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Introduction
I believe every member wants this to be a strong congregation.
However, that doesn’t happen by chance or accident.
Strong congregations were mentioned in the NT, but none were perfect: Rev. 2:4; 14; 20
Our congregation is strong, but we must work to make it even stronger: Heb. 5:12-14
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Spiritual mindedness
Consider Romans 8:5-8 What is the “measure” of a strong
congregation? “Numbers” as a goal usually causes
problems.
Abandon gospel for carnal attractions: Rom. 1:16-17
Those attracted by “food, fun, and frolic” will not remain faithful: Jn. 6:26-27, 66
Our success is measured by faithfulness and spiritual maturity: Rev. 2:10; 3:8, 10
Ten Things That Make a Congregation Strong
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Concern for wayward members
Paul commands this in Galatians 6:1-2
The Lord’s people should be concerned for the souls of all men: 1 Tim. 2:3-4; 2 Pet. 1:1
We must do everything we can to help the weak in faith: Matt. 18:12-14; Jas. 5:19-20; Heb. 12:12-13
Ten Things That Make a Congregation Strong
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Involvement in the work
Notice what Paul wrote in: Eph. 4:11-12, 15-16
The religious world has a topsy-turvy attitude due to the “clergy-laity” concept: 1 Pet. 2:9-11 All Christians are priests: 1 Pet. 2:9-
11 That should motivate us to want to
work! Neh. 4:6Have you ever worked with
someone who did not do his/her fair share of the work? Eph. 4:16
Ten Things That Make a Congregation Strong
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Knowledgeable members
Notice how Paul described the Roman brethren: Rom. 15:14
The key to continued strength in the Lord’s work is knowledge: 2 Pet. 1:5 A congregation lacking
knowledge is a congregation headed for trouble: Hos. 4:6
We must be people of the book: Neh. 8
Ten Things That Make a Congregation Strong
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Dependable members
John commended Gaius for his depend-ability: 3 Jn. 5-8
The easiest aspect of dependability is our attendance.
Are you dependable in doing whatever you’re asked to do?
Have you ever known an undependable person?
Ten Things That Make a Congregation Strong
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Liberal giversThe churches of Macedonia had
many liberal givers: 2 Cor. 8:2How were they able to do this? 2
Cor. 8:5We should all have a “let’s pitch-
in” mentality.Do you view giving as a donation?
It is a “contribution”; a sharing in our family’s work.
With liberal giving a strong congregation can spread the gospel far and wide: 1 Thess. 1:8
Ten Things That Make a Congregation Strong
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Contend for the faith
Notice what Jude wrote: Jude 3 We live in a “post-modern” world.
No such thing as “absolute truth.”
Exactly opposite of scripture: Jn. 17:17
This puts us in direct conflict with the world!
This places tremendous pressure on the church to compromise the truth.
We cannot afford even one ounce of compromise: Ezek. 3:17-19Ten Things That Make a
Congregation Strong
“There are no hard distinctions between what is real and what is unreal, nor between what is true and what is false. A thing is not necessarily either true or false; it can be both true
and false.”
Harold Pinter
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Lovers of one another
Notice what Paul wrote: 1 Thess. 4:9-10
Shouldn’t we all love our siblings in Christ?
Show hospitality and preference for one another: Rom. 12:9-13
Love is the glue holding us together: Col. 2:2; 3:14
Without love we are nothing: 1 Cor. 13:1-3
Ten Things That Make a Congregation Strong
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Strive for peace
Paul wrote about peace in Romans 14:17-19
The Lord taught about peacemakers: Matt. 5:9
Do you like living in a constant state of turmoil?
Such attitudes are not holy; they are not from God! Jas. 3:17-18
A congregation at peace can achieve great things!
Ten Things That Make a Congregation Strong
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Build up othersPaul wrote about this: 1 Cor.
14:12, 26
For success each must have a burning desire for all to succeed.
Seek to glorify God and not self! Matt. 6:2, 5, 16
Go the extra mile to edify others.
Ten Things That Make a Congregation Strong
“A good leader takes a little more than his share of the blame, a little less than his
share of the credit.”Arnold H. Glasow
“It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care
who gets the credit.”Harry S. Truman