1. What goes wrong and what can we do?

2. How was the early church doing a few years later
How was the early church doing a few years later? (note the book of Acts)
There was a problem of greed and lying, which ended with the death of a man and his wife who were members of the church.
Arguments between the Jews and Greeks over ministry to the widows

3. 3. A member tried to buy the power of the Holy Spirit.
4. Prejudice against other races and non-believers
5. Criticism against Peter for winning the Gentiles to Christ.
6. They were surprised when God answered their prayers.

4. 7. Sharp disputes and arguments over the Gentile believers.
8. Sharp disagreement between Paul and Barnabus over Mark, and a split in the mission trip.

5. But there were many good things the church continued to experience:
Mission trips
Prayer victories
Healing of the sick
Establishment of the deacon ministry
Faithfulness during persecution
Faithful witnessing and ministry

6. But they were not without their troubles and conflicts, within the body and from outside.

7. What about 22 years or so later
What about 22 years or so later? Have they learned and grown in their relationship with the Lord and with each other?

8. Quarrels and cliques (I Cor 1:11-12)
Immaturity, jealousy, quarreling,
cliques (I Cor 3:1-4
Spiritual arrogance and pride (I Cor 4:18-19)
Sexual immorality, apathy (I Cor 5:1-2)
Lawsuits against each other (I Cor 6:1,6)

9. Controversies over trivial matters (food offered to idols, how much or whether to pay the apostles) (I Cor 8:1;9:1)
Idolatry, sexual immorality, testing God, grumbling ( I Cor 10:7,8,9,10)
Division (I Cor 11:18)
Unforgiveness, withholding love (I Cor 2:6-8)

10. Close alliances with unbelievers (I Cor 6:14)
False teachers. Deceitful workmen,
masquerading as apostles of Christ
(I Cor 11:5,13)
Gullible to false teaching/teachers
(I Cor 11:19-20)

11. What Happened to
them???

12. Review of traits of early church:
They were devoted to Bible study (the
apostles teachings)
They were devoted to the church
fellowship: loyalty
They were devoted to fellowshipping
with each other
They were devoted to prayer.
They had reverence for God (awe)

13. There was evidence of the power of God among them
There was unity
There was support for each other’s needs
They were faithful to the body and to
worship
They had fellowship with each other
outside the organized church

14. They were sincere and had joy in each
other’s company
They praised God
They had a good reputation
People were being saved and added to
the fellowship
All were using their spiritual gifts to
build up the body of Christ
unity in the faith

15. unity in the knowledge (personal
acquaintance with) of Christ.
Mature, filled with the fullness of Christ
They were taught not to be infants
tossed about by different teachings
and deceitful schemes of leaders.
They were taught to speak the truth in
love, and to grow up in Christ:
each supporting each other, each
doing his/her part.

16. They obviously walked away from what they knew to do…and to be.

17. Survey
Results:
Beaver Dam

18. Males

19. Females
70+
60-69

20. 25%
75%

24. Observations:
Biggest difference of opinion:
Commitment to Bible study
Males: 3.0 Females 3.5
Commitment to serving
Males Females 4.3

25. Loyalty to each other
Males Females 3.5
People feel welcome at church
Males Females 3.4
Presence of God in worship
Males Females 4.2
Presence of God in Business Mtgs
Males Females 4.2

26. Other Observations:
Males overall evaluation on all questions: 3.69
Females overall evaluation on all questions: 3.81
MOST of the answers are in the above average category

27. Highest ratings were:
Males:
loyalty to each other
support each other in crises
good spirit of fellowship
visitors feel welcomed
members have sincerity and joy

28. Females:
loyalty to the leadership
good spirit of fellowship
presence of God in worship
presence of God in Bible classes
power of God in worship
power of God in the leadership
support each other in crises

29. Lowest ratings:
Males:
Commitment to Bible study
Commitment to serving
Church is growing
Members are using spiritual gifts

30. Lowest ratings:
Females:
Members fellowship in each others homes
Church is growing
Members are using spiritual gifts

31. Overall highest:
Good spirit of fellowship
Support each other in times of crises
Overall lowest:
The church is experiencing growth
Members know and are using their spiritual gifts

32. What can we do to improve the spiritual condition of our church?
Be as objective as possible in assessing the spiritual health of your own life and that of the church.
Ask the Lord for His forgiveness for any failure and for His help and mercy to change.

33. 3. Realize that the church is made up of individuals
3. Realize that the church is made up of individuals. The church will only be as strong as the individuals in it.
4. Make a commitment yourself to be one who will care for your own spiritual condition, so you will be a help and not a hindrance to the church.

34. 5. Study the traits of the early church that need to be copied or rejected
6. Find and use your spiritual gift(s) to minister to other members of the body.
7. Take the necessary steps to correct any problems, realizing it will take time, effort, and prayer.

35. 8. Realize that the responsibility for the spiritual health or decline of the church must NOT be placed on the staff of the church. Although the pastor and staff have great influence on the church body, the responsibility of the spiritual health of the church ultimately rests on the individuals who make up the congregation.

36. 9. Remember that Christ established the church, and He is its head
9. Remember that Christ established the church, and He is its head. He loves the church, and so must we.
9. Don’t look back to the ‘good old days’ when things were better. Don’t focus on problems, but possibilities. Focus on the Lord and His will for the church now and in the future.

37. 10. Be prayerful, but patient.
Forgive and love each other.
Pray and encourage each other.
Exercise faith in the Lord…but get
to work! One person can make a
difference. Will you be that one??

38. “Upon this Rock I will establish my church, and the gates of hell will never prevail against it.”
-Jesus