The Heart Of A Great Congregation
Acts 11:27-30
Introduction:
1. How do you determine the "greatness" of a congregation-numbers,
building, leadership, fellowship, age of congregation, ministries, etc?
2. Antioch was a bustling city (marble streets, population of 500,000). It
became the center for Christianity.
3. It was a great congregation because:….
I. They were a people of faith.
A. Gathered a relief fund based on
predictions shown through the Holy Spirit. (Date of the address AD 40-41-Date
of the actual famine AD 44-45). I want
you to think about that… They gathered up funds for a famine that was not even
happening, it was still four years off!
B. Faith is the basis of
Christianity (Hebrews 11:1-Now faith is the substance of things hoped for the
evidence of things unseen) (Romans 11:20-Well said. Because of unbelief they, the Jews, were
broken off and you stand by faith. Do
not be haughty but fear.; 1 John 5:4- For whatever is born of God overcomes the
world. And this is the victory that has
overcome the world- our faith).
C. Faith is our assurance (Proverbs 3:5, 6).
D. Faith in a congregation causes
the congregation to build, plan & dream. Reason: they trusted in God and
his promises (Galatians 6:9- and let us not grow weary in well doing for in due
season we shall reap if we faint not; Lamentations 3:25- The Lord is good to
those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks him).
II. They were a people who involved themselves in the lives of others.
A. Heard of famine to strike Judea
and they thought of the brethren immediately.
B. Our society today for the most part
is seclusionary and isolationist but do respond in the time of trouble.
C. The congregation must love one
another (1 Peter 1:22-..sincere love of the brethren..). Be concerned for
another. Be involved.
D. Serve the needs of others (Romans
15:1, 2- We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak,
and not to please ourselves. Let each of
us please his neighbor for good, leading to edification.; Philippians 2:4- says
let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the
interests of others.).
III. They were people who planned their work and worked their plan.
A. Every man according to his
ability (well off), gave according to what he had (2 Cor. 8:12). They
determined (decided). They set a goal and planned to send relief.
B. Importance of planning-if fail to
plan they plan to fail-you drift. This is when visionary people can make a
difference in the church by setting concrete versus abstract goals.
C. Purpose of planning-it gives you
direction, guidance, a way. Yes they must be revisited, rewritten, reviewed,
and revived.
D. Worked the plan (turn with me to
Colossians 1:10; Hebrews 13:21 (God will) make you complete in every good work
to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through
Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen).
IV. They worked together.
A. Every man according to his
ability.
B. Unity is:
1. Essential-work can go forward and
you are able to accomplish much.
2. Demanded (John 17; 1 Corinthians
1:10- Paul was pleading with the Corinthians that there be no divisions among
them; now turn with me to Ephesians 4:1-6…).
A congregation with a great heart will
Be a people
of faith
They will be
a people who involve themselves in the lives of others
They will be
a people who plan the work and work the plan and…
They will
work together to accomplish the Lord’s will.
Do you want
to be a part of a great congregation???
First you
must be a child of God
Then you
must help your fellow Christians to build the kind of congregation the Lord
looks at and says well done my good and faithful servants…