1. BIBLICAL WAYS TO BUILD A STRONG LOCAL CHURCH

2. ACTS 20:17-38 PAUL SPEAKS THINGS NEEDED IN CHURCHES (SPEAKS HERE OF THE EPHESIAN ELDERS) 1.MEMBERS MUST BE TAUGHT 2.MEMBERS WITH CONVICTION. 3.MEMBERS MUST BE VIGILANT. 4.MEMBERS MUST CARE.

3. MEMBERS MUST BE TAUGHT A.THE WHOLE COUNSEL OF GOD (VS. 27) 1. MUST CONTINUE STEADFAST (ACTS 2:42) 2. NOT ALWAYS THINGS SAID, BUT SOMETIMES THINGS NOT SAID.

4. MEMBERS MUST HAVE CONVICTION ACTS 20:24 “NONE OF THESE THINGS MOVE ME.” 1.SERVED WITH HUMILITY (VS. 19) 2.MANY TEARS, PUBLICLY AND HOUSE TO HOUSE. (VS, 20) 3.TAUGHT BOTH JEW AND GREEK REPENTANCE TOWARD GOD AND FAITH TOWARD OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. (VS 21)

5. MEMBERS WITH CONVICTION DO SOMETHING A.IT RUBS OFF ON OTHERS 1.PAUL BEFORE THE JEWS (ACTS 23:1) 2.PAUL BEFORE FELIX (ACTS 23:25) 3.PAUL BEFORE AGRIPPA (ACTS 26:28)

6. STRONG CHURCH MEMBERS ARE VIGILANT ELDERS WERE ADMONISHED TO OVERSEE THE FLOCK, DO YOU KNOW WHY? For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

7. STRONG MEMBERS MUST BE CARING WHEN PAUL LEFT THEY WEPT SORE: And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him, (ACTS 20:37