Constant activity (devoted to good works).

In 1860, Spurgeon spoke to the London Missionary Society and expressed a desire for fruitful missions. He titled his talk “Peace at Home, and Prosperity Abroad.” For Spurgeon, successful missions started with healthy local churches. He asked, “What are the points which constitute the healthiness of the church at home?” His answer:

Purity of life (conversion) confirmed through membership examination;

The soundness of the gospel (sound doctrine);

The saved bond of brotherhood (unity);

Constant activity (devoted to good works);

Abounding in prayer.

Constant activity

I expect that this scares several of you.

This threatens your time, money, and influence.

Acts 10:38 “38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.”

Luke constantly tell us that He touched the leper with His own finger.

He anointed the eyes of the blind, and that in cases where He was asked to speak the word only at a distance

He did not usually comply but went Himself to the sickbed and there personally worked the cure.

Spurgeon said, “Oh, my brethren, we are wrong when we think that the church is healthy when it is comfortable and still.” And elsewhere: “At intervals some earnest speech stirs the members up to spasmodic action, then they return again to their apathy and Laodicean lukewarmness.”

His solution to idleness wasn’t a continuous cycle of programs. Instead, Spurgeon believed churches should focus on making disciples. Spurgeon warned, “It is a marvel that they should be comfortable while souls are dying, and sinners perishing; when hell is filling, and the kingdom of Christ is not extending.”

Questions

How do we stay involved but not wear ourselves out?

Do you give the Holy Spirit the opportunity to make decisions for us that will alter our lives?

Story from missionaries in India about helping others.

Footnote:

Article by J. Drew Tillman. Full article found at https://www.9marks.org/article/spurgeons-five-marks-of-a-healthy-church/