1. What Makes a Strong Church
Chris Reeves * Westside church of Christ Gospel Meeting * April 2, 2006

2. The Lord Built a Strong Church
Daniel 2:44
Hebrews 12:28
God-given principles must be applied to maintain strength

3. Strength Is Not Found In…
Wealth
Revelation 6:15
“Strings attached” giving & quarrels
Revelation 3:17
Large Numbers
Immorality, bad attitudes, half-taught, half-converted, pride, etc.
Deut. 7:7; Judges 7:2; 1 Sam. 14:6; Revelation 3:8

4. Strength Is Not In… Super Organization
Revelation 18:10
Internal strife & division
Titus 1:5
Prominent & Intellectual Members
1 Corinthians 1:25,27; 2:5
Education can lead to pride and rebellion
Luke 1:51-52

5. A Strong Church Is… Taught in the Word United in Work
Ac. 16:5; Eph. 1:17-19; 3:16; Col. 1:11; John 2:14; 5:4
Every member grounded in the power of God’s word
United in Work
Ecclesiastes 4:12; 1 Cor. 1:10; Eph. 4:3
Every member bound together like a cord

6. A Strong Church Is… Purity in life Single-minded in Focus
Ephesians 5:27; James 1:27
Every member with a pure mind and life
Single-minded in Focus
Luke 11:21-23; James 1:6,8
Every member devoted to one cause

7. A Strong Church Is… Mature in thought Working and growing
1 Corinthians 16:13
Every member strong like an adult
Working and growing
Galatians 5:6
Every member growing stronger

8. A Strong Church Is… Building up itself Worshipping God
Ephesians 4:12,16; Jude 20
Every member building up, not tearing down
Worshipping God
Prayer (Mt. 26:41), Lord’s supper (1 Cor. 11:30), singing (Col. 3:16), assembling (Heb. 10:22-25)
Every member worshipping regularly

9. Why Strong Churches? Brethren need strengthening (Lk. 22:32)
The Devil needs to be fought (Eph. 6:10)
No outward forms only (2 Tim. 3:5)
Churches may be lost (Rev. 3:1-2)
God will strengthen us if we let him (2 Thess. 1:11; 1 Peter 5:10)