2.  I believe every member wants this to be a strong congregation.  However, that doesn’t happen by chance or accident.  Strong congregations were mentioned in the NT, but none were perfect: Rev. 2:4; 14; 20  Our congregation is strong, but we must work to make it even stronger: Heb. 5:12-14 2

4.  Consider Romans 8:5-8  What is the “measure” of a strong congregation?  “Numbers” as a goal usually causes problems.  Abandon gospel for carnal attractions: Rom. 1:16-17  Those attracted by “food, fun, and frolic” will not remain faithful: Jn. 6:26-27, 66  Our success is measured by faithfulness and spiritual maturity: Rev. 2:10; 3:8, 10 4 Ten Things That Make a Congregation Strong

5.  Paul commands this in Galatians 6:1-2  The Lord’s people should be concerned for the souls of all men: 1 Tim. 2:3-4; 2 Pet. 1:1  We must do everything we can to help the weak in faith: Matt. 18:12-14; Jas. 5:19-20; Heb. 12:12-13 5 Ten Things That Make a Congregation Strong

6.  Notice what Paul wrote in: Eph. 4:11-12, 15-16  The religious world has a topsy-turvy attitude due to the “clergy-laity” concept: 1 Pet. 2:9- 11  All Christians are priests: 1 Pet. 2:9-11  That should motivate us to want to work! Neh. 4:6  Have you ever worked with someone who did not do his/her fair share of the work? Eph. 4:16 6 Ten Things That Make a Congregation Strong

7.  Notice how Paul described the Roman brethren: Rom. 15:14  The key to continued strength in the Lord’s work is knowledge: 2 Pet. 1:5  A congregation lacking knowledge is a congregation headed for trouble: Hos. 4:6  We must be people of the book: Neh. 8 7 Ten Things That Make a Congregation Strong

8.  John commended Gaius for his depend- ability: 3 Jn. 5-8  The easiest aspect of dependability is our attendance.  Are you dependable in doing whatever you’re asked to do?  Have you ever known an undependable person? 8 Ten Things That Make a Congregation Strong

9.  The churches of Macedonia had many liberal givers: 2 Cor. 8:2  How were they able to do this? 2 Cor. 8:5  We should all have a “let’s pitch-in” mentality.  Do you view giving as a donation? It is a “contribution”; a sharing in our family’s work.  With liberal giving a strong congregation can spread the gospel far and wide: 1 Thess. 1:8 9 Ten Things That Make a Congregation Strong

10.  Notice what Jude wrote: Jude 3  We live in a “post-modern” world.  No such thing as “absolute truth.”  Exactly opposite of scripture: Jn. 17:17  This puts us in direct conflict with the world!  This places tremendous pressure on the church to compromise the truth.  We cannot afford even one ounce of compromise: Ezek. 3:17-19 10 Ten Things That Make a Congregation Strong “There are no hard distinctions between what is real and what is unreal, nor between what is true and what is false. A thing is not necessarily either true or false; it can be both true and false.” Harold Pinter

11.  Notice what Paul wrote: 1 Thess. 4:9-10  Shouldn’t we all love our siblings in Christ?  Show hospitality and preference for one another: Rom. 12:9-13  Love is the glue holding us together: Col. 2:2; 3:14  Without love we are nothing: 1 Cor. 13:1-3 11 Ten Things That Make a Congregation Strong

12.  Paul wrote about peace in Romans 14:17-19  The Lord taught about peacemakers: Matt. 5:9  Do you like living in a constant state of turmoil?  Such attitudes are not holy; they are not from God! Jas. 3:17-18  A congregation at peace can achieve great things! 12 Ten Things That Make a Congregation Strong

13.  Paul wrote about this: 1 Cor. 14:12, 26  For success each must have a burning desire for all to succeed.  Seek to glorify God and not self! Matt. 6:2, 5, 16  Go the extra mile to edify others. 13 Ten Things That Make a Congregation Strong “A good leader takes a little more than his share of the blame, a little less than his share of the credit.” Arnold H. Glasow “It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.” Harry S. Truman

14. 14  We can be strong if we accept and obey these ten things.  Wishing will not get it done!  We can be strong if everyone sets himself to the task.  Can we be a stronger congregation? The answer depends on you and me!