What Can You Do to Build Up the Church in Ranger? With God’s guidance and our determination to do His will, it will become greater. That should be our goal.

Introduction Jude 20 – “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith . . .” It is important for you to know that: When you obeyed the gospel, Christ added you to His church (Acts 2:47 “and the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved”). You are a living stone. . . A living component in the church. 1 Peter 2:4-5 “And coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected by men, but choice and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Introduction Together . . . Every member of the church you are in works for the whole church (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). Every Christian here should be interested in advancing the cause of Christ through the work of our local congregation. Ephesians 4:16 “from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love”.

What Makes A Church Great? Have you ever really thought about what makes a church great? Jesus built a great church - Does all things well. Matthew 16:18 - Promised to build His church. Christ would build only great & nothing less. It was God’s will. It was in the mind of God before world was made. Some people call the church the greatest work of God.

Misconceptions about what makes a church great “Large numbers make a church great.” Numbers are important in that they represent souls. While numbers are great, they are not a guarantee of greatness. What makes a church great is determined by the spirituality of its members.

Misconceptions about what makes a church great “Wealthy members make a church great.” While wealth, like any resource, can be an advantage in God’s service, it can also be a hindrance. Laodicea. Revelation 3:17 - “ Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'--and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.” Paul warned Timothy that the rich fall into temptation. 1 Timothy 6:9 The poor in possessions can be rich in faith.

Misconceptions about what makes a church great “A membership of society’s elite makes a great church.” This could be an advantage if their influence was used properly. Some churches have had mayors, governors, representatives, senators, and even a president in their membership. Yet that contributed little to the stature of the local church. It could hurt the church if it wasn’t used properly.

Be A SHARING People “Fellowship” means “partnership.” Share financially (Acts 2:44-45). Share emotionally (Acts 2:46). Share prayerfully. Sharing people keep their eyes off of themselves and on the needs of others (Philippians 2:3).

Be A LOVING People Love for God, Truth, and others. 1 John 4:7-21 Love is expressed in concern and actions. Because God is love, we should love each other.

Be A RIGHTEOUS People Righteous means “right living.” James 5:16—the prayer of a righteous man avails much. Ephesians 4:23-24 “and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth”.

Be A UNITED People Unity produces strength to stand against opposition. Every congregation needs strong unity (1 Corinthians 1:10). Christ prayed for unity (John 17)

Be A SERVING People Serving God, Christ, Our Brethren and serving others. Christ was a servant (Philippians 2:7). And so we should be also. Galatians 5:13 “For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another”.

Be An OBEDIENT People Obey and do His will. James 1:22 - “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” 1 Peter 1:22 “Since you have in obedience to the truth purified you souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart”,

Be A GROWING People Growing in faith, grace, knowledge and wisdom(2 Peter 3:18). Growing into all aspects of Christ (Ephesians 4:16).

Be A PRAYERFUL People Prayer creates a joyful, God-trusting, confident people at peace. 1 Timothy 2:1-4

Be A FAITHFUL People Never doubting God . Never doubting your faith. Never ever doubting God’s Holy Word. Never doubt God’s will for your life.

Be A LOOKING Church Some churches look for the wrong things. Look for the right things (Colossians 3:1-2). Look for opportunities to be better servants of the Lord. Look for opportunities to help others see Him in you. Look for opportunities to teach and lead others to salvation. Look for the coming of the Lord . . . judgment . . . and Heaven.

Better Yourselves In God’s Service A great congregation can become a greater congregation. A great membership can become a greater membership. A great leadership can become a greater leadership. A great work can become a greater work. A great knowledge can become a greater knowledge. A great faith can become a greater faith. A great you can become a greater you. You and God can make it happen.

Conclusion What are you doing to make this congregation a greater congregation? Philippians 3:13-14 “Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do; forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus”. Are you pressing on or just sitting still?