" Is That A Good Church?"

Acts 11: 26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

Intro.: The other night just after VBS, while at a grocery store, I had a lady ask me, "Is that a good church?" I had forgotten that I had our church's insignia on my shirt. "Yes,: was my immediate answer, "It is a good church!"

That bothered me. I could not get away from it. Are we a good church? Who decides? Who knows? Today I want to look at what is involved with being a "good church."
 

The first area I want to examine, is…

  1. What makes up a good church in peoples' eyes?
    1. Available? Is it open, close, parking, transportation, right service times, etc.
    2. Doctrine? Denomination, preaching, teachings, practices, Biblical views, etc
    3. Fit? Worship style, social make-up, nice people, size, singing, etc.

    So all of these and more, are used by people to determine if we have a "good Church."
     
     

One question I have to deal with this morning is…
  1. What makes a good church in God's eyes?
    1. Do any of the above things matter to God? Yes, doctrine does matter and our charity. I also believe that He cares about anything we do that reaches the lost.


      2. Rev. 2 & 3 deal with seven churches that God talks about. We see several things that God draws attention to, Works; Doctrine; Location; Financial problems; Love; Repentance; Opportunity; Faithfulness; Hearts Condition.

      Rev. 3:7-22

    2. Just what matters to God?
      1. Earnest in practice of the Great Commission - His last directions


        2. Matt. 28: 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
        19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
        20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

      2. Enlisted in His service as redeemed believers - His primary reason for coming.
      3. Excited about His return and coming kingdom - Enough to tell people about Jesus.
      4. Extensive in their praying - One of God's touchy spot when it comes to churches
Matt. 21:13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

Mt. 17:21; Acts 1:14; Acts 3:1; 6:4; 12:5 12:1-12

Mat 17:21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

Acts 1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

Acts 3:1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.

Acts 6:4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

Acts 12:5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness.
9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

Gary Marcum    - East 38th Street FWB - 080199am