WHAT DOES A HEALTHY CHURCH LOOK LIKE?

WHAT DOES A HEALTHY CHURCH LOOK LIKE?

A properly functioning church should use the book of Acts for a model.

Acts 4:32-35

32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,

35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

           UNITY!  (v.32). There is no schism in the body. One heart [kardia] or feelings and emotions. They were of one soul [psuche] Psyche or mind; way of thinking. Opinion! Paul battled the Corinthians on many fronts including party politics. Some favored the oratory of Apollos while some were true to Paul.

1 Cor 3:3-4

3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

           COMMUNITY! (v.32) Community is impossible without yielding rights! Because they had one heart and one mind it was not hard to develop one pocket! Nobody felt that any of his things belonged to him alone. (v.33) Those things that they held in common they treated with respect. They looked on church property not as if it was their own possession but as something that was borrowed and must be returned in good condition.

           ENERGY! (v.33) This is the kind of church the Lord can easily bless. They were able to witness with great power because there were no divisions in the body and no competition between various programs. Great grace was upon them all.

           SUFFICIENCY! (v.34) There was no lack anywhere! You can not make a hole in a bucket of sand by thrusting in your fist. The moment you remove your hand the hole is immediately filled as every grain of sand in the bucket rushes to make his contribution.

           GENEROSITY! (v. 34 & 35) The idea of a healthy modern church has such a practical application that perhaps we miss it by over spiritualizing it. All Spiritual truth has a simple and practical application.

Dear Lord, make me willing to share. Make me respectful of church property. Let me not think that my program is more important than any other. When there is a hole let me rush to fill it. AMEN