This IS the pop quiz!

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR DEFINITION OF SUCCESS?

Being listed as “sound” in your favorite church directory?

Avoiding church funding of sponsoring arrangements and general benevolence?

Having elders who make all decisions? Keeping the attendance from falling off? Providing me a comfortable and convenient

place to worship?

What does the Spirit say that the church should be?

A Successful Church should be…

a Pillar and Ground of the Truth

“But in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct

himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and

support of the truth.”

1 Tim. 3:15

A foundation and support of truth is not a foundation and support for...

A foundation and support of truth is not a foundation and support for...

will-worship

doctrines of men

church centralization

or the binding of opinions

“But sanctify Christ as Lord in your

hearts, always being ready to make a

defense to everyone who asks you to give

an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness

and reverence.” 1 Peter 3:15

A Successful Church should be…

Full of Mature, Full-Grown Christians

“And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some

as pastors and teachers,

…for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the

body of Christ;

…until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a

mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.

“And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some

as pastors and teachers,

…for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the

body of Christ;

…until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a

mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.

As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming.” Eph. 4:11-14

As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming.” Eph. 4:11-14

- Not tossed by winds

- Not carried by doctrines

- Not fooled by men

A Successful Church is to be…

Building Itself Up

“But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects

into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted

and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working

of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of

itself in love

Eph. 4:15-16

“But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith…” Jude 20a

“So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.”

Rom. 14:19

A Successful Church is to be…

Seeking the Lost

“Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest to God…” 2 Cor. 5:11a

“And have mercy on some, who are doubting; save

others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some

have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by

the flesh.” Jude 22-23

A Successful Church is to…

Keep It’s First Love

A Successful Church is to be…

Loving Toward Brethren

“By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Jn. 13:35

Is This Congregation A Successful One in God’s Sight?