Calvary Community Church of Chico

Welcome to
Calvary Community Church

Perhaps you have some questions as to who we are and what we are all about. A stroll through our name may help answer some questions.

Calvary: This is the name of the hill on which stood the cross of Jesus Christ. But for us it represents our upward and chief focus. The name “Calvary,” through the ages, has stood for the Lord Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross. We are resolved to be Christ-Centered in all that we believe, say and do. The Bible says:

“Him [Christ] we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.” (Colossians 1:28)

“But we preach Christ crucified … Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” (1Corinthians 1:23-24)

“For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” (1Corinthians 2:2)

“And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.” (Colossians 1:18)

Community: This represents our outward focus. It is the love of Christ, both our love for Him and (more importantly) His love for us, that compels us to serve those around us. It is wise to be busy in the Lord’s work in the place where He has put you. We are strategically located in a place to work among the poorer community in Chico. As the Lord provides opportunity we are resolved to communicate the love of God in Christ by word and deed. Besides, the Scripture makes it clear that Christ came to preach the Gospel to the poor. The first step in bringing the Gospel to all the world takes place in our own communities.

“But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” (1John 3:17-18).

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.” (Isaiah 61:1)

“Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15)

Church: This represents our inward focus. Not so much the looking inward to our own hearts but rather our focus on one another. The Bible exhorts us to “strive to excel at building up the church.” (1Corinthians 14:12) In other words, we ought to work really hard at being really good at encouraging those brothers and sisters who are in the church. There are many “one another” passages in the Bible that teach us how we are to treat each other. They are all summed up in the Gospel. Let the Gospel determine how you respond to those around you. As Philippians 1:27 states in a summary manner, “Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ…” We are therefore resolved to endeavor to show one another the same grace that we receive from Christ.

“And above all things have fervent love for one another, for ‘love will cover a multitude of sins.’ Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” (1Peter 4:8)

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.” (2Peter 3:18)

So whether our focus is upward, outward or inward, the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is our priority. We desire, in the Lord’s strength, to give Jesus Christ and Him crucified the preeminence and glory due to His name!

Here are some other convictions that might help distinguish who we are…

1. Expository Preaching: It is the exposition or plain explanation of the Scripture that communicates the mind of God and conveys His power to transform. We are not interested in the thoughts of men when we have free access to the thoughts of God. Expositional preaching is the natural response to a high view of the Bible. Since the Bible is the very Word of the living God, it follows that we would be committed to its clear and plain teaching.

“All Scripture is breathed out by God…” (2Timothy 3:16)

“Preach the Word…” (2Timothy 4:2)

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)

2. Christ-Centered Interpretation: The Bible from beginning to end is a book about Christ. The purpose of the Bible is not to give people a moral guideline that makes them better nor a rulebook of do’s and don’ts that make them fit for Heaven. The purpose of the Bible is to lead people to Jesus Christ (Gal. 3:24).

“In the scroll of the book it is written of Me…” (Psalm 40:7)

“And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.” (Luke 24:27)

3. Discipleship: As a local body of believers we understand that God never meant for us to live the Christian life alone. Those people with whom we worship each week were given to us by God Himself. Not to keep the pews warm but to stir one another up to love and good works. We have been given by God to each other for the spiritual growth of one another in Christ. One of the primary ways we disciple each other is though prayer. Whether praying with each other, or for each other we believe in the power of prayer. And we are committed to one another’s growth in grace by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13).

“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, … but exhorting one another.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)

“Pray for one another…” (James 5:16)

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