Woodbine Church Exists
I. We Exist To Celebrate God’s Presence
A. WORSHIP: Expressing love to God
“Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.” Matthew 4:10
“True worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for anyone who will worship him that way.” John 4:23-24
B. STYLE vs. SUBSTANCE
Expressions Of Worship
Singing (Ephesians 5:19)
Praying (Psalm 95:6)
Hearing the Good News (John 17:17)
Giving (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
Baptism (Romans 6:3-4)
Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
Responding to God (Romans 12:1)
C. WOODBINE CHURCH WORSHIP STYLE
1. Celebration
“When they said, ‘Let’s go to the house of God,’ my heart leaped for joy.” Psalm 122:1
2. Inspiration
“Those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Romans 12:2
3. Transformation
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect His will really is.” Romans 12:2
II. We Exist To Communicate God’s Word
A. EVANGELISM: Sharing the Good News with others
“His intent was that now through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known” Ephesians 3:10
“Anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. But who can ask them to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells him? Romans 10:13-14
B. WHY OUR CHURCH MUST NEVER STOP GROWING
1. Because God Loves His People
“The Lord is… patient with you, because He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants all to turn away from their sins.” 2 Peter 3:9
See also: 2 Corinthians 5:14, Luke 15:3-10, Matthew 9:12-13
2. Because God Commands Us To Reach Out
“Go out to the roads and country lanes, and urge the people there to come so my house will be full. Luke 14:23
“You will be My witnesses” Acts 1:8
We believe our church must grow larger and smaller at the same time.
This is found in the Celebration - Cell model which emphasizes small groups as the foundation of the Church
IV. We Exist To Demonstrate God’s Love
MINISTRY: Meeting Needs With Love
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35
See also: 1 John 3:16-17, Matthew 25:34-40, Hebrews 13:16, Romans 12:13
“Now God gives us many kinds of special abilities… and there are different kinds of service to God (ministry)… All of you together form the one Body of Christ and each of you is a separate and necessary part of it.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-5, 27
At Woodbine Church
Every member is a minister with spiritual gifts. Every task is important. There is no insignificant place of service. Every member is a “10” in some area of ministry.
III. We Exist To Educate God’s People
DISCIPLESHIP: Helping Christ Followers Grow Spiritually
“Let us leave elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity” Hebrews 6:1
“Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” 2 Peter 3:18
“(God has given)… some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of ministry, so that the Body of Christ may be built up until we all… become mature… like Christ.” Ephesians 4:11-13
V. We Exist To Nurture God’s Family
FELLOWSHIP: Being The Family Of God
“… I am writing these things [so] you will know how to live in the family of God. That family is the church of the living God, the support and foundation of the truth.” 1 Timothy 3:14-15
In Fellowship We:
Care for one another - “Your strong love for each other will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:35
Share our lives with one another - “Share each other’s troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ” Galatians 6:2
Hold each other accountable - “Speaking the truth with love, we will grow up in every way into Christ, who is the head.” Ephesians 4:15
Protect one another - “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:3