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The Gospel is the lens through which we see all of life! It enables people to live entirely new lives because it gives people an entirely new understanding of all of life. We believe the gospel affects every nook and cranny of our lives and so is at the heart of all that we value most.
The life-changing effect of the good news of Jesus delivers solid answers to life’s big questions. This good news changes people from the inside out. Through Jesus we receive a radically new identity which frees us from self-righteousness and self-condemnation. It is this that frees us from a craving to be liked and accepted by people because we are assured of being accepted by the One who matters most. Jesus frees us to accept people we once excluded. The good news motivates us to be welcoming and respectful of those who do not share our beliefs.
Every day, many people eat, sleep, work, play, love and hate but don’t know why; not knowing where they have come from or where they are going. Consequently, our town is full of successful and unsuccessful people alike who are troubled by anxiety and confusion because they do not know the point of all their work and effort in life. The good news of Jesus makes even the most mundane tasks of life meaningful. The god news of Jesus releases us to enjoy life with a clear purpose and goal.
What is truth? Who can we trust? Is there even such a thing as truth? Surely all truths are equally valid? We live in a world where lies and deception seem to be part of the daily pattern of life. In addition to this our culture continues to propose that no one truth can be more valid than another in the realm of spiritual experience. Is it possible that there is one underlying and overarching truth that we can trust and depend our lives upon?
Jesus came with a message that turned the world upside down. He claimed to be the truth but unlike most, his life and actions validated the words he spoke. Every day lives continue to be transformed by the same message. The truth of the gospel exposes the reality of sin and points the way to forgiveness. No matter how strenuously we fight, our consciences prevail in revealing the filthiness of what we have done to others and what others have done to us. And so there is a craving in all of us to take something or do something to make us feel better. It is the truth of the gospel that shows us how bad sin is but also the justice of God through Jesus’ death on the cross in our place to forgive our sin. Once forgiven we can leave behind our sin and move on into newness of life. The gospel has the power to deliver the ultimate makeover - an internal makeover that has a transforming effect on every part of our lives.
We live in a time and a place where private individualism and even isolationism has taken the place of strong relational communities. Many experience the hurt of devastated and broken families. We believe that God made us as relational beings that thrive in community.
The gospel creates a new family community of love, respect and lots of laughter. Here we see classes of people loving one another who couldn’t have gotten along without the transforming power of the gospel. relationships are at the heart of church life, not only providing fellowship and support, but equipping people to serve. Instead of acting like an institution, SGCM seeks to be a family, promoting community through Sunday worship, home groups, serving opportunities, and social events such as BBQ’s, quiz nights, rambling, ten pin bowling and church holidays! Though we joyfully invite every person to faith in Jesus, we are committed to sacrificially serving our neighbours whether they believe as we do or not. We do this by using our gifts and resources for the needs of others, especially the poor...
At our church we laugh a lot! Jesus said that the kingdom of God is filled with great joy and so we make it a habit to celebrate what is good and laugh a lot in the process. We take God very seriously but not ourselves! Because God made everything and is good, we are able to enjoy life and good times. At SGCM good food and drink, good times spent with good friends with lots of laughter stand in contrast to worry, hurry and the pressure of stress and depression outside of relationship with God. It is our aim to pursue true and substantial joy through the grace we have received in Jesus at all times and in all circumstances.