We Confess Week 1 Review: Ancient Truth, Modern Mission

We Confess Week 1 Review: Ancient Truth, Modern Mission

Happy Tuesday, friends!

Sunday was an incredible start to our new series, We Confess. If you were at West End Church, you know exactly what I mean. And if you missed it, let me just say—you’re going to want to catch the replay.

The energy in the room was electric, but it wasn’t just the music or the full house that made it special. It was the reminder of why we gather, why we believe, and why we live the way we do: because Jesus saves.

Starting with the Unshakable

We anchored Sunday’s message in Hebrews 13:8-9:

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings.”

Let me tell you, this verse hits different when you’re standing in a world that feels like it’s constantly shifting. Trends come and go, opinions rise and fall, but Jesus remains steady. That’s the kind of foundation we need in a world full of shifting sand.

One of the big takeaways was this: we don’t need to reinvent the truth. God’s Word is eternal, and its authority is final. But here’s the thing—while the truth doesn’t change, our methods sometimes do. And that’s where the real fun begins.

Ancient Truth Meets Modern Mission

We talked a lot about being a confessional church—a church rooted in historic, biblical doctrine. Now, I know “confessional” might sound like something out of a history book, but let me assure you, it’s not dusty or outdated. It’s about standing firm on the timeless truths of Scripture.

Our confession of faith is based on the London Baptist Confession of 1689. This isn’t some rulebook that replaces the Bible; it’s a summary of what we believe the Bible teaches. It’s like a roadmap that helps us stay grounded in a world full of spiritual detours.

But here’s where it gets good: ancient truth doesn’t mean outdated living. Sunday, we leaned into the idea that the gospel is unchanging, but the way we live it out in our community—the modern mission—requires creativity, boldness, and sometimes a little bit of risk.

Radical Faith in Action

If you were there, you probably heard me say this a dozen times: Jesus saves. It’s the heartbeat of our confession and the reason we’re on mission. But here’s what stood out to me as I preached it—our faith can’t stop at knowing what we believe.

Faith without action is… well, useless. That’s not me being harsh; that’s James 2:19-20. Even the demons believe the truth, but what makes us different is how we live it out. And that’s where radical faith comes into play.

We talked about how being a Reformed church doesn’t mean we sit in our theological bubble and pat ourselves on the back for having the right answers. No, being Reformed means living out radical love, radical truth, and radical generosity.

Here’s what that looks like:

• Radical love means inviting people into our lives—and our church—just as they are, because Jesus meets us where we are, too.

• Radical truth means standing firm on the Word of God, even when it’s uncomfortable or unpopular.

• Radical generosity means holding everything we have with open hands, knowing it all belongs to God anyway.

The Challenge Ahead

As I drove home Sunday, I couldn’t help but think about the challenge we have in front of us. It’s not enough to say, “Jesus saves” on Sunday. It’s not enough to nod along to ancient truths. What we do with those truths the rest of the week is what really matters.

So here’s the challenge I laid out—and I’ll remind you of it today:

1. Stand on the rock of ancient truth. God’s Word is our foundation, not our opinions or the culture around us.

2. Step into the world with a modern mission. Whether it’s a conversation with a neighbor, a post on social media, or a random act of kindness, let your life point people to Jesus.

3. Live with radical faith. Be bold. Be generous. Be the hands and feet of Jesus in a world that desperately needs Him.

Looking Ahead

Next week, we’re diving deeper into our confession of faith, breaking it down phrase by phrase. Spoiler alert: it all comes back to Jesus. Because at the end of the day, it’s not about traditions, methods, or even the words we use—it’s about the truth that Jesus saves.

If you were there Sunday, I’d love to hear what stood out to you. If you weren’t, go check out the replay. Either way, let’s step into this week ready to live what we believe.

Grace and peace,

Pastor Chris

We Confess Week One