Dedicated To The Men of God Who Preach the Word of God As It
Is To Men As They Are
"Preach The Word"
PRACTICES OF A POWERFUL CHURCH
Text: I Thessalonians 5:23-28
INTRODUCTION:
"Such and such church is a great church!" Have you ever heard someone say something like that? What is a great church? Large or small does not necessarily determine whether a church is great or not. Some people believe that a church must be large in order to be great. Others believe that a church must be small to be great. A great church can be small or large. Every church that is in love with Jesus Christ and obedient to Him is a great or powerful church.
Every Christian who is right with God longs to be a part of a powerful church. People will often drive long distances in order to be a part of such a church. God’s plan is for us to bloom where He plants us and to help that church be powerful. He intends for us to make great the church to which He has added us. How do we do that? I am going to tell you in this message how to have a great church.
Someone may say, "We already have a powerful church." If that is the case, I want to tell you how to have a greater church. You may say, "We already have one of the most powerful churches in the area." That is fine, but I want to tell you how to have the most powerful church in the area. Great, greater, greatest, powerful, more powerful, most powerful, you choose. Classify yourself as to the kind of church of which you would like to be a part. This message will help you to know how to make a church greater or more powerful.
As I try to share with you how to have a greater, more powerful church, I want to give to you four practices of a powerful church. Other practices could be added to the list, but these are four that I found in our text. The four practices of a powerful church are: (1) The members live godly lives, (2) The members pray for their spiritual leaders, (3) The members are friendly to one another, and (4) The members study their Bibles.
I. THE PEOPLE LIVE GODLY LIVES (I THESS. 5:23-24)
How often the testimony of a church has been compromised and destroyed because the members lived impure and ungodly lives. In order for a church to be powerful, them members must live godly lives. How do people live godly lives? The apostle Paul gives the answer to this question in these verses. Let us give heed to what he says and pray that God will perform these things in our lives. As we consider how people may live godly lives, let us note the possibility of godliness (5:23) and the power for godliness (5:24).
A. The Possibility of Godliness (5:23)
The good news that I have for you is that it is possible for us to live godly lives and thus to honor the Lord and enhance the testimony of our church.
Fulfillment of the prayer-wish that Paul had for the Thessalonian Christians will make godly living a reality for us.
The expression of the prayer wish may be seen in the first part of verse 23–"the very God of peace sanctify you wholly." That God is "the very God of peace" means that He is the God whose abiding character is peace. He bestows peace upon those who trust in Him. The primary meaning of "sanctify" is "to set apart, to consecrate," but it carries the meaning of resultant holiness of character in those who are set apart. When we are saved, we become God’s possession in a unique way. We are at that time separated from the world and separated to God. As time goes along and we progress in the Christian life, we become more separated or set apart to God. The result of such separation or sanctification is holy living—living in a manner that pleases and honors God.
The elaboration of the prayer wish is given in the last part of verse 23–"and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul prayed that every area of these Christians’ lives might be set apart for God and His glory. That is God’s purpose for us as well. The word "preserved" has the meaning of retaining all that was allotted to a matter–losing nothing. "Blameless" or "without blame" speaks of a condition where no just cause of complaint can be raised against one. The prayer is that these Christians may live so that no just charge can be made against them. Such is the ideal for Christians today. Oh, what a difference such living would make in our churches today. "Your whole spirit and soul and body" enumerates the areas to be sanctified and preserved. The "spirit" is the part of a man which is capable of knowing and communicating with God. The "soul" is the self-conscious of a person. The "body" is the outward material part of man, the instrument through which the inner life expresses itself. Man, in his entire being, stands in need of the sanctifying and keeping power of God.
Godly living is a real possibility for Christians
because of the sanctification of our entire beings. The sanctification
and godly living is to be maintained "unto the coming of our Lord
Jesus Christ."
B. The Power For Godliness (5:24)
Godliness can be a reality because of the fact that God can perform it in our lives. He empowers us for godliness.
That God is "faithful" means that He can be trusted or relied upon concerning all that He has said.
The one who has called us to salvation and holy living is faithful and powerful enough to enable to do what He has called us to do.
The God who began the process of salvation and sanctification can be relied upon to complete what He began in calling us.
We cannot live godly lives in our own strength, but by submission to God we can live godly lives and be great Christians and have a powerful church.
II. THE PEOPLE PRAY FOR THEIR SPIRITUAL LEADERS
(I THESS. 5:25)
Praying members are essential to a powerful church. One particular area in which the members of a church are to pray is for their spiritual leaders, especially the pastor. Paul requested that the Thessalonian Christians pray for him. He consistently asked the churches to pray for him. If the spiritual leaders would humble themselves and ask the people to pray for them and if the people would humble themselves and pray for their leaders, God would make His churches to be powerful churches. What a powerful practice for a church to engage in–the practice of praying for its spiritual leaders. May God enlighten us as we see the statement of Paul’s request and the substance of his request.
A. The Statement of His Request (5:25)
The affectionate address, "brethren," is placed first in the sentence for emphasis.
Paul requested that the praying for him be motivated by the ties of Christian brotherhood.
In view of verse 26, it seems clear that Paul wished for them to pray for him in the public worship times as well as in their private prayers.
The preposition "for" literally means "round, about’ and pictures the prayers of the readers as surrounding the writers and their work. We might use the expression "to bathe" or "saturate" in prayer.
The present tense the verb "pray" denotes that they are to engage in continued prayer for Paul. The same stands true for their spiritual leaders.
The imperative form of the verb lays this upon them as a duty. Godly living would include praying for spiritual leaders.
B. The Substance of His Request
In order to understand Paul’s request for the prayers of his Christian brethren, we will consider his request for prayer in some of the other epistles.
In Romans 15:30,31 he asked for the prayers of his readers: "Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me; That I may be delivered from them that do no believe in Judea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints."
The seriousness of his request may be seen in the word "strive," which is an intense metaphor drawn from the athletic games. The word literally means "to agonize." How effective it would be if leaders and people would agonize in prayer for each other. What a powerful practice that would be and what a powerful church would result from such a practice.
Paul’s request was that he might be delivered from the unbelievers of Judea. His life was often in danger by these people. The enemies of spiritual leaders constantly look for an opportunity to destroy their witness and influence. How many leaders would have avoided the pitfalls of the devil if their people had prayed for them?
The "service which I have for Jerusalem" was the collection taken from Gentile churches for the Jerusalem Church. Paul was afraid that the prejudice and pride of the Jerusalem Christians would cause them to reject the offering. Christians today could understand this request to mean that the man of God’s ministry might be accepted among the church people where he serves.
In Colossians 4:2-4, the apostle asked for continued prayer that his preaching might be effective. "Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds. That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak."
The word for "continue" is built on a root meaning "to be strong," and it always has a connotation of earnest adherence to a person or thing. In this passage, it implies persistence and fervor in prayer. In other words, Paul requested that they pray often and fervently for him.
The term "watch" literally mans "keeping awake" and suggests constant spiritual alertness. The thought is that Christians must be alert and active in their prayer life.
Paul was in prison at the time he gave this request. He requested prayer that "a door of utterance" would be kept open to him. He requested that these Christians pray that he would be able to make known "the mystery of Christ." That is, that he might be able to proclaim the gospel of Christ that God had revealed to him. His request that he "might make it manifest" means that he might disclose or make clear the message to his hearers. (See also Ephesians 6:18-20).
Again in II Thessalonians 3:1-2, he asked the Thessalonian Christians to pray for him. "Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith."
The present tense of "pray" calls for continued prayer, i.e. habitually praying for Paul.
The first request is that "the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified." "The word of the Lord" denotes the gospel of Christ. The words "have free course" literally means "to run," a metaphor drawn from the racetrack. The thought is that of its swift advance in its onward course. "Be glorified" means "to be honored and admired." The word is glorified when people see a demonstration of its transforming power in the lives of those who believe it.
The second prayer request in this passage is that "we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men." The first petition was for the success of the message; the second was for the safety of the messengers. "Delivered" denotes rescue from a definite occasion, i.e. an existing peril when their enemies seem to have them in their grip. "Unreasonable" denotes people who are capable of wicked, outrageous, harmful conduct. "Wicked" depicts the vicious, destructive, disposition of these enemies to the gospel. "Unreasonable" describes their conduct, while "wicked" describes their character. The hostility of such people lies in their lack of faith. Because they will not believe, they resist the message and the messenger.
Oh, how God’s people need to pray for God’s men. They need to pray for their safety and success in preaching the gospel of Christ. What a powerful church could be built, if they would do so.
III. THE PEOPLE ARE FRIENDLY TOWARD ONE ANOTHER
(I THESS. 5:26)
The formation of cliques can be the death knell of a congregation. God’s people need to be friendly and open to one another. This takes some effort, but it is effort that will be rewarded. Friendly members will go a long way toward building a great church. Friendliness toward one another is a powerful practice that helps to build a powerful church. Let us consider the imperative of friendliness, the inclusiveness of friendliness and the impact of friendliness.
A. The Imperative of Friendliness
The word "salute" means "to greet, to bid welcome." It conveys the thought of extending friendly greeting to others.
When the members of a congregation love one another, as they should, saluting one another will not be a problem.
The greeting was to be extended by means of a "holy kiss."
A kiss upon the cheek was a common form of oriental greeting among friends. Our handshake serves the same purpose.
"Holy" denotes that it is be an expression of Christian love toward fellow Christians.
B. The Inclusiveness of Friendliness
"All the brethren" gives the extent of the greeting. All the members of the congregation are to be greeted in a friendly and loving manner.
All members are to take the initiative in greeting other members. The more mature spiritually among the congregation must set the example for the others.
C. The Impact of Friendliness
Growing churches are known for their warmth of fellowship and genuine concern for people.
Note the commandment of Jesus: "This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you" (Jn. 15:12).
Is our church as warm and friendly, as it should be? The powerful practice of friendliness to one another will help to build a powerful church.
IV. THE PEOPLE STUDY THEIR BIBLES (I THESS. 5:27)
No congregation can be what it should be apart from a diligent study of God’s Word. Each member must take it upon himself to learn as much of the Word of God as he can. The Word of God tells us how to live in a manner that is pleasing to God and profitable for us. Notice the propriety of Bible study and the priority of Bible study.
A. The Propriety of Bible Study
Paul put these Christians under a solemn duty to read his epistle to the entire congregation.
The word "charge" carries the idea of "to put under an oath." The seriousness of the charge to read the epistle may be seen in the use of the phrase "by the Lord." Paul charged them by the Lord or in the Lord’s name to read the epistle to the entire congregation.
Paul wanted his readers to understand the instructions of the Word of God.
They could not do so without reading and studying it.
B. The Priority of Bible Study
A growing church gives priority to the Word of God.
The centrality of preaching and teaching are essential for a powerful church.
V. THE PEOPLE APPROPRIATE THE GRACE OF GOD FOR THEIR LIVES (I THESS. 5:28)
The grace of God is essential for salvation and the grace of God is essential for Christian living. Salvation comes by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8-9). The grace of God enables us to continue in the Christian life. The Christian life is all of grace. Christians must learn to appropriate the grace of God for their lives. When they do so, it will be a powerful practice that results in a powerful church. The grace that Christians must learn to appropriate is a specific grace, a sustaining grace and a sufficient grace.
A. A Specific Grace. It is the "grace of our Lord Jesus Christ." That is, this grace has its origin in the Lord Jesus Christ.
B. A Sustaining Grace. The Lord gives grace for every trial to those who humble themselves before Him. James 4:6, "But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble."
C. A Sufficient Grace. The grace of the Lord is sufficient for any need that we may have. II Corinthians 12:9a, "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness."
CONCLUSION:
Some practices of a powerful church have been set forth in this sermon. We need to discipline ourselves to be a people who live godly lives, pray for our spiritual leaders, express friendliness to each other, study the Word of God, and appropriate the grace of God for our lives. Notice that Paul ended his epistle with a benediction of grace upon his readers–"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen" (I Thess. 5:28). Even if we live godly lives, pray, are friendly toward each other, and are informed in the Word of God, we still need the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. That grace is so readily available to us if we will just appropriate it. May God help us to do so and to have a powerful church.
SERMON FROM DR. DAVID CLARK
