At Waterstone Church we recognize that belief is hard and that it is worth acknowledging and wrestling with the questions, doubts, objections, and skepticism around the Christian faith. We welcome both believers and skeptics to process their doubts and beliefs with the recognition that it is not sufficient to hold doubts or beliefs just because we inherited them. If you are interested in processing your doubts and beliefs or exploring Christianity, we welcome you to visit us at one of our weekend services.
In addition listen to Waterstone's podcast, Monday Morning Phone Call, season 5 "Certainly Uncertain". In this season of podcast episodes, staff members, Paul Joslin, Alyssa Frisbie and Larry Renoe, covered the most questioned topics within Christianity (atonement, purity culture, patriarchy, suffering, etc.) and dissected Scripture, in hopes to help all of us better understand what we believe. Check out the season's first episode:
WHO IS JESUS?
The good news is that we are so lost and broken that we cannot find God or fix ourselves, so God has come to find and save us. To do that he became a man, Jesus of Nazareth, who lived an ordinary human life, distinguished only by the startling fact that he never did anything wrong. He kept all of God’s laws, both internally and externally, and having done so, he transferred all the credit for that obedience to those who love and trust him.
In addition to giving us the credit for his perfect life and obedience, Jesus went further and willingly took the punishment that was due to us for our imperfect, rebellious lives. Dying on the cross, he forgave those who were killing him. When he rose from the dead, Jesus demonstrated that death had no hold on him, nor on any who entrust their lives and souls to him.
the good news is that...god has come to find us and save us
Entering into a relationship with God, therefore, doesn’t depend on our own efforts, or even the strength and sincerity of our faith. It is not the quality of our faith that saves us, but the quality of the One in whom we put our faith: Jesus Christ.
The power of this grace and acceptance into the family of God has a transformative effect in the life of a Christian. Since we are no longer trying to earn God’s approval, we are free to love him out of gratitude and joy. Our “good deeds” become truly good for the first time, as they are motivated by thankfulness, rather than done to accrue “good behavior credit” with God.
Slowly we come to resemble the master who has freed us from our cravings and compulsions. As he served a world which neither understood nor appreciated him, so we are called to love our neighbors whether they believe like us or not. Jesus called himself the servant of all and said that we, his followers, needed to serve others sacrificially if we are called by his name.
To learn more, and to visit Waterstone in-person we welcome you to join us for one of our weekend services.
Want to process more?
If you have questions about what you have read above or if you have a story to share about what God is doing in your life, please contact our Connections Director, Brooke Schmidt.