Christian Life Church
March 2, 2025 at 8:30am & 10:00am
The Church will never fail, but churches will. Generally, this is due to unhealth.
Locations & Times
Christian Life Church Columbia
2700 Bush River Rd, Columbia, SC 29210, USA
Sunday 8:00 AM
THE BOOK OF ACTS MARCH 2, 2025
WHAT MAKES A CHURCH HEALTHY?
SCRIPTURE
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. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 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 2:42-47
The Church will never fail, but churches will. Generally, this is due to unhealth.
PICTURES OF THE CHURCH
1/ The Church is a spiritual family. (Galatians 6; 1 Peter 5)
2/ The Church is a flock. (John 10; 1 Peter 5)
3/ The Church is an army. (2 Timothy 2; Ephesians 6)
4/ The Church is a Temple of God. (1 Corinthians 3)
5/ The Church is a Bride. (Ephesians 5; Revelation 19)
6/ The Church is a body. (Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 12)
7/ The Church is a pillar of truth. (1 Timothy 3)
8/ The Church is a city on a hill. (Matthew 5)
MISCONCEPTIONS OF A HEALTHY CHURCH
The question is not about style, emphasis, or preference. It’s about health.
1/ Large attendance does not always mean health.
2/ Strong giftings does not always mean health.
3/ Ample finances does not always mean health.
4/ Big platforms does not always mean health.
These aren’t wrong metrics, but they aren’t the most important metrics.
FOUNDATIONS OF A HEALTHY CHURCH
There can be more than these five, but you cannot have health without these five.
1/ Healthy churches are devoted to gathering.
Ekklesia: Those called out from the world to gather together.
The church isn’t just a gathering. It’s Christians who share common spiritual bonds.
The value placed on gathering has diminished. Only 20% of Christians gather weekly.
2/ Healthy churches are devoted to glorifying.
In this text, the early church practiced singing, but there are different expressions.
The presence of God demands a response:
God exalted (Jesus) to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11
“Some things happen when we pray (& worship)…”
3/ Healthy churches are devoted to growing.
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:18
I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. Philippians 1:9
Upwards of 48% of Christians believe God learns and adapts to situations. This reveals a gap in understanding God. He is omniscient.
4/ Healthy churches are devoted to giving.
Healthy churches are giving churches (tithing, offering, serving).
“Sometimes you don’t understand the Bible until you obey it.” Eugene Peterson
5/ Healthy churches are devoted to going.
Believers are designed to receive from heaven and release into the world!
HEALTHY CHRISTIANS MAKE HEALTHY CHURCHES
These five markers are also a pathway of discipleship and development.
The bond of Christians is what we believe and how we behave.
(Abraham’s) faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. James 2:22
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. 2 Corinthians 13:5
Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves. Romans 12:3
WHAT MAKES A CHURCH HEALTHY?
SCRIPTURE
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. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 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 2:42-47
The Church will never fail, but churches will. Generally, this is due to unhealth.
PICTURES OF THE CHURCH
1/ The Church is a spiritual family. (Galatians 6; 1 Peter 5)
2/ The Church is a flock. (John 10; 1 Peter 5)
3/ The Church is an army. (2 Timothy 2; Ephesians 6)
4/ The Church is a Temple of God. (1 Corinthians 3)
5/ The Church is a Bride. (Ephesians 5; Revelation 19)
6/ The Church is a body. (Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 12)
7/ The Church is a pillar of truth. (1 Timothy 3)
8/ The Church is a city on a hill. (Matthew 5)
MISCONCEPTIONS OF A HEALTHY CHURCH
The question is not about style, emphasis, or preference. It’s about health.
1/ Large attendance does not always mean health.
2/ Strong giftings does not always mean health.
3/ Ample finances does not always mean health.
4/ Big platforms does not always mean health.
These aren’t wrong metrics, but they aren’t the most important metrics.
FOUNDATIONS OF A HEALTHY CHURCH
There can be more than these five, but you cannot have health without these five.
1/ Healthy churches are devoted to gathering.
Ekklesia: Those called out from the world to gather together.
The church isn’t just a gathering. It’s Christians who share common spiritual bonds.
The value placed on gathering has diminished. Only 20% of Christians gather weekly.
2/ Healthy churches are devoted to glorifying.
In this text, the early church practiced singing, but there are different expressions.
The presence of God demands a response:
God exalted (Jesus) to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11
“Some things happen when we pray (& worship)…”
3/ Healthy churches are devoted to growing.
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:18
I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. Philippians 1:9
Upwards of 48% of Christians believe God learns and adapts to situations. This reveals a gap in understanding God. He is omniscient.
4/ Healthy churches are devoted to giving.
Healthy churches are giving churches (tithing, offering, serving).
“Sometimes you don’t understand the Bible until you obey it.” Eugene Peterson
5/ Healthy churches are devoted to going.
Believers are designed to receive from heaven and release into the world!
HEALTHY CHRISTIANS MAKE HEALTHY CHURCHES
These five markers are also a pathway of discipleship and development.
The bond of Christians is what we believe and how we behave.
(Abraham’s) faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. James 2:22
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. 2 Corinthians 13:5
Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves. Romans 12:3