[BB] [PREACHING LESSON 8:] KEYS TO A THRIVING CHURCH TILL JESUS COMES BACK.

 

KEYS TO A THRIVING CHURCH TILL JESUS COMES BACK.

Acts 16:5 And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.

( Philippians 1:5-6 ) [5]For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;

[6]Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

·       Striving: To devote serious effort. Pagsisikap.

I. STRONG CONVICTION TO THE BIBLE STANDARD AS THE BASIS OF FAITH AND PRACTICES.

( II Timothy 3:16-17 ) [16]All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

[17]That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

·       The Word of God should be the sole textbook of the church.

·       A place where man’s opinions and man’s philosophies are firmly based on Scriptures.

(Psalms 138:2) I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

(2 Timothy 2:14-16) 14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.

15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

II. THE CHRISTIANS WHO ARE SINCERE TO WALK WITH THE FEAR OF GOD.

·       A church where the members are walking in the Spirit is invaluable.

Acts 9:31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

·       Paul wrote to the church of Corinth, and addressed the importance of this.

1 Corinthians 3:1-2 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

·       The spiritual level of the church can have a great effect on that church.

·       A carnal church has enormous limitations that prohibit them from being a thriving church.

·       In verse 1, Paul acknowledged the limitations it placed on his preaching.

·       In verse 2, Paul acknowledged the limitations is placed on their eating.

·       A carnal church without spiritual church members will do very little restoration.

Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

III. THE CHRISTIANS WHO FACE THEIR SPIRITUAL BATTLE HAVE STRONG FAITH TO GOD.

·       Every church has battles.

·       Jesus introduced this concept when He introduced the church to His disciples.

·       I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

·       Notice what Paul said to the church of Thessalonica.

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;

4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:

Some battles divide the church.

Some battles multiply the church.

Some battles cause a church to become bitter.

Some battles cause a church to become better.

Some battles cause a church to lose their pastor.

Some battles help establish their pastor.

Some battles destroy the church’s reputation in the community.

Some battles enhance the church’s reputation in the community.

Battles reveal the essence of the church.

Battles reveal the enemies of the church.

1 Timothy 1:18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;

19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck;

IV. THE CHRISTIANS ARE SHOWNED TO HAVE BURDEN FOR PRECIOUS SOULS OF LOST PEOPLE.

( Matthew 28:19-20 ) [19]Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

[20]Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

·       The Lord Jesus Christ is our prime model for having burden for lost people.

( Matthew 9:36 ) [36]But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

·       A church without a burden for the lost is already dead and just don’t know it.

·       A church that is not reaching the unsaved in their community won’t thrive OR survive.

·       A church that is not fulfilling all three aspects Great Commission and is not a biblical church.

·       Jesus told the church to get the lost saved, baptized and disciples.

·       A church that is not doing that is not a biblical, obedient church.

V. THE LOVE FOR CHRIST MOTIVATE THE CHRISTIANS TO CONTINUE STRIVING IN CHRISTIAN LIFE.

( II Corinthians 5:14 ) For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

VI. THE SOON COMING OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST ENCOURAGE THE CHRISTIANS TO STRIVE WITH FAITHFULNESS.

( Philippians 1:5-6 ) [5]For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;

[6]Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

VII. TO GIVE GOD THE GLORY AND PLEASES HIM IS ALWAYS THE GOAL FOR STRIVING IN CHRISTIAN LIFE.

( Colossians 1:9-12 ) [9]For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

[10]That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

[11]Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

[12]Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

God bless you all always *