What Makes a Church Effective
September 13, 2015
Ephesians 4:1-6
Over the next several weeks we’re going to be looking at the church. We’re going to look at how the church works, what makes a church effective, how to deal with conflict, commitment; and issues of giving time and money.
My hope in this series is that it will grab you and get your spirit, heart, mind and body excited about the church. In some ways, it’s not easy to preach about the church because we all come at the church in many different ways . . . with many different backgrounds and attitudes about the church. But there are some factors that cannot be denied.
So . . . with that in mind, today I’m asking this question ~
What makes a church effective?
It’s really a simple question and the answer is not as complicated as we think! Of course, we complicate the answer! So — what’s makes a church effective?
Is it having perfect biblical doctrine?
Is it dotting all of our I’s and crossing all of our T’s?
Is it making sure we read the correct version of the Bible?
Is it having the proper church governance and by-laws?
Is it making sure we have a perfectly paved parking lot?
Is it making sure every sermon leads us to laughter and tears?
Is it making sure every worship has a song everyone knows?
What is it that makes a church effective?
Maybe if your pastor is wearing a nice spiffy suit?
Or could your pastor be just as effective preaching the Word of God in a pair of ripped up jeans?
I can ask lots and lots of questions, in fact this entire message can be question after question — — — about what makes a church effective. Today, I’m going to answer that question. I really think it’s pretty simple. It’s not rocket science. Although some try to make it into rocket science, but honestly it’s not. I can give you the answer and we can leave. YES? No!
Yet, the answer is packed with more potential issues because . . . afer all . . . we’re human and we’re sinners . . . and we mess up more often than we think we do. Let’s look at one of the reminders we have from Paul about the church.
In Ephesians 4 ~ Paul writes . . .
1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,
2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call —
5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
You’ll notice the most prominent word in this passage! It is the word ONE. A simple, short little, yet powerful word. Unfortunately in the church the word ONE is often misused. One becomes the focus of too many people in the church, not the ONENESS of the church, but the wants of the one member or attendee. The church then becomes a battleground because people are fighting for what ONE person wants, as opposed to the good of the entire church. They don’t look at the church as ONE body, as Paul refers to it, instead it is viewed with ONE person in mind.
As a result, the church suffers, and when the church suffers, the kingdom suffers, and oftentimes the world around us hears about the issues of the ONE and thinks to themselves, “No way do I want to be associated with that church,” and even worse, “No way do I want to be associated with that God they worship.”
Paul is very clear, in fact he uses the word ONE 8 times in this section. He calls for the unity of the church because of what?
Because our theology is Calvinist, or Armenian, or Orthodox, or Liberal, or Conservative, or Greek Orthodox?
Because we all agree the carpet in the sanctuary should be a nice powder blue?
Because we all agree on the signs and timing of the rapture?
NO! NO! NO!
I really don’t think God is going to look at us when we die and ask what our theology of the End Times is going to be . . . He’s not going to ask ~
Well, Michael . . . Were you
Pre-millenial Pre-trib / post trib
Post-millenial
amillenial
OR . . .
Michael — did you agree with baptism by immersion or infant baptism?
Michael — I’m not letting you in until you answer me.
“But Lord, I believed in you. I worshiped you. I tried to serve you.”
“Nope Michael that’s not good enough. I need to know your theology. Only right theology will gain you entrance.”
Do you hear the foolishness in this?!
I don’t see where salvation and the working of a church is contingent upon everyone having the same theology. That’s not what makes a church effective. We come from all different walks of life, with different upbringings and different views of who God is. The church becomes a melting pot for people from all over the place. And somehow, we make it work, through the grace of God. We do our best, we are not perfect. If you want a perfect church . . . good luck. Because the only perfect church is in heaven. And I’m not ready for that church . . . yet.
You see, we spend way too much time debating “churchy issues.” Is baptism essential for salvation? Which worship style brings people to Jesus? Which denomination has the most correct doctrines? We think that’s discipleship. Or we think if we discuss all the current hot topics, then we’ll have all the answers, but we never will.
I can tell you I’ve had less than 5 people ask me about current issues and my views of what’s happening in the world. More than those issues, we need to know how to live with one another on a daily basis. How do we get along with one another. Because I can tell you . . . it’s not easy to demonstrate the grace of Christ to all people. It’s not easy to live in harmony and to bear with one another. We need to learn how to do that. We need to learn how to love one another.
We think the church is about getting people to believe what we believe about certain issues.
I sincerely mean this — — we think if we can get people to believe like we do . . . if we can get the church to function the way we think it should function, then we will really be effective.
BUT — — we are wrong! Is it good to have everyone with the same beliefs? Of course, it makes life easy. I would love it if Debbie would always tell me I’m right! Life would be so easy. But too many times, she’s way smarter and discerning than I am, so I learn from her, because we know we don’t always have to agree with one another . . . yet, we are ONE! That’s the beauty.
Think of the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:1-3 ~
1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand,
2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,
The gospel is most important. It’s the only thing that matters. “Churchy issues” are oftentimes most church leaders’ attempt to elevate their prideful ego. It’s a manipulation and control tactic.
I want you to know today that it’s all about Jesus. It’s always been all about Jesus. If you have Jesus, nothing else matters. If you don’t have Jesus, nothing else matters. He’s the source of eternal life. He’s the reason you have hope. He’s the source of every good thing.
If every person at First Baptist Church knows the right verses about baptism, worship style, the Lord’s Supper, the end times, but they don’t know Jesus, then I won’t see you in heaven. You are losing the battle. The ultimate question, the only question, is,
Do you know Jesus?
Do you REALLY KNOW JESUS?
If not, nothing else matters.
I’ve been at First Baptist now for over 8 years, and I know your history. I know who your pastors were, and I know you, and I know your former pastors preached Jesus. They all had different styles and ways about them. They all had their own theology and I know they would not have all agreed with one another.
But that doesn’t matter! It really doesn’t. What mattered is they preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Because I know you and I know if they didn’t and I know if I didn’t — — you would be in my face questioning me.
That, my friends, is the common denominator to what makes an effective church.
It’s a church that KNOWS Jesus as Lord and Savior. A church comprised of people who love the Lord, and seek to serve Him, with all of their sins and faults and craziness. Jesus must always, always be the starting point for the church. For us to be effective . . . we must claim Jesus.
We really need to be able to hold onto the Apostles Creed as our starting point!!
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
He descended to hell.
The third day He rose again from the dead.
He ascended to heaven
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
From there He will come to judge the living and the dead.
That’s our basic theology. That’s it! From there it gets a whole lot more complicated. We’ll talk more about that later.
For now . . . What makes a church effective?
Answering the question . . .
DO YOU REALLY KNOW JESUS?
