Grace Christian Church, Wakefield

01/15/2026

12/13/2025

What do people look for when choosing a church?

Most people would likely look for a gifted and engaging preacher. Or maybe they’re more interested in stimulating worship, so they keep an eye out for talented musicians. Perhaps their kids take first priority, so they look for a church with a thriving children’s ministry. On the other hand, maybe they simply want to feel welcome, so they’ll settle for any place with friendly faces and a welcoming environment. Or maybe the deciding factors are merely comfort and convenience, so they land in a church with good coffee and donuts and lots of parking.

The real question is not what people are looking for in a church, but what should they look for. It’s not an issue of fulfilling our tastes or felt needs, but pursuing the priorities the Lord wants us to have when looking for a church.

This is one of the most pressing issues for believers today. In fact, the majority of questions we receive at Grace to You have to do with the struggle of finding a good local church.

But you’ll never find one if you don’t first know what to look for. That’s where today’s featured sermon comes in. “How to Recognize a Real Church, Parts 1-2” is John MacArthur’s summary of what constitutes a true, biblical church. In it, he pushes past all the modern trends and tastes and takes a biblical look at what a true church is and what it does.

Working through key passages from Christ’s ministry and the epistles, John explains God’s design for the church—what he calls the church’s great confession, communication, contrast, conquest, conflict, contradiction, and consummation. Here’s a brief excerpt:

The church is not a group of people who need a motivational talk. It is not a group of unbelievers who like the music. It is not a collection of unsaved people who need help for their addictions. It is not people who want to feel spirituality, who want to experience spirituality. It is not a collection of people who want to go through mindless rituals and traditions. It is an assembly of those who make this great confession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

If you’re currently looking for a church or know someone who is, “How to Recognize a Real Church, Parts 1-2” is the message you need to hear.

https://www.gty.org/sermons/90-452-3/how-to-recognize-a-real-church-parts-1-2

01/24/2021

What We Believe

Preface

Recognizing that the Bible is the very Word of God to man, and understanding the priority of knowing and obeying its truths, Wakefield Christian Church is committed to teaching Scripture with diligence and accuracy with respect to the author’s intended meaning, i.e. God. We are a small Church family in a state of Spiritual renewal and growth, filled with love and hearts for prayer: Our greatest goal is to never misrepresent God’s word by expressing personal opinion or tradition as being biblical truth. God’s Word is sacred, and we intent to honor and teach it with respect to the watchful eye of our glorious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Thus, our central ministry is to continuously impart biblical truth to the people of God that they may become fully equipped to do His work and spread His Word.

The Holy Scriptures

We teach that the Bible is God's written revelation to man, and thus the sixty-six books of the Bible given to us by the Holy Spirit constitute the complete Word of God .

We teach that the Word of God is an objective, invitational revelation , verbally inspired in every word , absolutely inerrant in the original documents; it is infallible and God-breathed. We teach the literal, grammatical-historical interpretation of Scripture which affirms the belief that the opening chapters of Genesis present creation in six literal 24-hour days .

We teach that God spoke in His written Word by a process of inspired dual authorship. The Holy Spirit so superintended the human authors that, through their individual personalities and different styles of writing, they composed and recorded God's Word to man without error in the whole or in the part .

We teach that, whereas there may be several applications of any given passage of Scripture, there is but one true interpretation. The meaning of Scripture is to be found as one diligently applies the literal grammatical-historical method of interpretation under the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit . It is the responsibility of believers to ascertain carefully the true intent and meaning of Scripture, recognizing that proper application is binding on all generations. Yet the truth of Scripture stands in judgment of men; never do men stand in judgment of it.

God

We teach that there is but one living and true God , an infinite, all-knowing Spirit , perfect in all His attributes, one in essence, eternally existing in three Persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit —each equally deserving worship and obedience.

God the Son

We teach that Jesus Christ, the second Person of the Trinity, possesses all the divine excellencies as God the Father .

We teach that in the incarnation (God becoming man) Christ surrendered only the prerogatives of deity but nothing of the divine essence, either in degree or kind. In His incarnation, the eternally existing second Person of the Trinity accepted all the essential characteristics of humanity and so became the God Man .

We teach that our Lord Jesus Christ was virgin born ; that He was God incarnate ; and that the purpose of the incarnation was to reveal God, redeem men, and rule over God's kingdom .
We teach that our Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through the shedding of His blood and sacrificial death on the cross and that His death was voluntary, vicarious, substitutionary, propitiatory, and redemptive .

We teach that on the basis of the efficacy of the death of our Lord Jesus Christ, the believing sinner is freed from the punishment, the penalty, the power, and one day the very presence of sin; and that he is declared righteous, given eternal life, and adopted into the family of God .

We teach that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead and that He is now ascended to the right hand of the Father, where He now mediates as our Advocate and High Priest .

We teach that in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave, God confirmed the deity of His Son and gave proof that God has accepted the atoning work of Christ on the cross. Jesus' bodily resurrection is also the guarantee of a future resurrection life for all believers .

We teach that Jesus Christ will return to receive the church, which is His Body, unto Himself at the rapture, and returning with His church in glory, will establish His millennial kingdom on earth .

Man

We teach that in Adam's sin of disobedience to the revealed will and Word of God, man lost his innocence, incurred the penalty of spiritual and physical death, became subject to the wrath of God, and became inherently corrupt and utterly incapable of choosing or doing that which is acceptable to God apart from divine grace. With no recuperative powers to enable him to recover himself, man is hopelessly lost. Man's salvation is thereby wholly of God's grace through the redemptive work of our Lord Jesus Christ .

Salvation

We teach that salvation is wholly of God’s grace, credited to believers on the basis of the finished work of Jesus Christ, the merit of His shed blood and victory over death, and not on the basis of human merit or works .

Regeneration

We teach that regeneration is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit by which the divine nature and divine life are given . It is instantaneous and is accomplished solely by the power of the Holy Spirit through the instrumentality of the Word of God when the repentant sinner, as enabled by the Holy Spirit, responds in faith to the divine provision of salvation. Genuine regeneration is manifested by fruits worthy of repentance as demonstrated in righteous attitudes and conduct. Good works are the proper evidence and fruit of regeneration , and will be experienced to the extent that the believer submits to the control of the Holy Spirit in his life through faithful obedience to the Word of God . This obedience
causes the believer to be increasingly conformed to the image of our Lord Jesus Christ . Such a conformity is climaxed in the believer's glorification at Christ's coming .

Election

We teach that sovereign election does not contradict or negate the responsibility of man to repent and trust Christ as Savior and Lord . Nevertheless, since sovereign grace includes the means of receiving the gift of salvation as well as the gift itself, sovereign election will result in what God determines. All whom the Father calls to Himself will come in faith and all who come in faith the Father will receive .

We teach that the unmerited favor that God grants to totally depraved sinners is not related to any initiative of their own part or to God's anticipation of what they might do by their own will, but is solely of His sovereign grace and mercy .

The Church

We teach that all who place their faith in Jesus Christ are immediately placed by the Holy Spirit into one united spiritual Body, the church , the bride of Christ , of which Christ is the Head .
We teach that the church is thus a unique spiritual organism designed by Christ, made up of all born-again believers in this present age . The church is distinct from Israel , a mystery not revealed until this age .

We teach that the establishment and continuity of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures , and that the members of the one spiritual Body are directed to associate themselves together in local assemblies .

We teach that the one supreme authority for the church is Christ and that church leadership, gifts, order, discipline, and worship are all appointed through His sovereignty as found in the Scriptures. The biblically designated officers serving under Christ and over the assembly are elders (also called bishops, pastors, and pastor teachers) as well as deacons, both of whom must meet biblical qualifications and be approved by the congregation, or assembly of believers.

We teach the autonomy of the local church, free from any external authority or control, with the right of self-government and freedom from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations . We teach that it is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other for the presentation and propagation of the faith. Each local church, however, through its elders and their interpretation and application of Scripture, should be the sole judge of the measure and method of its cooperation. The elders should determine all other matters of membership, policy, discipline, benevolence, and government as well .

We teach that the purpose of the church is to glorify God by building itself up in the faith , by instruction of the Word , by fellowship , by keeping the ordinances and by advancing and communicating the gospel to the entire world .

We teach the calling of all saints to the work of service .

We teach that there were two kinds of gifts given the early church: miraculous gifts of divine revelation and healing, given temporarily in the apostolic era for the purpose of confirming the authenticity of the apostles' message ; and ministering gifts, given to equip believers for edifying one another. With the New Testament revelation now complete, Scripture becomes the sole test of the authenticity of a man's message, and confirming gifts of a miraculous nature are no longer necessary to validate a man or his message . Miraculous gifts can even be counterfeited by Satan so as to deceive even believers . The only gifts in operation today are those non-revelatory equipping gifts given for edification .

We teach that no one possesses the gift of healing today, but that God does hear and answer the prayer of faith and will answer in accordance with His own perfect will for the sick, suffering, and afflicted .
We teach that two ordinances have been committed to the local church: baptism by immersion and the Lord's Supper . Christian baptism by immersion is the solemn and beautiful testimony of a believer showing forth his faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, and his union with Him in death to sin and resurrection to a new life . It is also a sign of fellowship and identification with the visible Body of Christ .

We teach that the Lord's Supper is the commemoration and proclamation of His death until He comes, and should be always preceded by solemn self-examination . We also teach that, whereas the elements of Communion are only representative of the flesh and blood of Christ, participation in the Lord's Supper is nevertheless an actual communion with the risen Christ who indwells every believer, and so is present, fellowshipping with His people .

What It Means to Be a Christian

Being a Christian is more than identifying yourself with a particular religion, church denomination, or by affirming a certain value system. Being a Christian means you have embraced what the Bible says about God, mankind, and salvation. Consider the following truths found in Scripture.

God Is Sovereign Creator

Contemporary thinking says man is the product of evolution. But the Bible says we were created by a personal God to love, serve, and enjoy endless fellowship with Him. The New Testament reveals it was
Jesus Himself who created everything . Therefore, He also owns and rules everything . That means He has authority over our lives and we owe Him absolute allegiance, obedience, and worship.

God Is Holy

God is absolutely and perfectly holy , therefore He cannot commit or approve of evil . God requires holiness of us as well. First Peter 1:16 says, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."

Mankind Is Sinful

According to Scripture, everyone is guilty of sin: "There is no man who does not sin" . That doesn't mean we're incapable of performing acts of human kindness. But we're utterly incapable of understanding, loving, or pleasing God on our own .

Sin Demands a Penalty

God's holiness and justice demand that all sin be punished by death . That's why simply changing our patterns of behavior can't solve our sin problem or eliminate its consequences.

Jesus Is Lord and Savior

The New Testament reveals it was Jesus Himself who created everything . Therefore, He owns and rules everything . That means He has authority over our lives and we owe Him absolute allegiance, obedience, and worship. Romans 10:9 says, "If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved." Even though God's justice demands death for sin, His love has provided a Savior who paid the penalty and died for sinners . Christ's death satisfied the demands of God's justice and Christ's perfect life satisfied the demands of God's holiness , thereby enabling Him to forgive and save those who place their faith in Him .

The Character of Saving Faith

True faith is always accompanied by repentance from sin. Repentance is agreeing with God that you are sinful, confessing your sins to Him, and making a conscious choice to turn from sin and pursue Christ and obedience to Him . It isn't enough to believe certain facts about Christ. Even Satan and his demons
believe in the true God , but they don't love and obey Him. True saving faith always responds in obedience .

12/03/2020

12/03/2020

Jesus is the true and only Divine Shepherd of God's people. He is the Good Shepherd. His preachers and teachers, Pastors and Under-Shepherds of His many flocks continue to do His work around the world. Fulfilling the Great Commission involves the work of every true believer and follower of Jesus Christ. However, this work is under attack. There are many false teachers in this world, and many of them are doing their evil work under the guise of Christianity. The United State is no exception. In fact, we have been inundated for years by these charlatans who proport to represent Christ, but Jesus does not sell His favor. He is not some kind of utilitarian genie obligated to give you everything you want. We live for Him. Beware of these false teachers who make promises regarding health wealth and prosperity if you follow them and give to their cause – they water down the gospel and lead people away from the truth not toward it. Jesus said take up your cross and follow Me… the Gospel is hard but well worth the sacrifice. Put your faith in Christ and Christ alone. The Bible is the only Word from God. Learn it. Live it, and you will never fall for the lies of those false shepherds. (2 Peter 2:1-3).

10/22/2018

The story of Jonah has much to do about our own struggles to serve God faithfully and without objection. Many Christians "run" from what God has called them to do individually and collectively. Delve deep into the story of Jonah as it parallels the lives of so many who reluctantly serve God, but who inevitably have their hearts and lives changed through His disciplinary grace.

05/26/2018

The Armor of God
As believers in Jesus Christ, we are not only God's children and servants but also His sol­diers—and a soldier's job is to fight the enemy. Paul closed his letter to the Ephesians by giving them—and us—the warning and encour­agement we need. In Ephesians 6:10-13 Paul out­lines the essential truths about the believer's warfare.

05/09/2018

Join us for part 2 of this two message series on cultivating a Godly Marriage as outlined in Ephesians 5: 21-23 - the Bible's classic passage on marriage.
This text from the Apostle Paul's message to the growing Church in Ephesus is the longest, most debated passage on the subject of marriage found in Scripture. Join us as we delve into the depths of God's Word, and the link between biblical marriage and Christ's relationship with His Church.