Grace Baptist Vision

The Role of Scripture

January 1, 2023 • 2 Timothy 3:16—4:4

“First and foremost, the ministry of Grace Baptist Church is centered upon the expository preaching and teaching of God's Word, the Bible. We follow the literal, historical, grammatical approach to the interpretation of Scripture. We believe the best way to address all personal, political, and social issues and problems is through the citizenship of believers who know, understand, and practice the principles of Scripture through the power of the Holy Spirit, bound by grace, and motivated by love.”~ Grace Baptist Church Constitution “We believe in the plenary and verbal inspiration of the Scripture of both the Old and New Testaments and that they are inerrant in the original writings and are of supreme and final authority in faith and life. II Tim. 3:16-17; II Peter 1:19-21.”~ Grace Baptist Church Statement of Faith

The Goal: Conformity to Christ

January 8, 2023 • Ephesians 4:11–16

“If you aim at nothing you are sure to hit it every time” Zig Ziglar “Objectives determine outcomes. You achieve that for which you aim.” Howard Hendricks “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” The Apostle Paul

The Role of Preaching

January 15, 2023 • Jon Cook • Ephesians 4, Romans 16:25–27

The ending to the book of Romans is unique in that it is the only letter of Paul that ends with a doxology instead of a benediction. At the end of this letter Paul finishes where he started, with praise to God for the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ and the immense value of its proclamation.

The Role of Fellowship

January 22, 2023 • Jon Cook • Ephesians 4

Fellowship with God and with other believers is a blessed privilege made available to each and every believer, but unfortunately not always enjoyed by every believer. The Apostle John calls the church to enter into this fellowship with the Lord and with one another. He points us to what fellowship is, how one can experience it, and warns of how it can be lost. Fellowship, as defined by Scripture, is an important aspect of our desire for the character of Christ to be on display in our lives and in our church.

The Role of Discipleship

January 29, 2023 • Jon Cook • Ephesians 4, Hebrews 10:19–25

“Go ye therefore into all the world and make disciples…” This command of Christ to the church is certainly a broader responsibility than one individual believer investing in the life of another individual believer. However, Scripture is clear as to the responsibility and value of discipleship between individual believers. One on one discipleship is one of the means used by God to conform us to His image.

The Role of Personal Growth

February 5, 2023 • Jon Cook • Ephesians 4, 1 Peter 1:22—2:5

“The Authority of the Holy Scripture, for which has ought to be believed, and obeyed, depends not upon the testimony of any man, or church; but wholly upon God (who is truth itself) the author thereof: and therefore it is to be received because it is the word of God.” ~ Westminster Confession of Faith~

The Role of Evangelism & Missions

February 12, 2023 • Jon Cook • Ephesians 4, 2 Corinthians 5:9–21

The book of II Corinthians is Paul’s defense of his ministry. There were those who were questioning his character, his apostolic authority, and his heart for ministry. In chapters 1-2 he defends his character, in 3-5 his ministry to the world, in 6-13 his ministry to the church at Corinth and in 10-12 His Apostolic authority. In Chapter 3 he begins with the ministry to the world that he had been given and by the end of chapter 5 he extends the responsibility of that ministry to the Corinthians and, by extension, all who have been reconciled to God. In these chapters, he describes this ministry as, a ministry of the Spirit (3:8), a ministry of righteousness (3:9), a ministry of mercy (4:1), and a ministry of reconciliation (5:18). He lays out for us this ministry, its motivation, its messengers, its mission field, and its message.

The Role of Church Leadership

February 19, 2023 • Jon Cook • Ephesians 4, Acts 20:17–32

Church leadership discussions all to often center around pragmatism or secular principles of leadership more than they do Biblical truth. The Bible is our standard for faith and practice, not what may or may not “work” in a secular environment. The Word of God is far less silent on the issue of Church leadership than people often assume. If God’s Word is our foundation, then it should be what directs the way we function with Him as our head.

The Purpose: The Praise of His Glory

February 26, 2023 • Andrew Hawley • Ephesians 4, Colossians 1:24–29

The Glory of God is the overarching theme of all scripture. It is the only theme under which all other major bible themes remain faithful to the plan and purposes of God as revealed in His Word. He has progressively revealed in His word things concerning His person and His works.

Grace Baptist Church - RDD

The Biblical Vision of Grace Baptist Church