Title: Signs that a church is strong in Christ Jesus.

Text: Romans 15:1 – 8

 

  1. A Strong Church is a place of refuge, where people find help.
    1. Most churches claim to be a place of help, but how do they help.
    2. Romans 15:1 “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.” 
    3. We are to help with spiritual needs. Galatians 6:1 “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”
    4. We as Christians and church members are to bear our brothers burdens. Galatians 6:2 “Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”
  2. A Strong Church is a place of instruction, where people's faith and lives are built up.
    1. Romans 15:2 “Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.”
    2. The word neighbour here is used as an adverb and means – one close by that is a Christian or friend.
    3. We are to build them up in Christ, the gospel, and God’s word, not in worldly lust.
    4. We are to build them up to be strong in God. Acts 9:31 “Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.”
    5. Not just our church but also to other believers. Acts 18:23 “And after he had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.”
  3. A Strong Church is a place centered on Christ, where Jesus is held up as a model.
    1. Not a place about growing to a mega church or games and programs, but rather a place where Christ Jesus is held up as a model.
    2. Romans 15:3 "For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me".  - Isaiah 53:5 “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”
    3. Romans 5:8 “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
    4.  2 Corinthians 5:21 “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
  4. A Strong Church is a place filled with the Word, where the Scriptures are known and applied.
    1. Not just taught but also applied!
    2. Romans 15:4 "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning..."
    3. Church is not a place of secular fun and excitement but rather a place of spiritual education.
    4. John 20:31 “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”
    5. 1 John 1:4 “And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.”
    6. 1 John 2:1 “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:”
    7. 1 John 5:13 “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”
  5. A Strong Church is a place of prayer, where endurance and encouragement are sought from God.
    1. Romans 15:5 "Now the God(this statement makes this a prayer) of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:”
    2. Only Jehovah God can give us these things.
    3. Prayers are not for the people’s ears but for God’s ears.
    4. We pray that God shows us our path and that He encourages us to walk by faith and not by sight. 
  6. A Strong Church is a place of acceptance, where there is an atmosphere and understanding of hope.
    1. Romans 15:4 "...that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope".
    2. The word patience means patience, which grows only in trial. Trials that build understanding and hope.
    3. Psalms 30:5 “For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”
    4. Psalms 138:7 “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.”
    5.  We do have hope and that hope is in Jesus Christ, God is not dead nor is He defeated, He will have victory.
  7. A Strong Church is a place of togetherness, where unity is recognized as a product of God's work.
    1. Romans 15:5 "Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:" The prayer here is that it is the work of God.
    2. The key to togetherness and unity is that God caused both.
    3. Psalms 119:49 "Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope".
    4. Lamentations 3:26 “It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.”
    5. Man on his own cannot bring about unity or hope.