We spent the summer talking about flourishing, being growing healthy believers.
Now, growing healthy church.
Each one of those words.
What is the church?
Seems like a simple question, but we shouldn’t assume
The church is the people of God, filled with the presence
of God, set apart for the purposes of God in the world.
A. The people of God
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
1 Peter 2:9–10
King James says “a peculiar people” Amen? Some more than others!
Greek word for nation is “ethnos”, the root of our word “ethnicity.” A new kind of people.
B. Filled with the presence of God
In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard
Ephesians 1:13
the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed.
C. Set apart for the purposes of God
And he subjected everything under his feet and appointed him
Ephesians 1:22–23
as head over everything for the church, which is his body,
the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way.
2. What’s are the marks of a healthy church?
Two key principles should shape the way we “do church”: gospel and community. Christians are called to a dual fidelity: fidelity to the core content of the gospel and fidelity to the primary context of a believing community.
Steve Timmis, Tim Chester, Total Church
A. Gospel-centered
For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures
1 Corinthians 15:3–4
Being gospel-centered actually involves two things:
First, it means being word-centered because the gospel is a word—the gospel is news, a message.
Second, it means being mission-centered because the gospel is a word to be proclaimed—the gospel is good news, a missionary message.
Steve Timmis, Tim Chester, Total Church
- Christianity is word-centered because God rules through his gospel word.
Christ’s judgment is not a truth that itching ears want to hear, but it is the constant backdrop to true Christian ministry. We must be gospel-centered, even though the world around us wants to be centered on everything but the gospel.
Steve Timmis, Tim Chester, Total Church
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Christianity is mission-centered because God extends his rule through his gospel word.
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You cannot be committed to the gospel without being committed to proclaiming that gospel.
B. Community-centered
Born (again) into a family.
Church is not another ball for me to juggle but that which defines who I am and gives Christlike shape to my life… We are not saved individually and then choose to join the church as if it were some club or support group.
Steve Timmis, Tim Chester, Total Church
We need to be enthusiastic about truth and mission, and we
Steve Timmis, Tim Chester, Total Church
need to be enthusiastic about relationships and community.
3. Healthy churches grow & multiply.
Growth will vary. Sometimes it’s barely noticeable, sometimes it’s happening on the inside. Sometimes it’s obvious, outside. Both are essential.
- Don’t fall for the false dichotomy.
Luke 12:31-32 CSB
“But seek his kingdom, and these things will be provided for you. Don’t be afraid, little flock, because your Father delights to give you the kingdom.