Benchmark Series - Core Values
A seven message miniseries on the core values of the church
The Authenticity of Worship
May 28, 2023 • Pastor Andy Shanks • Ephesians 5:15–21
Core Values: Seven statements that we as a body of believers at Breesport hold near and dear. Seven statements which dictate what we do and how we do it. As we wrap us this series, we will discuss the authenticity of worship. Worship is a word that is thrown around a lot. What exactly is it and what makes it authentic? We will use Ephesians 5:15-21 as a launching pad to explore how we as Christ followers can edify one another, and whole heartedly experience God focused worship while having an eye on evangelism.
The Edification of Community
May 21, 2023 • Pastor Doug Forman • 1 Corinthians 12:12–27
We stand in front of a mirror every day and often fail to appreciate the intricate and delicate machine that is staring back at us. The human body is a marvel of divine engineering and when every part is doing its part, we define that as “healthy.” When it’s not, we define that as “sick.” The Church of Jesus Christ is similar and that’s why it’s often likened in the Bible to a body. This week we will consider the importance of building up the Body of Christ such that every part accepts and does its part in a healthy and Biblical way for the good of the whole and the glory of God.
The Execution of the Great Commission
May 14, 2023 • Pastor Doug Forman • Matthew 28:18–20, Acts 1:8, 2 Timothy 2:2, Revelation 7:9–10
Mission. Everyone needs one. In the absence of mission people live haphazardly and without a sense of purpose and that’s no way to live this one life. The mission of the church is very clear. We are called to glorify God by making more and better disciples of Christ. The question becomes, what is your mission? Is it worthy of this one life? Does it glorify God? Does it demonstrate a heart of gratitude, obedience, and delight in Him? If you’re lacking a sense of mission, there’s nothing better than the Great Mission of the Church.
The Necessity of Prayer
May 7, 2023 • Pastor Doug Forman • James 5:16–18
Prayer is one of those areas in the average Christian life where we almost immediately feel like we could be doing better. That’s certainly understandable given that the Biblical standard for prayer is “without ceasing.” With that being said, prayer is such a wonderful gift to the Church and to the Saints. It’s the means by which we relationally connect to our God, pour out our praise and petitions, and find the grace and strength we need to rise above our circumstances. Therefore, we should always strive to more fully embrace the necessity of prayer.
The Expectation of Spiritual Growth
April 30, 2023 • Pastor Doug Forman • 2 Peter 1:3–9
Many Christians believe that the Christian faith is mainly about how sinners can be saved from the awful reality of hell. The truth is, however, that the Christian faith is mainly about how God is glorified in the transformation of sinners into the very image of Christ. When we understand that, we understand that salvation is the glorious beginning of a lifelong process of spiritual growth and ongoing change. It is, therefore, our expectation that every professing believer demonstrate increasing devotion to Christ and His cause and it is one of our highest ambitions to empower every person to take the next step in that process.
The Centrality of the Word of God
April 23, 2023 • Pastor Doug Forman • 2 Timothy 3:10–17, Psalm 138:2
The Word of God is where we see God most clearly. It’s where we meet Jesus. It’s where we discover the Good News of the Gospel. It’s where we are confronted with the brokenness in humanity and it’s where we learn how to please God in all that we do. For these reasons, and so many more, the Bible must be central to the life, ministry, and mission of the church. And yet, the Bible goes unread by so many professing Christians. It is our prayer that we, as Breesport Baptist Church, would never lose our hunger for the Word of God.
The Exaltation of Christ
April 16, 2023 • Pastor Doug Forman • Colossians 1:15–20, Philippians 2:5–8, 1 Corinthians 10:31, Hebrews 1:3, John 1:1–3
This week we are beginning a seven-message miniseries on the core values of the church. The term “core value” is used to refer to something that is intrinsic to an organization. It represents a set of priorities, beliefs, or convictions that guide and safeguard an organization. A church is no different in that sense. We need a set of defining beliefs that not only keep us from error but, Lord willing, steer us toward effectiveness. This week we will begin at the beginning with the Exaltation of Christ. Jesus is the highest and the best and knowing Him and making Him known ought to be our highest ambition.