Part three of this series is "a place to believe."
James 1:22 (New King James Version)
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
Personal growth is a mandate. It is not an option, nor can it ever be. The word "believe" in Scripture means, "to trust; to have faith in." The Word of God MUST be made applicable to daily living. It MUST have an impact on your decisions daily.
Take out a sheet of paper and answer these following questions - they are meant to be between you and God and serve as an aptitude test for your life. Allow God to look long and hard in your life and correct something through His Word if needed.
1) Do you "die daily" through repentance?
2) Have you been baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins?
3) Have you received the Holy Ghost, evidenced by speaking in other tongues?
4) Are you abstaining from all appearance of evil?
5) Are you living a separated lifestyle, pleasing to the Lord?
6) Do you pray daily?
7) Do you fast regularly?
8) Do you give your tithes and offerings faithfully?
9) Are you witnessing to others?
These are just a few questions to answer. Maybe you can think of more. Remember, these are not intended to embarrass you, but to strengthen you. If an answer is unsatisfactory, then ask God how you can change it through His Word. Solid Rock Worship Center is a place to believe - a place where you can grow in the Lord. Through the teaching and preaching of the Word of God, you can become a stronger and more successful saint of God!
Numbers do not equal growth. While we appreciate the numerical growth God gives us, we strive for health. A healthy church is a growing church. The supermarket can attract a crowd with sales. The clothing store can attract a crowd with discounts and mark-downs. Businesses bring in celebrities to attract crowds. And yes, unfortunately, some churches do things just to attract a crowd. But the last time I read the "Book," I am reminded that God is building a CHURCH, not a crowd. The true church are those who are healthy and growing spiritually in the Lord. Ironically, this individual and spiritual growth will result in numerical growth, but it's a consequence of true growth.
2 Peter 1:5-11 (King James Version)
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
There are eight characteristics listed in verse 5-7, beginning with faith and ending with charity. Imagine them as the rungs of a ladder, the first being faith, the second being virtue and the eighth being charity. Each individual MUST climb this spiritual ladder! This is true growth! This is what it means for SRWC to be a place to believe! However, unlike corporate America, we don't step on others to climb to the top. Neither do stay at the top once we've succeeded. Instead, true charity is coming of the ladder and leading someone else to it so that they too can make their way from faith to charity.
As Thomas Donaldson said to the young men of our church recently, "It's time to go, grow and glow." Go into the fields for they are white to harvest... Grow in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior... Glow with the light of His glorious truth shining through you!
