We Exist to glorify god

Jesus

By pointing the affections of all peoples to the all-satisfying person of

Christ

Watch a 5-minute video explaining the Mission of CBC

A mission statement functions like a north star.  It is the compass by which CBC checks her course.  And in the very same way that the direction north does not originate from the traveler so the direction of God’s church does not originate from the minds of men.  God himself, through his Word, calls his church to a very specific purpose. 

We Exist to Glorify God...

If forced to distill the purpose of man’s existence into a single sentence, it would be difficult to improve upon the wording found in the Westminster Shorter Catechism:  What is the chief end of man?  Answer:  To glorify God and enjoy him forever. This is certainly in line with what the Scriptures teach.  God speaks of his sons and daughters from the ends of the earth as those “whom I created for my glory” (Isa. 43:7; cf. Eph. 1:11–12).  This pours very specific meaning into the command “do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31).  The very purpose of our existence, whether we are eating or drinking or playing or working, is to bring God glory. This eternal, universal purpose of man can be further segmented by asking this question, “What is the purpose of man’s existence on earth.”  By adding the phrase “on earth” the focus shifts to our primary purpose in this life (as opposed to our primary purpose in eternity).    

By Pointing the Affections...

Our purpose in this life is to undo the effects of the fall on our affections to make Jesus the most desirable thing in the universe (Mt. 13:44 Mt. 10:39).  God designed men and women with desires.  We don’t want to be indifferent, unaffected spectators.  We either like or dislike; we are pleased or displeased; we approve or reject.  These inclinations and the subsequent emotions associated with the pursuit of what we desire are known as our affections. The goal of all our living should be to have the affections of all men and women wrapped up in Jesus Christ.  This is true for both believers and unbelievers.  As the affections of believers are untangled from self and the world, they begin to hate sin and pursue righteousness with heart-motivated zeal (sanctification).  Unbelievers do not desire Christ in the least, and yet, Christ is the cure to their terminal sickness.  As their affections turn to Christ and they begin to love him, they surrender to the only one who can save them from their sin (justification).  So by pointing the affections of all believers to Christ and by pointing the affections of unbelievers to Christ, we are bringing glory to God.  Those whose affections are given to God love God and those who love God are recipients of his blessing (James 2:5; 1 Peter 1:8; 1 Cor. 2:9; John 14:23).

Of all peoples…

These three words capture God’s heart for the world.  They help us see the scope of his redemptive plan.  The term “peoples” might sound strange in our ear but it has been used by many to avoid what is meant by the English word “nations.”  The word nation in English is a reference to geo-political groupings of people.  But, the Greek word ethnos and the Hebrew word gôy have a very different, and much more specific meaning.  We get the English word ethnic from ethnos.  Ethnic groups are defined by language, culture, and geographical location (not political boundaries).  So when the term nation is used in the Bible it means different ethnic groups.  This becomes very significant as we view the command of the great commission to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”  God’s global purpose then, is to glorify himself among all the ethnic groups of the world.  History culminates with a global representation of people who worship God (whose affections are given to Jesus Christ).  God clarifies that Christ’s blood, “ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation” (Rev. 5:9; cf. Rev. 7:9; Rev. 14:6).  

To the all-satisfying person of Jesus Christ.

God gets glory when the affections of all peoples find their satisfaction in Christ and in nothing else.  The heart, filled to brimming with the presence of God, is like a person who has been well banqueted, and who can therefore look calmly on the passionate heat of starving men and women who fight with each other over garbage scraps.  The world has much to offer, but nothing in comparison to what Christ offers in himself.  God created us with needs, and he designed every one of those needs to be filled by him.  David knew that “in your presence, there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Ps. 16:11).  But universally, people have sought to fill those needs with God-substitutes.  Even Solomon tried to do this and experienced failure (Ecc. 2:11; cf. Ecc. 1:14).  This failure is designed by God to alert mankind that they are seeking happiness in the wrong place.  God has commissioned us to point searching people to the true source, the all-satisfying source of satisfaction, Jesus Christ (Is. 55:2-3; Jer. 31:25; cf. Jer. 31:14; John 10:10).  He is the perfect satisfaction to every thirst of the soul (John 4:14; cf. John 6:35, 58).  

Watch the full Message Explaining our Missions Statement

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Name

We exist to glorify God by pointing the affections of all peoples to the all-satisfying person of Jesus Christ.

11711 Cypress North Houston Rd, Cypress, TX 77429

Services Times:

9:30 am & 11:00 am.

(281)  469 – 6063

info@cypressbible.org

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Philosophy of Ordinances

Purpose

The purpose of communion is to obey the command of Jesus, “For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”  In the same way, also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”  For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” (1 Cor. 11:23-26 ESV)

Methodology

CBC will strive to administer communion every other week.   Creativity in the teaching setup and forms is important to keep the ordinance meaningful and to not stray into rote patterns where the significance is lost.   Married couples or singles can assist in serving communion.  

Communion logically follows baptism.  There are many understandable reasons why this order may get reversed; nevertheless, we will teach and encourage the biblical sequence.

Presence

Affirmation:    We affirm that in the act of communion, Christ is spiritually present with the believers in a unique and profound way. This presence is not physical but is real and vital to our growth in Christ (1 Corinthians 10:16-17).

Denial: We deny the doctrine of transubstantiation, which claims that the bread and wine become the literal body and blood of Christ. Such a view misinterprets the sacrament’s nature and confuses the elements’ symbolic and spiritual significance (Matthew 26:26-28, John 6:63).

Symbolism

Affirmation: We affirm that the bread and the cup are symbols representing the body and blood of Christ, given as a sacrifice for our sins. These elements are outward signs of an inward grace (Luke 22:19-20) of the believer.  

Denial:  We deny communion has inherent power to confer grace or salvation. Communion is a means of grace as it strengthens faith and encourages spiritual growth, but it is not efficacious in and of itself (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Availability

Affirmation: We affirm that communion is a memorial act commanded by Christ and is open to all followers of Christ. Through it, we remember His death, celebrate His resurrection, and anticipate His return (1 Corinthians 11:24-26).  The elders are responsible for withholding communion from those under active church discipline.  

Denial:  We deny the practice of restricting communion to a particular denomination or group of believers. While local church membership and doctrinal alignment are important, the table is open to all who have confessed faith in Christ and are in right standing with Him (Romans 15:7, Galatians 3:28).   

Community

Affirmation:  We affirm that communion signifies our unity as the body of Christ. It is an act of fellowship and mutual edification, reinforcing our commitment to one another in Christ (1 Corinthians 10:17).

Denial: We deny any approach to communion that treats it as an individual act. Such a view undermines the privilege of the ordinance and the common unity we have in Christ (1 Corinthians 11:27-29).

Personal Examination

Affirmation:  We affirm the importance of self-examination before participating in communion. Believers are called to reflect on their relationship with God and others, confessing sin and seeking reconciliation where necessary (1 Corinthians 11:28-31).  Heads of households are responsible for determining when it is appropriate for their children to be baptized and take communion.  We encourage parents to teach their children the link between salvation, baptism, and communion. 

Denial:  We deny the appropriateness of partaking in communion without personal reflection and repentance. Communion is not for unbelievers or children who have not yet come to trust Christ as Lord.  Participation in an unworthy manner can lead to spiritual (or physical) harm and dishonors the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:27-30).

Assembled Church and Elder Oversight:

Affirmation:  We affirm that communion should be celebrated in the context of the assembled church as a visible symbol of our corporate unity and overseen by elders who ensure that it is conducted in a manner consistent with biblical teaching and church order (1 Corinthians 11:18, 1 Timothy 3:1-7). 

Denial:  We deny that communion should be taken individually, or outside the church gathering overseen by the church elders.  Taking communion in the full gathered context values the leadership role of the elders, strengthens the local community, and ensures the doctrinal integrity of the ordinance (Hebrews 13:17, Acts 14:23). 

By affirming these truths and denying contrary errors, we seek to uphold a biblically faithful understanding and practice of communion at Cypress Bible Church.