Transforming life with The Holiness of God by R.C. Sproul

El Cajon Boulevard Church of Christ

• Contact: 2528 El Cajon Boulevard, San Diego 619-299-6812 www.ecbchurchofchrist.org
• Membership: 60
• Neighborhood: University Heights
• Pastor: John Manor 
• Age: 53
• Born: Monterey
• Formation: San Diego State University; Church of Christ
• Years Ordained: 14

San Diego Reader: What’s your favorite subject on which to preach?

Pastor John Manor: The gospel of Jesus Christ — the redemptive work of Christ for sinners like me. It’s the most universally applicable topic: every person is in the same boat. Christ has come and made atonement for sin and because of Christ I have assurance of not only of life but life with him eternally. There’s no greater blessing that can be bestowed on a human being than to be with his creator forever. There’s not even a close second. Just the fact that he has done that — as an historical reality and a future hope — an assured hope, not as in, “I hope it doesn’t rain tomorrow!” — there’s nothing greater. There are a lot of peripheral and ancillary topics related to that subject. It’s not a constrictive idea — the whole idea is to speak of the holiness and glory of God which are all part of the gospel message. That’s my go-to sermon subject — it’s the whole message of scripture.

SDR: Why Church of Christ?

PM: I grew up in the Church of Christ, and my grandfather on my dad’s side was a Church of Christ minister. In fact, I am sitting in his office right now. He was the minster here at this church from 1963 to 1969. I had no idea I would be following that closely in his footsteps. Having grown up in the Church of Christ, I understand where the church is coming from and better understand some of the things we wrestle with in the church.

SDR: What is the mission of your church?

PM: We don’t have a formal mission statement, but I think our mission is to proclaim the scriptures faithfully and with passion so that God might use his work through me to bring lost people to salvation, to strengthen the weaker Christians, and to encourage the faithful to continue in serving God. I see my purpose being of service to everyone.

SDR: What one book has had the most influence on your ministry?

PM: The Holiness of God by R.C. Sproul. Encountering and recognizing God’s holiness is life-transforming. It helps me as a person and others to see who we are in comparison. That perspective drives the gospel because as Isaiah says when he encounters God, “I am a sinful man among sinful men — and I need redemption.”

SDR: Where do you go when you die?

PM: The redeemed — those who are in Christ Jesus according to scriptures — will have a home in heaven, not because of any merit or anything I’ve done or any other Christian has done, but because of the merits of Jesus Christ and him alone. Those who have rejected Christ will be in hell for the sins they’ve committed. Again, I’m not going to heaven because I didn’t commit sins; I’ve committed as many or more than those who end up in hell. But Christ lived the perfect life and he paid for those sins on the cross. By faith we are joined to him and receive his righteousness. It will be his righteousness that will get me to heaven. If there had been someone else who lived perfectly before God and made a sacrifice on our behalf, we might be able to discuss other options, but there aren’t and there won’t be.