This Sunday, we welcomed Justin Anderson, pastor and church planter of Icon Church in Seattle. He continued in our John series, preaching through John 17:1–10. Inviting a guest preacher is one opportunity for gospel partnership and putting into practice several of our core values like “The Priority of Relationship” and “Being Kingdom Minded”.
In our polarized, team-centric context, it can be easy to bring a mindset of “us vs. them” into the church. It’s important to take time to set aside our preferences and humbly listen to other believers who love Jesus, treasure the gospel, and may have valuable insights to share with us. We are one Church, united in Christ.
“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.”
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” Matthew 22:37–39. Justin shared that this is our telos, our intended purpose and the means by which we glorify God. As we love our neighbors, we point them to him and reveal his character.
Love for God and our fellow image bearers is a key concept at Icon Church. The name “Icon” was chosen to tie into the idea of God’s image, perfectly revealed in Jesus, and reflected by every human. Three words they have chosen to capture the DNA of their church are “King, Kingdom, and Common Good.” It’s an exciting, biblical emphasis. Let’s be praying for Justin and Icon Church that God would be glorified in them and many would come to know Him through their faithfulness.