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38th Street Church of Christ 3904 38th Street NW Canton, Ohio 44718 330-492-5523 Fax: 330-493-7119 |
“What Makes A Church Great ” |
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I. Introduction.
A. Since time that advertising began people have come up
with new superlatives to describe almost everything.
1. Things aren’t just “great”, they’re “awesome”, or
“super”, or some other word that magnifies people,
places, or events – often beyond their true
importance.
2. It’s probably fair to say such words as “great” are
overused. It’s certainly fair to say they are often
misapplied. Our conception of greatness, and what
really makes something great, may be two different
things.
B. As it is in the world at large, so it can be with the church.
“What makes a church great?” is a legitimate question – but
standards by which it is answered not always legitimate.
1. Sometimes, our standard of greatness has to do with
numbers. Surely, all Christians want to see the
church grow – because of the souls that growth
represents, and the greater good a greater number
can do. But, large numbers are not a guarantee of
greatness, nor a necessity for success.
a. Think of story of Gideon in Old Testament
(Judges 7). Had called for men from all
over Israel to join together and drive away
the people called Midianites. His appeal
brought 32,000 recruits.
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b. God addressed Gideon about his army:
“You have too many soldiers. When the
Midianites are defeated, the people will
think they have won by their own strength.
I want them to know I’m leading them
into battle.”
c. In stages, Gideon’s army was reduced to
300 men. Those few men won a stunning
victory – by following the directions of
God.
d. Great churches are not so just because their
membership is large.
2. Sometimes our standard of greatness has to do with
prosperity.
a. The feeling is we must be doing what’s
right, look how God has blessed us
materially. Again, good stewardship of our
resources is necessary. And, sacrificial
giving on part of God’s people is
commanded, and commended.
b. But, the trappings of prosperity – elaborate
buildings, the latest technology in audio
systems or audio-visual aids, the way the
membership dresses – these are not true
measures of the greatness of the church.
c. Jesus, introducing the “Parable of the
Wealthy Farmer” says: “. . . Take heed and
beware of covetousness, for one’s life does
not consist in the abundance of the things he
possesses.” (Luke 12:15).
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3. There are other standards people use to measure the
greatness of a church – for example, who attends
there (prominent members of a community;
“celebrities” of either local or national fame.)
C. Let’s not misunderstand. A church can be great, and be
blessed, with a large membership, good stewardship, and
much in way of material resources to use in Lord’s work,
a beautiful, functional facility to meet in and prominent,
active, leaders, in the community and beyond. None of
these things detract from a church’s greatness, but not
having these blessings is not a sign of a lack of greatness
either – based upon God’s standard of measurement.
1. What makes a church great is its relationship with
God and its connection with Christ. This means an
adherence to His objectives for His people in the
world.
2. What makes a church great is its desire to glorify
God and Christ in the world, not build a reputation
for itself.
3. What makes a church great is people who stand for
something, and are committed to doing what’s right,
no matter what the cost.
4. What makes a church great is found in the words of
Paul, Ephesians 6:10-13 (READ).
II. Requirements For A Great Church.
A. Because the church is so important to God, it should be
important to us.
1. The church is important to God because:
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a. It was bought with the blood of His Son
(Acts 20:28; to Christians, Paul wrote in
I Corinthians 6:20: “. . . you were bought
at a price; . . .”).
b. Because it’s the object of His special love
(Ephesians 5:25: husbands are told to love
their wives, “. . . just as Christ loved the
church and gave Himself for her.”).
c. Because it represents His chosen people,
today: (I Peter 2:9: “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.”).
d. Because it is the means by which the gospel
of salvation is to be preached to the world.
2. From its beginning on the Pentecost following the
death, and resurrection, of Christ, the church has
grown to greatness, not without problems, even in
its earliest days, but always with the goal of an
eternity with God before it.
B. What makes a church great? Answer that question with
three words.
1. First, subjection makes a great church. Subjection
means “being under the power of another; owing or
yielding obedience to sovereign authority.”
Actually, original language of New Testament is a
military term: “to rank under.”
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a. Christ is the head of the church; therefore,
the church is to be subject to His authority in
all things (Ephesians 1:22-23: “And He
[God] put all things under His [Christ’s]
feet, and gave Him [Christ] to be head over
all things to the church, which is His
[Christ’s] body, . . .”).
b. Christ, Himself, said, on His return to Father
in Heaven: “. . . All authority has been
given to Me in heaven and on earth”
(Matthew 28:18). The only One exempted
from this authority is Father Himself
(I Corinthians 15:27).
c. How can we know we are in subjection to
Christ? He left a testament for that purpose.
As the church, our subjection is measured
by our obedience to that stated will. We
recognize Christ as the ultimate authority
and the New Testament as our guide for
obedience to Him.
2. Second word: Sanctification makes a great church.
Again, need to understand what word really means.
Means to be “separated”, or, “set apart” for God.
a. We are “sanctified” by our obedience to
God. Therefore, church is composed of
“saints”, those “set apart for God.”
b. That which is sanctified is holy. Church is
referred to in New Testament as “a holy
temple.” (Ephesians 2:21-22 “in whom the
whole building, being fitted together, grows
into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you
also are being built together for a dwelling
place of God in the spirit.”).
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c. Great churches recognize the uniqueness
they have in the world and don’t let the
world and its ways dominate the church and
its people. (Refer, again to I Peter 2:9).
d. We might draw another Old Testament
parallel. In I Samuel 8 have story of time
Israel demanded they be given a king.
Samuel was old, and his sons, Joel and
Abijah “. . . did not walk in his ways;
. . .” (I Samuel 8:3). People had concern
over what would happen when Samuel died.
1. Samuel saw call for king as rejection
of his leadership. But, God told him
to yield to peoples’ demand – but,
warn them of consequences (“. . .you
shall solemnly forewarn them, and
show them the behavior of the king
who shall reign over them.”
I Samuel 8:9).
2. Samuel did this, but still the call
came for a king for Israel. But,
notice reason for such a desire:
“Nevertheless the people refused
to obey the voice of Samuel and
they said, ‘No, but we will have a
king over us, that we may be like
all the nations, and that our king may
judge us and go out before us and
fight our battles (I Samuel 8:19-20).
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e. The church loses its greatness in
sanctification when people want “. . . to be
like all nations”, like everyone else. That’s
exactly what we can see happening in the
church, today. (Can’t attract people unless
we adapt to ways of world). As God warned
Israel, so He warns us: “Pure and undefiled
religion before God and the Father is this:
to keep oneself unspotted from the world.”
(James 1:27).
3. Third word is sacrificial. A sacrificial spirit makes
a great church.
a. Remember, God paid a great price to
“purchase” the church; He “. . . gave His
only begotten Son . . .” (John 3:16).
b. Great churches are giving churches; great
Saints are giving Saints. Spirit of sacrifice
has always characterized discipleship to
Jesus Christ (refer back to Ephesians 6:13;
RE-READ).
c. Challenge to spirit of sacrifice is selfishness.
Antidote to selfishness is Matthew 6:33:
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His
righteousness, . . .”.
C. As this church looks to future, these are qualities that will
make it great: subjection to Christ; sanctification;
sacrificial spirit.
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III. Conclusion.
A. Only by being “. . . strong in the Lord and in the power of
His might” can we be a great church, and productive
disciples. A great church is a power for good. A great
church compliments Christ, its head.
B. (Illust.) Little boy sitting with mother in worship service.
Lesson that day on death of Christ. As preacher described
cruelty of crucifixion, little boy began to cry. Mother,
obviously embarrassed by son’s sobbing, whispered:
“Don’t take it so seriously!”
1. How seriously do we take Christ’s sacrifice?
2. He died that we might live; might be part of His
blood-bought church.