Bury The Church Or Better The Church

Illustration: Years ago in a small quiet community, it was the tradition that when someone died that the pastor would go to the church and ring the church bell three times. This was how the little town would know when someone passed away.

So one Sunday afternoon, the pastor of the little church went and rang the church bell three times. People from throughout the little town came out and started gathering at the church. Everybody knew everybody, and they had no idea that someone had passed away.

Everyone who came began to ask, “Who has died?”

The pastor said he would announce it once everyone got inside and assembled. After everyone was seated, he made this announcement. “You have gathered here wanting to know who has died. Friends, I’m sad to report to you that your church has died! Only a handful of you were here this morning for church, and out of that handful some of you had no real interest in seeing the Lord move in the service. So it’s official; the church has died! Now it is up to you whether you want to bury it, or began to pray and ask God to resurrect it and revive it and make it alive again. However, it all depends on what you will allow God to do in your hearts as to whether this church will get buried or will get better.”

1. Look at the Spiritual Church

Acts 2:38-41 38Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

39For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 40And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 41Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

2. Look at the Sardis Church

The Revelation 3:1-2 1And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. 2Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.

**Today, we as members of the church and we as individuals must decide whether we want to be like the first church in Acts chapter 2 (The Spiritual Church) or if we want to be like the church in The Revelation chapter 3 (The Sardis Church).

**Today you have a choice before you whether to Bury the Church or to Better the Church.

**Be honest when you answer these questions. 1) Does anyone want to bury the church? 2) Does anyone want to better the church?

** If you mean it from your heart then listen to the message that the Lord has laid on my heart on how we all can

BETTER the Church instead of BURYING the Church!

I. LET US HELP THE CHURCH TO BE GODLY

Acts 2:40-41 40And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 41Then they that gladly received his word were baptized:

**Untoward means crooked, wicked and perverse, and Peter said if you want to save or keep yourself from the danger of wickedness, then you have to accept the Word which is Jesus and repent and be baptized!

**The church will die and be buried if ungodliness reigns in the members of the church. Your ungodly living will kill the church!

A. To Be Godly, There Has To Be A Transformation

**Be ye therefore transformed from death unto life will make the church alive!

1. Transformation means you have a Past

**Notice it is in the past and not in the present!

a. Sin is in the Past b. Self-Righteousness is in the Past

c. Sorriness is in the Past

2. Transformation means you have a Profession

a. You professed the Father b. You professed the Faith

3. Transformation means you have a Proof

a. The Salvation is your Proof. b. The Savior is your Proof.

B. To Be Godly, There Has To Be A Testimony

1. I’ve forsaken Sinful Places

2. I’ve forsaken Sinful People

3. I’ve forsaken Sinful Practices

C. To Be Godly, There Has To Be A Triumph

1. Triumph includes a Remembrance

a. Can you remember the conviction?

b. Can you remember the conversion?

2. Triumph includes a Repentance

a. You have to repent and ask for God’s Help

b. You have to repent and ask for God’s Holiness