God Tells The Church What He Values And What To Do In The Bible. A local church that intentional makes what God values their practice, proves great love and reverence to God and will be blessed with spiritual power. It is imperative that every true Christ follower understands what is important to God, then alter their lifestyle to practice what God Almighty specifies is the way to fulfill His will.
1/ The power of true leadership: God values holiness and obedience, which means all leadership is carefully examined by God’s standard of character and moral purity.
2/ The power of conversion: God values His Law, which convicts and converts through driving people to repent and turn to Christ for salvation. The Biblical church does not just preach the gospel, but also demands proof of life change and obedience through discipleship.
3/ The power of God’s Word: God values truth, and the commands of Christ are foundational to a Christian’s lifestyle.
4/ The power of fellowship: God values love and true friendship, so “one another” commands are practiced as normal Christian ministry.
5/ The power of communion: God values His Son and His sacrifice, so discerning the Lord’s Body and spiritual examination are done often.
6/ The power of prayer: God values mankind, so as a “House of Prayer”, Christians cry to God for help for one another and the salvation of neighbors and friends.
7/ The power of service: God values servanthood, so the work of loving neighbors through good works is non-optional as commanded by Christ.
Here We Introduce 3/God’s Word, 4/Fellowship and Worship, 5/Communion, and 6/Prayer
Again, it is imperative that every true Christ follower understands what is important to God, then alter their lifestyle to practice what God Almighty specifies is the way to focus on and fulfill His will. From the very first day the church was formed God was clear and revealed to us through the book of Acts.
And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47 NKJV
They Gathered to Glorify God and We Do Not Have The Right To Ignore God’s Word and Do Things Our Way!
Our weekly Sunday gatherings must be a composite of the elements that the early church devoted themselves to as shown to us from the Bible. The first day the Holy Spirit descended upon the church 3000 brand new believers were born again. The Apostles immediately focused on their spiritual growth and the continuance of the Great Commission as recorded in Acts 2:42.
They all altered their lifestyles and would not stop gathering together to teach the commands of Christ to the church; they persisted in fellowship by lovingly encouraging, testifying, exhorting, and building up each other in the faith. They faithfully had communion together examining themselves for any immoral and spiritual impurity, and then, cleared their consciences by admitting their sins and being cleansed through the shed blood of Jesus who died for mankind’s sins.
Also, they strengthened one another through confessing their faults one to another. And then the Apostles led the church with loud voices, crying to God for His mighty acts and power through prayer. The book of Acts, chapter 4, reveals how their prayers were real and powerful, but exposes how weak and empty our present day prayers REALLY ARE.
23 And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24 So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, 25 who [c]by the mouth of Your servant David have said:
‘Why did the nations rage,
And the people plot vain things?
26 The kings of the earth took their stand,
And the rulers were gathered together
Against the Lord and against His Christ.’
27 “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together 28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. 29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”
31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
32 Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. 33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. 34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.
When the church was formed they did not have anything that our modern day church considers essential. There were no choirs, pews, Sunday Schools, youth groups, etc. Jesus Christ formed, organized, and empowered His church from the outset.
Just like the cells of our human bodies, each Christian still has his or her function to perform within the unified local church, but they need mutual edification and support from each other, and the spiritual cleansing of God’s Word by faithful shepherds [pastor]. From the beginning, the church needed discipline and organization to send out approved members by the church “body” to serve and proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Therefore we must practice Christianity as God instructs us to in the Bible. Every Christian is a member of the body of Christ and gifted and called by Jesus Christ, the head, to fulfill his or her purpose. When we gather on Sunday mornings we meet as taught in Acts and 1 Corinthians 14. Like a four legged table, our church gathering stands on all four elements of spiritual growth: the proclamation of the apostles’ doctrine [teaching], fellowship [public testimonies, exhortations, and confessions], breaking of bread [the communion/love feast], and group prayer.
The earlier we preach the Word of God when we gather together, the better. James 1:14 has clear application for the House of God, “Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak.” “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 And Paul explains the more we as a church are saturated by the Word of God we become a “glorious church”, meaning we so reflect God’s love and blessings in our community that the neighbors see the goodness of God by our presence.
Paul wrote, “as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5:25-27 (KJV)
Therefore if you hear God’s Word before you worship, you will have God’s sharp sword of conviction, revealing unclean motives or sin “so you can wash your hands” before you worship. “In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.” 1 Timothy 2:8 NLT
The reason is simple, we are warned “not to be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; therefore let your words be few” Ecclesiastes 5:2. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords, and we need to hear His perspective on life. We need to learn from His vast wisdom. He does not need to hear us. We need to humble ourselves, rethink our application of truth, and repent and continue to change our lifestyle.
This practice is in obedience to Acts 2:42 and basic biblical principles.
Next, to be “doers of the Word” and not just hearers of sermons, a local church can respond to God’s Word and have fellow believers take the responsibility of fellowship. We know that there are over twenty “one another” commands given in the New Testament for believers to practice when they come together.
For example, we are told to “not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching” Hebrews 10:25. The harder life gets the more encouragement we all need. Any church that is serious about obedience, spiritual growth, and outreach must practice all the “one another” commands. Testimonies and confessions provide powerful interaction of the “one another” commands. This always results in the true spirit of love inside the church gatherings.
And this is important, after our hearts are cleansed, forgiveness applied, and relationships mended and strengthened through the “one another” interaction of fellowship, we are actually ready for communion together. We finalize our spiritual examinations, confess and repent of any sin God reveals, and have intimate communion with the Father while we remember the Lord’s most sacred act, the sacrifice of His life for our salvation.
Once refreshed and revived we are ready to shout out our praises to God. Most churches use music to try and prepare their people for the message. But, I have noticed that God’s word actually releases the saints to worship and glorify God. True praise comes as a result of God’s Word working in us. Have you ever noticed what Paul says here, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” Colossians 3:16.
Finally if a local church practices prayer and crying out at the end of the church gathering, God blesses. Again, Paul emphasizes the importance of the kind of prayer that moves heaven. “In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God…” 1 Timothy 2:8 (NLT)
“‘God opposes the proud but favors the humble.’ So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.” 1 Peter 5:5-6 (NLT) When Christians lift their voices together as instructed throughout the scripture it forces everyone into humble pleadings and cries to God. Only churches who forget their pride and shout out together for help will be heard. Sincere supplications [intense begging] are heard by our Heavenly Father and He answers the cries of His people.
Biblical Churches Disciple Christians on Purpose
According to Christ’s great commission every church that actually follows Jesus: focuses, works at, and majors on teaching Christ followers to actually live the way Christ demands. Matthew 28:19-20 (NLT) is clear, “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Again like Acts 2 illustrates big group and small groups are essential to solidifying the local church in loves and purpose. “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— 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 2:46-47 (NLT) Christians who refuse to follow this formula MISS the blessings by God.
Biblical Churches Love The World and Reach Out and Make Disciples
Mature believers spread out into their world and practice good works expressing love to their neighbors which leads to conversations and invitations to Christ. Jesus taught us in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
