• All congregations will face challenges 1Thes 2:18; 2Cor 11:3; 2Cor 2:11

• Heed admonition to "Hold fast" Rev 3:11; 1Cor 15:58

• Look at challenges congregations must meet to serve the Lord faithfully

• MUST REMEMBER WHAT OUR WORK IS – Perfecting the saints (EDIFICATION)

Eph 4:11-12; Eph 4:15-16; Heb 10:24-25 – Edify body of Christ (EVANGELISM)

Eph 4:11,12; 1Thes 1:8 – Minister to needy saints (BENEVOLENCE)

Eph 4:11,12; 1Cor 16:1-2 – Work of local church goes far beyond

providing a place worship

• WE MUST LIVE ABOVE PETTINESS– Good churches can be hindered by

pettiness Phil 4:2-3– Must keep a proper sense of proportion

Phil 2:1-5 – Sad to have congregation hindered by

pettiness. Yet congregations allow it to keep them from growing.

– Must never allow pettiness to so affect us

• MAINTAIN GRATITUDE FOR BLESSINGS– As individuals we have much for which to

be thankful – As congregation we have much for which

to be thankful – Should be noted for our "attitude of

gratitude" Col 1:12; 2:7; 3:15,17; 4:2 Rom 1:21-24; 2Tim 3:1-5

• Many other challenges congregations face such as: persecution, natural calamities that may devastate community

• But in most cases, even those challenges can be met and overcome if we will: – Remember what our work is – Live above pettiness – Maintain gratitude for our blessings

• With a will to do what the Lord desires of us, and with the "attitude of gratitude" lifting us above any sense of pettiness that might drag us down, let us do our part to answer the prayer of Paul Eph 3:21