Being The Kind Of Church That People Need
Acts 2:41-47
Introduction: I suppose there are many churches whose mission is to be the kind of church that appeals to everyone. That is an impossible task ! In fact, I believe it to be an unholy task. Here’s why.....in order for us to be the church that everyone wants or is looking for, we would have to "compromise our principles", "condone sinful practices", and "change God’s plan". Jesus did not commission the church to be everything to everybody, but he said.........." Mt 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: " It should not be the mission of the church to entertain, but to evangelize, and to edify ! Our purpose should not be that we exist to meet everyone’s wants, but we can be a church that everyone needs. Let me share some thoughts with u this morning on "Being The Kind Of Church That Everyone Needs"
I. Everyone needs a preaching church !
Not everyone wants preaching ! Many folks will attend a church and will feel quite comfortable as long as there is no strong Biblical preaching. They love a service which is heavy on singing, and fellowship, but light on the preaching ! Don’t say anything that will condemn, convict or challenge !
Is that what everyone needs ? The answer is no. What everyone needs to hear whether they want to or not is the preaching of the word of God !
1. The Source Of Our Preaching.
We need to preach the scriptures.
Someone once said.........."We need to preach the word as it is to men as they are !"
Listen to the words of Paul to the young
Timothy....2 Tim. 4:2 "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
Why preach ? What is so important about preaching the word of God ?
Rom 10:13:14 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed ? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard ? and how shall they hear without a preacher ?
2. The Subject Of Our Preaching.
a. We need to preach on sin.
b. We need to preach on salvation.
c. We need to preach on sanctification.
II. Everyone needs a praying church !
We need to be a praying church because folks desperately need to know that folks are praying for them ! The early church was a praying church. The Holy Spirit fell on the day of Pentecost only after the believers had assembled, and prayed. The next great move of God after Pentecost occured again after the church prayed together. Study the great revivals of the past, and you will find that they all had one thing in common. They were bathed in prayer ! Take a look at the churches that are winning people to Christ, and baptizing new believers, and you will find a common link. They are all praying churches !
Bro Larry Wynn dealt with the importance of prayer during our revival services ! There is no substitute for prayer ! There are no shortcuts to prayer ! We must be willing to pray !
III. Everyone needs a personable church !
While not condoning the practices of sinners, our Lord was able to put his feet under the table at their house, and befriend them ! We should be a pleasant church ! We should be a welcoming church ! And should go out of our way to make people feel as comfortable as possible when they come into God’s house !
I have been in some churches in my past where I was a stranger, and made to feel like one ! We will never win the lost with a attitude of "holier than thou".
I hope that there will never be a visitor to enter the doors of this church who will be made to feel unwelcome ! Let’s do our best to make folks feel at home ! It could make a difference in whether they come back or not, and more importantly, if they are unsaved, it may make the difference in whether they come to Christ or not !
IV. Everyone needs a positive church !
Listen folks........don’t be negative about the church ! If there is a problem in the church, we are either part of the problem or we’re part of the solution, and if we are negative, then we are part of the problem. Instead of always trying to find something wrong or make something wrong.....find what is right !
Joke: "Pretty good show for a quarter"
Every church will have some problems ....some issues ! Know why ? Because every church has people in it just like you and I that have problems, and issues ! That’s why we’re here......it’s to find help..........it’s to receive grace.........it’s to find hope.......and encouragement !
Someone once said....."the church is not a museum, but a hospital"......Jesus said...."They that are whole need not a physician..."
V. Everyone needs a progressive church.
Now hear me out....I’m not talking progressive as in what has happened in many churches today that do anything, accept anything, and anybody, and stand for nothing......some call that progression...I call that regression !
I’m speaking of a church that is on the move.....on the march ! Looking ,exploring, discovering God’s calling, and will....seeking new ways in which to reach out, and minister, and show the love of Christ to a dying world !
The early church was a progressive church ! And thank God that is was....it understood that it was only birthed in Jerusalem, and that it was not to be confined to that area, but that it was to spread the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world !
Closing: How can we be the church that is needed ? It takes every member knowing what the purpose of the church is, and doing their part in fulfiling this purpose ! Every believer in the church should be committed to meeting the needs of people ! Will you committ yourself to being this kind of believer ?
