. The source of that knowledge is the living water of Scripture. As Christ's church, we must continue to know, meditate and dwell upon the majestic character and supreme attributes of our thrice Holy God.
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. - 2 Timothy 2.15
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. - 2 Timothy 3.16-17
Like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, - 1 Peter 2.2
God invites and desires for us to communicate with Him, and the means of doing so is through prayer. Our model for such communication is Jesus Christ, who prayed diligently and fervently. Scripture tells us that He often withdrew to quiet places to pray.
"So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. Pray, then, in this way: Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.]" - Matthew 6.8-13
Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart, - Luke 18.1
The LORD is far from the wicked, But He hears the prayer of the righteous. - Proverbs 15.29
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. - Philippians 4.6
Our ultimate purpose is to worship and glorify God in all that we think, say and do.
Our lives are the most satisfied, possess the greatest meaning and are energized with the grandest purpose when we are fulfilling the divine purpose that God has designed for us. True worship means coming to God on His terms, so our goal is to discover what these terms are as described for us in God's Word:
Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. - Romans 12.1
"But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." - John 4.23-24
You also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. - 1 Peter 2.5
Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. - Hebrews 13.15
Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy; For all the nations will come and worship before you for your righteous acts have been revealed. - Revelation 15.4
Our primary goal is to become like Christ. As a church we are committed to building devoted disciples and leaders, to growing in knowledge of the Word and in love for our Savior and to using our spiritual gifts in service of the church. We acknowledge that we do not all share the same abilities, but affirm that all have received spiritual gifts.
And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. - Ephesians 4.11-16
Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God - Colossians 1.25
For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren - Romans 8.29
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. - Romans 12.2
Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. - 1 John 3.2-3
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. - 2 Corinthians 3.18
I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. - John 15.1-2
The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. - 2 Timothy 2.2
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