In the beginning
Jesus said:
"I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." John 8:12
Just as a pillar provides support for a building, 'Pillars of the Faith' will focus on the 'spiritual pillars' that will help you live the Christian life. As you read this booklet, search out the scripture references
in your own Bible. Read them aloud to yourself and consider them thoughtfully. As you do this, the Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of Truth, will enable you to grow in the knowledge of God.
Spiritual Birth
The Bible declares that "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." (1 Timothy 1:15). He was sent by the Father to rescue a lost and dying world.
Jesus Said (John 3:16) "God so loved the world [mankind], that He His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life."
Before He went to Calvary's cross, Jesus declared the Good News of the kingdom. He preached (Mark 1:15): "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent [turn from your sin], and believe the gospel."
When you surrendered your life to God and put your faith in Jesus Christ, something wonderful happened inside of you. Jesus described this supernatural experience as being 'born again', born of God's Spirit. Without this spiritual birth, we cannot know God.
(John 3:3,7) "Except a man be born again (born from above), he cannot see the kingdom of God...Marvel not that I said to you, you must be born again".
John 1:12 says: "But as many as received Him, to them He gave power to become the sons (children) of God." This new birth is a miracle of God, and with it comes a new nature and a new destiny.
"Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17).
As you embark upon this great adventure, thank God that He has forgiven you of your sins, and "called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9)
THE FOUR PILLARS
The Christian life can be likened to a building, whose chief cornerstone (or foundation) is Jesus Christ. As the building is raised up, God has seen fit to support and sustain it by means of four "spiritual pillars":
BIBLE - PRAYER - CHURCH -WITNESS
Each pillar is essential. If any one of the pillars begins to weaken, the entire structure will be endangered.
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The critical truth to keep in mind is this: If each of the four pillars of our Christian life remains strong and vibrant, the building will stand.
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Let's look at each pillar in greater detail.
THE BIBLE
The Bible tells us that "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the preaching and reading off the word of God." (Romans 10:17)
As you read God's word "the Bible", your faith is built up, and you are able to maintain a vital relationship with God. Jesus said: "the words that I speak to you, they are spirit, and they are life." (John 6:63)
By drinking from His word, daily, we allow God to feed our spirit and reveal himself to us, giving direction to our lives.
Psalm 119:105 states: "Your word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."
It is important to put God's word into practice in your daily life.
James writes in James 1:22: "But be doers of the word, not hearers only, deceiving your own selves."
Abiding in God's word helps us to stay in right relationship with Him.
In Psalm 119:11, the psalmist writes: "Your word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against you."
Jesus said...
"Now you are clean through the word which I have spoken to
you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can you, except you abide in me." John 15:3-4
PRAYER
James 4:8 declares: "Draw nigh [near] to God, and He will draw close to you."
This is a good picture of prayer. Prayer is talking to and listening to God.
Proverbs 8:17 says: "I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
It's incredible that the Creator of the Universe, the One who made heaven and earth, desires to have relationship with us. He is a loving Father, and He wants us to come to Him at all times. We pray because we love Him. We pray because we are totally dependent upon Him.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean [rely] not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6)
God responds to our faith...
When you pray, pray according to His will, and come to Him in faith,
believing.
But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6)
The prayer of faith has the power to influence God, not only for personal heeds, but also in the affairs of men and nations.
We invite you to join us for prayer 1 hour before every Evening Service and Monday-Saturday mornings from 7-8 am at the church.
CHURCH
Just as a new-born baby is birthed into a family, so also, does God place a new-born Christian into His church.
"But now has God set the members every one of them in the body, as it has pleased Him." (1 Corinthians 12:18)
Most often, the church that God has for you is the one that brought you accountability to your life, as wel as nurturing relationships with fellow believers.
"And He appointed some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting [equipping] of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying [building up] of the body of Christ." (Ephesians 4:11-12)
The mission of the church is the winning of the lost.
This is the life-blood of the church, every believer actively involved in personal evangelism.
In Matthew 24:14, Jesus instructed His disciples, saying:
"this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness [testimony] to all nations, and then shall the end come."
Join us for church in our upcoming services
Sunday School & Bible Study for all ages - 9:30 AM
Sunday Morning Worship - 10:30 AM
Sunday Evening Worship - 6:30 PM
Wednesday Evening Worship - 7:30 PM
WITNESS
As He was about to be received up into heaven, Jesus spoke these parting words to His followers:
"Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature [person]." (Mark 16:15)
This is the "Great Commission", ', God's marching orders to the Church. It is the heartbeat of God, a "holy calling", ", to mobilize His people to give themselves fully to the work of evangelism. (2 Timothy 1:9)
The apostle Paul, the greatest missionary-warrior of the early church, demonstrated that spirit, when he wrote:
This one thing I do.... I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Phillipians 3:13-14)
Paul's passion for lost souls fills most of the New Testament.
If we are to win souls to Christ, that same passion must be coupled with Godly wisdom.
Proverbs 11:30 states: "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that wins souls is wise."
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You will learn the art of soul-winning best, as you spend time with a skillful fisherman. The wisdom to win is gained in the going.
Jesus said "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19
Salvation (being "saved"), is a supernatural work of God, and it requires His supernatural power. Our mere words and reasoning will not get the job done.
THE POWER that we need is found in the "baptism of the Holy Spirit". It is not water baptism, but a baptism of God's power and anointing for kingdom service.
John the Baptist, as he prepared the way for the coming savior, prophesied of Jesus, saying: "I indeed baptize [immerse] you with water; but...He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost [Spirit] and with fire." (Luke 3:16)
This is the supernatural 'fire-power' that God provides for every believer.
In addition to power, God has also given us the means by which we are to spread the gospel.
THE MEANS IS PREACHING
a faithful witness who will declare the good news of Jesus Christ.
As we mentioned earlier, in Mark 1:15, when Jesus witnessed, He
brought men to repentance and a saving faith in the gospel.
Paul declared the essence of the gospel when he said: "but we preach Christ crucified", and Him risen from the dead. (1 Corinthians 1:23 and 15:1-4)
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This must be the focus of our witness, the preaching of the cross.
Why? Because the Blood of Jesus Christ is the only remedy for
the sins of mankind.
Do you desire to win souls to Christ? Then ask Him to give you
a passion for souls. He says that He will make His ministers a
"flame of fire." (Hebrews 1:7)
"And they that be wise shall shine a s the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever." (Daniel 12:3) This is the soul-winners reward!
Join us for Saturday Outreach at 3:00 PM
The life that God has given us is valuable, far beyond all
hat we can understand or imagine. There is nothing
more noble, more worthy, or more needful, that you can
do with your life, than to search out and rescue precious
souls from the damning fires of hell, and usher them into
the everlasting kingdom of Jesus Christ.
One life to live,
T'will soon be past.
Only what's done for Christ
Will last.
