9 Ministry Principles part 1

Announcements:

Book month

We will be studying through the book of Judges together on Wednesday Nights.

Introduction (5 mins):

Tonight we are going to review and discuss our 9 ministry principles, summarizing how as a church we are pursuing biblical faithfulness and our God given mission.

What comes to mind when you think of a healthy church?

Acts 2:42–47 NKJV

42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. 46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

These 9 ministry principles are more than slogans—they are applicable steps I believe are rooted in Scripture. Our principles are not given in any particular order of importance. They are all crucial for what we believe God has called us as a church to accomplish.

Board of director: Me, Pastor Kurt, Karl Kremple, and praying for more.

Elders: Me, Pastor Kurt.

Deacons: praying how to establish deacons in our church.

1. We Are a House of Prayer:

Jesus overturned tables because prayer had been replaced by profit.

Matthew 21:13 NKJV

13 And He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’ ”

Family, prayer is not a minsitry of the church—it is the minsitry of the church.

Acts 1:14 NKJV

14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

Prayer displays dependence on God and invites His power.

Psalm 127:1–3 NKJV

1 Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain. 2 It is vain for you to rise up early, To sit up late, To eat the bread of sorrows; For so He gives His beloved sleep. 3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward.

What does a “house of prayer” actually look like today?

Practical Application:

Every minsitry activity starts with prayer.

This is one of the reasons we are committed to corporate prayer, as well as strongly encourage private prayer.

We are called to be alert and watchful in prayer:

Colossians 4:2 NKJV

2 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;

Prayer is like the power steering in your car. You can drive without it, but it’s exhausting and difficult. Prayer makes spiritual movement effective, responsive, and directed.

2. We Are Always Making Disciples

Dwight Pentacost Quote:

Matthew 28:18–20 NKJV

18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Discipleship, disciple-making is the central mission, not just another program. It’s more than conversion; it’s long-term spiritual growth and reproduction.

2 Timothy 2:2 NKJV

2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

What is one way someone discipled you which stuck with you?

Questions?

Practical Application:

Be patient as we roll this out.

We have a set of guidelines we would like each of you to adhere too when it comes to discipleship. I am not interested in conforming to anything but what Jesus wants us to accomplish as a church. So when it comes to the lessons which were are 18:

Salvation

Eternal Security

The Ordinances

Holy Spirit

Word of God

Pray

The Local Church

Other Christians

The Family

Dealing with Sin

Liberty in Christ

Will of God

Giving

Money and Possessions

Job and Employer

The Lost World

Judgement Seat

Next Steps

Each of you should prayerfully pursue to disciple someone, and be open to being discipled. Think about what you wish you knew pertaining to the Christian faith when you were a new believer.

Use the Word daily to feed your soul and to guide your service. As well as being intentional in meeting with your disciple or disciple-maker.

I will stress this time and time again, we are asking those who are ready to disciple to sacrifice time, money, energy to disciple you so you need to be willing to make a commitment. If you are not willing, that doesn’t mean we are going to cast you out or cast you aside, you simply are not ready to make that level of commitment. But when you are we will be ready for you.

Jesus didn’t build crowds—He built 12 men, poured into them and when He ascended, He left behind truly transformed live, not a massive organization. We are called to do the same—slow, faithful investment in people.

[Steve Remund]

Questions?

3. We have the Final Authority: God’s Word

Psalm 12:6–7 NKJV

6 The words of the Lord are pure words, Like silver tried in a furnace of earth, Purified seven times. 7 You shall keep them, O Lord, You shall preserve them from this generation forever.

The Bible is not just helpful—it is authoritative, sufficient, and unchanging.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 NKJV

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Family, we all have to be on board with this. We all, submit to the Bible, not just use it when it supports our point.

What passage of Scripture is an anchor in your life?

We do not believe in a critical view, the Word of God contains errors which need to be corrected through human intervention. A view like this causes confusion and can lead to no longer believing in the accuracy and authority of God’s Word. This isn’t to discount scholars and the importance of academic study. What we mean is you do not need a scholar to tell you what the Bible says, you have been given the Holy Spirit and the God’s true Word.

Practical Application:

Evaluate all your decisions by Scripture, not just your opinions or another person’s opinion.

Use the Word daily to feed your soul and guide your service.

Be Bereans (Acts 17:11) search the Scriptures daily.

God’s Word is like a compass in the wilderness. Feelings and treads may shift like fog and weather, however the compass always points to true north.

Clarification: We teach from the KJV/NKJV for the sake of unity, but welcome all faithful translations for personal study or any Bible Study.

Questions?