Family & Future
Do You Love Jesus? Then Love His Family.
- 0:00Welcome back, recap Week 1, check in on anyone who prayed
- 0:05Family - why you need the church, who Lifted is
- 0:25What we believe · the Lord's Supper
- 0:40Future - baptism
- 0:52Reflection, Walk Well checkpoint, preview Give Well
Why You Need the Church
The purpose of the church is to help people fulfill God's purposes for their lives. Having a church family will help you:
- Center your life around God (worship)
- Connect with other believers (fellowship)
- Cultivate spiritual maturity (discipleship)
- Contribute something back (ministry)
- Communicate God's message (mission)
Who Lifted Is
And when I am lifted up, I will draw everyone to myself.John 12:32 (our church verse)
Lifted - where church is family. We simply teach people to know Jesus, love Jesus, and stay committed to Jesus: Faith · Family · Future.
Our Story
Our church began as a mission of Wayside Baptist Church in Miami, Florida and was incorporated in 1994 - a handful of families meeting in a local elementary school in West Kendall. God grew us through Hammocks Middle School and a storefront on North Kendall Drive, and in 1999 we moved onto over 10 acres where we gather today. Our goal is to inhabit our land and be a lighthouse in this community for Christ.
What Is the Church?
The church is a .
So we operate on the basis of not
.
You should be like one big happy family, full of sympathy toward each other, loving one another with tender hearts and humble minds.1 Peter 3:8 (TLB)
The church is a .
Therefore, we function on the basis of , not
.
The church is a .
Therefore, it is cared for and led by .
Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, watching over them.1 Peter 5:2 (NIV)
Our Faith Statement
In essential beliefs-we have .
In nonessential beliefs-we allow .
In all our beliefs-we show .
What We Believe
These are the essentials - where we have unity. Read them at home this week; we'll highlight a few together.
About God
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.
Genesis 1:1, 26-27; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14
About Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the Son of God, co-equal with the Father and Holy Spirit. He lived a sinless human life and offered himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days, ascended to heaven, and will return to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Matthew 1:22, 23; John 1:1-5; 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4; Acts 1:9-11; Titus 2:13
About the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son. He makes people aware of their need for Jesus, lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation, provides power for living and understanding spiritual truth, and gives every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved.
2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12; Ephesians 1:13; 5:18
About the Bible
The Bible is God's Word to us. Human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit, wrote it. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because God inspired it, it is the truth without any mixture of error.
2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20, 21; Psalm 119:105, 160; Proverbs 30:5
About Human Beings
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like him in character, and are the supreme object of God's creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called "sin," which separates us from God.
Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1, 2
About Salvation
Salvation is God's free gift to us, but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ by faith.
Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8, 9; John 14:6; 1:12; Titus 3:5; Romans 5:1
About Eternal Security
Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian.
John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10, 14; 1 Peter 1:3-5
About Eternity
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin (hell), or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation (eternal life). Heaven and hell are real places of eternal existence.
John 3:16; 14:17; Romans 6:23; 8:17-18; Revelation 20:15; 1 Corinthians 2:7-9
The Lord's Supper
Jesus gave the church two visible symbols as reminders of his death: baptism and the Lord's Supper. From 1 Corinthians 11:23-26:
It is a . (v.23)
It is a . (v.24)
It is a . (v.25)
It is a . (v.26)
It is for those who are already - prepared by self-examination, confession, recommitment, and restoring relationships.
In-class discussion (2 min): "Which essential would you most want to be able to explain to a friend?" This is also your chance to hear what they believe - listen for anything that needs a follow-up conversation.
Are You Committed to Jesus?
Baptism: Going Public
It illustrates Christ's , and resurrection.
When we are lowered into the water, it is like the burial of Jesus; when we are raised up out of the water, it is like the resurrection of Jesus.Romans 6:4 (The Message)
It illustrates my as a Christian.
It demonstrates my into Christ's body, the church.
Baptism doesn't make you a believer - it shows that you already believe. Like a wedding ring, it is the outward symbol of a commitment already made.
Why Should I Be Baptized?
To follow the example set by .
Because Christ it.
It shows that I really am a .
Why by Immersion?
Because was baptized that way, and the word "baptize" means to
in water.
When should I be baptized? As soon as you have believed (Acts 2:41). Membership at Lifted follows believer's baptism by immersion.
Walking Well - Checkpoint
- Next SundayGive Well · Week 3 - Biblical Generosity.
- This weekRead the essentials at home. Circle one you want to ask about.
Sign each participant's Walk Well checkpoint only if they were present both weeks (or completed the online track and met with you). This signature is what moves them into Give Well.