What Makes a Strong Church?
Introduction: Paul told the Ephesian brethren, “Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might” (Ephesians 6:10). This is obviously God’s desire for every congregation of His people. With these thoughts in mind I want us to discuss, “What Makes a Strong Church.”
I. There must be a “converted membership” (Matthew 6:33).
A. We must have conviction (Luke 9:23; Philippians 1:21; Colossians 3:4).
B. We must love the truth (Acts 20:27; 26:24, 25; II Thessalonians 2:10).
II. There must be a “working membership” (I Corinthians 15:58; Titus 2:14).
A. We must be soul-winners (Mark 16:15, 16; Acts 8:4).
B. We must do good to all men (Galatians 6:10; Acts 10:38).
III. There must be a “praying membership” (Luke 18:1; Colossians 4:2; I Thessalonians 5:17).
A. We must believe in prayer (James 5:16; I John 5:14, 15).
B. We must practice prayer (Mark 1:35; Luke 6:12; Acts 20:36).
IV. There must be a “sacrificing membership” (Mark 12:41-44; II Corinthians 8:1-5).
A. We must remember that Christianity is a story of sacrifice (Titus 2:14; I Peter 2:24; Revelation 1:5).
B. We must remember that we are here today because of the sacrifice of others.
V. There must be a “united membership” (Ephesians 4:3).
A. We must remember Christ’s prayer (John 17:20, 21).
B. We must take heed to Paul’s warning (I Corinthians 1:10; 3:3).
VI. There must be a “youth-minded membership” (I Samuel 17:33; Daniel 1:3, 4, 6).
A. We must never forget that the future of the church is dependent upon the strength of our youth.
B. We must fervently teach and train them (Deuteronomy 6:6, 7; II Timothy 3:15).
VII. There must be a “separate membership” (II Corinthians 6:17; Romans 12:2).
A. We must be the light of the world (Matthew 5:14, 16).
B. We must not love the world and realize that the world in the church will destroy it (I John 2:15-17; I Corinthians 5:6).
VIII. There must be a “missionary-minded membership” (Colossians 1:23).
A. We must be concerned about the lost everywhere (Acts 17:6).
B. We must make the salvation of souls our top priority (Mark 8:36, 37).
Conclusion: The challenge today is for us to become stronger and commit ourselves to doing greater things for God. God is depending on us and we must not fail Him.
Ken Tyler
