Purpose
God’s Kingdom is built by restoring relationships with man through the work of Jesus Christ in order to fulfill His purposes. In order to realize those purposes, we must have a plan in place. We must follow a path led by God and remain committed to His glory. Our path, the “Covenant Path.” is that we glorify God by Belonging to his Kingdom, Growing in Christ-likeness and Serving others in love. This is the foundation for the “building” we want to construct and for the “covenant” we want to maintain with God.
According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and another man is building upon it. Let each man take care how he builds upon it. I Corinthians 3:10
Belong to His Kingdom – When we commit to belong to His kingdom, we are also committing to helping others connect to the love and grace of God through His Church.
Participation with the Body of Christ – So then you are no longer strangers, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God. Ephesians 2:19
Trust Jesus as Lord and Savior – … that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
Identification with Christ – baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19
Grow in Christ-Likeness – The working out of our salvation comes through the growth and understanding of the disciplines of our faith in Christ.
Study of His Word – All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Prayer – Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12
Stewardship – Centers in our commitment to Jesus Christ. He becomes Lord of our time, talents, finances…He becomes Lord of all.
Redemptive Relationships – To give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet in the way of peace. Luke 1:79
Serve Others in Love – We serve others in love when we ourselves realize the fullness of God’s love. Service at its best is an expression of our worship.
Commitment to Give Life in Ministry – To equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God. Ephesians 4:11-12
Every Believer has Gifts and Callings – Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them…Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good, love one another with brotherly affection; out do one another in showing honor. Romans 12:6-10
Every Person has a Value to God – Lord, when did we see thee hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick…Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me. Matthew 25:44-45
God gives each one of us unique gifts and talents that He intends for us to use in serving others. Without service, our lives become increasingly self absorbed and unhealthy. Healthy faith is exhibited in our actions of service toward others. Jesus modeled perfect spirituality. No one in history has done more effective or noteworthy service for others.