“Healing Our Images of God”

Pastor Corrie Gustafson | 12.30.2012

“The angel of the LORD found her by a spring of water in the wilderness...And he said, “Hagar, slave-girl of Sarai, where have you come from and where are you going?” She said, “I am running away from my mistress Sarai.” The angel of the LORD said to her, “Return to your mistress, and submit to her.” The angel of the LORD also said to her, “I will so greatly multiply your offspring that they cannot be counted for multitude.” So she named the LORD who spoke to her, “you are El-roi [the God who sees me]”; for she said, “Have I really seen God and remained alive after seeing him?” Genesis 16:7-10, 13 (NRSV)

“For the word of God is living and active...” Hebrews 4:12

“...for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but perishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.”

1 Peter 1:23

1st Affirmation of the Evangelical Church:

The Centrality of the Word of God

• “The Holy Scriptures, the Old and New Testament, is the word of God and the only perfect rule for faith, doctrine and conduct.”

• “It is essential, then, to the life of the Church that it be a company of people who desire their lives to be shaped by the powerful and living word of God. The alternative is clear. Not to be shaped by the word is to be shaped by the world.”

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (see also Deut. 31:8, Joshua 1:5, 1 Kings 8:57, Hebrews 13:5)

“He will not let your foot slip/he who watches over you will not slumber; / indeed, he who watches over Israel / will neither slumber nor sleep. / The LORD watches over you...The LORD will keep you from all harm / he will watch over your life; / the LORD will watch over your coming and going / both now and forevermore.” Psalm 121:3-8