Acts 2:42 – And they devoted themselves to the Apostles’ teaching, and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and prayer.

THEME OF THE DAY. THE MARKS OF A HEALTHY CHURCH. Today’s scripture provides the necessary elements for a church to be healthy. All of these must be active, alive, and safeguarded if we are to model God’s design for the church He reveals in His Word. There are four identified by Luke.

First, there must be the commitment to sound Biblical teaching or doctrine. A church should be known foremost by the strength of its pulpit. It must be marked by Christ-centered, Word-focused, Spirit-anointed expository preaching. God’s primary means of growing His people and reaching the lost is preaching, not our outreach programs or service to the community. This is a Biblical truth and one borne out over and over in church history when God brings revival. Here is an account from the 1st Great Awakening in New England written by Joseph Tracy, showing God bringing about significant movement by Him through preaching. Tracy writes, “The Great Awakening of 1740 was not confined to that year. The religious movement of which the events of that year were a conspicuous part, began at Northampton in 1734, and continued till 1742, and in many places even longer. The immediate occasion of its commencement was a series of sermons by Jonathan Edwards on the doctrine of justification by faith.” We simply cannot expect God’s blessings upon us if we undervalue or dismiss the high place of preaching in our spiritual growth and evangelism. When preaching is held in low regard or just another element in a service, we may have a lot of activity, but it will be little spiritual fruit.

The next element in a healthy church is fellowship among God’s people. Be careful here. That doesn’t mean simply social activities. It may include such, but the emphasis must be Christ-centered edification, spiritual encouragement and growth. If our fellowship times lack a spiritual priority, it may be beneficial in relationship building but only in things of the world, not of eternity. Don’t misunderstand me. Social times together are awesome and needed, but they cannot be called “Biblical fellowship” if they are noticeably absent of a focus on Christ, His Word, and His people’s growth in Him.

A third element in a healthy church is observance of the Lord’s table – “the breaking of bread.” We need to hold communion with one another often. The Apostle Paul told the Corinthian believers, “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26). The reason why we should frequent His table is to remind us of His sacrifice for us. We are a forgetful people and the Lord in His love, gave us the communion table to help us remember. It is a time of sweet and special fellowship with Him that helps to consistently focus on the Gospel – a need we each have all the time.

The final element in a healthy church is a vibrant prayer ministry. Prayer is the most important thing we do as individuals and a church. It is also likely the most neglected thing done by individuals and churches. Why? Two reasons. One, it requires an all-out war against our flesh. The flesh will never stop opposing prayer. It will whisper, “Too tired for prayer, too busy for prayer” and a host of other excuses keeping us from prayer. If we don’t fight the flesh for prayer, we won’t pray alone or with other believers. A second reason why prayer is the most neglected practice by Christians and churches is the devil. He doesn’t care if we are a church who believe the Bible, even teach the Bible. Preaching and teaching without fervent prayer is powerless. But become a church of prayer, and the devil will go crazy in his assaults against us.

Now, there is one more thing to add to the four scriptural proofs of a healthy church. It is us as individuals. If we are to honor the Lord, grow in Him, and make a difference in the world for Christ, then we must individually commit to active participation in all four elements of a healthy church. We are only as strong as we are committed to one another in being the church; the New Testament church being salt, light, and a beacon of hope in a hopeless world.

PRAYER: “Father, create in me such a delight for prayer, both alone and with Your people”

QUOTE: “Prayer is the most important thing a Christian and church may do and it will be the most attacked by the devil.”