KJV Sermon Outlines

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?
1. What is a great church? Large or small does not necessarily determine whether a church is great or not.
2. 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.
3. Every church that is in love with Jesus Christ and obedient to Him is a great or powerful church.
4. Every Christian who is right with God longs to be a part of a powerful church.
5. 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,
(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 is that it is possible for us to live godly lives and to honor the Lord and enhance the testimony of our church.
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.

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.
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.
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."

III. THE PEOPLE ARE FRIENDLY TOWARD ONE ANOTHER
(I THESS. 5:26)
The formation of cliques can be the death 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.
A. The Imperative of Friendliness
The word "salute" means "to greet, to bid welcome." It conveys the thought of extending friendly greeting to others.
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.
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).

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.
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.

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.
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."

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