Cypress Bayou Church of Christ, Jefferson, Texas

CYPRESS BAYOU CHURCH OF CHRIST
P.O. Box 98, Jefferson, Texas 75657-0098
We believe in the divinity of Jesus Christ and in the Scriptures as the inspired Word of God

Who We Are: We are disciples of Jesus. We follow his teachings in conduct and speech in our daily living. Whereas once we were soiled with sin and had lived in hopelessness, we now live in the grace of our Lord who cleanses us from all sin. By the blood of his death which he sacrificed upon the cross, he redeemed us from certain punishment by paying for our sins himself. By this payment with his blood, Jesus has become our Savior and Redeemer rescuing us from destruction that comes with death. He gives eternal life. Jesus is our hope and salvation. This good news of Jesus is called the Gospel. This good news, the Gospel, is a gift from God to mankind, and this gift is called grace. And, by this grace though our lives are not perfect, "ifwe walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin." (I John 1:7)
Therefore, having redeemed us from punishment by purchasing us with his blood, Jesus owns us. And, by owning us, we become his servants and his slaves, and thus Jesus is our Lord and Master. And, though we become slaves to Christ, we paradoxically enter a life of freedom and hope eternal, for in the former way we were slaves to sin and certain eternal destruction. But, by being rescued, the good news of hope and joy for the future is ours, for our Lord promises to resurrect us to live in Heaven personally with him.

"In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to Myself; that were I am, there you may be also." (John 14:2-3)

This is a gift of salvation no sinner could earn or purchase, but it is a gift conditional upon whether we decide to accept it. The Lord's gift is freely available to all, but few seek to find it.

"Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it. For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it." (Matthew 7: 13-14)

Christ's good news of salvation is available for everyone. Are you one who seeks to find it? Upon finding it, are you willing to accept his terms whereupon you will let Christ Jesus be your Master and Lord? Are you willing to forgo your life of sin to accept Christ's ways, to accept Christ's values, and to submit yourself to Christ's work?

But Jesus said to him, "No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:62)

And He summoned the multitude with His disciples, and said to them, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's shall save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? For what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels." (Mark 8:34-38)

A Few of Our Local Goals and Expectations:
Every congregation should have goals and objectives by which to plan their projects and chart their activities. Here are a few we have developed.

Every member is encouraged and expected to have a ministry for the Lord. (Romans 12:6-8; James 2:14-17)

Shepherding is the primary role of elders. Administrative activities will be relegated to others. Those who wish to be designated as shepherds should be those who were already doing the work of a shepherd as a natural outcropping of their voluntary service to the Lord. Such service includes counseling and comforting those who are distressed or grieving, teaching others, and leading by example as to how one grows in grace to be as Christ. Their utmost concern is care and safety of the sheep. Shepherds are to be above reproach, blameless, and humble in their service. (cf. Ezekiel 34, Titus 1:5-9, 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Luke 15:3-7)

Any member who strays into sin should expect to be approached by his brethren compassionately about his behavior. As the Lord forgives, we will forgive, even "seventy times seven." If any refuses to repent, we will withdraw from him as the Lord directs (Matthew 18:15-17).

Our worship will remain simple and our singing will remain a capella in the tradition of the early Christians.

For more information, contact Tom Walker at (903) 665-8279 or Eddie Rogers at (903) 295-9664. Or, email us at cypressbayou@church-of-christ.org.

Books For Further Reading:

Allen, C. Leonard, and Richard T. Hughes. Discovering Our Roots : The Ancestry of Churches of Christ. Abilene, Texas: ACU Press, 1988.

Ferguson, Everett. The Church of Christ : A Biblical Ecclesiology for Today. Grand Rapids, Michigan : Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1996. 443 p.

Garrett, Leroy. The Stone-Campbell Movement. Joplin, Missouri: College Press, 1995.

Hughes, Richard T. Reviving the Ancient Faith : The Story of Churches of Christ in America. Grand Rapids, Michigan : Wm. B Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1996. 448 p.

Olbricht, Thomas. Hearing God's Voice: My Life with Scripture in the Churches of Christ. Abilene, Texas: ACU Press, 1996. 447 p.

Passages in the New Testament On How To Become A Christian