Defining Grace Baptist Church

The Purpose of Grace Baptist Church

John 12:32   "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me."  Exalt Christ

Partnering in Proving the Purpose of the Church:

Matthew 22:37-40  "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. ³⁸This is the first and great commandment. ³⁹And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. ⁴⁰On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."

Matthew 28:18-20  "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. ¹⁹Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: ²⁰Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

Partnering in Practicing the Purpose of the Church Through:

WORSHIP – Commend – Matthew 22:37 (LOVE THE LORD)

The church grows stronger by expressing our love to God.  Keyword:  MAGNIFY

 MINISTRY – Compassion – Matthew 22:39 (LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOUR SELF)

The church grows broader by demonstrating God’s love to others.  Keyword: MINISTRY

EVANGELISM – Convert – Matthew 28:19a (LOVE TO TELL OTHERS)

The church grows larger by communicating God’s Word.  Keyword:  MISSION

FELLOWSHIP – Connect – Matthew 28:19b (LOVE TO ENCOURAGE OTHERS)                            

The church grows warmer by identifying with the body of Christ.  Keyword: MEMBERSHIP

DISCIPLESHIP – Christ-like – Matthew 28:20 (LOVE TO GROW OTHERS)

The church grows deeper by maturing in Christ.  Keyword:  MATURITY

 Partnering in the Plan of the Church

Lead people in being involved in God’s purpose - accept people where they are but love them so much that we don’t leave them that way.

Partnering in the Procedure Of the Church

II Peter 3:18  "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen."

Grow through the Faithfulness to Christ,  the Head of Grace Baptist Church

I  Corinthians 4:1,2:  "Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. ² Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful."

Grow through the Fruitfulness of Christ, the Production manager of Grace Baptist Church

 John 15:15:  "Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you."

Partnering in the Continual Contact of Prayer

Romans 15:30-33  "Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me; ³¹That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints; ³²That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed. ³³Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen."

The Practice of Prayer

• It was sown in the conversion of the soul to Christ

• It was rooted in the teaching of Christ

• It grew in the fellowship of the Church

• It blossomed in the pressures of life as a servant of Christ.

The Power and Place of Prayer

• It Prepares the Soul for a Time of Discovery - Act 1:14

• It Instructs the Mind for a Time of Decision - Acts 1:24

• It Stimulates the Spirit for a Time of Devotion - Acts 3:1

• It Strengthens the Weak for a Time of Difficulties - Acts 4:24-26

• It Feeds the Hungry at a Time of Deepening - Acts 6:4

• It Liberates the Prisoner at a Time of Danger - Acts 12:5

• It Identifies the Brethren at a Time of Dedication - Acts 13:3; 14:23

• It Elevates the Depressed at a Time of Distress - Acts 16:25

• It Comforts the Sorrowing at a Time of Departure - Acts 20:36

Partnering in God’s purpose, proof, plan, and procedure for your life is only possible through the continual contact in prayer with God and with those that know Him personally and desire to grow in him continually.