The Model Church – 1 Series

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The universal church of God is losing its sheen in the society because the church is everything but spirituality. Survey says that only 10% of the churches are genuine churches that teach the Word and make Disciples of Christ. Other churches focus on an entertainment concept. For them, church is more about programs, events, fund raising, growth etc. which usually ends up in politics, mismanagement, and favouritism. Is it not ironic that many today are been hurt by churches than healed by churches? Therefore, many Christians see themselves as part of the universal church of Christ, but do not participate in a local body.

Listen, while many have given up on the church, Jesus has not. Ephesians 5:25 Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. The church is still the centre of God’s work in this world. If you are a child of God, you must have a good relationship and participation in the local church of God.

Today is church membership Sunday and I appreciate and welcome all who are seeking a membership at City Harvest AG Church, Bangalore.

Today we are going to see the qualities expected of us to be the ideal NT church based on 1 Thessalonians 1.

Brief background of this epistle: 1 Thessalonians is Paul’s first writing of at least 13 books of the NT that he wrote. Even though it may have been a first letter, it is as powerful as any writings in the Bible because Paul wasn’t the real author. God is the inspiration who perfected the Bible from the very beginning to the end.

This city had originally been called “Therma” because there were hot springs there. Alexander the Great conquered this area and he changed the name to “Thessalonica” after his half-sister.

This church was founded when Apostle Paul had a vision of a Macedonian man in Acts 17. The vision of the Macedonian man brought him to Philippi where Lydia, a demon possessed girl, and the jailer were saved. Being forced out of town, Paul, Silas, and Timothy came to Thessalonica, the capital of Macedonia. Their ministry was primarily to slaves and the working class people of Thessalonica. Paul preached there for 3 weeks and formed a church. Soon, unbelievers started a revolt against Paul and he had to leave town. Paul is now in Corinth and is writing back to the believers in the church at Thessalonica to encourage them.

The believers at Thessalonica are facing trials and persecution, so Paul is exhorting them to continue to be a model church. If you carefully study, the doctrine of coming of the Lord is mentioned in every chapter of 1 and 2 Thessalonians. Paul knew that people are looking for direction, hope in times of difficulties, and comfort in pain. Paul knew that doctrine regarding Christ’s coming will motivate people to serve the Lord and be a model church. Listen, He is not giving them a motivational speech, he is giving them sound doctrine – in this case the doctrine of the church and the second coming.

Doctrine gives direction. Our church is founded on the Assembly of God doctrine derived from the word of God. When we understand our doctrine, it gives us direction to go together as a church. Then we have the Word. The word is a lamp unto our feet. When we read the word, it directs our personal lives. When we have the right doctrine, right word, it changes our outlook to life, it moulds our faith and slowly it will result in change of character, change in behaviour. When there is character reformation in believers, the world will see Christ in us.

So our aim at City Harvest is to win souls, make disciples, and work in them to build a Christ-like behaviour. For this to happen, we need to have the right doctrine, the right word, and the right faith; and that is my primary responsibility as a pastor. Based on this letter we are going to see some characteristics of model believers which in turn make a great church.

7 QUALITIES OF A MODEL CHURCH.

1. UNION IN CHRIST.

We can also call it identity with Christ. 1 Thessalonians 1:1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Notice the word ‘in.’ this church was in the Father, in Jesus Christ. An ideal church is a church when the believers are rooted in Christ.

God expects us to remain in Christ, to be one with Christ. See the relationship between Jesus and the church: The church is the body and Christ as the head. The church is the bride and Jesus is the groom. It is an inseparable union and both have to work toward it as a husband and wife work out their oneness. Now, Christ has done his part and it is up to us believers to identify ourselves with Him. The believers of the church at Thessalonica identified themselves with Christ, they were in God.