KNOW
EXPERIENCE: Recognize His Love For You
Knowing about Jesus will keep Him in the back of your mind, but it won't make Him your focus...until things go wrong. Experiencing His love for you is what brings you to a position of realizing all that has been done for your salvation. It also opens your eyes to your wrong in light of His righteousness. His deity, for sinful flesh. His perfection, for your imperfection. We pray that you experience His love!
Romans 8:3 (NKJV)
For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh,
Philippians 2:7-8
'but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. '
Romans 8:3 (NKJV)
For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh,
Philippians 2:7-8
'but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. '
ENCOUNTER: Receiving It
Once you experience His love, you now make the decision to accept it. You are now face to face with something called surrender!
Surrender begins the demolition process against lies of the enemy, religious ideologies, trauma, addiction, oppression, or afflictions. It breaks down your walls and leads you into receiving the salvation that Christ alone can and has offered to "whosoever believes.". Surrender then leads into true "repentance."
Surrender begins the demolition process against lies of the enemy, religious ideologies, trauma, addiction, oppression, or afflictions. It breaks down your walls and leads you into receiving the salvation that Christ alone can and has offered to "whosoever believes.". Surrender then leads into true "repentance."
TRANSFORMATION: Continue In It
Once you repent and begin to walk it out, you are now being transformed, as you grow and begin to reciprocate the love you received back to the one that gave it to you. Transformation takes on outward expressions of the change that has happened in your heart. Expressions like: Studying the Bible, Personal prayer times, worship assemblies, water baptism, baptism of the Holy Spirit, and discipleship. It is an ongoing journey that isn't accomplished in a sprint.
PROCLAIM
OPERATIONS: Our Service
What we do matters as a people of the kingdom, matters as much as what we say. We must be people of "word and power." We realize they are not separate things according to the Bible, they must be connected for maximum impact.
EXHORTATION: Life & Death
"A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth;
From the produce of his lips he shall be filled. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit." Proverbs 18:20,21
What we say is utmost Importance, and God had a lot to say about it. We do our best to control what we say because we understand how important and powerful our words are. This means we will ALWAYS SPEAK TRUTH based on scripture not socially acceptable norms. Jesus is "the truth" and we will operate like. We will proclaim who He is unashamedly!
From the produce of his lips he shall be filled. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit." Proverbs 18:20,21
What we say is utmost Importance, and God had a lot to say about it. We do our best to control what we say because we understand how important and powerful our words are. This means we will ALWAYS SPEAK TRUTH based on scripture not socially acceptable norms. Jesus is "the truth" and we will operate like. We will proclaim who He is unashamedly!
ACTS: Spirit > Schedule
We endeavor to have all services, projects, ministries, and groups be for the glory of God, nor merely our best laid plans or strategies based on statistics or models. The are supposed to be "led by the Spirit..." He is our guide. (Jn 16:13; Gal 5:25; 1 Cor 2:9,10) We give place for the Spirit of God to speak, to move, to breathe life into our assemblies.
DEMONSTRATE
PRAYER: When You Pray
Prayer is not a secondary concern or last ditch effort to get God to move, as too many believers seem to act. It is actually building or birthing something in the spiritual, then pulling it into the natural. This is why Jesus says "when you pray..." Because it was never an optional activity, but a necessary one.
"To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing." Martin Luther
"The devil doesn't fight what's not a threat". This give an insight into why the enemy allows us to be busy about religious practices, but fights prayer on every level.
"MY FATHER"S HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER...!"
"To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing." Martin Luther
"The devil doesn't fight what's not a threat". This give an insight into why the enemy allows us to be busy about religious practices, but fights prayer on every level.
"MY FATHER"S HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER...!"
PRESENCE: If your Presence does not...
In Exodus 33, when God is sending Moses to a lost and captive people, Moses says these words: “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here." Exodus 33:15
What if this was our hearts cry?! "God, we won't move without You..." Thankfully, we have the presence of God that is to be "with us and in us..."(John 14:17) Let us cry out for the Spirit of God to be present in our assemblies, and not forget Him or try to move on without Him.
Many have built churches on great planning, systems, and religious ideology, but we can't! We refuse to! God says "unless He builds it, we build in vain."(Ps 127:1).
What if this was our hearts cry?! "God, we won't move without You..." Thankfully, we have the presence of God that is to be "with us and in us..."(John 14:17) Let us cry out for the Spirit of God to be present in our assemblies, and not forget Him or try to move on without Him.
Many have built churches on great planning, systems, and religious ideology, but we can't! We refuse to! God says "unless He builds it, we build in vain."(Ps 127:1).
POWER: You Shall Receive...!
The Word of God is absolutely clear...WE HAVE POWER!(Acts 1:8) Power and Authority to act on behalf of heaven to see the kingdom established. Our faith was never supposed to be based upon "wisdom of men..."(1 Cor 2:5) there must be "power"!
Luke 10:19 (NKJV)
Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Ephesians 1:19-21
'and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.'
Ephesians 2:5-6
'even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), '
and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, '
II Timothy 3:5
'having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! '
Luke 10:19 (NKJV)
Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Ephesians 1:19-21
'and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.'
Ephesians 2:5-6
'even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), '
and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, '
II Timothy 3:5
'having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! '
EXPAND
DISCIPLES: Made Not Recruited
Jesus co-missioned us to "go and make disciples..."
We want, we need to be a church of disciples that makes disciples. Leading others into knowing how to have daily encounters with the God of the universe. Encounters that lead to deeper transformation, bolder proclamations, greater demonstration, and further expansion.
Matthew 28:19 (NKJV)
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit"
Mark 16:15 (NKJV)
'And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature."'
We want, we need to be a church of disciples that makes disciples. Leading others into knowing how to have daily encounters with the God of the universe. Encounters that lead to deeper transformation, bolder proclamations, greater demonstration, and further expansion.
Matthew 28:19 (NKJV)
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit"
Mark 16:15 (NKJV)
'And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature."'
EVANGELISM: Freely give
"Therefore go..."
"You shall be witness..."
We were saved to and empowered to tell others. We know Him in order to make Him known. There is no other option for those that call themselves by His name, those that have felt the depths of His love.
As Paul exhorted Timothy, we exhort you: "II Timothy 4:5 (NKJV) But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
Now let's go!
"You shall be witness..."
We were saved to and empowered to tell others. We know Him in order to make Him known. There is no other option for those that call themselves by His name, those that have felt the depths of His love.
As Paul exhorted Timothy, we exhort you: "II Timothy 4:5 (NKJV) But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
Now let's go!
MISSIONS: Tell The World
John 3:16 tells us that God sent His son for the "world". We are also told that God's Will is "for all to come to the knowledge of the truth."(1 Tim 2:4)
An obedient church is a missional church. It has always been at the heart of the leaders, because it is at the heart of the Father.
Even the greek word for church"ekklesia" calls us to be missional, as it means "to be called from and to." From darkness to light, from death to life, from our pew to the world.
Psalms 2:8 (NKJV)
Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession.
An obedient church is a missional church. It has always been at the heart of the leaders, because it is at the heart of the Father.
Even the greek word for church"ekklesia" calls us to be missional, as it means "to be called from and to." From darkness to light, from death to life, from our pew to the world.
Psalms 2:8 (NKJV)
Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession.
FOUNDATIONAL BELIEFS
THE WORD OF GOD
The Bible is the inspired written Word of God, the product of holy men of old who spoke and wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. The New Covenant, as recorded in the New Testament, we accept as our infallible guide in matters of faith, conduct and doctrine. (2 Tim. 3:16; 1 Thess. 2:13; 2 Peter 1:21)
ONE TRUE GOD
The one true God showed as the eternally self-existent “I Am”, the Creator of heaven and earth, and the Redeemer, and Restorer of mankind. He further showed Himself as embodying the principles of relationship and association as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, also known as the Holy Trinity (Deut. 6:4; Isa 43:10-11; Matt 28:19; Lk 3:22)
CHRIST'S DEITY
The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. The Scriptures declare:
1. His virgin birth (Matt 1:23; Luke 1:31-35)
2. His sinless life (Heb. 7:26; I Peter 2:22).
3. His miracles (Acts 2:22; 10:38).
4. His substitutionary work on the cross (I Cor. 15:3; II Cor. 5:21).
5. His bodily resurrection from the dead (Matt. 28:6; Luke 24:39, I Cor. 15:4).
6. His exaltation to the right hand of God (Acts 1:9-11; 2:33; Phil. 2:9-11; Heb. 1:3).
1. His virgin birth (Matt 1:23; Luke 1:31-35)
2. His sinless life (Heb. 7:26; I Peter 2:22).
3. His miracles (Acts 2:22; 10:38).
4. His substitutionary work on the cross (I Cor. 15:3; II Cor. 5:21).
5. His bodily resurrection from the dead (Matt. 28:6; Luke 24:39, I Cor. 15:4).
6. His exaltation to the right hand of God (Acts 1:9-11; 2:33; Phil. 2:9-11; Heb. 1:3).
HOLY SPIRIT BAPTISM
The Holy Spirit was promised as a gift to come from the Father(God), to us, by Jesus Christ. The baptism with the “Holy Ghost and fire” was spoken of in the Old Testament by the prophet Joel, by John the Baptist about what Jesus would do, by Jesus Himself, and received by the early church. This same Holy Spirit is a promise to us now as well, and is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the new birth. He guides believers into all truth, exalts Christ, convicts people of their sin, God’s righteousness, and the coming judgment. He comforts us, strengthens us, gives us spiritual gifts, and makes us more like Christ. (Joel 2:28-29; Mark 1:8-10; Luke 3:16, 3:35, 4:1, 11:13, 12:12; John 7:37-39, 14:16, 15:26-27, 16:7-14; Acts 1:4-8, 2:1-4; 10:44-46, 11:15, 13:2; Romans 8:9-11, 14-16, 26-27; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 1:13-14; 2 Peter 1:2; Revelation 22:17)
WATER BAPTISM
After salvation the next step for every believer is water baptism. Baptism by immersion is talked of and commanded in scripture as a necessary action for all who repent and confess faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. In this they are declaring to God, family, and the world that they have died with Christ(under water) and are being raised(out of water) to a new life; one now marked by the redemption of Jesus Christ. (Matt 28:19; Mk 16:16; Acts 10:47, 48; Rom 6:4,5)
SIN
Man was created good, with no sin in him, blameless before God and in right relationship with Him. However, by Adam’s voluntary transgression, man was forever marked by sin and incurred not only physical death, but spiritual death also. This death led to a broken relationship and eternal separation from God. (Gen 1:26, 27, 31; 2:17; 3:6-10; Rom 3:23, 5:12-14)
REDEMPTION
With man’s fall there was no hope of restoring the relationship with God, sins mark kept us separated. The only hope was to remove the mark, and that’s what Jesus came to do. Through His death, burial, and resurrection Jesus became the redeemer that man needed, but we have to accept it. This is what we call salvation. Through acceptance and confession of Jesus as Lord, and repentance from a sin-stained life man is brought back into right relationship with God. (Lk 24:46,47; Jn 3:3; Rom 10:8-10, 5:15, 18-19; Eph 2:8; Titus 2:11,12)
MARRIAGE
We believe that the term “marriage” has only one meaning and that is marriage sanctioned by God which joins one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture. We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to only occur between a man and a woman who are married to each other. We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of marriage between a man and a woman.
We believe that any form of sexual immorality, such as adultery, fornication, homosexuality, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, pornography, or any attempt to change one’s sex, or disagreement with one’s biological sex, is sinful and offensive to God. We believe that in order to preserve the function and integrity of the church as the local Body of Christ, and to provide a biblical role model to the church members and the community, it is imperative that all persons employed by the church in any capacity, or who serve as volunteers, should abide by and agree to this Statement on Marriage and Sexuality and conduct themselves accordingly. We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity. Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with scripture not the doctrines of the church.
We believe that any form of sexual immorality, such as adultery, fornication, homosexuality, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, pornography, or any attempt to change one’s sex, or disagreement with one’s biological sex, is sinful and offensive to God. We believe that in order to preserve the function and integrity of the church as the local Body of Christ, and to provide a biblical role model to the church members and the community, it is imperative that all persons employed by the church in any capacity, or who serve as volunteers, should abide by and agree to this Statement on Marriage and Sexuality and conduct themselves accordingly. We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity. Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with scripture not the doctrines of the church.
SPIRITUAL GIFTS
Holy Spirit distributes to the believer Spiritual Gifts as He wills. These gifts differ according to the grace given to us. As members of the Body of Christ we should work together using the manifestation of the Spirit through those different gifts for the common good. Divine healing is an integral part of the gospel. Deliverance from sickness is provided for in the atonement and is the privilege of all believers.
(Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-12; Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 8:16-17; James 5:14-16)
(Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-12; Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 8:16-17; James 5:14-16)
