The Measure of a Strong Church Not like Sardis: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead” (Revelation 3:1)

The Measure of a Strong Church Functions Like a “Body” (1 Cor. 12:27; 12:15-18; 12:20-22)

1 Corinthians 12:27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. Every member must appreciate his own function (vs ) Every member must appreciate the functions of others (vs )

1 Corinthians 12:15-18 If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body," is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body," is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? 18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.

1 Corinthians 12:20-22 But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you"; nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." 22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary.

The Measure of a Strong Church Functions Like a “Body” (1 Cor. 12:27; 12:15-18; 12:20-22) Loves Like a “Family” (1 Tim. 3:15; 5:1-2; 1 Thess. 4:9-10)

1 Timothy 3:15 But if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. The church is the house [-hold] or family of God. Question: Do we think of ourselves as a family?

1 Timothy 5:1-2 Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, younger as sisters, with all purity. We should have the same deference for Christians that we have for our own families.

1 Thessalonians 4:9-10 But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; 10 and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more.

The Measure of a Strong Church Functions Like a “Body” (1 Cor. 12:27; 12:15-18; 12:20-22) Loves Like a “Family” (1 Tim. 3:15; 5:1-2; 1 Thess. 4:9-10) Praises Like a “Temple” (1 Cor. 3:16-17; 1 Pet. 2:5, 9-10)

1 Corinthians 3:16-17 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 17 If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are. Praise God through worship, and the sacrifice of our lives (cf. Rom. 12:1-2)

1 Peter 2:5 (5), You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. We are both the temple, and the priests, to offer up sacrifices to God.

1 Peter 2:9-10 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

The Measure of a Strong Church Functions Like a “Body” (1 Cor. 12:27; 12:15-18; 12:20-22) Loves Like a “Family” (1 Tim. 3:15; 5:1-2; 1 Thess. 4:9-10) Praises Like a “Temple” (1 Cor. 3:16-17; 1 Pet. 2:5, 9-10) Submits Like a “Kingdom” (Col. 1:13; Col. 3:17; cf. Acts 2:36)

Colossians 1:13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love. A “kingdom” suggests a “king.” Lordship and Authority.

Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Acts 2:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.

The Measure of a Strong Church Functions Like a “Body” (1 Cor. 12:27; 12:15-18; 12:20-22) Loves Like a “Family” (1 Tim. 3:15; 5:1-2; 1 Thess. 4:9-10) Praises Like a “Temple” (1 Cor. 3:16-17; 1 Pet. 2:5, 9-10) Submits Like a “Kingdom” (Col. 1:13; Col. 3:17; cf. Acts 2:36) Pure as a “Bride” (2 Cor. 11:2; Eph. 5:3-5)

2 Corinthians 11:2 For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. Chaste, or Pure with regard to loyalty to Christ Also, with regard to moral living

Ephesians 5:3-5 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Conclusion Like Philadelphia: "I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.” (Revelation 3:1)