This is a very exciting season globally!!
We need base churches that exist for the benefit of others!!
We need healthy churches that intend to build with “HEART” and “INTENTION”!!
As a parent, I would like my children to be successful. I certainly want them to serve God more than anyone or anything. I’m trusting that my children would serve God all the days of their life.
I want to point out that more than success, more then making money I pray and hope to God that my children stay healthy because a healthy child is a growing child.
In the same way God wants his church to be healthy. Jesus is building a church that needs to be healthy. There is such emphasis on growth and while I believe in growth, if we focus on health then we will grow with the right fruit, rather than just going after growth and not worrying about what kind of fruit is being reproduced.
We don’t see many books written today around healthy church but many more about church growth, how to multiply your meeting and how to build successfully. While I honestly want those things, I can’t always see that in scripture. Therefore we have to go back to the Bible to see what it is God is looking for and what He wants us to go off after?
Often, what is success in God’s eyes is not always success in the world’s eyes. I want the church that I have the privilege of leading to multiply and grow out in the years to come and be thousands, not so that we look good but that we can be multiplied, bringing impact and life wherever we go. Our churches are a gathering of individuals that all have a role to play in the health of our local church.
Instead of asking what makes a great church or a successful church, we should be asking what makes a healthy church? That is a very different question.
A church may be great in the eyes of the world but not be healthy at all. People might be wowed, even the church world could be wowed by what a church looks like but that doesn’t mean it is healthy.
The inward appearance, not he outward appearance is what matters to God. You can look at a person today and they may look healthy but inside is what determines their health.
I am not pointing fingers at any church but with open eyes we should want to be not just perceived as healthy but we want to truly be healthy.
Greatness or success touches the matters of the outside while health touches the unseen realities of the heart.
Colossians 1:13-14..
For he has rescued us FROM the dominion of darkness and brought us INTO the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 IN whom we HAVE redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
It’s MORE important what you get saved INTO than what you get saved OUT of!!
“INGREDIENTS” of a HEALTHY Church…
1)”PRIORITY”- is Christ”
Colossians 1:15-18
The most REVEALING thing about the CHURCH is FOUND in OUR “IDEAS” about JESUS…
Our Most important message is what we SAY or DONT say about Him!! The SCRIPTURES are totally OCCUPIED with CHRIST…
Old Testament speaks of the ANTICIPATION of Jesus. The Gospels reveal the INCARNATION of Jesus. Acts is the PROCLAMATION of Jesus. The Epistles give the EXPLANATION of Jesus. Revelation tells the CONSUMMATION of Jesus
When Jesus is the priority we/our:
#- People are “FOCUSED” on Him..
#- Present our “FUTURE” in Him…
#- Promote “FREEDOM” through Him…
#- Prioritize “FAITHFULNESS” to Him…
#- Pursue “FRUITFULNESS” for Him…
If it’s not ALL about Jesus then it’s Not About Jesus At ALL!!
2)”PRESENCE” is evident “IN”& “THROUGH” us!
Exodus 33:12-19…
#- Your “PASSION” for God, secures His presence.
#- Your “PRIORITIES” will determine God’s presence in your life.
The PRESENCE of the Lord comes to those who make Him their TOP PRIORITY.
#- Your “PURSUIT” of God’s presence is a PERSONAL journey.
3)”PURPOSE”- is Gospel FOCUSED”
Romans 1:16-17
We are in DANGER of having CONFIDENCE IN our “RELEVANCE” RATHER than IN the GOSPEL!!!
The Gospel needs to be…
#- “TOLD” to the world!!
#- “TAUGHT” to the church!!
Phil 1:27…conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the gospel..
The Gospel…
#- Connects us to “PRESENT” age
#- “PASSION” for everyday life
#- “PRESENTS” forgiveness
#- “POWERFUL” opens n transforms lives
#- “PARTNERSHIPS ”
#- “PARTICIPATE” with God
Ephesians 2:10…not saved by works but for works..
#- “PERSON” of Christ
Relationship not religion!
Making Much of Jesus 