SALVATION AND PURPOSE

LESSON 1

Membership Class

Ridgemont Baptist Church


It All Begins with Salvation…

 

God loves you. He wants you to have a personal relationship with Him through Jesus, His Son. There is just one thing that separates you from God. That one thing is sin. 

The Bible describes sin in many ways. Most simply, sin is our failure to measure up to God’s holiness and His righteous standards. We sin by things we do, choices we make, attitudes we show, and thoughts we entertain. We also sin when we fail to do right things. The Bible affirms our own experience – “there is none righteous, not even one.” No matter how good we try to be, none of us does right things all the time. 

People tend to divide themselves into groups - good people and bad people. But God says that every person who has ever lived is a sinner, and that any sin separates us from God. No matter how we might classify ourselves, this includes you and me. We are all sinners.


"For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23


Many people are confused about the way to God. Some think they will be punished or rewarded according to how good they are. Some think they should make things right in their lives before they try to come to God. Others find it hard to understand how Jesus could love them when other people don't seem to. But I have great news for you! God DOES love you! More than you can ever imagine! And there's nothing you can do to make Him stop! Yes, our sins demand punishment - the punishment of death and separation from God. But, because of His great love, God sent His only Son Jesus to die for our sins.


"God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 




For you to come to God you have to get rid of your sin problem. But, in our own strength, not one of us can do this! You can't make yourself right with God by being a better person. Only God can rescue us from our sins. He is willing to do this not because of anything you can offer Him, but JUST BECAUSE HE LOVES YOU!


 "He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy." Titus 3:5


It's God's grace that allows you to come to Him - not your efforts to "clean up your life" or work your way to Heaven. 


 You can't earn it. It's a free gift.

 

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9 


For you to come to God, the penalty for your sin must be paid. God's gift to you is His son, Jesus, who paid the debt for you when He died on the Cross.


"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23  Jesus paid the price for your sin and mine by giving His life on a cross at a place called Calvary, just outside of the city walls of Jerusalem in ancient Israel. God brought Jesus back from the dead. He provided the way for you to have a personal relationship with Him through Jesus. When we realize how deeply our sin grieves the heart of God and how desperately we need a Savior, we are ready to receive God's offer of salvation.


To admit we are sinners means turning away from our sin and selfishness and turning to follow Jesus. The Bible word for this is "repentance" - to change our thinking about how grievous sin is, so our thinking is in line with God's. All that's left for you to do is to accept the gift that Jesus is holding out for you right now.


"If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." Romans 10:9-10  


God says that if you believe in His son, Jesus, you can live forever with Him in glory.


"For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16  


Are you ready to accept the gift of eternal life that Jesus is offering you right now? Let's review what this commitment involves:


1. I acknowledge I am a sinner in need of a Savior - this is to repent or turn away from sin

 

2. I believe in my heart that God raised Jesus from the dead - this is to trust that Jesus paid the full penalty for my sins

 

3. I confess Jesus as my Lord and my God - this is to surrender control of my life to Jesus I receive Jesus as my Savior forever - this is to accept that God has done for me and in me what He promised

 

If it is your sincere desire to receive Jesus into your heart as your personal Lord and Savior, then talk to God from your heart and pray in repentance to receive Christ as Lord and Savior. No magic words save, only a broken heart that is willing to lay all down and follow Christ.

The purpose of the local church is to bring glory to God.

RBC Mission Statement:

 

“Our mission is to reach people with the gospel of Jesus Christ and to grow in relationship with God and with others.”

 

Rom 11:36

“For of Him (source), and through Him (means), and to Him (end), are all things: to whom be glory forever. Amen.”

 

Since God is the source, the sustainer, and the end of all things, He is the One who deserves all the glory! Scripture is filled with a clear understanding that the glory of God is to be seen in everything we do.

 

1 Cor 10:31

“Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the

glory of God.”

 

“Glory” means to exalt, to give the right opinion, judgment, or view of someone. The purpose of the local church is to exalt the Lord by giving the right opinion of God in all things to all people.

 

Question:

How does a church bring glory to God?

 

The local church brings glory to God by…


Worshipping the Lord in Spirit and in Truth. (John 4:24)

 

Definition: Simply put public worship is the reverent expression of our love and Adoration for God.

 

“The worship of the living and true God is essentially an engagement with Him on the terms that He proposes and in the way that He alone makes possible.” (David Peterson, Engaging with God, p. 20)

 

Matthew 22:37

“Jesus said to him, you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.”


Understanding the Theology of Worship


A theology of worship refers to a set of beliefs about how God should be worshipped, with a biblical theology of worship drawing its teachings solely from the Bible. Just as biblical soteriology is grounded in the Bible’s comprehensive teachings on salvation, a biblical theology of worship is rooted in the Bible’s comprehensive teachings on the worship and adoration of God.


Understanding a biblical theology of worship is crucial. Not all that is labeled as “worship” truly qualifies as such, a lesson we learn early on: both Cain and Abel offered sacrifices to the Lord, but “the Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor” (Genesis 4:4–5). Cain’s issue (apart from jealousy, obstinacy, and murderous rage)? He lacked an appropriate theology of worship. Cain presented an unacceptable sacrifice to the Lord and insisted that the Lord be satisfied.


A church that doesn’t adhere to a biblical theology of worship risks failing to glorify God and offer worship that pleases Him. Worship is a doctrine as misunderstood as any other within the church. Contrary to popular belief, worship doesn’t start and end with the singing part of our church services. Worship isn’t confined to bowing in reverence before God. To start with, worship is determined by God Himself, not by our sincerity, devout feelings, or musical talent.


Hebrews 12:28 instructs us to “serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear” (NKJV). 


The Greek word translated as “serve” here is a form of a Greek word for worship and is used 21 times in the New Testament in the contexts of service and worship. Another form of the word worship is the Greek word therapeuo—from which we derive the English word therapy—and this is most often translated as “heal” in reference to the healing of others. In the New Testament, this word appears in many passages involving Jesus’ healings.


Other Greek words translated as “worship” include proskuneó, meaning “paying homage” (1 Corinthians 14:25); sebázomai, meaning “to render religious honor” (Romans 1:25); and sébomai, meaning “to revere or adore” (Acts 16:14). We see a form of the word sébomai used by Jesus in reference to vain, hypocritical worship of God (Matthew 15:9), suggesting that sometimes what we label as “worship of God” is something else entirely.


A biblical theology of worship focuses on the genuine worship of God. True biblical worship must be reverent (Hebrews 12:28). We must understand who is being worshipped. God is holy, just, perfect, powerful, loving, etc. We are sinners saved by grace coming before a holy God on the basis of our Redeemer. There is no room for pride in adoration (see Luke 18:9–14). Also, worship must be “in truth,” that is, our worship must be properly informed (John 4:24). 

Unless we have accurate knowledge of the God we worship, there is no worshiping in truth. Those who wish to worship biblically must worship God as He is revealed in Scripture. Unbiblical views of God must be rejected.


A biblical theology of worship acknowledges that worship involves more than externals. God sees the heart: “These people come . . . honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught” (Isaiah 29:13). 


  • Worship is not about ritual or artistry, although ritual and art can be valid expressions of worship. 


  • Worship is not about expressing ourselves, although David’s “dancing before the LORD with all his might” was an act of true worship (2 Samuel 6:14). 


  • Worship is not about music, although music is often used by worshipers. True worship is about God. We reverence and honor and adore Him, not simply because of what He does for us but for who He is.


A biblical theology of worship will lead to a form of worship that brings about a transformation of the heart. The worshiper will develop an increasing desire to love and obey the Lord. Worship and service are intertwined; worshipping God should drive us towards greater obedience. Jesus stated that those who love Him will follow His commandments (John 14:15). If we claim to love and worship Him, but fail to obey Him, our worship is meaningless.


A biblical theology of worship instills the belief that worship is a way of life, not just a fleeting moment (refer to 1 Corinthians 10:31). Our lives should be devoted to the worship and service of God. Worship should extend beyond a temporary, experience-based activity on Sundays, after which we return to our “normal” lives for the rest of the week. Genuine worship is a continuous, internal praise to the God of the Bible, expressed through prayer, song, service, giving, and living.


Bring glory to God by...


Evangelizing the Lost

 

Definition: Bringing people to Christ by sharing the gospel. Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20

 

FAQ about Evangelism, Discipleship and Fellowship

 

What is the Gospel that we share?

Problem of sin (Rom. 3:23)

Penalty of sin (Rom. 6:23)

Payment of sin (Rom. 5:8)

Personal decision of faith/Repentance (Rom. 10:13)

 

How do we know we are saved?

Because of what Jesus said (Jn. 3;36; 5:24; I Jn. 5:13)

Because of what Jesus did (I Pet. 2:24)

 

How long are we saved?

We are saved forever (Jn. 6:47; 10:28-30)

You cannot have eternal life for only a little while!


How do we share this gospel?

  •        Through our personal witness and trusting God for “divine appointment”
  •        Through living our life daily in such a way that others see the truth of Christ living out in our lives.
  •        Though special outreach events.
  •        Through our worship services.
  •        Through loving God and loving others.

Bring glory to God by...


Edifying and equipping the saints through Bible-centered preaching and teaching (Discipleship)

 

Definition: Discipleship is the process by which we grow into Christ likeness Scripture: Matthew 28:20; 2 Peter 3:18

 

What is involved in discipleship?

 

It involves putting off our old man (flesh) and putting on the new man (Allowing Christ to live His life through you). Eph. 4:22-24; Gal. 2:20)

It involves surrender, separation, and sanctification. Rom. 12:1-2

 

How do we practice discipleship?

 

Through preaching in the services; through teaching in our Children’s Ministry and Youth Ministry; through personal Bible study, devotionals and Scripture meditation. Through special programs, seminars, retreats, and events


Bring glory to God by...

 

Dwelling together in love and Christian fellowship

 

Definition: The mutual relationship of care, support, and encouragement we have as a result of our common belief in Christ and membership in this church. Scripture: Acts 2:42

 

How do we fellowship?

 

RBC plans monthly calendar fellowships and activities that help each of us to stay connected. We do this through small group Bible studies (key to connecting with the local church).

 

We fellowship through various men’s and ladies’ activities, as well as through participation, one on one friendships, spending time together.

Fellowships also consist of church wide activities (church picnic, Fourth of July events, Church wide fellowships, etc.)


How do we minister together?

 

Here at RBC, we minister through local, evangelistic outreach, serving in children’s ministry, youth ministry, music ministry, nursery, ushering, greeter, ladies Bible study, men’s Bible study.  We also partner with other churches in the Abilene area to do local, state, or worldwide missions.

 

Remember, every member is a minister and a servant of our Lord Jesus Christ! Each member of the Body of Christ here at RBC is encouraged to make the personal decision to get as involved within church life as possible. Ministry is most effect in relationships and relationships are built so take the time and make the effort to allow God to help you connect with the Body of Christ He has placed you into.

 

SUMMARY:

 

Four Ministry Goals of the Local Church to Bring God all the Glory…


1.     Worship - Coming together in corporate worship to express our love and adoration to God our Maker

2.     Evangelism - Reaching the spiritually lost in our community with the gospel message of Jesus Christ.

3.     Discipleship - Through one-on-one discipleship, Bible Study, preaching, teaching, etc.

4.     Fellowship - Being connected with the Body of Christ through active participation in evangelism, missions, discipleship, and ministry

GROWING AND SERVING

LESSON 2

Membership Class

Ridgemont Baptist Church


ESSENTIALS OF DOCTRINE


Spiritual growth is the process of becoming more and more like Jesus Christ. When we place our faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit begins the process of making us more like Him, conforming us to His image. Spiritual growth is perhaps best described in 2 Peter 1:3-8, which tells us that by God’s power we have “everything we need” to live lives of godliness, which is the goal of spiritual growth. Notice that what we need comes “through our knowledge of Him,” which is the key to obtaining everything we need. Our knowledge of Him comes from the Word, given to us for our edification and growth.


Baptist Faith and Message


https://bfm.sbc.net/bfm2000/


Choosing to Serve

Finding Your Place


Eph. 2:7,10 informs us that we were created and saved for a purpose and that purpose is to perform good works of service.  And we should then walk in them.  And so if God has created for His service and works then He will provide and equip His saints for that good work and/or service.


The Bible clearly teaches that every Christian should consider himself or herself a minister of Christ.  Paul wrote about the task of training believers “in the work of ministry” (Eph. 4:12). 


He concluded his letter to the Romans with a long list of men and women who had ministered to his needs.  Each was a true minister of Christ (see Rom. 16:3-16).  The Greek work most often translated minister means “one who serve”. All believers are called to serve Christ by serving one another.

.

Equipped to Serve

How do believers serve one another?  Believers use the spiritual gifts God has given them to benefit the body of Christ.

The acrostic SERVE represents five ways God has prepared you for His service.


Spiritual gifts that God has given you for His service.

Experiences that God has brought into your life.

Relational style – behavioral traits that you posses

Vocational skills that you have gained through training and experience.

Enthusiasm – the passion God has given you for a particular ministry.

 

What is a spiritual gift?


A spiritual gift is a special skill or ability God gives to each believer through the Holy Spirit that equips believers to serve God in the church and community.  Peter wrote, “Based on the gift they have received, everyone should use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10).  Peter was calling every Christian to use his or her spiritual gift(s) to serve others.


Whatever your spiritual gift is, remember that every Christian is called to be a minister of reconciliation (see 2 Cor. 5:18), which means reaching others with the good news of Jesus.  Don’t wait for someone to ask you to serve.  Christ has already done that; obey Him by offering yourself as a minister in His body, the church.  Remember, Christ saved you to serve!


God’s Spiritual Gifts


Your spiritual gifts often indicate God’s will for your calling in life.  Paul wrote about spiritual gifts and their purpose in his letter to the Romans.  Using the human body as an example of the way a church functions through its many members, Paul wrote, “As we have many parts in one body, and all the parts do not have the same function, in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ and individually members of one another.  According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts” (Rom. 12:4-6)


Before we survey the spiritual gifts, we will look at two Greek words used to describe the gifts of the Spirit: pneumatika refers to their source, the Holy Spirit (pneuma) of God; and charismata refers to the fact that they are granted as an act of God’s grace (charis). The spiritual gifts are given by grace and are not based on our worthiness or personal abilities; they are given according to God’s sovereign choice. The gifts are given by the Spirit of God; thus, the gifts are a part of the new life granted to us in Christ and may be drastically different from our perceived capabilities or desires prior to salvation. First Corinthians 12:4–7 explains: “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” Believers will differ in their spiritual gifts, but all spiritual gifts are meant to be used for the edification of the body of Christ and to the glory of God.

A brief examination of three key texts (Romans 12:6–8; 1 Corinthians 12:4–11; 1 Peter 4:10–11) will help us see God’s design regarding His gifts.

One of the first things that becomes clear in these passages is the diversity of the gifts. Paul’s survey of spiritual gifts in Romans 12 includes different gifts than are found in 1 Corinthians 12. And when Peter spoke of the spiritual gifts in 1 Peter 4:10–11, he didn’t specify them but rather listed broad categories of the types of gifts God gives. Among the gifts listed in the Bible are prophecy, ministry, wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, teaching, exhorting, giving, ruling, showing mercy, speaking in languages, and interpreting languages. Whatever the specific use, each gift fits together with the other gifts, and they all work together as the parts of the body to make a functional whole (Romans 12:5).

In putting together a complete survey of the spiritual gifts, one must attempt to quantify and define the gifts. Romans 12 lists at least seven gifts, and 1 Corinthians 12 lists nine. There is some overlap in these lists, and there are certainly indications that there are more gifts than are itemized.

Here is a brief spiritual gifts survey from Dr. Larry Gilbert (modified from “How Many Spiritual Gifts Are There?”):

1. Miraculous Gifts
• Apostleship (1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11)
• Tongues (1 Corinthians 12:10, 28, 30)
• Interpretation (1 Corinthians 12:10, 30)
• Miracles (1 Corinthians 12:10, 28)
• Healing (1 Corinthians 12:9, 28)

2. Enabling Gifts
• Faith (1 Corinthians 12:9)
• Discernment (1 Corinthians 12:10)
• Wisdom (1 Corinthians 12:8)
• Knowledge (1 Corinthians 12:8)

3. Team Gifts
• Evangelism: passionately leading others to the saving knowledge of Christ (Ephesians 4:11)
• Prophecy: boldly and fearlessly proclaiming God’s truth (Romans 12:6; Ephesians 4:11; 1 Corinthians 12:10, 28)
• Teaching: making clear the truth of God’s Word with simplicity and accuracy (Romans 12:7; 1 Corinthians 12:28)
• Exhortation: motivating others to action, application, and purpose (Romans 12:8)
• Shepherding: overseeing, training, feeding, coaching/leading (Ephesians 4:11)
• Serving: providing practical help both physically and spiritually (Romans 12:7; 1 Corinthians 12:28)
• Mercy-showing: identifying with and comforting those in need (Romans 12:8)
• Giving: releasing material resources to further the work of the Church (Romans 12:8)
• Administration: organizing, administering, promoting, leading (Romans 12:8; 1 Corinthians 12:28)

In 1 Peter 4:9–11, Peter gives us two groups of Team Gifts:

1.“Speaking” gifts. Those who have the speaking gifts are Evangelists, Prophets, Teachers, Exhorters, and Shepherds.

2. “Ministering” gifts, or support gifts. People with these gifts emulate Christ in that He came not to be served, but to served (Mark 10:45). They have been blessed with self-forgetfulness as they focus on the needs of others. Ministering gifts include Shepherds, Mercy-Showers, Servers, Givers, and Administrators.

The Bible says we are given spiritual gifts for a purpose. In Romans 12:8 we are told to use the various gifts according to the character of God and His revealed will “with simplicity . . . with diligence . . . with cheerfulness.” In 1 Corinthians 12:24–25 we are told that “God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.” In 1 Peter 4:11 the purpose of the gifts is “that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.”

Church Covenant

Agreement

Because I have placed my faith in Christ and have received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, having been baptized, and being in agreement with Ridgemont Baptist Church statements and structure, I now feel led by the Holy Spirit to unite with the Ridgemont Baptist Church family.


In doing so, I voluntarily enter into a covenant with God, Ridgemont leadership, and with other members to do the following:

  •        I will maintain unity and harmony within Ridgemont Baptist Church at all times by committing to love, accept, and forgive others as Christ has commanded, and refusing to gossip about them. (Rom. 15:5; 1 Peter 1:22; Eph. 4:29; Heb. 13:17)
  •        I will commit to living a sacrificial life set apart for God’s serve, which is my reasonable act of worship toward a Holy God. As well as be a cheerful giver as God directs me to give. (Rom. 12:1; 2 Cor. 9:7)
  •        I will serve in ministry with Ridgemont by identify and using my God give abilities and spiritual gifts to serve God, the church and my community in the hopes that all my come to know Christ as their Lord and Savior. (Matt. 19:28ff; Eph. 2:10; Phil. 2:3-5,7)
  •        I will share the responsibility of Ridgemont by praying for its growth, by inviting lost souls and unchurched people to attend, and by warmly welcoming them in love those who visit as well as tithing as the Lord has commanded within His written Word. (Luke 14:23; Rom. 15:7; 1 Thess. 1:1-2)
  •        I will continue to grow in God’s grace and love by actively participating in the family of God through Bible study groups, fellowships, corporate worship and mission involvement as God leads and directs me. (Heb. 10:24-25; James 1:22; Ps. 96:3)