August 14, 2005 am
WHAT EVERY CHURCH NEEDS
Have you ever heard someone say something like, “I wish the church here would…” or, “What this church really needs is...” and then they fill in the blank? Perhaps you have made that statement yourself. In fact, it is my hope that as you consider your relationship to Christ and your brethren it is something that you often think of. And chances are, if you are knowledgeable and well informed, your answer is right (but there are some whose answers are WRONG because they are ignorant of God’s word). As you consider the local church where you are at, if you are involved, you have a pretty good idea of some of the things needed – that might be specific to your local work.
But there are some things that EVERY church (local congregation) needs. In our lesson today, we will notices some of these. Every church needs:
I. To Stand for the Truth
a. Why are there so many different churches today? Why is it that even among “brethren” there is such a diversity of doctrinal beliefs? It is because far too many are not willing to stand for the truth. Instead they rely on public opinions, member pressures and emotions as they decide where to stand OR what NOT to preach about. Some churches are more concerned about their standing in the community than they are about their standing before God.
b. EVERY church needs to stand for the truth.
i.
We need to KNOW the truth -
Hosea 4:6 – The Lord spoke of Israel’s depraved condition because of sin in
their lives. Among the condemnations they were told, “My people are destroyed
for a lack of knowledge” It led in God rejecting them.” (Hosea 4:6)
Paul warned churches that they needed to know the truth and stick to it.
Ephesians 5:17 commanded them to understand…
The letters were written to INFORM.
1 Thessalonians 4:17 “But I do not want you to be ignorant…”
ii. We need to PREACH the truth – ALL OF IT! 2 Timothy 4:1-2
iii. We need to DEFEND the truth – 1 Peter 3:15, Jude 3 – “contend for the faith”
iv.
We need to LIVE the truth - 1 Corinthians 5 called
for discipline “in the name of our Lord” (1 Cor. 5:4), “As I have given orders
for the churches of Galatia, so you must also do…” (1 Cor. 16:1), etc.
HOW many churches today are failing to LIVE the truth in their practices and
teaching?
II. To Know What Its Purpose Is
a. We have spent considerable time addressing the importance of understanding our purpose. Every Christian needs direction and so does every congregation. We need to know WHY we are here and WHAT God expects of us. Then we need to make plans to implement our purposes.
b. Understand that we are interested in a purpose that accords with God’s will, rather than the reasoning and purposes of men.
c. Summarized, our purpose is to magnify God, support the preaching of the gospel and edify one another. On occasion, we also show benevolence to one another.
III. Unity
a. God desires unity among brethren.
b.
As Paul writes to the church at Corinth, a
congregation filled with problems, he calls for unity first. Actually unity is
the bond that is required to resolve all other problems. IF brethren have a
mind for unity, they will FIND it (of course, it must be achieved without
compromise). Paul began his letter calling for unity (1 Corinthians 1:10)
Later in that epistle, he uses the analogy of a body with various parts (Chapter
12) – each doing its part to produce a working body. His point is we need each
other and we need UNITY.
c. Writing to the Philippians, Paul called for TOTAL unity – Philippians 2:1-2.
d. Ephesians 4:3 called for these brethren to endeavor “to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace”
e. As already mentioned, true unity does not mean we can compromise the truth. For to achieve unity through compromising God’s word is to make the church something other than what God called for. When Jesus prayed, He prayed for total unity – John 17:20-21.
IV. Members that:
a.
Are growing spiritually –
1 Peter 2:1-2, 2 Peter 3:18
IF the church is to grow, it will be because the members are growing. After
all, we ARE the church.
It is interesting that nowhere in the New Testament do we read that the church
is commanded to grow numerically. But it did – and such growth was PLEASING to
the Lord. In fact, I think it is implied that such growth was and is expected –
but it is NOT achieved as a means, but rather the RESULT of proper growth in
other areas including members growing as they ought to. If a church is growing
in a manner pleasing to the Lord you will not have to look far to find members
that have matured in the faith.
b.
Are living pure lives
Because of the society we live in, the church is always under a microscope. The
world looks for every inconsistency, indiscretion and fault they can find to
scandalize and condemn her and to justify their hatred of her.
While such attitudes are abominable, I am afraid there are many “Christians” who
because of the way they live their lives give them the fuel they are looking
for. That is why it is IMPERATIVE that Christians live pure and moral lives.
Matthew 5:8 – “Blessed are the pure in heart…” Jesus said that such would be
the ones who would see God.
Philippians 4:8 – We are to think on things that are “pure”
We are to abstain from “sexual immorality” (fornication) – 1 Thessalonians 4:3,
“every form of evil” – 1 Thessalonians 5:22, and “fleshly lusts which war
against the soul” – 1 Peter 2:11.
As Paul told Timothy we need to, “Keep yourself pure” (1 Timothy 5:22).
c.
Care
In studying God’s word, I have reached the conclusion that this is one of the
key ideas that should govern our lives. Brethren, we HAVE TO care about
others! And our attitude toward others is summed up in one word – LOVE.
Paul said all the commandments are “summed up in this saying, namely, ‘You shall
love your neighbor as yourself.’” Romans 13:9
The church needs Christians who care about their brethren, their neighbors, and
even their enemies.
They care about the way their behavior affects others, realizing they are
examples (Matthew 5:16)
They care about the condition of the church both now and in the future. They
care about what is being taught, where she stands before God and what she is
doing.
They care about the lost who are all around them and see their responsibility to
do whatever they can – 2 Corinthians 5:11 – “knowing therefore the terror of the
Lord…”
d.
Are willing to sacrifice
The church HAS TO have priority in our lives. It cannot be an afterthought and
there only as a matter of convenience. Her divine purpose and importance needs
to be clearly understood and fought for. She has to mean enough to us that we
are willing to sacrifice for her. Brethren, if we are not willing to sacrifice
for the church – she is in danger of dying.
As you study the church of the first century you find Christians who we willing
to give everything for the church. When there were needy brethren, even in
other places, they were willing to give “even in their deep poverty” (2
Corinthians 8:1-3).
They were even willing to die for her. In the first century they deemed the
church worthy of their time, money, and abilities.
In managing their lives they thought about what is best for the church over
their own desires – Philippians 2:3-4 – looking out not for their own interests,
but the interests of others.
e.
Are faithful to the local work
The word “faithful” means, trustworthy or reliable. The Word Study Dictionary
of the New Testament defines the word as, “worthy of belief, trust, or
confidence.” It is one who can be counted upon in a given circumstance. If the
church is to survive and thrive as it ought to, there HAS TO be faithful
members.
Faithful in supporting the work by being here and doing your share.
i. Are you here as often as you ought to be? Are you here at every service? When you miss – WHY? Is your answer a legitimate reason or an excuse?
ii. Do you stand behind and support our leaders?
iii. Do you study as you ought to and pray for her regularly?
iv. Can you be counted upon to do whatever needs to be done?
Faithful unto death – Revelation 2:10 calls upon the brethren of Smyrna to “be faithful unto death.” If one is faithful in his life to the point of dying for the Lord, he will be faithful in all matters concerning the Lord – including His church. This principle is illustrated in the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:21.
There are other things that could be added to this list, but these are sufficient for us to understand the types of things we ought to be looking for when we ask that question. AND we need to ask this question concerning THIS congregation. However it is my hope that these thoughts will encourage us to honestly ask ourselves “Am I doing my part to fulfill the needs of this church?” If not, why not resolve to change today?