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What We Believe
WHO IS JESUS?
The Bible: declares that Jesus is the only way through which the world (you and I) can be restored to true, pure fellowship with God Almighty. (Acts 4:12, John 14:6, John 11:25)
We are sinners: (Romans 3:23) and, as sinners, we have no fellowship with the holy, righteous God Almighty. Because of our sin, a humanly-insurmountable divide exists between us and God…a divide that cannot be crossed/fixed/repaired by any efforts of our own. "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Jesus was sent by God to die, on purpose, as the Savior who takes away the sin of the world – by taking upon Himself the divine curse of God's wrath (the wrath that you and I deserve because we are sinners (Romans 6:23)). Jesus is the one who takes away this divide that exists between sinful man and our holy God. Jesus is the one whom God raised from the dead after three days in the grave, and who now rules heaven and earth. Jesus is the one who will one day return, to bring both judgment and mercy.
Have you believed/trusted in Jesus for your salvation? If you say “yes”, remember that even the demons believe in Jesus (James 2:19) and they “tremble”. Believing in Jesus means more than just believing, with your mind, that He is the Savior. It means that you repent of your sins and surrender your life to His Lordship. You place your faith in Jesus and in what He accomplished on the cross; and, you begin to live wholeheartedly for Him.
Jesus died on the cross to take away the sins of the world: by taking our sins upon Himself (1 Peter 2:24). If He appeared to take away sins (1 John 3:5), and if we claim to be followers of Christ, we will seek to identify less and less with sin. We will grow to hate sin and, rather, to crave righteousness and holiness. Living a life daily surrendered to Jesus Christ will result in these things.
So, do you know Him: this Jesus who came to atone for the sins of man and restore man to true fellowship with God? Jesus is the only hope we have in this world. If you do not know Him, our prayer is that you will yield your life to Him…and find out that He offers salvation and a peace that passes all understanding. Restoration does not happen to everyone – only to those who will, by faith, repent of their sins and follow Him (Romans 10:9).
THE COVENANT OF LAKEVIEW
Having repented of our sins and having trusted in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, and being baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, we make the following covenant with God and one another.
BY GOD'S GRACE & THE HELP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT:
WE WILL SUPPORT THE TESTIMONY OF OUR CHURCH
…BY LOVING GOD SUPREMELY:
“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and the greatest commandment.’” -Matthew 22:37-38
…BY LIVING A SPIRIT0FILLED CHRIST-LIKE LIFE:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things, there is no law.” -Galatians 5:22-23
...BY FAITHFULLY WORSHIPPING TOGETHER ON THE LORD'S DAY:
“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the day approaching.” -Hebrews 10:25
...BY REGULARLY SHARING THE GOSPEL WITH UNBELIEVERS:
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” -Acts 1:8
...BY DEMONSTRATING CHRIST'S LOVE TO ALL PEOPLE:
“Love your neighbor as yourself" -Matthew 22:39
...BY SUPPORTING THE GLOBAL MISSIONS EFFORT:
“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’” -Matthew 28:18-20
WE WILL GUARD THE UNITY OF OUR CHURCH
....BY HONORING ITS DOCTRINES:
“Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you – guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.” -2 Timothy 1:14
...BY SHOWING LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER:
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” -John 13:34-35
...BY MINISTERING TO ONE ANOTHER:
“You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.” -Galatians 5:13
...BY PRAYING WITH AND FOR ONE ANOTHER:
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” -Ephesians 6:18
...BY SPEAKING IN A WAY THAT BUILDS UP OTHERS:
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” -Ephesians 4:29
...BY FOLLOWING THE LEADERS CHOSEN BY THE CHURCH:
“Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.” -Hebrews 13:17
WE WILL SUPPORT THE MINISTRIES OF OUR CHURCH
...BY GIVING GENEROUSLY OF OUR FINANCES:
“‘Bring the whole tithe into the storeroom, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,’ says the Lord Almighty, ‘and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.’” -Malachi 3:10
...BY BEING EQUIPPED TO SERVE:
“It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” -Ephesians 4:11-12
... BY DEVELOPING A SERVANT'S HEART:
“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” -Romans 12:11
...BY EXERCISING OUR SPIRITUAL GIFTS IN MINISTRY:
“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” -1 Peter 4:10
We will, when we move from this place, as soon as possible, unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.
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