WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT

LAWTON CHURCH OF GOD, LAWTON OKLAHOMA

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WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT?

What makes us different from other churches in Lawton? This question suggests a second question: Why should you become part of our church family? These are two very good questions to ask of any church that you might consider attending. The answer is the same for both questions.

Before answering the question of what makes us different, let’s look at what makes us similar to other churches. There are hundreds of churches in Lawton and most of them believe many of the same things. Like theses churches, we believe:

· In one God, eternally existent in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit;

· The Bible is the inspired word of God and is accurate in all it affirms;

· People are born into this world morally depraved and, because of that, all people commit sin;

· Jesus is the unique Son of God in that He is both God and man;

· That Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven makes possible the forgiveness of our sins; and

· God will forgive people’s sins when they repent and put their faith in Jesus.

Like other churches, we have a church building where we meet together to worship God and do other activities to encourage Christian fellowship. However, we are a small congregation and because of that we are limited in the number of activities we can have. As we grow in numbers, we will add activities appropriate for the families that attend the church.

There is one significant advantage to a small congregation and that is the people get to know each other and to care about each other.

SO, WHAT DOES MAKE US DIFFERENT?

What makes us different is that we believe that salvation really changes a person. Salvation is not just adding church to your life or trying to do better. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” The old things that pass away are the old failed moral powers and the things that have become new are the powers of a new moral nature. In other words, as born again Christians, we find the power of God in our lives to live the way God expects us to live. This power is actually God living inside us that helps us to overcome our natural moral failures. Romans 8:5 says, “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.” Verses 8 and 9 go on to say, “So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you.” These few verses help us to understand what it means for the blood of Christ to cleanse us from all sin (1 John 1:7). If the Bible says that the blood of Christ cleanses from all sin, how much sin can we have and still be acceptable to God?

Very few Christians believe they actually can be saved from sinning. They believe that God forgives their sins, but they feel that they will continue to sin more or less every day in word, thought or deed. We believe that God saves Christians from sin so that they don’t have to sin and that is the thing that makes us different.

We do not believe in sinless perfection, as sometimes we are accused. We do believe it is possible that a Christian could sin but that it is not necessary that we sin. One text we rely on is 1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” The way of escape is listening to and obeying the Holy Spirit. Yes, sometimes a Christian might not pay attention to the Holy Spirit and be overcome by a temptation—the Bible sees that possibility in 1 John 2:1, “If anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ.” But that is the exception, not the rule.

This is not just a belief with us; this is something we have found to be true in our lives. We do not think we are better than other Christians; we are blessed in a way they might not yet understand. We are not smarter or more spiritual than other Christians; it is just that God has helped us to understand that Jesus came to save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).

OUR PURPOSE

Our purpose is to share what we have found to be true about salvation from sin with people that are looking for an experience with God that changes their lives. There are many people, sinners and professing Christians, who are just tired of sin and its guilt—they want to live better lives and to please God.

We invite you to “check us out.” We are people that love God and love all people that God loves. You will find us to be understanding, caring, and helpful.

We are not afraid of questions. Each of us understands that it took God a while to get us to the spiritual place we are today. We do not expect people to progress any faster in spiritual life than God takes them—but we do expect to see people grow spiritually over time.

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Do you have a deep desire to live close to God? Do you wish you could have the grace to overcome temptations? Are you tired of having to repent time and again for the same sins? Do you wish you could be a holy Christian instead of a religious sinner?

If you answer “yes” to any or all of these questions, we invite you to worship with us on a regular basis. Come and learn. We will pray with you, study the scriptures, and talk about what it means to be a real disciple of Jesus Christ in this life.

Revelation 22:17, “And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.”

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