God’s Desire is for Each Local Congregation to be Strong Acts 15:32 - Church at Antioch Acts 16:5 - Churches of Iconium, Lystra, etc. Eph. 3:16 - Church at Ephesus Col. 1:11 - Church at Colosse If these seven churches (four in Acts 16) were to be strong then all churches were to be strong. If God wanted these to be strong - then he wants the church here to be strong. Since the Bible speaks of churches being strong -- that implies that it is possible for a church to be weak.

God’s Desire is for Each Local Congregation to be Strong If these seven churches (four in Acts 16) were to be strong then all churches were to be strong If God wanted these to be strong - then he wants the church here to be strong Since the Bible speaks of churches being strong -- that implies that it is possible for a church to be weak If these seven churches (four in Acts 16) were to be strong then all churches were to be strong. If God wanted these to be strong - then he wants the church here to be strong. Since the Bible speaks of churches being strong -- that implies that it is possible for a church to be weak.

Churches Weak Strong Doctrine Leadership Separation From World Varying Degrees Doctrine Leadership Separation From World

? ? Questions That Must Be Answered What is a strong church? Why is a strong church so important? What difference does it make where I attend? ?

Clarifying What We Are Discussing Are Not Talking About Denominations Liberal / Institutional Churches of Christ Are Talking About Non-Institutional Churches of Christ

I. The Need for a Strong Church

The Need Concerns Pleasing God / “of Christ” Purpose of the church - give glory to God (Eph. 3:21) When a church is complete - well pleasing (Heb. 13:21) Of God & of Christ = belongs to him (1 Cor. 1:2; Rom. 16:16) Shows possession Following God / Christ The Need A. Concerns pleasing God / “of Christ” 1. Purpose of the church - give glory to God (Eph. 3:21) 2. When a church is complete - well pleasing (Heb. 13:21) 3. Of God & of Christ = belongs to him (1 Cor. 1:2; Rom. 16:16) a. Shows possession b. Following God / Christ B. Effects individual Strength / Weakness 1. Weakness at Corinth caused brother to continue in sin & effect other (1 Cor. 5:1-6) 2. Paul warned = weakness in doctrine leads astray (Acts 20) 3. How affects us: a. Preaching says little - faith weaker b. See what others in congregation do & think okay c. Grow up never hearing anything about denom/ issues/ D&R/ worldliness d. Emphasis on social, etc. 4. Stay with one of these churches for a while, just short time - weaker

The Need Concerns Pleasing God / “of Christ” Effects Individual Strength / Weakness Weakness at Corinth caused brother to continue in sin & effect others (1 Cor. 5:1-6) Paul warned weakness in doctrine leads astray (Acts 20:29-30) How affects us: Preaching says little - faith weaker in time See what others in congregation do & think it is okay (cf. 1 Cor. 5:6) Grow up never hearing anything about denom. / issues / D&R / worldliness Emphasis on social, etc. Stay with one of these churches for a while, just short time - weaker The Need A. Concerns pleasing God / “of Christ” 1. Purpose of the church - give glory to God (Eph. 3:21) 2. When a church is complete - well pleasing (Heb. 13:21) 3. Of God & of Christ = belongs to him (1 Cor. 1:2; Rom. 16:16) a. Shows possession b. Following God / Christ B. Effects individual Strength / Weakness 1. Weakness at Corinth caused brother to continue in sin & effect other (1 Cor. 5:1-6) 2. Paul warned = weakness in doctrine leads astray (Acts 20) 3. How affects us: a. Preaching says little - faith weaker b. See what others in congregation do & think okay c. Grow up never hearing anything about denom/ issues/ D&R/ worldliness d. Emphasis on social, etc. 4. Stay with one of these churches for a while, just short time - weaker

The Need Concerns Pleasing God / “of Christ” Effects Individual Strength / Weakness Weak Churches – Breeding Ground for Error Acts 20:30 - Paul warned about it Lack of knowledge – makes it easy to lead astray (2 Pet. 3:16-17_ Knowledge strengthens and prevents apostasy (2 Pet. 3:18) Elders watch and refute error (Titus 1:9) Tolerant Spirit - error will spread The Need A. Concerns pleasing God / “of Christ” 1. Purpose of the church - give glory to God (Eph. 3:21) 2. When a church is complete - well pleasing (Heb. 13:21) 3. Of God & of Christ = belongs to him (1 Cor. 1:2; Rom. 16:16) a. Shows possession b. Following God / Christ B. Effects individual Strength / Weakness 1. Weakness at Corinth caused brother to continue in sin & effect other (1 Cor. 5:1-6) 2. Paul warned = weakness in doctrine leads astray (Acts 20) 3. How affects us: a. Preaching says little - faith weaker b. See what others in congregation do & think okay c. Grow up never hearing anything about denom/ issues/ D&R/ worldliness d. Emphasis on social, etc. 4. Stay with one of these churches for a while, just short time - weaker

The Need Concerns Pleasing God / “of Christ” Effects Individual Strength / Weakness Weak Churches – Breeding Ground for Error Weak Churches – Fertile Soil for Worldliness Strength - separate from world (2 Cor. 6:14, 17) Soft on worldliness - more of it (1 Cor. 5:6) Going to have more - prom, immodestly, unfit movies, drinking, etc. The Need A. Concerns pleasing God / “of Christ” 1. Purpose of the church - give glory to God (Eph. 3:21) 2. When a church is complete - well pleasing (Heb. 13:21) 3. Of God & of Christ = belongs to him (1 Cor. 1:2; Rom. 16:16) a. Shows possession b. Following God / Christ B. Effects individual Strength / Weakness 1. Weakness at Corinth caused brother to continue in sin & effect other (1 Cor. 5:1-6) 2. Paul warned = weakness in doctrine leads astray (Acts 20) 3. How affects us: a. Preaching says little - faith weaker b. See what others in congregation do & think okay c. Grow up never hearing anything about denom/ issues/ D&R/ worldliness d. Emphasis on social, etc. 4. Stay with one of these churches for a while, just short time - weaker

The Need Concerns Pleasing God / “of Christ” Effects Individual Strength / Weakness Weak Churches – Breeding Ground for Error Weak Churches – Fertile Soil for Worldliness Weak Churches are “Problems” Waiting To Happen The Need A. Concerns pleasing God / “of Christ” 1. Purpose of the church - give glory to God (Eph. 3:21) 2. When a church is complete - well pleasing (Heb. 13:21) 3. Of God & of Christ = belongs to him (1 Cor. 1:2; Rom. 16:16) a. Shows possession b. Following God / Christ B. Effects individual Strength / Weakness 1. Weakness at Corinth caused brother to continue in sin & effect other (1 Cor. 5:1-6) 2. Paul warned = weakness in doctrine leads astray (Acts 20) 3. How affects us: a. Preaching says little - faith weaker b. See what others in congregation do & think okay c. Grow up never hearing anything about denom/ issues/ D&R/ worldliness d. Emphasis on social, etc. 4. Stay with one of these churches for a while, just short time - weaker

“Problems” Corinth was (1 Cor. 5) going further than they wanted Creates soft setting / tolerance by softer preaching, lack of discipline & weak leadership End result: problems don’t want: Made up of weaker members - accept anyone Uprising when strong preaching is done Teaching will be done - don’t want (even shocking) Sin see that can’t do much about

I. The Need for a Strong Church II. The Marks of a Strong Church

The Marks Distinctive Preaching Preach word & all of it 1 Pet. 4:11; 2 Tim. 4:2; Tit. 2:8 Acts 20:27 Address the needs as 1 Corinthians does Soft preaching - hard to identify: Not what one says that makes him soft It is what he is NOT saying Kind of preaching a church has (tolerates) says a lot about elders & members The Marks A. Distinctive Preaching 1. Preach word & all of it a. 1 Pet. 4:11; 2 Tim. 4:2; Tit. 2:8 b. Acts 20:27 2. Address the needs as 1 Cor. Letter does 3. Soft preaching - hard to identify - not what one says that makes him soft, it is what he is NOT saying. 4. Kind of preaching a church has says a lot about elders & members. B. Strong Leadership (Elders) 1. Tit. 1:5-9, 13 - Guarding sound faith 2. Heb. 13:17 - Watch for souls 3. Acts 20 - See dangers coming 4. Eph. 4:11 - Pastors for the maturing of the church 5. Strong: Demand truth be preached Stand behind the truth preached Acts upon it Leaders - not stick finger to wind. C. Faithful, Committed & Godly members 1. Tell a lot about a church by look at its members - those “somewhat” 2. Those regarded as members & used: a. Faithful (Rev. 2:10); b. Dedicated (Rom. 12:1-3) c. Godly (1 Tim. 2:10) d. Family relationship (Eph. 5-6)

The Marks Distinctive Preaching Strong Leadership / Elders Tit. 1:5-9, 13 - Guarding sound faith Heb. 13:17 - Watch for souls Acts 20 - See dangers coming Eph. 4:11 - Pastors for the maturing of the church Strong: Demand truth be taught & followed Stand behind the truth preached Act upon it Leaders - not stick finger to wind. The Marks A. Distinctive Preaching 1. Preach word & all of it a. 1 Pet. 4:11; 2 Tim. 4:2; Tit. 2:8 b. Acts 20:27 2. Address the needs as 1 Cor. Letter does 3. Soft preaching - hard to identify - not what one says that makes him soft, it is what he is NOT saying. 4. Kind of preaching a church has says a lot about elders & members. B. Strong Leadership (Elders) 1. Tit. 1:5-9, 13 - Guarding sound faith 2. Heb. 13:17 - Watch for souls 3. Acts 20 - See dangers coming 4. Eph. 4:11 - Pastors for the maturing of the church 5. Strong: Demand truth be preached Stand behind the truth preached Acts upon it Leaders - not stick finger to wind. C. Faithful, Committed & Godly members 1. Tell a lot about a church by look at its members - those “somewhat” 2. Those regarded as members & used: a. Faithful (Rev. 2:10); b. Dedicated (Rom. 12:1-3) c. Godly (1 Tim. 2:10) d. Family relationship (Eph. 5-6)

The Marks Distinctive Preaching Strong Leadership / Elders Faithful, Committed & Godly Members Tell a lot about a church by looking at its members - those “somewhat” Those regarded as members & used: Faithful (Rev. 2:10) Dedicated (Rom. 12:1-3) Godly (1 Tim. 2:10) Family relationship (Eph. 5-6) The Marks A. Distinctive Preaching 1. Preach word & all of it a. 1 Pet. 4:11; 2 Tim. 4:2; Tit. 2:8 b. Acts 20:27 2. Address the needs as 1 Cor. Letter does 3. Soft preaching - hard to identify - not what one says that makes him soft, it is what he is NOT saying. 4. Kind of preaching a church has says a lot about elders & members. B. Strong Leadership (Elders) 1. Tit. 1:5-9, 13 - Guarding sound faith 2. Heb. 13:17 - Watch for souls 3. Acts 20 - See dangers coming 4. Eph. 4:11 - Pastors for the maturing of the church 5. Strong: Demand truth be preached Stand behind the truth preached Acts upon it Leaders - not stick finger to wind. C. Faithful, Committed & Godly members 1. Tell a lot about a church by look at its members - those “somewhat” 2. Those regarded as members & used: a. Faithful (Rev. 2:10); b. Dedicated (Rom. 12:1-3) c. Godly (1 Tim. 2:10) d. Family relationship (Eph. 5-6)

The Marks Distinctive Preaching Strong Leadership / Elders Faithful, Committed & Godly Members Discipline is Practiced Corinthian Problem (1 Cor. 5:1-13) Thessalonian Problem (2 Thess. 3:6-15; 1 Thess. 5:17) When not - asking for problems (1 Cor. 5:6). The Marks A. Distinctive Preaching 1. Preach word & all of it a. 1 Pet. 4:11; 2 Tim. 4:2; Tit. 2:8 b. Acts 20:27 2. Address the needs as 1 Cor. Letter does 3. Soft preaching - hard to identify - not what one says that makes him soft, it is what he is NOT saying. 4. Kind of preaching a church has says a lot about elders & members. B. Strong Leadership (Elders) 1. Tit. 1:5-9, 13 - Guarding sound faith 2. Heb. 13:17 - Watch for souls 3. Acts 20 - See dangers coming 4. Eph. 4:11 - Pastors for the maturing of the church 5. Strong: Demand truth be preached Stand behind the truth preached Acts upon it Leaders - not stick finger to wind. C. Faithful, Committed & Godly members 1. Tell a lot about a church by look at its members - those “somewhat” 2. Those regarded as members & used: a. Faithful (Rev. 2:10); b. Dedicated (Rom. 12:1-3) c. Godly (1 Tim. 2:10) d. Family relationship (Eph. 5-6)

The Marks Distinctive Preaching Strong Leadership / Elders Faithful, Committed & Godly Members Discipline is Practiced Stand Against Sin & Worldliness Stand: position on it & deal with it Worldliness: Modesty (1 Tim. 2:9-10) Dance - prom (Gal. 5 - lasciviousness) Social drink (1 Pet. 4:3) The Marks A. Distinctive Preaching 1. Preach word & all of it a. 1 Pet. 4:11; 2 Tim. 4:2; Tit. 2:8 b. Acts 20:27 2. Address the needs as 1 Cor. Letter does 3. Soft preaching - hard to identify - not what one says that makes him soft, it is what he is NOT saying. 4. Kind of preaching a church has says a lot about elders & members. B. Strong Leadership (Elders) 1. Tit. 1:5-9, 13 - Guarding sound faith 2. Heb. 13:17 - Watch for souls 3. Acts 20 - See dangers coming 4. Eph. 4:11 - Pastors for the maturing of the church 5. Strong: Demand truth be preached Stand behind the truth preached Acts upon it Leaders - not stick finger to wind. C. Faithful, Committed & Godly members 1. Tell a lot about a church by look at its members - those “somewhat” 2. Those regarded as members & used: a. Faithful (Rev. 2:10); b. Dedicated (Rom. 12:1-3) c. Godly (1 Tim. 2:10) d. Family relationship (Eph. 5-6)

The Marks Distinctive Preaching Strong Leadership / Elders Faithful, Committed & Godly Members Discipline is Practiced Stand Against Sin & Worldliness Stand on Current Issues Imagine - church at Antioch, Colosse, Corinth using men taught error on Circumcision or soft on dealing with teachers of error Today brethren use preachers / see no danger More bothered by those who don’t know or don’t care The Marks A. Distinctive Preaching 1. Preach word & all of it a. 1 Pet. 4:11; 2 Tim. 4:2; Tit. 2:8 b. Acts 20:27 2. Address the needs as 1 Cor. Letter does 3. Soft preaching - hard to identify - not what one says that makes him soft, it is what he is NOT saying. 4. Kind of preaching a church has says a lot about elders & members. B. Strong Leadership (Elders) 1. Tit. 1:5-9, 13 - Guarding sound faith 2. Heb. 13:17 - Watch for souls 3. Acts 20 - See dangers coming 4. Eph. 4:11 - Pastors for the maturing of the church 5. Strong: Demand truth be preached Stand behind the truth preached Acts upon it Leaders - not stick finger to wind. C. Faithful, Committed & Godly members 1. Tell a lot about a church by look at its members - those “somewhat” 2. Those regarded as members & used: a. Faithful (Rev. 2:10); b. Dedicated (Rom. 12:1-3) c. Godly (1 Tim. 2:10) d. Family relationship (Eph. 5-6)

A Strong Church I. The Need for a Strong Church II. The Marks of a Strong Church III. Looking for a Strong Church

Looking For... Close (location) People there you know or like Wrong Approach Close (location) People there you know or like People are friendly Wise Approach Looking For... Is this a strong church? Do they deal with sin and error? Do they practice discipline? Do they accept anyone - w/o Q? Will I be weaker or stronger?

A Strong Church I. The Need for a Strong Church II. The Marks of a Strong Church III. Looking for a Strong Church