The churches of Christ Greet You (Romans 16:16)
Introduction
A. It is the Lord's wish that His church be strong.
1. Daniel 2:44.
2. Matthew 13:51,32.
B. God-given principles must be applied for strength.
1. Seven of these are noted below.
2. May you be blessed with
understanding.
I. CHURCH STRENGTH IS NOT IN LARGE NUMBERS
A. Numbers are important-represent souls.
1. Should work for more conversions.
2. The fields are white for harvest
(John 4:35).
B. Numbers by themselves will not give strength.
C. Relate how God used small number with Gideon (Judges 7).
D. Small dedicated group plus God equals power.
1. Example: The first century church.
2. That small group preached Gospel to
whole world (Col. 1:23).
II. CHURCH STRENGTH IS NOT IN WEALTH
A. Wealth can be a helpful tool.
1. However, church may have money, but
weak.
2. Example: Church at Laodicea
(Revelation 3:17).
B. Sometimes wealth hinders growth.
1. “Strings attached giving.”
2. Quarreling over money, etc.
3. Disagreement how elders use money.
C. Love of money is root of all evil.
III. CHURCH STRENGTH IS NOT IN A SUPER ORGANIZATION
A. Some religions have worldwide organization.
1. Rome, Salt Lake City, etc.
2. Man-made organization makes church
weak.
B. God's organization simple for each congregation.
1. Titus 1:5.
2. 1 Timothy 3:1-13.
3. Weakness comes when one goes beyond
this.
IV. CHURCH STRENGTH COMES FROM A MEMBERSHIP
TAUGHT IN THE WORD
A. This is where strength begins.
1. God relates how to be strong.
2. The word is powerful (Hebrews 4:12).
B. Destruction and weakness without knowledge.
1. Hosea 4:6.
2. Romans 1:28.
C. Without the Word, walking in darkness.
D. Strong faith makes strong churches.
1. Romans 10:17.
2. 2 Corinthians 1:24.
E. Word is all one needs.
1. 2 Timothy 3:16,17.
2. God approves (2 Timothy 2:15).
V. CHURCH STRENGTH COMES FROM A MEMBERSHIP UNITED
A. There is strength in unity.
B. Most powerful thing-Godhead-united.
C. Unity is accomplished by teamwork.
1. All going in the same direction.
2. Psalms 133:1.
D. The Lord wants unity.
1. Ephesians 4:3-6.
2. 1 Corinthians 1:10.
E. Much work made easy by many hands.
VI. CHURCH STRENGTH COMES FROM A MEMBERSHIP DEVOTED
A. Many failures because heart is not into work.
B. Early Christians were devoted to Christ and His church.
1. Acts 4:34-37.
2. Acts 8:4.
VII. CHURCH STRENGTH COMES FROM A MEMBERSHIP
WORKING WITH VISION
A. There is strength in growth.
1. Growth is not possible without work and
vision.
2. Colossians 1:10-11.
B. Jesus accomplished His earthly task with months of planning and
work.
C. Must not sit back for growth.
1. A church will lose ground.
2. Ephesians 4:15.
D. Must plan the work and work the plan.
E. Must put our faith to work in love.
1. Galatians 5:6.
2. 1 Corinthians 13.
F. Many don't plan to become strong, so they don't.
CONCLUSION
A. Need strong churches to fight the devil.
B. Are you helping the church to be strong?
C. Are you on the Lord's team serving?