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Click here to read a few other things we've thought over...
Jesus Christ is always first.
The Bible teaches us that Jesus Christ is the head of the church and that He must have the preeminence. This means that He must be the first and most important among us (Colossians 1:16-18). Because He is God He deserves nothing less so we want Him to be known and loved here. But not only that, we want Him to be in charge...and He is. He is first.
The Scriptures are central and sufficient in life and church.
Because the Bible is God’s Word to us, we believe that what’s taught from our platform ought to be driven by what the Bible says. The technical term for this is expositional teaching, and it means that the man behind the pulpit will be exposing the meaning of Bible passages for those seated in our auditorium. Clear Bible teaching that connects with life is the only active catalyst for transforming individuals and the entire church. The Bible is sufficient to bring us to spiritual completeness and maturity (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
 Outreach is the calling of the entire church.
We think that telling people about the loving plan of our Creator is the responsibility of every person who knows Christ, so we provide materials and opportunities to make this happen. Our church foyer contains a help we call Evangelism Central, and we also provide events throughout the year that give you the opportunity to bring others to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Salvation matters in the middle.
There’s usually a big gap of time between the day someone accepts Christ and the day they die. For many Christians, their salvation is reduced to those two days—the day they were born again and the day they get go to Heaven. But what about all the time in between? What happens in the gap? Many Christians flounder there day after day and year after year searching for purpose and direction. Are there answers for life’s difficulties in the gap? Does salvation make any difference after we’re saved? We believe it does.
When we understand the depth of what God did and we apply it in our daily lives, the wonderful salvation God has provided makes us whole and affects every area of our life and walk. Still doesn’t quite make sense to you? You might read these: The Gospel for Real Life by Jerry Bridges, The Cross Centered Life and Living the Cross Centered Life by C.J. Mahaney, The Cross and Salvation by Bruce Demarest, How People Change by Tim Lane and Paul David Tripp. You will never be the same when you understand everything God has done for you.
Worship is not about the music.
Though we tend to think worship is about “the music,” or “what we do at church,” that’s not how God sees it. He wants us to worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24).
To worship in SPIRIT is to give ourselves completely to Him from our very core. He wants you, not your outward motions and rituals reserved to be carried out at a certain place. He wants you to be engaged with Him all the time, at every moment. It’s about a real relationship between you and God. That’s worship in spirit. God wants you.
But we must also worship in TRUTH. What does that mean? It means that God wants us to do much more than just accept the truth. We must weave that truth into daily life. We must do what we know is the truth, actually doing what is right. That’s worship in truth. Worship in truth is living in obedience to the Lord. It has been well-said: There is a sense in which true Christians should never not be worshipping. Yep, double-negative but we like that statement. Worship should encompass every minute of our lives as we give ourselves to Him. Then when we arrive at church on Sunday, the worship that’s already been happening on the inside will spill out in joyous praise together with others who are doing the same.
Only authentic worship in spirit and in truth can satisfy spiritual thirst. Ask the woman at the well...she’ll tell you (John 4).
Prayer is absolutely essential.
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints (Ephesians 6:18). The simplest definition of prayer is talking to God. Since we are totally dependent on God for everything we must be in constant communication with Him. At Bay City Baptist Church we are dedicated to bringing everything to God in prayer. Every worship service and every business meeting begins with prayer. No major decisions are ever made without seeking the Lord.
Church membership shouldn’t be optional.
“There is nothing outside the Trinity itself that God loves more than the church for which He died. Sadly, many Christians don’t share Christ’s degree of affection and devotion for His [Church], and often are ashamed to identify themselves with her” (Daniel Kirk quoted in To Be or Not to Be a Church Member, by Wayne Mack). God wants us to be highly connected in authentic relationships to other believers in a church community.
We recommend two books that biblically show the importance of church membership: (1) To Be Or Not To Be a Church Member, by Wayne Mack, (2) Stop Dating the Church, by Josh Harris. You will never see church membership the same after you see what Bible says about it.
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