Our Vision for Care
"The aim of God in history is the creation of an all-inclusive community of loving persons with God himself at the very center of this community as its prime Sustainer and most glorious Inhabitant (Eph. 2:19-22; 3:10). The Bible traces the formation of this community from the creation in the Garden of Eden all the way to the new heaven and new earth" (Dallas Willard).
Redemption Spokane exists to participate with God in the formation of this community in Spokane. There are many people who struggle with obstacles of sin and suffering that prevent them from entering this with-God life. We seek to journey together for the healing of our hearts so that we might together experience the freedom and joy of the sons and daughters of God and invite others into this enticing vision (Matthew 28:18-20; Ephesians 4:1-16; 1 Peter 2:9-10; Revelation 22:1-5)
Finding ourselves in God’s story through confidence in Jesus brings deep healing and restoration into our lives through God’s Spirit. The story God is telling is that of his ever-expanding Kingdom permeating the hearts of the people he indwells. The storied categories we find in the Scriptures provide us with identity and transformative purpose that over a lifetime pulls straight everything crooked in our lives. As we become immersed in the life of God in Jesus we are saved from the wrath of God and experience freedom from sin’s power.
“Be of sin the double cure; save from wrath and make me pure.”
(Augustus Toplady, Rock of Ages)
The story starts with God - The Trinitarian God - the one God in three persons eternal and co-equal. He is the eternal God in community, and out of the gushing overflow of joyous life flowing from this community, God created (Genesis 1:1; John 1:1). We must start with God because in the fallen world we live in, we will either interpret God through the lens of suffering or suffering through the lens of God and God’s word.
Created.
Men and women were created in the image of God to be co-rulers with him over the earth. We are imbued with intrinsic dignity and worth as the pinnacle of God’s creation (Genesis 1:26-27; Psalm 8). In the Garden of Eden, our parents lived naked without shame before God and one another, resulting in perfect relational union and communion.
Fallen.
Adam and Eve lost their original goodness by turning their backs on God. They chose to rebel against God by believing the lie that He was holding out on them. They (and we, their children after them) have fallen into a radical corruption (“radical” = to the core) that has resulted in wrath and condemnation upon every person (Genesis 6:5-7; Romans 3:10-19, 23). The toxic flow of rebellion against God has resulted in all the suffering and sin that we see around us and inside us. This corruption also affects the natural order. The planet we were given to govern has become riddled with chaos and darkness and longingly awaits redemption (Romans 8:18-25).
Redeemed.
God sent Jesus, the second Adam, to undo the ruin of the Fall (Romans 3:21-26; 5:12-21; Ephesians 2:1-10). Jesus Christ paid the debt we could never pay, and died in our place the death we deserved (Isaiah 53:4-6). When Jesus died, the temple curtain separating the holy throne of God from the rest of creation was ripped to shreds (Matthew 27:50-51). In so doing, he throws open once again our access to God’s presence through bringing the Kingdom of God to our doorstep. As we learn to walk trustingly with him through life we are changed into his image and progressively healed from interior corruption (2 Corinthians 3:16-18; 1 Peter 1:13-16; 1 Peter 2:11; 2 Peter 3:1-11). All that is broken and marred is redeemed as it is brought into the life and death of Jesus who remains with us forever.
Reconciled.
Through Christ there is peace with God and one another (Romans 5:1-11; 15:7; 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 Ephesians 2:11-22; 1 John 1:1-7). In Christ we form a redeemed community that is becoming a family with God as our Father and Christ as our brother (Matthew 12:46-50; Ephesians 4:1-6). In this community, the hurts and sins that we experience in this world are carried together and healed as we journey together in Christ’s presence (James 5:13-16).
One With God Forever.
There will come a point in time when all suffering and sin are wiped away forever along with every tear (Revelation 21:1-4). The rule of God and men will be perfectly united forever (Matthew 13:36-43; Revelation 22:1-5).
We have hope struggling in the midst of suffering and sin knowing that this day will come.
RELEVANT LINKS
COMMUNITY GROUP INFORMATION - Involvement in a COMMUNITY GROUP is where together we learn how to love God, one another, and our neighbors. These groups are not only the primary entry point into community life at Redemption, they also represent how the church cares for one another on a personal level.
HOW TO REQUEST CARE - Please take a look at this information as you think about requesting care from our CARE Ministry.
NEEDS ASSESSMENT - Please take a moment to let us know what needs of CARE you may have. A member of our CARE MINISTRY will contact you with a follow up call/email.