The Marks of an Effective Church – Pastor Ascher
 
THE VISION OF GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH IS TO BE A LOCAL ASSEMBLY OF BELIEVERS ENDEAVORING TO BE LIKE CHRIST FOR THE GLORY OF GOD.
                                                                                                       (Ephesians 5:26, 27)
 
 
Acts 2:42
 
 
THE MISSION OF GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH IS TO FACILITATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF BELIEVERS WHO WILL BE DEVOTED TO THE TEACHING OF THE WORD OF GOD, TO ONE ANOTHER, TO WORSHIP AND TO PRAYER.
                                                                                                                   (Acts 2:42)
 
 
THE MARKS OF AN EFFECTIVE CHURCH
 
 
I. EFFECTIVE CHURCHES PREACH AND TEACH THE WORD OF GOD
 
II. EFFECTIVE CHURCHES HAVE GODLY LEADERS
 
III. EFFECTIVE CHURCHES PUT A PREMIUM ON DISCIPLESHIP
 
   1. Discipleship involves teaching biblical truth
 
   2. Discipleship involves teaching how to apply the Scriptures to life
 
   3. Discipleship involves teaching how to solve problems biblically
 
IV. EFFECTIVE CHURCHES ARE INTENTIONAL WITH EVANGELISM
 
V. EFFECTIVE CHURCHES HAVE ACTIVE CHURCH MEMBERS
 
VI. EFFECTIVE CHURCHES PLACE AN EMPHASIS ON TRUE FELLOWSHIP
 
VII. EFFECTIVE CHURCHES DISPLAY A WILLINGNESS TO CHANGE
 
   1. Spiritual life takes precedence over structure when it comes to change
 
   2. Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit when it comes to change
 
   3. Make sure procedure follows need when it comes to change
 
VIII. EFFECTIVE CHURCHES HAVE GREAT FAITH
 
IX. EFFECTIVE CHURCHES ARE WILLING TO MAKE SACRIFICES
 
X. EFFECTIVE CHURCHES EMPHASIZE BOTH PERSONAL AND CORPORATE
     PRAYER AND WORSHIP   

​An Eternal Perspective to Earthly Investing, Pt. 2 – Pastor Ascher
 
I Timothy 6:17 - 19
 
I. OUR MONEY AND OUR ATTITUDE TOWARD OTHERS
 
 
II. OUR MONEY AND OUR ATTITUDE TOWARD SELF
 
Luke 16:10, 11, 12
 
 
III. OUR MONEY AND OUR ATTITUDE TOWARD GOD
 
Luke 16:13
 
 
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF A MATERIALISTIC ATTITUDE?
 
1. Is your life characterized by anxiety over money?
 
2. Do you find yourself wanting what others have?
 
3. Do I find joy in giving to others?
 
4. Am I obsessed with my investments?
 
5. Have I lost appreciation for what I already have?
 
6. Am I sacrificing relationships in my pursuit of wealth?
 
7. Do I flaunt what I have in front of others?
 
 
I. GOD GIVES US THE RIGHT TO POSSESS MONEY
 
   1. All that we have comes from God.
 
Deut. 8:17, 18
Ps. 50: 10 – 12
 
   2. God wants us to enjoy what we have
 
   3. God has designed ways for us to increase our wealth.
 
      a. Work
 
Prov. 14:23
Prov. 28:19
Prov. 6:6 – 10
 
      b. Save
 
Prov. 21:20
 
      c. Plan
 
Prov. 27:23, 24
 
      d. Don’t steal
 
      e. Don’t gamble
 
      f. Don’t be stingy
 
Prov. 11:24
 
      g. Don’t be hasty
 
Prov. 21:5
 
      h. Don’t be undisciplined
 
Prov. 20:13
 
 
II. CONSIDER HOW YOU VIEW WHAT YOU HAVE
 
   1. Don’t Love It
 
Ecclesiastes 5:10
I Tim. 6:9, 10, 6
 
   2. Be Content
 
I Tim. 6:7, 8
Prov. 30:8, 9  

An Eternal Perspective to Earthly Investing – Pastor Ascher
 
Luke 16:1 – 13
 
Luke 16:8
Luke 16:1 – 8
 
Luke 16:9
 
I. OUR MONEY AND OUR ATTITUDE TOWARD OTHERS
 
 
II. OUR MONEY AND OUR ATTITUDE TOWARD SELF
 
Luke 16:10, 11, 12
 
 
III. OUR MONEY AND OUR ATTITUDE TOWARD GOD
 
Luke 16:13
 
 
“Where riches hold the dominion of the heart, God has lost His authority”
 
                                                                                                   John Calvin
 
BE THOU MY VISION
 
“Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise.
Thou mine inheritance now and always,
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of heaven, my treasure Thou art.”
 
                                              Ancient Irish Hymn

The Prodigal, Pt. 5 – Pastor Ascher
 
I. A SHAMEFUL REQUEST
 
II. A SHAMEFUL RESPONSE
 
III. A SHAMEFUL REBELLION
 
IV. A SHAMEFUL REPENTANCE
 
V. A SHAMEFUL RECEPTION
 
VI. A SHAMELESS RECONCILIATION
 
VII. A SHAMELESS REJOICING
 
VIII. A SHAMEFUL REACTION
 
Luke 15:25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30
 
IX. A SHAMEFUL RESPONSE
 
Luke 15:31, 32
 
X. A SHAMEFUL RESOLUTION