Things That Make A Great Church
Matthew 16:13-20
When Jesus organized His church, I think He meant for it to grow. I think that He wanted it to become powerful and great.
I don’t think he ever meant for it to be just “a little church in the wild woods” and I don’t think He is pleased with any church that fails to grow. A little, weak, struggling church that has the potential and resources to be a strong, powerful great church is an abomination in His sight.
Furthermore, any church member that would keep his church from being as great and as powerful as it ought to be is either a rebellious, disobedient child that the Father WILL deal with or they are in need of salvation and other than the sinners prayer, should have no say in the church.
I have heard people say before, “why is this happening to me”? It might be because you have let yourself become a stumbling block in the progress of His church.
I had a friend tell me that he heard of a church that wanted to take off for the Lord but had some who would hold it back. The preacher held a prayer meeting and asked that the Lord remove whatever was keeping the church from being what He wanted it to be. Over the next couple of months they had over 8 funerals.
There are churches all around that are not “houses of worship” but are kept going because of family pride and not the advancement of the Gospel. I remember one day driving through the Mississippi Delta seeing only cotton fields, catfish ponds and churches. “Why would an area so sparsely populated need so many churches”, I asked. “Because they couldn’t get along together,” I was told.
Our Lord never intended that His church should be some weak and little church. His church should be strong, great and powerful – for His glory. If you don’t believe me then checkout what Jesus said in Matthew 16:13-20 on how great and powerful He intended His church to be: “He asked His disciples, saying, ‘Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?’ 14 So they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ 15 He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ 16 Simon Peter answered and said, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ 17 Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.’”
Now look over to 1 Peter 2:9 and we continue to see how powerful and great Jesus intended His church should be: “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light...”
I. What makes A Church Great?
A. Is it large numbers?
1. No- not necessarily.
a) Some of the workingest and most powerful churches I know of are not great big “mega” churches.
2. One preacher from the past said, “The more in numbers you have, then the more deadwood you will have.”
B. Is it wealth?
1. No- not necessarily.
2. Some of the poorest churches are some of the richest and some of the wealthiest churches are some of the poorest I’ve seen.
C. Is it buildings and equipment?
1. No- not necessarily.
a) Even though a certain amount of space and equipment is necessary, it doesn’t make a church great.
(1) I know of churches that are meeting in abandoned stores and old bar rooms that are doing a mighty work for the Lord.
(2) I also know of some weak churches with all the buildings and accessories that a modern church can provide.
2. It isn’t “what we have” that makes a church great
D. The Identifying marks of a great and growing church can be found in Acts 2 beginning with verse 40.
1. And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation." 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. 46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:40-47)
2. There should be a mission, fellowship, stewardship, and evangelism.
a) But as you look you see something behind this that makes all the other possible.
b) You could analyze this scripture and others and might come up with a more detailed list than I have, and that is fine.
(1) Mine only has two things that make a church great
(2) Being a student of churches I think I know what makes a church powerful and great and what makes one weak and lifeless.
The first thing that makes a church a “great church” is for all of …
II. Its Members to Have A love For Their Church.
A. We are to love the Church because He loved the Church
1. Jesus gave us the pattern:
a) “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her.” (Eph 5:25)
2. This is the Love we need for our church.
a) Christ loved it so much that He gave Himself for His church.
(1) Even though there was a Judas in it.
(2) In spite of the imperfections of the people.
B. We are to Love the Church because of what the church has done for us.
1. It was in the church that most of us learned about Jesus.
a) Through a service or program we came to know Him as Lord.
b) We now have a Christian home because of the love of the church.
2. It is the church that makes our community worth living in.
a) When a family member goes home the church is there to give encouragement.
b) When we find out that we are sick it is the church that offers intercessory prayers.
c) When you lost your job it is the church that gives you encouragement.
d) When you need help, it comes from the church.
(1) Aw preacher, it wasn’t the church that helped me out it was so and so…
(2) Individuals make up the church.
C. We ought to love the church because we are part of it.
1. YOU ARE THE CHURCH!
a) The church is not an organization that should be run like a business.
b) It is the Bride of Christ, a BODY of believers that should be handled with prayer and faith.
(1) Each on of us makes up a part of the body.
2. If you loved the church as much as you love yourself and as much as we should:
a) You would be faithful in your attendance.
(1) “Well I come every Sunday morning for preaching…”
(a) What about Sunday night?
(b) Where are you on Wednesday night?
b) You would not bring reproach upon your church.
(1) Our criticisms are killing our churches.
(a) The men sitting around drinking coffee and the women at the beauty shops are killing our churches with all of their nagging.
(2) If you truly loved your church you would understand that, as a part of it, you should defend it not blame it.
c) You would support it.
(1) Your forefathers gave you the example.
The second thing that makes a church a “great church” is for all of …
III. Its Members To Properly Identify Themselves With Their Church.
A. Jesus set the example for us once again.
1. When Saul of Tarsus was persecuting the early church Jesus came to him on the road to Damascus and asked him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?"
a) Jesus so identified himself with the church that if you harmed the church you harmed Jesus himself.
2. We should be so closely related to our church that what affects our church affects us personally.
a) If someone is hurting our church we hurt.
b) If someone is upset with our church we defend it.
c) If someone speaks ill of our church we speak up.
B. How can you identify with your church?
1. Join it.
a) Many will not join the church because they are afraid they will have to give up something.
b) Many who have been on the church roll for years will not “join” the church.
(1) That may sound weird, but it is the truth.
(2) They have never become a vital part of the church.
(a) You can’t count on them in battle.
2. Support it.
a) The best way you can support your church is by being faithful.
(1) Whenever the church has something – be there.
(a) Sunday School.
(b) Discipleship Training.
(c) Wednesday Night.
(d) Children’s Activities.
(e) Youth Functions.
(f) Brotherhood Breakfast.
(g) WOM meeting.
(h) Work Day.
(2) Support your church with your attendance!
b) Through your giving.
(1) I will not say much here.
(2) We just finished a series on this topic.
c) Through your prayers.
(1) There are times when your church needs your prayers more than you money.
(2) But everyday you should lift your church in prayer to the Father.
3. Serve It.
a) Find a place of service and then give it your all.
There is no doubt that the First Baptist Church of Runnelstown is a growing church, a strong church and, I believe, a great church. But we can get better.
Are you helping or hindering?
If you think you are a stumbling block to the future growth of the church have I got some news for you...
Peter once was the same thing, yet it was upon Peter’s confession of faith that Christ said he would build the church to begin with. I believe that upon your confession of faith here today He can continue His work, regardless of your past transgressions.
Now it’s up to you.
