A Christ-Centered Church: There are “successful” churches as man estimates these things — large numbers, healthy finances, beautiful buildings, status in the community, etc. And then there are churches built after the biblical pattern, which may or may not have some of the above, but will most certainly please Jesus, the Lord of the Church. Matthew 16:18 …I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. Colossians 1:18, KJV And he [Jesus] is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. The Christian Church as a whole and all its local churches belong to Jesus Christ. It is His church. He is its head, and in “all things he [is to have] the preeminence.” A healthy church will keep Jesus Christ prominently before the congregation — glorifying Him as Savior, Lord, Healer, Deliverer, Baptizer in the Holy Spirit, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and more. The early church “ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ” (Acts 5:42, KJV). So should we 2,000 years later. Some churches are built around earthly things: a man, even a good man; social action and causes; a strong emphasis on heavy fellowship; pride in their church’s history, and the like. There may be value in these things, but the central focus of any church must always be Christ-centered, not man-centered. Be A Word-Based Church: Acts 20:32 Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. The apostle Paul encouraged the elders of the Ephesian church (vs. 17) to be devoted to the word of God, which would build them up. The apostle exhorted Pastor Timothy to “preach the word” (2 Timothy 4:2). I thank God that I grew up in the faith in Arkansas under a word-centered ministry. They always used plenty of Scripture in their biblically-based sermons. Sadly, I knew of a pastor who used to read the New York Times from the pulpit! Other prominent speakers exalt human experience or their own “anointed” ministries. We are in a lifelong battle against the enemy, Satan, for the souls of men and women. It is the word of God that enables us to win that battle. In His three wilderness temptations, each time Jesus triumphed over Satan by quoting God’s word — “It is written!” (Matthew 4:1-10). Be A Holy Church: Hebrews 12:10, 14 …God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness… [14] Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. Sometimes people will say, “Are you a ‘holiness’ church?” Well, we’d better be! The Scripture says that “without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Some people mock and say, “You people are ‘holier than thou’!” That’s hopefully true. Not in a prideful sense, but simply reflecting a holy life before the Lord. If someone tries to put you on the defensive with that type of comment, I recommend this reply: “What’s wrong with holiness?” Don’t take holiness lightly. How holy does God desire us to be? Read His answer in Scripture: “…put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:24). Be A Prayerful Church: Acts 12:5, 12 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him… [12] When [his liberation from prison by an angel] had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. Imagine trying to have a good marriage without communication. Similarly, to maintain a close relationship with the Lord, we need prayerful communication with Him. God wants to hear from us and talk to us. A biblical church will encourage both individual and group prayer. I’m thankful that every church I’ve been part of for any length of time over the past 43 years has had a preservice prayer time. Remember that the angel freed Peter from prison while the church was praying for him. Be A Worshipping Church: Acts 13:1-2 Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers… While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” While they were worshiping, the Holy Spirit spoke and called Barnabas and Saul (Paul) to be apostles (Acts 14:14). Tongues and prophecy will one day cease, when we see the Lord “face to face” (1 Cor. 13:8, 12). There will be no need for preaching in heaven. But the scenes in The Revelation show the redeemed worshiping the Father and the Son on into eternity. In Israel’s Tabernacle, the final article of furniture in the Holy Place was the golden incense altar, which spoke of prayer, praise, and worship. Just beyond it, in the Holy of Holies, was the ark of God’s presence. The words to Handel’s magnificent “Hallelujah Chorus” (Revelation 19:6) came right after the command from God’s throne (vs. 5) to “praise our God, all you his servants.” Be A Witnessing Church: Luke 16:22-28 “The time came when the beggar [Lazarus] died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side… [27] “I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.” If we could hear them, hell’s occupants (like this rich man in Hades) would be crying out to us, “I beg you, go to my family, to my friends, and tell them what they need to know to avoid this place of torment.” Ask God for a personal burden for lost souls and for a willingness to act upon it. Christ’s Church in the world grows, not by transfers, but by the addition of people getting saved. Recall Acts 2:47, KJV — “And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved [KJV] … [NIV] those who were being saved.” You are saved today because somebody, directly or indirectly, witnessed to you. Be A Church That Lives In Unity: 1 Corinthians 1:10, KJV Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. What a church that would be! Speaking the same thing, no divisions, perfectly joined together, the same mind, the same judgment. It’s a worthy goal to aim for. God hates discord and those who bring it (Proverbs 6:16-19). Unified homes are a joy; divided, discordant ones are a grief. It’s the same with the church. In your church, work at being a peacemaker (Matthew 5:9). Choose to believe, hope, and endure all things (1 Cor. 13:7, KJV). Strive for unity. Forgive offenses readily. Build relationships, don’t tear them down. Develop and help to build a unified, corporate vision for your church. Be A Church Of Love In Action: 1 John 3:16-18 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. It’s easy to talk about love, it’s easy to say we love. But true Christian love does things for people, as Jesus did for us. It sacrifices for others, it is full of good deeds. Real love can be measured by actions rather than by words. Mockers sometimes call Christians a “bunch of do-gooders.” To which I say: What’s wrong with that! It’s far better than being “do-badders”. The Scriptures are filled with positive references to doing good for others. Be A Church That Is Pressing On, Maturing, Not Satisfied With The Status Quo: Philippians 3:12, 14-15a Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me… [14] I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. Mature Christians understand that there is never a time when we can say, “That’s good enough. I don’t need to go forward anymore in my faith.” The great apostle Paul said [KJV] that he was “not … already perfect … [but would continue to] press toward the mark.” When individual believers stop growing in their faith, churches will begin to stagnate along with them. The Laodicean church (Revelation 3:14-22) had become complacent, lukewarm, self-satisfied, and for that reason received a rebuke from Jesus (vs. 19). Be A Giving Church: Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. My heart is in the kingdom of God and in the church that Jesus died for — “Christ also loved the church and gave himself for it” (Ephesians 5:25, KJV) — so I make sure that my treasure is there, too. A church after the biblical pattern is full of believers faithful in their tithes and offerings and in their generosity towards others. Giving people and giving churches will prosper — “A generous person will prosper … The generous will themselves be blessed” (Proverbs 11:25; 22:9).
Posted on: Sat, 09 Aug 2014 23:42:35 +0000