Sermon Series: G.R.E.A.T. Grace

Why does Grace Baptist Church (GBC) exist? What is our purpose? What is our mission? What are our goals? What does the vision God has given us really look like? AND, where do you fit specifically in all of this? What can you do personally to help this congregation fulfill God's plan for us? 

Well, these are deep and significant questions. We can't get to them all in one sermon, and probably won't sufficiently address them all even in this series of sermons, but we can get started. This week we plan to commence a 5 week series called "G.R.E.A.T. Grace" out of Acts 4. 

GBC is a good church. We have many sincere Christians who are serving sacrificially as best they know how. But could we improve? Of course! We all need to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (2^nd Peter 3:18). By faith in the Spirit and obedience to the Scriptures, we can become a G.R.E.A.T. church. 

Here is a quote from our church constitution: The purpose of Grace Baptist Church is to propagate the gospel and the whole counsel of God here at home and all around the world through a vigorous missionary outreach. How do we do that? And how do the biblically mandated purposes of Worship, Discipleship, Fellowship, Service, & Evangelism fit into (or extend from) this stated purpose?

The first purpose of the church that we will look at is Worship. Jesus told the woman at the well that the Father was (and is) looking for people who will worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). What is worship: individually... corporately... collectively? Are we "doing it right?" Is it genuine? How can we improve? If a stranger walks in, will he or she recognize for sure that God is in us (1^st Corinthians 14:24-26)?  Are we building walls that prevent people from connecting with us and with our Savior, or are we gladly tearing down walls so that others can see Christ in us free and clear (1^st Corinthians 9:16-23).  Surely 100% of this local body would at least give mental and verbal accent to the need to break down barriers to the gospel.  But are we doing that in practice?