Signs Of A Strong Church Series

SIGNS OF A STRONG CHURCH

II Thessalonians 1:1-4

You may be surprised to learn that America is one of the top 4 largest "un-churched" nations in the world. Each year between 3,500 & 4000 churches close their doors forever, while only 1,000 to 1,500 new ones are started in the same timeframe.

For the most part churches do not die overnight. Their death is usually preceded by a long, slow decline. I can take you to several buildings within a few miles of our location that once held vibrant, thriving, Christ honoring churches. Today those buildings sit idle.

In His letters to the Churches in the book of Revelation, Jesus addressed the condition of 7 churches in Asia Minor. He pointed out some of the good characteristics that these churches possessed, but He also addressed several issues in these churches that needed attention.

He told the Church at Ephesus that they had “left their first love”. He revealed that the Church at Sardis “had a reputation that they were alive, but they were dead”. Jesus did not just diagnose their sickness; He gave them a prescription that would cure their illness. He told Ephesus to “Remember from where they had fallen, and repent, and do the first works”. And He told Sardis to “Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain” and to He called on them to "repent.”

Today many churches in America are sick and weak. Unless something happens, many of them will die in the no so distant future. However, if these churches will look to God’s Word and seek His face there is hope that their health can be restored. Those churches that have grown weak can be made strong in the Lord once again.

We have a great example of a strong church in our selected text. The Church at Thessalonica was not a perfect church but it was a strong church. This was a church that brought Paul much joy. In fact, in his first letter to them he said that they were a great “example” to the other churches. I would like to look to the example that they set and examine the “Signs of a Strong Church”.

Background of the epistle:

Paul had received a report that false teachers had been misleading the Thessalonian believers. They had gone as far as to forge letters to make them look as if they had been sent by Paul himself. These false teachers declared that the Day of the Lord had already come. Obviously, this caused great fear among this assembly of young Christians. In this Epistle, Paul seeks to comfort them and further explain "The Day Of The Lord".

II Thessalonians is a book that is both prophetic and practical. In the first few verses we see certain characteristics that this church possessed that indicate that they were a strong church.

- There is much that we can learn about being a strong church when we study this letter. Notice if you will:

I. THE RELATIONSHIPS IN A STRONG CHURCH

Churches are made up of people. Some are in involved in leadership, some are part of the laity, but all are important to the church. There are a couple of things I would like to see about the relationships in a strong church. Notice that:

A. THE PEOPLE IN A STRONG CHURCH WILL BE CLOSE TO ONE ANOTHER

v1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians

Silvanus is better known as "Silas" and Timotheus is "Timothy". Acts 17 tells us that these men were associates of Paul and they helped him establish and care for the church at Thessalonica. Silas and Timothy also contributed to Paul's first letter to this church. In the past, Paul had sent Timothy to comfort the Thessalonians believers. He says in I Thessalonians 3:2 that he sent Timothy "to establish them, and to comfort them concerning their faith". Paul founded this church on his second missionary journey. He was not able to stay there long because he was forced out by the enemies of Christ. Though he was not present with them Paul cared from them greatly. He had heard good reports concerning this church and he sought to help them grow stronger. He loved them and they certainly loved him.

One of the reasons that the early church thrived was the love and unity that they possessed. Acts 2:46 says that "they continued daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."

Unity helps promote the Gospel. Unity will bring growth in the church. Discord brings division. Discord harms the cause of Christ. We are joined together by the common bond of Jesus. When God's people join together love should be apparent and abundant. The leaders should love the people and the people should love the leaders.