Exceptional Churches

Overview

Have you ever wondered what it would be like in the day of …., you fill in the blank. Cindy and I were watching TV and this commercial for skid steers came on. Some guy shows up at site, puts his coffee in a cup holder inside the cab, sets his phone in another holder, puts his headphones on and starts it up. The commercial goes on for just another couple seconds as the machine starts to move and level the dirt. Cindy and I both commented, “Good commercial”! I was ready to go buy a skid steer! But it was a great picture of what a day in the life of an operator might be like.

As I was surveying the remaining thoughts on the book of Romans it became interesting to me because it gives an interesting look into what effective ministry is. I think that it actually provides great insight into what exceptional ministries, or as I will more frequently use, what exceptional churches do.

Exceptional Churches Engage in a Mission That Never Ends

Paul’s letter to the Romans ends not with lofty theology but with practical insight into ongoing ministry. He reveals his heart, his methods, and his mission. In this passage (Romans 15:14–33), we see what effective churches looks like from the life of someone who gave everything for Christ.

Philippians 1:21 NIV

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

If you’ve ever wondered: How can my church make a difference? Or, what does an effective church look like? Paul answers those questions right here.

Paul’s Description of Exceptional Churches

Exceptional Churches Are Rooted in Spiritual Maturity

Romans 5:14 NIV

Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come.

Paul affirms the believers in Rome. They’re not immature—they’re capable. He reminds them that ministry grows out of spiritual maturity. He describes 3 attributes of the Roman church: they are full of goodness, filled with knowledge, and competent to teach.

The Fruit of Character — “Full of goodness”

Character is the way that someone thinks, feels, and behaves. Someone could have good or bad character. Paul describes their character as full of goodness. Effective churches demonstrate integrity and godly character.

Spiritual maturity is not performance; it’s the overflow of who you are in Christ.

A person can only pour out what’s already within. Think of a sponge. When squeezed, whatever’s inside comes out. Life squeezes you—pressure reveals character. If you’re full of Christ, Christ will come out.

The Foundation of Knowledge — “Filled with all knowledge”

This has been a topic that I have been discussing a lot lately. In our Wednesday night study Louie Giglio said:

The Christian life is “I’m going to think right, believe right, until I walk right”

Churches must be grounded in truth. We cannot effectively serve if we don’t know the Word.

The Focus on People — “Able to instruct one another”

Let’s be reminded that he is talking about normal expectations of believers.

Proverbs 27:17 NIV

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

Men’s ministries love this verse, but it is not gender specific. It is a truism and the reality is that in an exceptional church the people are equipping and empowering one another. When one is weak, the other encourages and tells them that though it looks dark, life and light are found in Jesus. Press in!

The goal of maturity is ministry. Mature believers build others up. “Who am I investing in? Who is growing because of my walk with Christ?” It might be a small group, a kids class, worship team, your household, or a friend – but we need to be about the business of discipleship and example.

Exceptional Churches Esteem the 5-Fold Ministry

Ministers are Gospelers

Willie Robertson has a book out by this title, Gospeler. It is a simple book about sharing the Gospel. The Apostle Paul was a gospeler.

Romans 15:15–16 NIV

Yet I have written you quite boldly on some points to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. He gave me the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

Gospelers are not self-promotion but Christ-proclamation. Paul viewed the results of sharing the gospel, conversions, as an offering—his work was worship.

Romans 15:17–18 NIV

Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God. I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done—

A normal person would wonder why Paul would take the time to reflect about his ministry and then express it to the people. The source of ministry is grace. It is a priestly duty ordained by God. In most churches, ordination is used to speak of the highest, most respected ministry status.

Ministers are Spirit Led and Empowered

Romans 15:19 NIV

by the power of signs and wonders, through the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.

Paul points out his legitimacy as evidenced through the power of signs and wonders. Be careful when the power of the Spirit of God is discouraged in the church. Churches effectiveness depends on the Holy Spirit.

A lightbulb without electricity looks fine—but gives no light. The Spirit is the current that makes churches shine.

Methods are good, but power comes from God alone.

Ministers are Laborers

Romans 15:20–22 NIV

It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation. Rather, as it is written: “Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.” This is why I have often been hindered from coming to you.

Paul’s passion was to reach the unreached. His ministry was unique and fashioned for him. I believe the mistake that many ministries make today is to try to take someone else’s model of ministry and make it their own. Sure, there are skills and resources that can be shared but your unique calling will not be shared. A minister’s effectiveness isn’t measured by fame, but by faithfulness.

Effective Churches Are Committed to the Mission

Romans 15:23–29 NIV

But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to visit you, I plan to do so when I go to Spain. I hope to see you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while. Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the Lord’s people there. For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the Lord’s people in Jerusalem. They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings. So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this contribution, I will go to Spain and visit you on the way. I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ.

Paul’s mission was strategic, generous, and enduring.

Strategic Mission

· Paul didn’t wander aimlessly; he followed God’s direction.

· Effective churches sets goals aligned with God’s will.

Generous Compassion

“For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem.”

· Churches meet needs.

· The gospel doesn’t just save souls—it serves people.

Imagine a church that preaches salvation but is not compassionate—it misses half the gospel. Paul’s churches gave financially to show spiritual unity.

Faithful Endurance

Effective churches persevere through obstacles. Pandemics change the landscape. Societal expectations shift and are fickle. Resources are always challenging. There is always a need for more workers. But quitting is not an option! The mission is the mission!

Exceptional Churches Depend on the Power of Prayer

We go into a section now that highlights the urgency of prayer in our churches. I am committed to our semiannual Recalibrate weeks of spiritual emphasis. These specific times should strengthen our continued personal times in prayer.

The Partnership of Prayer

Romans 15:30 NIV

I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.

“Strive together” literally means to wrestle alongside. I love the fact that my wife is praying for me and praying for you. Do you remember the story of Jacob wrestling with the Angel of God. Jacob wrestles all night with a mysterious man. He named the place Peniel, explaining that he had seen God face to face and his life had been spared. It is a picture of perseverance and faith, where Jacob contended for his blessing and was transformed by the experience. Prayer is transformation.

The Protection and Peace Through Prayer

Romans 15:31–33 NIV

Pray that I may be kept safe from the unbelievers in Judea and that the contribution I take to Jerusalem may be favorably received by the Lord’s people there, so that I may come to you with joy, by God’s will, and in your company be refreshed. The God of peace be with you all. Amen.

When Charles Spurgeon was asked the secret of his success, he said, “My people pray for me.”

Let’s Be an Exceptional Church!

Paul never measured churches by numbers, comfort, or applause. He measured it by faithfulness to Christ, love for people, and obedience to the mission.

“The effective role of churches is not to make much of us, but to make much of Jesus.”

Let’s Review what we’ve learned:

Exceptional Churches Are Rooted in Spiritual Maturity

                  Character, Knowledge, People-centered

Exceptional Churches Esteem the 5-Fold Ministry

                  “Gospeling”, Spirit-Led, Laboring

Effective Churches Are Committed to the Mission

                  Strategic, Generous, Faithful

Exceptional Churches Depend on the Power of Prayer