What does a healthy church look like?

Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians. Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul. - Acts 11:19‭-‬30 ESV

Rev. Won Ho

What is a church supposed to be about? We don't have to guess our make something up. The word speaks about this.

The word is being spread through the world. But

Faithful to Evangelise

The scattering of believers was not of their choice. They were pushed out by persecution. They shared their faith with other Jews. But then they ended up in gentile territory. So they shared the good news with them. Cross cultural and out of their comfort zones. How are we at witnessing? Are we sharing Jesus with those around us?

So where are the opportunities to share the faith? Make small talk with those in our circle. Talk about what happens on Sundays. Invite people to church service.

Faithful to Embrace

Barnabas is glad to embrace the gentile believers. He is kind and generous. He was encouraging. He saw the church at Antioch and recognized that it was the grace of God.

How do we handle other's success? Do we see the blessing of God as grace? Are we glad for God's grace? Are we glad when our enemies repent? Or are you glad when others fail?

Faithful to Edify

Barnabas exhorts faithfulness. He not only pushed​ for evangelizing, but also pursuing faithfulness towards God. Barnabas goes off​ to find Saul. Why? To teach and grow the believers, not just win people to Christ. This is the concept of discipleship. Are we hungry for more of God's word and wisdom? We spend a fair amount of time on hobbies, interests, college education, and career progression. How about theology and church history? How are doing in leasing in these areas?

Faithful to Extend generosity

Are we extending a hand to those in need? Do we support the work of missionaries? This is healthy.

A church can do all these things and still fail to grow. Why? Verse 21 says this: "And the hand of the Lord was with them." We are called to be faithful, but God is the one who causes growth.

A Missional and Mature Church

But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way? For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos," are you not being merely human? - 1 Corinthians 3:1‭-‬4 ESV

Rev. Paul Kim

If we want to be a gospel spreading movement, we need a health and strong church. It takes more than a couple of gifted people. It takes a church.

Paul makes a distinction between a mature and an immature. So what does it take?

Four marks of a Christian

Focus on the right person

The problem in the Corinthian church is the divisiveness. The church has factions. Some teachings are seen as greater or better than others. It is superficially a unity issue.

But what is the real issue? Immature churches focus on the front man. They are focused on the wrong person. It is a celebrity culture. They are using their leaders to give themselves a sense of superiority. We are to honor and support our church leaders. But Paul warns us of  pitfalls.

The mature church focuses on the message of the cross and the power of the Holy Spirit. The focus should not be on the workmen, but rather on the King, on Jesus. Focusing too much on our leaders is not only unhealthy for the church, but also bad for its leaders.

Paul lowers the stage and raises the body.  He takes the celebrity culture and flips out on its head. He celebrates weakness and honors those who do not get honor.

A spiritually gifted and active body

In a mature church, there is fellowship. People are involved, engaged, and serving. Church is not a spectator sport.

Finally, love

In the midst of 1 Corinthians 12-13, Paul speaks of love. Not romance, not marriage, but in the context of ministry! You don't need more talent and gifts for ministry. You need love.

So what do we really lack? Is it just a lack of desire? It is more than that. God is the one who gives the church growth. God reveals grace on our weakness. God is the one who purifies and sanctifies his church. Work knowing that God will accomplish all these things.

Deacons: Illuminating the path to greatness

Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, "It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith. - Acts 6:1‭-‬7 ESV

Rev. Dwight Yoo

This passage holds great significance to us because it is the first instance of deacons. The church was growing and this is an indication of growing pains. At first, the church took care of their needy. The needy were cared for by people selling their possessions and giving to the poor believers. But now the needs of the needy outstripped the ability of the church. So the apostles called the disciples together and called the church to appoint deacons. Not just any disciples, but spiritually mature, respected men.

The apostles did not dismiss the needs of the widows. They were not denigrating the deacons nor denying the addressing the needs of people. At the same time, they needed to be devoted to the ministry of the word.

Deacons bring organization, coordination, and focus to the ministry of deeds. But they are not solely responsible. Every believer is responsible as well. The ministry of the word is borne out in the ministry of deeds.

Meeting the needs of our neighbors is not cool. It is not often glamorous. Deacon means servant. In the world we live in, those who are greater are served. But according to Jesus, those who serve the most are the great ones. It flips everything upside-down. The kingdom of God is opposite of the kingdoms of the world. Jesus, the greatest of all, came to serve all. He did not come to be served, but to serve. When the truth of this grasps us, we will grow a servant heart for those around us.

Gospel spreading movement

And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison. Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was much joy in that city. - Acts 8:1‭-‬8 ESV

Rev. Dwight Yoo

A gospel spreading movement

Stephen, one of the first deacons, was killed just prior to this passage. Not only that, but there was a breakout of persecution against believers. So the believers scattered, but not only that, it was a purposeful scattering. They are preaching where they were scattered.

A healthy church is seen as a movement. It has a sense of mission and destiny. There is a sense of hunger.

In the second phase, it becomes a monument. Things go from exciting to routine. Energy is turned inward rather than outward.

Finally, it becomes a Mauseleum. There is no energy, no excitement, no desire for change or growth. We do not believe Renewal Church is there yet.

The makeup of a gospel spreading movement

Who spearheaded this movement? Was it the apostles? No, it was the laypeople. The everyday Christian, not the pastor. Each church member must take the gospel to their friends, neighbors, and coworkers. It does not rely on the pastors and full time ministers.

Is it true?
Does it matter?
Does it work?

Most people will need to see proof of the last two points before they will listen to your truth claims. So in our increasingly skeptical would, we will only get a hearing if we meet the last two questions in a reasonable fashion.

Finally, the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. We need to pray. Please pray for us, your leaders, for wisdom and reliance upon God.

So there was much joy in the city. We, the church, are not just for our own good, but the good of those around us. We are to bring restoration and healing to all areas of life where the church resides. Does Renewal bring joy to the city? If we closed our doors, would anyone care? Or would they rejoice at the greater availability of parking?

How did this movement start? With death. Stephen died. So it is with church movement. We must die to our own comforts, our dreams, our desires. For the spread of the gospel, we must sacrifice these things.