Challenges Congregations Must Face

Challenges Congregations Must Face

2003045

Topic # 1535

Introduction:

A. Need a well balanced diet w/our preaching/teaching. 2 Tim. 4:1-2

1. Understand need for church growth.

a) tremendous need to focus on great commission (Mt. 28:18-20)

b) Never lost focus on this part of our mission.

2. Need to be aware of what is needed to ensure growth from w/in the body as well.

a) Must be aware of challenges we face & what we are going to do to meet them.

b) While we must work for success in spreading gospel – can’t lose ground to internal matters!

B. Overtime congregations can find themselves in decline; or dead altogether.

1. Church at Ephesus – Contrast Acts 19 to Rev. 2:1-7

a) Working; but head not in it; no passion.

b) Cold; lifeless service; emotion absent.

2. Church at Sardis – Rev. 3:1-6 Good name! But Dead!

C. Important to look inward from time to time to see how we are doing.

D. Here are some challenges we must deal with if we to have long term success!

I. Challenge: Materialism & Worldliness.

A. Did you know half of Jesus’ saying have to do w/problems related to money in one way or another?

1. Very basic choice in life: serve God or money. Mt. 6:24; 19:16-22.

2. RY Ruler turned from Jesus instead of parting w/his money.

3. Materialism is simply “a great or excessive regard for worldly concerns.”

a) It is gripping our society!

B. Disclaimer: not advocating a theology of poverty!

1. Do not have to take vow of poverty to be Christian. Christianity is not an ascetic religion.

2. Being a deeply spiritual Christian does not necessarily involve renouncing worldly goods.

3. But…it may be God’s will for us to make great sacrifices sometimes.

C. Sometimes we just do not see truth about what our real spiritual condition is in relation to how prosperous we are materially.

1. Pursuit of money is hurting us. How?

a) Significant male leadership in home is rare!

b) Many husbands expend everything on career & have nothing left to give their families!

2. Many family decisions made solely on basis of monetary considerations.

3. Consider Lot’s fate – Gen. 13:10, 13; 19

D. Materialism hurts us because:

1. Makes us miss critical opportunities to spend time w/family.

a) Damage may not be able to be undone.

2. Hampers spiritual service to God. Spiritual accidents waiting to happen

3. it passes poor value system to children:

a) By our example we cancel out the words we say about spiritual matters being the most important thing in our lives.

b) If children were to compare our enthusiasm for money w/our enthusiasm for God – what would be their conclusion?

E. Solution: Mt. 6:19-20; 33; 1 Tim. 6:17-19

II. Challenge: Breakdown of the Home

A. Over 50% of all new marriages this year will end in divorce. Many w/in fist 18-24 months.

1. What does it say about us when we say it is refreshing to find an ordinary family? (family functioning the way it should)

2. Devil uses this as a way to undermine the cause of the kingdom.

B. Marital infidelity is a problem – even among Christians!

1. We must honor the COVENANT involved in marriage! Pro. 2:17; Mal. 2:13-14

C. Add to this the prevalence of divorce/remarriage. Must be repugnant to God!

1. Mal. 2:16

D. Then...situations where Christians do not divorce – but grow apart emotionally.

1. How many couples have been emotionally separated for sometime?

2. Gen. 2:24 – hus/wife to have intimate connection – emotionally & physically!

E. Finally, add to this society’s lack of conviction that marriage = life long relationship.

1. Brethren: we need unreserved commitment in marriage!

2. kind that will stand up & overcome difficulties – Eccl. 5:4-5

F. What’s the solution?

1. Husbands: lead your families! Eph. 5:23; 25-28; 1 Pet. 3:7

2. Many family difficulties result from men failing to assume god given role as spiritual leader of the family. Wives/children have roles too.

3. We need to realize the need for family time again! LOVE is spelled TIME!

4. All committed to being imitators of God – Eph. 5:1-5

III. Challenge: Poor leadership within Congregations.

A. Some congregations have no elders – no immediate plans for any.

B. Some congregations have elders – but no immediate prospects for anymore.

1. We need men who are willing to be servant leaders.

2. Those willing to put more in life than take out of it.

3. Those who have upright & godly character – worthy of following.

a) 1 Pet. 1:14-16; Phil. 2:15

C. Brothers – working toward a leadership role begins NOW!

1. To many lack the vision to start the journey young in life. What may not be important to you now – may one day be very important!

2. Too many have wasted precious years & have COMPROMISED their leadership capabilities by rebellion & ungodly living.

D. What we need now:

1. A growing leadership.

a) If local church is dynamic & growing – usually because the leadership is growing.

b) If local church is just “keeping house” – usually because the leadership is stagnant & lifeless.

c) Lack of passion/desire to work turns Jesus’ stomach! Rev. 3:14-16

2. leaders w/vision

a) Foresight; insight; optimism; hope!

3. Brethren who will respond positively to leadership. 1 Thess. 5:12-14

a) Some content to undermine/complain about leadership.

b) Phil. 2:14

IV. Challenge: Zero-Growth in many places

A. Church as a whole is aging.

1. Must be aware that ground lost when people obey gospel but fall away before mature Christians.

2. Many are the reasons people fall away. Can’t let people out back door

3. Overcrowded lifestyles of many younger brethren – lead to de-emphasis on evangelism by younger families.

a) Families in 20-30’s must evaluate how much they are involved in congregation.

B. What’s the solution here?

1. EVERY member must wake up to what is going on around us.

2. Cannot have the “business as usual” syndrome. Can’t close eyes & pretend problem goes away.

3. Nothing pessimistic about looking at facts.

C. Being committed to growth!

1. Look at way church grew in FC. Acts 8:4; 1 Thess. 1:8

2. 1 on 1 interaction – telling other about what Jesus did for them!

a) Not a long; drawn out process!

D. Will involve concentrated effort by every member!

1. God has blessed us with tremendous intelligence & resources. Let’s use them to help this church grow!

Conclusion:

A. Not pessimistic to look at facts. We must face & solve these problems if we are to succeed! Otherwise congregations will grow weak & die.

B. Let’s not forget our work is not in vain – 1 Cor. 15:58

C. Where are YOUR priorities?

D. I N V I T A T I O N



Challenges Congregations Must Face 2003045 Topic # 1535 Introduction: A. Need a well balanced diet w/our preaching/teaching. 2 Tim. 4:1-2 1. Understand need for church growth. a) tremendous need to focus on great commission (Mt. 28:18-20) b) Never lost focus on this part of our mission. 2. Need to be aware of what is needed to ensure growth from w/in the body as well. a) Must be aware of challenges we face & what we are going to do to meet them. b) While we must work for success in spreading gospel – can’t lose ground to internal matters! B. Overtime congregations can find themselves in decline; or dead altogether. 1. Church at Ephesus – Contrast Acts 19 to Rev. 2:1-7 a) Working; but head not in it; no passion. b) Cold; lifeless service; emotion absent. 2. Church at Sardis – Rev. 3:1-6 Good name! But Dead! C. Important to look inward from time to time to see how we are doing. D. Here are some challenges we must deal with if we to have long term success! I. Challenge: Materialism & Worldliness. A. Did you know half of Jesus’ saying have to do w/problems related to money in one way or another? 1. Very basic choice in life: serve God or money. Mt. 6:24; 19:16-22. 2. RY Ruler turned from Jesus instead of parting w/his money. 3. Materialism is simply “a great or excessive regard for worldly concerns.” a) It is gripping our society! B. Disclaimer: not advocating a theology of poverty! 1. Do not have to take vow of poverty to be Christian. Christianity is not an ascetic religion. 2. Being a deeply spiritual Christian does not necessarily involve renouncing worldly goods. 3. But…it may be God’s will for us to make great sacrifices sometimes. C. Sometimes we just do not see truth about what our real spiritual condition is in relation to how prosperous we are materially. 1. Pursuit of money is hurting us. How? a) Significant male leadership in home is rare! b) Many husbands expend everything on career & have nothing left to give their families! 2. Many family decisions made solely on basis of monetary considerations. 3. Consider Lot’s fate – Gen. 13:10, 13; 19 D. Materialism hurts us because: 1. Makes us miss critical opportunities to spend time w/family. a) Damage may not be able to be undone. 2. Hampers spiritual service to God. Spiritual accidents waiting to happen 3. it passes poor value system to children: a) By our example we cancel out the words we say about spiritual matters being the most important thing in our lives. b) If children were to compare our enthusiasm for money w/our enthusiasm for God – what would be their conclusion? E. Solution: Mt. 6:19-20; 33; 1 Tim. 6:17-19 II. Challenge: Breakdown of the Home A. Over 50% of all new marriages this year will end in divorce. Many w/in fist 18-24 months. 1. What does it say about us when we say it is refreshing to find an ordinary family? (family functioning the way it should) 2. Devil uses this as a way to undermine the cause of the kingdom. B. Marital infidelity is a problem – even among Christians! 1. We must honor the COVENANT involved in marriage! Pro. 2:17; Mal. 2:13-14 C. Add to this the prevalence of divorce/remarriage. Must be repugnant to God! 1. Mal. 2:16 D. Then...situations where Christians do not divorce – but grow apart emotionally. 1. How many couples have been emotionally separated for sometime? 2. Gen. 2:24 – hus/wife to have intimate connection – emotionally & physically! E. Finally, add to this society’s lack of conviction that marriage = life long relationship. 1. Brethren: we need unreserved commitment in marriage! 2. kind that will stand up & overcome difficulties – Eccl. 5:4-5 F. What’s the solution? 1. Husbands: lead your families! Eph. 5:23; 25-28; 1 Pet. 3:7 2. Many family difficulties result from men failing to assume god given role as spiritual leader of the family. Wives/children have roles too. 3. We need to realize the need for family time again! LOVE is spelled TIME! 4. All committed to being imitators of God – Eph. 5:1-5 III. Challenge: Poor leadership within Congregations. A. Some congregations have no elders – no immediate plans for any. B. Some congregations have elders – but no immediate prospects for anymore. 1. We need men who are willing to be servant leaders. 2. Those willing to put more in life than take out of it. 3. Those who have upright & godly character – worthy of following. a) 1 Pet. 1:14-16; Phil. 2:15 C. Brothers – working toward a leadership role begins NOW! 1. To many lack the vision to start the journey young in life. What may not be important to you now – may one day be very important! 2. Too many have wasted precious years & have COMPROMISED their leadership capabilities by rebellion & ungodly living. D. What we need now: 1. A growing leadership. a) If local church is dynamic & growing – usually because the leadership is growing. b) If local church is just “keeping house” – usually because the leadership is stagnant & lifeless. c) Lack of passion/desire to work turns Jesus’ stomach! Rev. 3:14-16 2. leaders w/vision a) Foresight; insight; optimism; hope! 3. Brethren who will respond positively to leadership. 1 Thess. 5:12-14 a) Some content to undermine/complain about leadership. b) Phil. 2:14 IV. Challenge: Zero-Growth in many places A. Church as a whole is aging. 1. Must be aware that ground lost when people obey gospel but fall away before mature Christians. 2. Many are the reasons people fall away. Can’t let people out back door 3. Overcrowded lifestyles of many younger brethren – lead to de-emphasis on evangelism by younger families. a) Families in 20-30’s must evaluate how much they are involved in congregation. B. What’s the solution here? 1. EVERY member must wake up to what is going on around us. 2. Cannot have the “business as usual” syndrome. Can’t close eyes & pretend problem goes away. 3. Nothing pessimistic about looking at facts. C. Being committed to growth! 1. Look at way church grew in FC. Acts 8:4; 1 Thess. 1:8 2. 1 on 1 interaction – telling other about what Jesus did for them! a) Not a long; drawn out process! D. Will involve concentrated effort by every member! 1. God has blessed us with tremendous intelligence & resources. Let’s use them to help this church grow! Conclusion: A. Not pessimistic to look at facts. We must face & solve these problems if we are to succeed! Otherwise congregations will grow weak & die. B. Let’s not forget our work is not in vain – 1 Cor. 15:58 C. Where are YOUR priorities? D. I N V I T A T I O N