INTRODUCTION
Opening Statement: There has been an incredible emphasis in recent years on church health. Many believe that if a local church is healthy and functioning the way it should, natural growth will be the result. The removal of growth-restricting diseases that often plague the body of Christ enable natural growth to occur.
Observation: One growth-restricting disease of the church is the lack of a process that involves moving people from an unchurched, unbelieving lifestyle to positions of leadership in the local church. When this kind of thing happens in a local church, whether it’s 5 or 5,000, that local church is doing its job.
Explanation: The process that we’ve been working on now for over a year has five basic phases to it: winning them (through friendship), bringing them in (casual invitations and special events), equipping them (putting them in a growth environment), sending them out (to do life biblically), and repeating the process (see them begin the process all over again in someone else). Through the enablement of the Spirit, I believe we can engage in this process to the glory of God.
Title: Healthy and Thriving (vrs. Sickly and Failing)
Transition: There is a New Testament book that is uniquely suited for our theme today.
Background: Third John gives to us a glimpse into the life and struggles of the church at the close of the apostolic age. Even the churches under Apostle John’s care, struggled with the truth and with personalities. This personal letter is about showing the right kind of hospitality to authentic, reliable Christian teachers who have been sent out by the Apostle John. To borrow the words of a New Testament scholar: “Third John is all about the Elder, who wrote it; Gaius, who received it; Diotrephes, who provoked it; and Demetrius, who carried it.” Diotrephes was causing some problems in the house-church that he led. John wrote to his personal friend Gaius to tell him about this. In this letter, John notes his desire for a personal visit. Knowing that a confrontation was more than likely going to take place in this visit, John not only confronts Diotrephes here in this letter, but he also anticipates a need for allies to stand with him when this time came. That is where Gaius and Demetrius come into play.
There is a prayer that the Apostle John prayed for Gaius. I pray this prayer today for you. There is also a warning about those who prove to be more of a growth-restricting disease in the body than a contributor to its health.
Text: 3 John 1:2 Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.
9 I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say. 10 For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words; and not satisfied with this, he himself does not receive the brethren, either, and he forbids those who desire to do so and puts them out of the church. 11 Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.
Key Word: If God answers this prayer, I believe it will issue forth in TEN GREAT MOVEMENTS of God within our congregation.
OUTLINE
What A Healthy Church Looks Like
Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.
Explanation: Looking at where God has been at work in and through other churches, we find some common characteristics that are evident in all of these churches. The Bible supports all of these things as well.
1. God-Centered Worship
Church should be energized by faith and provide worship experiences that are biblically based, Christ-centered, and that exalt and glorify God. Be corporate, genuine, inspiring, dynamic, participatory and transforming, relevant.
Acts 2
46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart,
47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.
2. Needs-Based Ministries
Work at transforming your community by meeting physical, emotional and spiritual needs of both members and the local community. Cultural connectedness is essential. Find a need in the community that you have been positioned to meet and meet it. See people as your greatest assets and encourage participation through a personal invitation rather than a ’general notice’ to some task. Welcome everyone’s contribution and get them involved.
Acts 6
1 Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food.
2 So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables.
3 "Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task.
4. Joyous Generosity
Face the cost of change and growth. Create and maintain a reasonable budget. Utilize holistic stewardship practices. Make people aware of financial needs. People will always put their money where their passion is. Encourage “ownership” of the various church ministries and programs.
2 Corinthians 9
7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;
5. Empowering Leadership
The proof of a good leader is creating another leader, not more followers. Develop servant-leadership by strategically mentoring, teaching and serving the believers. A true leader’s measure of success is when they have succeeded in helping others to be successful. Leadership should be about identifying, articulating the vision and giving proper co-ordination and direction celebrating, giving expression to, co-coordinating and resourcing the ministry of the whole church.
Luke 10
1 Now after this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them in pairs ahead of Him to every city and place where He Himself was going to come.
6. Participative Membership
Members of the church should contribute in some way to its life, work and witness. They should share in decision-making and consensus building. Together they solve problems and deal with conflict. It should be more of a collaboration and partnership between leadership and members.
Romans 12
4 For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function,
5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
6 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly…
7. A Loving, Authentic Community Of Faith
Commit to nurturing loving/caring relationships that are based on trust, acceptance, openness, honesty and respect. Celebrate diversity and value people for who they are without feeling like it’s your job to change them.
Philemon 1
4 I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers,
5 because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints;
6 and I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ’s sake.
7 For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.
8. Discipleship Oriented
The implicit goal of leadership is not in keeping people happy but helping them be holy. Help people to explore the faith, discover God’s love, and keep growing at living out and applying their faith. Strategic leadership directs people to get involved in systematic theological growth, personal disciplines, strong Christology, and biblical priorities.
2 Timothy 2
1 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
9. Outreach Focused
Strategic outreach focused on needs-oriented evangelism should permeate every ministry of the church. Outreach must be incorporated into the values of the church. Stay consciously aware of the joys and sorrows of the surrounding communities. Work with people for personal and social change and to serve the joys/concern/hopes/struggles of local communities. Help people live the faith and share their faith. The church mission should be expressed, not just in what the church organizes locally, but also in the quality of the community life of the church and in the daily lives of its members.
Matthew 28
18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
10. Passionate Prayer
Facilitate a dynamic trusting relationship with God by becoming completely dependant on Him through prayer to the point of total surrender to His will. Encourage people to keep on asking for what they need, seeking what they earnestly desire and to keep on knocking when their desire/need becomes of great importance.
Acts 12
1 Now about that time Herod the king laid hands on some who belonged to the church in order to mistreat them.
2 And he had James the brother of John put to death with a sword.
3 When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. Now it was during the days of Unleavened Bread.
4 When he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out before the people.
5 So Peter was kept in the prison, but prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God.
6 On the very night when Herod was about to bring him forward, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and guards in front of the door were watching over the prison.
7 And behold, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter’s side and woke him up, saying, "Get up quickly." And his chains fell off his hands.
8 And the angel said to him, "Gird yourself and put on your sandals." And he did so. And he said to him, "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me."
9 And he went out and continued to follow, and he did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.
10 When they had passed the first and second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened for them by itself; and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.
11 When Peter came to himself, he said, "Now I know for sure that the Lord has sent forth His angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting."
12 And when he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John who was also called Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.
13 When he knocked at the door of the gate, a servant-girl named Rhoda came to answer.
14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, because of her joy she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter was standing in front of the gate.
15 They said to her, "You are out of your mind!" But she kept insisting that it was so. They kept saying, "It is his angel."
16 But Peter continued knocking; and when they had opened the door, they saw him and were amazed.
17 But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had led him out of the prison. And he said, "Report these things to James and the brethren." Then he left and went to another place.
18 Now when day came, there was no small disturbance among the soldiers as to what could have become of Peter.
19 When Herod had searched for him and had not found him, he examined the guards and ordered that they be led away to execution. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and was spending time there.
What A Sick Church Looks Like
Key Word: There are FIVE VIRUSES THAT ATTACK HEALTHY CHURCHES according to 3 John...
1. Me-First – I want things done my way.
The most serious growth-restricting disease has been around for a long time. It’s called “me-first.” Diotrephes had a serious case of it and it was an enduring attitude that he had: “But Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say (v.9).” That little microchip of information tells us a lot about his character.
Illustration: Two hikers were walking through the woods when they suddenly confronted a giant bear. Immediately, one of the men took off his boots, pulled out a pair of track shoes and began putting them on. “What are you doing?” cried his companion. “We can’t outrun that bear, even with jogging shoes. “Who cares about the bear?” the first hiker replied. “All I have to worry about is outrunning you.” That was Diotrephes. He had to make sure that he was first; he wasn’t concerned about the other guy.
Transition: This me-first attitude took over his life in stages.
2. Resistance - Refusal to submit to God’s Word and the Leadership. “But Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say (v.9).” He wasn’t very flexible. His willingness to learn new things that were different from his viewpoint was a struggle. There was no fresh or innovative ideas for applying God’s Word and ministry floating around in Diostrephes’ church. “These new-fangled ideas have no place here,” he could be overheard saying.
3. Criticism - Slanderous words. John said that he was “accusing us with wicked words…” This infects a local congregation quickly. He was not in agreement with John over some issue of church polity and government or some doctrinal issue. He moved from words to deeds.
4. Isolation – No outside instruction or fellowship. “He himself does not receive the brethren…” He was guarding his turf! To be healthy, a church must open up its arms and think inclusively, rather than exclusively. We can learn from a lot of people. And, there is an enormous common ground among believers that we can stand on. Learn from everyone. It doesn’t hurt my feelings if you listen to Swindoll or watch Hayford or feed on Stanley’s sermons. That’s great. Learn from everyone. Be careful about any church that is looking to exclude those who are of a different theological stripe or color in minor areas of theology. They’re isolating you and that’s not healthy. We are not affiliated with any denomination, but that is not because we are isolationist. We are interdenominational or if you want to drop all of the labels – we are nondenominational. We are not nearly as concerned about your previous church labels as we are your present walk with Christ.
5. Control - Discouraging others. “He himself does not receive the brethren, either, and he forbids those who desire to do so and puts them out of the church.” He even indulges in what we would call today "secondary separation." He not only objected to the men who came, but he objected to those who would have received them. This has been one of the curses of the church ever since. Because of this tendency to refuse fellowship to someone who likes someone you do not like, a wide divisiveness has come into the church, doing injury and harm beyond recall.
Application: We live in a day where the Spirit of Diotrephes prevails. But it ought not be so in the New Community. Those who have chosen to take the path of Diotrephes contribute not to the healthy of a church, but to its diseases. Some questions that are worth asking: Am I resisting legitimate authority? Do I have a critical spirit? Have I isolated myself from people who might instruct or correct me? Am I controlling people with intimidation or threats?
Invert all of these points today and you get a positive picture: selflessness, submission, edification, community, and liberating others to be who they are.
CONCLUSION
The church is very human. If someones idea gets shot down, the tendency is to isolate and be offended - no different in the church than in any other organization out there. If someone is at odds with someone else, the tendency is to use criticism when convenient to strike back. If someone isn’t treated the way they think they should be, the tendency is to think ’me-first.’
I stand before the New Community and I’m calling you to a higher standard. Let’s be healthy and thriving!
