Monday Morning 10/6/2014

I am seeing more and more people who stop going to church because of their relationship with another person in the church. The church is not the building, nor is it a high school hallway. It is not a social club. Church is a body of believers put together with special skills to be used for the glory of God and for the spread of the Gospel. Jesus Christ is the head of the church, not you, not the Pastor. We all need a relationship with Jesus Christ and we need a relationship through Jesus with each other. If someone says they don’t want to go to church because some other person with whom they have some problem goes there is like saying we don’t go to church because we might hear about Jesus.

God’s original design for the church is found in the book of Acts. If there was ever a church growth plan that worked, it was the one used by those early followers. Talk about effectiveness. This church exploded. Why? Because the believers knew why they were there and what they were supposed to do.
If we were to do a side by side comparison of the early followers and their church and ourselves, I dare say that we would come up way short. As I look at the Acts church and I look at our church, I can’t help but notice that we have a long way to go. This should not discourage us, it should challenge us, and I would hope it challenges you. Every time I read this passage I see not only what we are not, but what we can be.

42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. 43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity— 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42-47)

Acts 2:42-47 shows us they were a “WELL” church with four foundational qualities:
They were a Worshipping Church – God is exalted; Christ is the center.
They were an Evangelizing Church – They went to their communities sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
They were a Learning Church – They could not know enough about God’s love for them and His creation.

They were a Loving Church – They were in relationship with each other with One God, One Savior, and One faith.
Is God and Jesus the center of your worship? If not, you’re not “WELL.”

Do you share Jesus with your community? If you don’t, you’re not “WELL.”

Do you really know how much God loves you? If you don’t you’re not “WELL”

How much do you love your brothers and sisters? If you cannot put aside petty unimportant gossip and differences, you are not “WELL.”

I believe that when God set up the first church, HE DID IT RIGHT! So if we are going to do it right, we need to do it God’s way.

God’s church is a church family.

God’s church is brother and sister bound together in love; caring for one another, helping one another, serving one another. Not fighting with each other.
God’s church is a place where there is true fellowship & ministry.

Where is your heart focused? Is your heart “WELL?”