The Pattern and Goals of a Healthy Church
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· 6 viewsThe Goal of a Church is health. To be a body ministering and working together in love striving for the gospel.
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The great need of the church has always been spiritual maturity rather than organizational restructuring.
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The Whole Section is about unity. The unity of the Spirit. We see here that the goal of unity is to produce maturity.
The great need of the church has always been spiritual maturity rather than organizational restructuring.
A Healthy Church is Necessary
Growing in Holiness is a community project. We can’t do it on our own. We need other brothers and sisters to be Holy. We need loving accountability and mutual encouragement. We need the oversight of mature Godly men to shepherd us i our growth in Holiness.
Therefore the Church is absolutely necessary for godliness.
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,
The Church is the means God has given us to become Holy.
A Healthy Church is a Continuous Goal
The pattern that is set forth here is what we are always striving for. Regardless of our circumstances or the outcome we want to follow the pattern of a healthy Church.
The Pattern of a Healthy Church
The Pattern of a Healthy Church
Has Pastors who Equip their members to do ministry vs. 12
Has Pastors who Equip their members to do ministry vs. 12
Ministry is not something performed by elites, or professional class of Christians, it’s not reserved for Pastors only, but for all Christians.
-Pastors don’t do the work of ministry, they equip others to do the work of ministry.
Application
Repent of the idea that someone else is going to do it.
-Pastors have a primary role in making disciples.
Application
You’re not going to find one, and get your family under their leadership.
How do Pastor’s Equip
Through preaching the word
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.
2. Through Prayer
2 Timothy 3:1
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
3. Through Oversight and Providing Structures for Ministry
This is why we have small groups.
Has Pastor’s who Guard the Church from False Doctrine
Has Pastor’s who Guard the Church from False Doctrine
False doctrine is damaging to your spiritual growth.
holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith,
These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved. For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.
Hidden reefs!
Application
Stay under the umbrella of Pastoral Leadership/ don’t wander around to every new thing.
There’s enough here for you to focus on!
Has members who are pursuing Christian Maturity vs.13-14
Has members who are pursuing Christian Maturity vs.13-14
1. Growing in Knowledge of Christ
Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ
2. Growing in the Understanding of Sound Doctrine/Discernment
3. Eagerly Pursuing the Work of Ministry
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Meeting Physical Needs
If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?
Caring during times of loss
If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
Has Members Who Boldly & Humbly Hold Each other Accountable
Has Members Who Boldly & Humbly Hold Each other Accountable
“Speak the Truth in Love”
We speak the truth to each other, we are face forward with each other.
Confronting Brothers about Sin
“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
Helping Those Trapped in Sin
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Confessing of sins, mutual accountability, stirring one another in Godliness.
This is why we encourage formal commitment to a congregation. Covenant Commitment
The Goals of a Healthy Church
The Goals of a Healthy Church
Unity of Faith
Sound Doctrine
Spiritually Mature Members
Growing in their knowledge of Christ, serving and meeting one another’s needs.
Growing up together into Christ, becoming Holy together.
And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
Ultimately this Brings Glory to God, and and is worthy of the calling to which we have been called.
Conclusions for Practical Application
Conclusions for Practical Application
If you want to be faithful to God and grow in Holiness.
Commit yourself to a faithful Church and grow with them.
Actively seek to help other brothers grow in Christ.
Humbly seek accountability and help from others for your own benefit.
Submit to faithful pastors and allow them to oversee your souls welfare.
Repeat