The Measure of A Strong Church
THE MEASURE OF A STRONG CHURCH
TEXT: Matthew 16:18
INTRODUCTION:
A. The practice of assembling with a church is important
Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
1. Naturally, we hope the congregation we assemble with is a strong one
2. But such may not always be the case
a) In NT times, there were many good congregations
b) But some were not what they should have been Revelation 2:4, 14-15; 3:2, 15-17
B. What, then, is the "measure" of a strong church?
1. Some might consider it on the basis of:
a) The building (or lack thereof)
b) The number of programs, classes, etc.
c) How smoothly it runs as an organization, with its committees, departments, etc.
d) But a congregation can have all these things and still be dead!
2. I suggest a better measure is to be found when we think of the church in terms used in the Bible to describe it...
a) Such as "body," "family," "temple," "kingdom," "bride"
b) Granted, these are terms used to describe the UNIVERSAL church; but I believe these figures of speech can help us to properly measure the strength of a LOCAL congregation
3. In other words, a "strong" church is one that...
I. FUNCTIONS LIKE A "BODY"
A. The church is the body of Christ
1 Corinthians 12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
1. As such, it is an organism, rather than simply an organization
2. You can have organization, but still not have LIFE!
a) E.g., a dead body
b) "The foot bone's connected to the leg bone..." can just as easily be said of a corpse as with a living body
B. The body of Christ has many members...
1. Not all have the same function - Romans 12:3-8
2. Every member must appreciate his or her own function 1Corinthians 12:14-19
3. Every member must appreciate the function of others 1Corinthians12:20-22
C. The body must have members who fulfill their function!
1. Growth occurs when "every part does its share"
Ephesians 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
2. We understand that a chain is as strong as its weakest link
3. So a body's strength is affected by weak and inactive members!
a) Injury or physical handicaps limit the ability of the body to perform
b) Strong members may try to help out, but then that limits what other work they would normally do
4. How each of us functions as a member of the body affects the strength of this congregation!
5. A strong church is also one which...
II. LOVES LIKE A "FAMILY"
A. The church is the household of God
1 Timothy 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
1. It is the "family" of God
2. Do we think of each other as "family"?
3. We should, in light of
1 Timothy 5:1-2 Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.
B. A strong family is one where there is...
1. Concern for one another
2. Care for each other
3. Love for one another
4. The church at Thessalonica is a good example
1 Thessalonians 4:9-10 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more;
2 Thessalonians 1:3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;
C. To develop a sense of family requires...
1. A willingness to get to know one another
2. Taking advantage of opportunities to spend time together
3. As congregations grow, it becomes harder to maintain a sense of family
4. But how well we one love one another will be a true measure of the strength of this church! A strong church will also be one that...
III. PRAISES LIKE A "TEMPLE"
A. Temples of old were built to glorify the being to which they were dedicated...
1. The design of the structure itself was designed to praise
2. The sacrifices and services rendered in the worship also
B. The church is God’s temple today -
1 Corinthians 3:16-17 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
1. We are both the "temple" and the "priests" who offer "spiritual sacrifices" - I Peter 2:5
2. Our purpose: to proclaim the praises of God - 1 Peter 2:9-10
C. How do we offer sacrifices and praise to God?
1. By lifting our VOICES in song and prayer -
Hebrews 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
2. By doing GOOD DEEDS -
Hebrews 13:16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
3. By offering OURSELVES as living sacrifices -
Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
IV. SUBMITS LIKE A "KINGDOM"
A. As the church, we are privileged to be in the kingdom of Christ
1. As were the Colossians
Colossians 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
2. As was John the apostle -
Revelation 1:9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
B. Kingdom suggests a king, to which subjects submit allegiance and obedience...
1. Unfortunately, many churches are more like the kingdom of England
a) Where the king (or queen) is only a symbolical figure head
b) The true decision-making power is in parliament
2. But a strong church is one in which the citizens (members) submit to Christ as King in reality
a) Where things are done as He directs, by His authority
b) Where we follow His commands, and not make up our own rules
3. How each person submits to the Lordship of Jesus Christ is a true measure any congregation.
V. IS PURE AS A BRIDE
A. Paul thought of the church as a bride - 2 Corinthians 11:1-2
1. One that he had betrothed to Christ
2. One that has a responsibility to be pure and chaste
B. Christ thinks of the church in the same way Ephesians 5:25-29
1. He offered Himself to enable her to be pure and holy
2. He did this out of His great love for her!
C. John was told of the future marriage - Revelation 19:6-9
1. Note that bride "has made herself ready"
2. She was adorned by the righteous acts of the saints
D. As the bride, awaiting marriage, we must maintain our purity and adornment!
1. By being cleansed through the blood of Christ...in confessing our sins
2. We also maintain our purity...
a) By our "righteous acts"
b) By abstaining from unrighteous deeds
CONCLUSION
Such is "The Measure Of A Strong Church", one that...
Functions like a BODY
Loves like a FAMILY
Praises like a TEMPLE
Submits like a KINGDOM
Is pure as a BRIDE
How each person does his or her part will have an effect on the measure of this church...
We may have the best organization, and all the outwards signs of a strong congregation
But we may be just like the church at Sardis “... you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead." Revelation 3:1
Are ALL OF US doing what we can (indeed, what we must) to make the church strong in the eyes of the Lord?