4 Ways to Help The Church

Churches experience what is called a lifecycle, here is what it looks like

From statistics on church growth and life over a long period most churches follow this cycle.

The average life span of a local church as an institution is approximately 125 years.

Churches that survive beyond 40 years are the exception rather than the norm

I am not sharing this as bad news, but as an encouragement for us to do better.

Ultimately for a church to survive past 40 years, it must break free from the typical cycle of organizational decay through consistent renewal, clear vision, and an outward focused mission.

Basically everything we are trying to do at New Beginnings.

The statistics do not need to be predictor for us

We can encourage one another to keep focused on our mission — To share the love of Jesus with our world and to make disciples who make disciples.

This was in a way the encouragement Paul was giving Corinth

1 Corinthians 1:4–9 NIV

4 I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. 5 For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge— 6 God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you. 7 Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. 8 He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

This is the word of God…

To not go the way of the statistics a church must be engaged

I want us to imagine us as a church where spiritual gifts are deployed, a Christlike life can be seen in God’s people, and beliefs are in balance with life-style.

So what can we do?

There are 4 ways we can help the church…

Our prayers

Ephesians 6:18 NIV

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

How often do we pray for our brothers and sisters?

How often did Paul tell us? — on all occasions and always

We have a list — Show bulletin insert

Colossians 4:2 NIV

2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

Our prayers are a link to our relationship with God being the greatest weapon in our spiritual arsenal

In Community — Putting others first starts with praying!

We all go through tough and dark seasons — Imagine knowing for certain that your brothers and sisters are praying for you

Our Presence

Another way to help the church is to be present

Think for just a moment, how does it make you feel to assemble with your brothers and sisters?

Hebrews 10:25 NIV

25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

In difficult times and seasons we need each other, being together becomes vital!

Hebrews 10:24 NIV

24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,

The action of “not giving up” is connected and simultaneous with “Let us consider.”

our meeting on Sundays, Wednesday Fire, Men’s Saturdays, and Women’s meetings are important and vital to our spiritual growth and encouragement!

Hebrews 3:13 NIV

13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.

The action of the verb “encourage” is and ongoing continuous command

Why do you think this is a command and not a suggestion?

Reworded — Why do we treat this command as a suggestion?

Our Gifts

We all have been given spiritual gifts

We have a purpose in the kingdom of God and we have been gifted specifically to fulfill that purpose — develop

Romans 12:6–8 NIV

6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Imagine a church where spiritual gifts are deployed — Romans 12:4-6

Romans 12:4–6 NIV

4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;

Paul is saying as a body we have everything we need

If our focus is no Jesus then we are working even when it’s difficult!

Our Service

The symbols of the world Sword and Shield

The Symbols of the Kingdom a cross and a towel

In John 13:4-17 we have recoded the example of Jesus — Retell in my own words

John 13:12 NIV

12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them.

Are we serving or are we wanting to be served?

Agape love is a love of service and sacrifice — 2 Corinthians 3:3

2 Corinthians 3:3 NIV

3 You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

Conclusion

God us engaged but not over committed

A healthy church teaches its members that they are stewards of their God given resources and challenges them to sacrificial generosity in sharing with others.

Consider this example of a person you never heard of —

In 1934, two 16 year old boys attended a revival meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina led by the fiery evangelist Mordecai Ham. Ham was a well-known preacher, notorious for his intense sermons and outspoken condemnation of sin.

Uncomfortable with Ham's piercing gaze and strong preaching, the two boys initially tried to avoid the direct impact of the sermons by joining the church choir, which was positioned behind the pulpit. But even from the back, they couldn't escape the message. When they first entered the crowded tent, they found it difficult to locate seats.

As they considered leaving due to the lack of seating, an unnamed usher stepped in. This usher, with a welcoming spirit and friendly demeanor, approached the two young men and led them to available seats. This simple act of hospitality and service allowed the boys to remain in the service.

During the altar call at the end of Ham's sermon, while the hymn "Almost Persuaded, Now to Believe" was sung, one boy named Billy Graham felt a profound conviction of sin and responded to the invitation to accept Christ. The other boy Grady Wilson also renewed his Christian commitment at the same revival.

Billy Graham's decision at that revival became a defining moment in his life and ministry. He went on to become one of the most influential evangelists of the 20th century, sharing the Gospel with millions worldwide. Grady Wilson became a close friend and associate of Billy Graham, serving as an associate evangelist and a key part of his ministry team.

The encounter highlights the significant role of the unknown usher in facilitating a life-altering experience for Billy Graham and Grady Wilson.

All because an unknown usher saw two boys walking away led them two their seat and into the kingdom!

If you have ever asked, how can I help the church? — Prayer, presence, gifts, service