The Marks of a Successful Church

In my first sermon of the New Year, I set out what I believe to be the marks of a successful church, drawn from the opening chapters of The Acts of the Apostles, the oldest historical document of the founding of the Christian Religion.  My aim was not only to give you the points, but to have you memorize them, reinforce each with supporting texts, and have you act on them all through 2012.  I was gratified that you memorized the items very quickly, and recited them as you departed the service.  A number of you said that you wished to see the supporting scriptures in print.  So, here are the "marks" and the texts.

CHURCH-GOING - Acts 2:1, 46 " . . . they were altogether in one place;" and ". . . they attended the temple together."

STUDYING - Acts 2:42  "And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching."

PRAYING - Acts 2:42; 4:24;4:31 " . . . they continued steadfastly in . . . prayer;  "They lifted their voices together to God:" and " . . . when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and  they were filled with the Spirit of God."

HAPPY - Acts 2:46; 5:41 "They ate their food with glad and generous hearts;" "They were happy, because God had considered them worthy to suffer disgrace for the sake of Jesus;"  The church's happiness was derived in large part from the harmony of belief and practice - Acts 4:32 "Now the company of those who believed were of one mind and soul."

WITNESSING - Acts 4:31; 5:30; 5:41 "And they were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke God's message with boldness;" "We are witnesses to these things - we and the Holy Spirit, who is God's Gift to those who obey him;" and "And every day in the temple and at home they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus the Christ." An essential element of their witnessing was their caring  and sharing, seen in Acts 2:45; 4:34 "And they sold their possessions and goods and distributed them to all; as any had need;" and "There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were possessors of lands or houses, sold them, and brought the proceeds of what was sold."  These are all challenging marks, particularly the "caring and sharing" parts of WITNESSING, and if adhered to faithfully, will produce a "SUCCESSFUL CHURCH."

In prayer that our church will vigorously pursue the Ideal church in The Year of Our Lord, 2012,

Dr. Blake