Growing a Healthy Congregation

Growing a Healthy Congregation

Introduction
Christ calls His people to a sound, living fellowship that honors His reign. We will consider the future of the Lord’s church and the essentials of congregational health (Luke 10:27).

The Future of the Lord’s Church
Scripture secures the future of Christ’s kingdom. Daniel saw a kingdom established by the God of heaven that shall never be destroyed and shall stand forever (Daniel 2:44). He also saw the Son of Man receive dominion, glory, and a kingdom—an everlasting dominion that shall not pass away (Daniel 7:13–14). The angel promised Mary that her Son would sit on David’s throne and reign forever; of His kingdom there will be no end (Luke 1:30–33). Jesus promised to build His church and entrusted the keys of the kingdom to open the way to the obedient on Pentecost (Matthew 16:18–19). Peter preached Christ’s resurrection and exaltation, declaring that He sits on David’s throne now; the apostles witnessed these things, and the obedient were added to the number (Acts 2:29–36, 41, 47). Therefore the kingdom remains unshakable (Hebrews 12:28). Local congregations may appear, mature, decline, or cease, yet the universal church endures by the promise of God.

What Does Not Determine Congregational Health
Buildings facilitate work, but the church exists without them. In the first century, disciples gathered wherever space was available, and the gospel flourished. Good locations may help visibility, yet every location places believers among neighbors who need Christ. Prominence, wealth, or numbers never define faithfulness. Paul reminded Corinth that not many wise, mighty, or noble were called; God chose what the world calls weak so that all glory belongs to Him (1 Corinthians 1:26–31). The messenger’s polish is secondary to the message’s power. Paul came in weakness, fear, and trembling so that faith would rest in God’s power rather than in human speech (1 Corinthians 2:3–5). Health rests on spiritual realities that remain steady in any place and season.

What God Declares Essential for a Healthy Congregation
Jesus named the first things. The greatest command is to love the Lord with all the heart, soul, strength, and mind; the second is to love one’s neighbor as oneself (Luke 10:27). Congregational health grows where love for God and love for people fill motives, habits, and decisions. A second essential is an unwavering commitment to God’s word as the guide for faith and practice. Soundness is health; holding fast the pattern of sound words keeps teaching wholesome and life-giving (2 Timothy 1:13; 2 Timothy 3:16–17). The community should see the lights on and the people gathered, and should know what those people stand for—Christ first and His word as the rule of life. A third essential is a steadfast love for the lost. The mission field begins at the doors and stretches down every street. The Lord’s charge is clear: go into all the world and preach the gospel; make disciples, baptizing and teaching all that He commanded (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:18–20). A fourth essential is a pulpit that proclaims the whole counsel of God with patience and courage. Timothy was charged to preach the word, reprove, rebuke, and exhort, remaining steadfast when hearers prefer myths (2 Timothy 4:2–5). A fifth essential is a membership that lives what it teaches. Hypocrisy harms souls and weakens witness, while integrity adorns the doctrine of God. Where believers practice what they preach, the gospel shines and the congregation grows in credibility and love.

Guarding Health Through Discipline and Endurance
Christ walks among His churches. In Asia, congregations were warned to repent and renew their first love, to resist false teaching, and to reject moral compromise, lest their lampstand be removed (Revelation 2:4–5, 14–16, 20–23). Scripture provides a path for loving, restorative discipline so that the sinner may be saved and the church kept pure (1 Corinthians 5:1–5). History shows seasons of teaching battles and cultural pressures; yet the promise stands—Christ’s kingdom endures. Steadfast love for God, fidelity to Scripture, genuine evangelistic concern, whole-truth preaching, and consistent daily holiness foster a congregation that remains strong across generations.

Entering and Continuing in the Kingdom
The same way souls entered the kingdom in the first century remains the way today. People heard the gospel, believed, repented, and were baptized for the forgiveness of sins; the Lord added them to His church (Acts 2:38, 41, 47). Christ reigns now, and His invitation stands. Those who have wandered can return through repentance and prayer, for the Lord is merciful and faithful to restore.

Growing a Healthy Congregation Sermon Outline:

• Introduction

  • Aim: define biblical congregational health and its future security (Luke 10:27).

• I. The Future of the Lord’s Church

  • Prophesied, established, and everlasting kingdom (Daniel 2:44; Daniel 7:13–14).

  • Promise to Mary of an endless reign (Luke 1:30–33).

  • Christ builds His church; keys of the kingdom (Matthew 16:18–19).

  • Pentecost fulfillment; Christ enthroned; the saved added (Acts 2:29–36, 41, 47).

  • Unshakable kingdom (Hebrews 12:28).

• II. What Does Not Determine Health

  • Buildings and locations serve but do not define vitality.

  • Prominence, wealth, and large numbers are not requirements (1 Corinthians 1:26–31).

  • The message’s power exceeds the messenger’s polish (1 Corinthians 2:3–5).

• III. Essentials for Congregational Health

  • Love God wholly; love neighbors genuinely (Luke 10:27).

  • Scripture as the guiding pattern; sound doctrine as health (2 Timothy 1:13; 3:16–17).

  • Visible witness and known convictions in the community.

  • Love for the lost; evangelizing as we go (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:18–20).

  • Full-truth preaching with patience and courage (2 Timothy 4:2–5).

  • Members who practice what they teach; credibility through holiness.

• IV. Guarding Health

  • Christ’s warnings and promises to congregations (Revelation 2:4–5, 14–16, 20–23).

  • Restorative discipline for purity and salvation (1 Corinthians 5:1–5).

  • Endurance through teaching battles and cultural pressures.

• V. Entering and Continuing

  • Obedience to the gospel and baptism into Christ (Acts 2:38, 41, 47).

  • Restoration by repentance and prayer for the wandering.

Call to Action
Love the Lord with your whole being and your neighbor as yourself. Devote yourself to Scripture as the governing pattern for faith and life. Pray for one neighbor by name, invite them to hear the gospel, and offer to study. Encourage faithful preaching and resolve to live what you teach. Ask God to strengthen this congregation in love, truth, and mission so that Christ’s light shines steadily in this community.

Key Takeaways

• Christ’s kingdom is everlasting; His church endures by promise (Daniel 2:44; Daniel 7:13–14; Luke 1:30–33; Matthew 16:18–19; Acts 2:29–36).

• Local congregations remain healthy through love for God and neighbor (Luke 10:27).

• Scripture provides the pattern for sound teaching and practice (2 Timothy 1:13; 3:16–17).

• Evangelism is the congregational heartbeat (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:18–20).

• Faithful preaching sustains health in every season (2 Timothy 4:2–5).

• Integrity protects witness and strengthens influence (1 Corinthians 2:3–5).

• Christ purifies and preserves congregations through loving discipline (1 Corinthians 5:1–5; Revelation 2:4–5, 14–16, 20–23).

• Entrance into the kingdom remains the first-century pattern (Acts 2:38, 41, 47).

• The kingdom cannot be shaken (Hebrews 12:28).

Scripture Reference List

• Daniel 2:44 – God establishes an indestructible kingdom.

• Daniel 7:13–14 – The Son of Man receives everlasting dominion.

• Luke 1:30–33 – Promise of David’s throne and unending reign.

• Matthew 16:18–19 – Christ builds His church and gives the keys of the kingdom.

• Acts 2:29–36 – Peter proclaims Christ’s resurrection and exaltation to David’s throne.

• Acts 2:41, 47 – Those who receive the word are baptized; the Lord adds the saved.

• Hebrews 12:28 – Disciples receive a kingdom that cannot be shaken.

• 1 Corinthians 1:26–31 – God calls the humble so that glory rests in Him.

• 1 Corinthians 2:3–5 – Faith rests in God’s power rather than human eloquence.

• Luke 10:27 – The great commandments: love for God and neighbor.

• 2 Timothy 1:13 – Hold the pattern of sound words.

• 2 Timothy 3:16–17 – Scripture equips for every good work.

• Mark 16:15 – Proclaim the gospel to all creation.

• Matthew 28:18–20 – Make disciples by baptizing and teaching.

• 2 Timothy 4:2–5 – Preach the word with patience and courage.

• 1 Corinthians 5:1–5 – Loving discipline seeks salvation and purity.

• Revelation 2:4–5, 14–16, 20–23 – Christ’s warnings and calls to repent.

• Acts 2:38 – Repentance and baptism for the remission of sins.

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO