The value of physical strength is recognized in a large variety of areas. The most successful sports teams are comprised the best and strongest athletes who excel at their positions. A military is well trained and its members maintain the highest of conditioning before they take the battlefield if they are going to be successful. Businesses who wish to get and stay ahead need to hire the best employees if they are going to remain solvent. Strength that comes from the body and the mind cannot be denied for any organization to succeed, and this goes for churches, too. In the case of churches, however, there are even greater blessings to be received in spiritual might. Tragically, in the world in which we live today sin has lost much of its stigma and temptations are everywhere. Since it is impossible to shelter oneself from all temptation, a person must learn how to say “No!” to temptation. The best way to do this is to have a strong character, a built-in defense system based upon self-control coupled with a keen awareness that one belongs to Christ. Self-control is a mark of a strong, mature child of God: 22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23. gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23 [RSV]) Yes, there are blessings in being spiritually strong, and this is true o both the individual and the congregational levels.
There are churches that have left their first love, and churches that are lukewarm and dead (Revelation 2 and 3), but we are interested in what makes a strong church. The best role model we have is the church in Jerusalem as recorded in Acts 2:41-47, and from this we have some excellent information given to us on how to build a strong church.
The church at Jerusalem was strong because it was devoted to teaching the apostles’ doctrine. The people respected the men the Lord had appointed to carry His message, and they followed their lead. By believing their word and teaching others, the word of God was able to convict lost sinners of their need for Jesus Christ, and the church grew at a tremendous rate.
The church at Jerusalem was strong because they maintained close fellowship with each other. There was joint participation in all areas of their life. They prayed together, they ate together, they shared their possessions with those in need, and they worshipped together. They continued daily with one accord, praising God and having favor with all people. Fellowship kept them strong.
The church at Jerusalem was strong because it continued in the breaking of bread. We learn from Acts 2:42 and Acts 20:7 that the church came together and that they partook of the Lord’s Supper. This memorial feast would keep their hearts and minds centered on Christ. The only way the church can be strong and remain strong is by keeping its eyes fixed upon Jesus – the Lord designed the communion for this purpose (1 Corinthians 11:20-26).
There are churches that have left their first love, and churches that are lukewarm and dead (Revelation 2 and 3), but we are interested in what makes a strong church. The best role model we have is the church in Jerusalem as recorded in Acts 2:41-47, and from this we have some excellent information given to us on how to build a strong church.
The church at Jerusalem was strong because it was devoted to teaching the apostles’ doctrine. The people respected the men the Lord had appointed to carry His message, and they followed their lead. By believing their word and teaching others, the word of God was able to convict lost sinners of their need for Jesus Christ, and the church grew at a tremendous rate.
The church at Jerusalem was strong because they maintained close fellowship with each other. There was joint participation in all areas of their life. They prayed together, they ate together, they shared their possessions with those in need, and they worshipped together. They continued daily with one accord, praising God and having favor with all people. Fellowship kept them strong.
The church at Jerusalem was strong because it continued in the breaking of bread. We learn from Acts 2:42 and Acts 20:7 that the church came together and that they partook of the Lord’s Supper. This memorial feast would keep their hearts and minds centered on Christ. The only way the church can be strong and remain strong is by keeping its eyes fixed upon Jesus – the Lord designed the communion for this purpose (1 Corinthians 11:20-26).
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