A PEOPLE OF THE BOOK 

• We don’t skip tough sections:
  • Every word of God is pure: Proverbs 30:5 (KJV) Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
  • We preach all of Scripture: Acts 20:27 (KJV) For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
• We believe the Word has relevance to living in the 21st century
  • 2 Timothy 3:16 (KJV) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
• We believe not just in cursory knowledge of the Bible, but immersing ourselves in its truth:
  • Psalms 1:2 (KJV) But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
  • Psalms 119:97 (KJV) O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.
• We believe in studying and knowing the Bible:
  • Deuteronomy 11:18 (KJV) Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes.
  • 1 Thessalonians 4:11 (KJV) And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
  • Romans 11:33 (KJV) O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
• We believe in expository preaching
  • Isaiah 28:9-11 (KJV) Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.  For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:  For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.

A PEOPLE OF PRAYER

• Personal prayer:
  • Jeremiah 29:12-13 (KJV) Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. 13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
• Corporate Prayer
  • Acts 12:12 (KJV) And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.
• Believing prayer
  • John 14:13-14 (KJV) And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
  • 1 Timothy 2:8 (KJV) I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
• Bold Prayer
  • Matthew 7:7-8 (KJV) Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
  • Hebrews 4:16 (KJV) Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
• Unceasing Prayer
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (KJV) Pray without ceasing.
• Intercessory Prayer
  • Romans 8:26-27 (KJV) 26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness.  For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words, 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

A PEOPLE OF COMPASSION 

• God’s Heart is Compassion
  • Lamentations 3:22-23 (KJV) 22 It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
  • 2 Peter 3:9 (KJV) 9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
• Compassion toward our fellow believers:
  • Ephesians 4:32 (KJV)
    32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
  • Galatians 6:10 (KJV)
    10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
• Compassion toward those in need:
  • (End-times verse-but shows God’s heart) Matthew 25:40 (KJV) 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
• Compassion toward the lost:
  • John 4:35 (KJV)
    35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
  • Colossians 4:5 (KJV)
    5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

A PEOPLE OF THE GOSPEL

• We must be clear:
  • Colossians 4:4 (NIV) 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.
• The heart of the gospel:
  • 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (NIV) 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
• We must declare it:
  • Mark 16:15 (KJV) 15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
• Church growth by evangelism.
  • Romans 1:16 (KJV) 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

A PEOPLE OF HOLINESS

• God’s commandment:
  • 1 Peter 1:15-16 (KJV)
    15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
• Holiness sets us apart
  • 1 Peter 2:9 (KJV)
    9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:
• A Transformed Life is the Best Testimony
  • Colossians 4:5-6 (KJV) 5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

A PEOPLE OF COMMUNITY AND UNITY

• Acts 4:32-33 (KJV) 32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. 33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
• Our Unity is Based on the Truth.