5 core loves

Jesus is building a city where every person is free from the power and penalty of sin, fulfilled in the depths of their being, and focused on what they were created and redeemed to do. Every citizen of this city is redeemed by the Redeemer, which is why we call it Redemption City. Although Jesus’ disciples experience the fullness of this freedom, fulfillment, and focus in the future when Jesus returns (Rev. 21-22), right now we are invited to experience it and grow in our experience of it through faith in the gospel. Jesus’ city building efforts focus on redeeming people now, he’ll focus on redeeming the place in the future. That’s why we say Redemption City Church exists to build a city known for 5 core loves with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Or, to put it another way, Redemption City Church exists to build a city known for loving Jesus, loving the church, loving the world, loving service, and loving multiplication with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Bible shows us that the citizens of Redemption City—disciples of King Jesus—should live lives marked by 5 core loves: Love Jesus, Love the church, Love the world, Love service, and Love multiplication. Although we won’t naturally love like this, we can learn to as we are transformed by the gospel. That’s why the gospel is at the center of everything we say and do.

Disciples love Jesus as Savior, Lord, and Treasure. We love him as Savior because through his gospel he saves us from the penalty and power of sin, delivering us to eternal life. We love him as Lord so we obey his word in all areas of life, because “he is Lord of all or he is not Lord at all.” We love him as Treasure because if he is not our greatest Treasure, he is not our Savior or Lord. This love is a worshipful love. Loving Jesus as Savior, Treasure, and Lord makes us free, fulfilled, and focused. Everyone loves something supremely, but the only through the transformative work of the gospel—the good news about Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and ascension that is received by faith—will we love Jesus like this. That’s why we put the gospel at the center of everything we do.

Disciples love the church. Sure, the church isn’t perfect, but Jesus loves the church. That’s why he gave his life for her. Since the church is united to Christ by faith, our treatment of the church and Jesus is indistinguishable. When the Apostle Paul persecuted the church, Jesus asked him why he was persecuting him (Acts 9:4). Like Jesus, disciples love the church.

Disciples love the world. Jesus loved the world to death, and we want to do the same (John 3:16). Jesus didn’t stay out of our world, he stepped into all of the mess of our world, coming to where we were in order to bring us to God. We want to follow him. Sure, Jesus didn’t endorse worldliness, but he did love the world. And he showed his love in practical and eternal ways, healing sickness and giving eternal life. We want to do the same. We want to love the world where we live, work, and play, in such a way, that even if they don’t agree with what we believe, they are happy that we are here in this area.

Disciples love service. When you hit the big time in our culture, people serve you. In the kingdom of Christ, greatness is defined by serving. Jesus says, “The greatest among you will be your servant.” You can’t worship a God who got his hands dirty washing the filth off of his followers feet, without getting your hands dirty for others (John 13:1-17). Jesus considered others more important than himself and calls us to do the same.

Disciples love multiplication. Jesus changed the world, not by political action, etc., but by discipling a few people. Jesus personally made disciples and personally asked all of us to make disciples. Jesus didn’t just teach people so they learned it, he taught them so they could teach others. Teach people not just so they learn, but so they’ll be able to teach others. When Jesus told his disciples to teach others everything that he commanded, this included the command to make disciples (Matt. 28:18-20). Although many people haven’t ever done this, we believe it should be a significant aspect of following Jesus.