The Healthy Church

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Anything that is alive grows, and it can get unhealthy and die. a church is a living body, that grows.

Acts 2:42-47They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. ⁴³ Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. ⁴⁴ All the believers were together and had everything in common. ⁴⁵ They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. ⁴⁶ Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

A healthy church must have all its functions working as the creator meant it to be. it must remain standing on the solid rock upon which it was established, Jesus Christ.

• A healthy church is the church that plays its role as a church.

• Any organization/body will not play its role, unless it’s very healthy. [even unhealthy marriage will not raise very healthy kids]

• A healthy church is a church that has clearly identified its identity.

• You can only exercise your authority and cause change if you know who you really are-Identity.

• A healthy church is a church that has all its organs functioning as expected.

• Can you imagine a healthy body? All body organs are functioning well.

For the church to maintain its authority, it must keep its identity and to keep its identity, the church must remain true to its mission as defined by the master. If the church steps from the mission it was called for by Christ, it loses its identity and definitely, its authority and it becomes an unhealthy church that ultimately dies at least to its course.

-The best example of a healthy church was set by the early Church. Acts 2.

The Church vision may have all kind of different jargon in its vision , but IT MUST REFLECT THE CHURCH IN ACTS 2

 The Church is called to be the body of Christ on earth, serving as a beacon of faith, hope, and love in a world that is often in turmoil.

Below are 7 principles that a healthy church must embrace to continue growing as it accomplishes the mission of our master and savior here on earth.

1. Worship and Glorification of God

Matthew 21:13 ³ “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’^[a] but you are making it ‘a den of robbers

John 4:24 “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

Isaiah 56:77 these I will bring to my holy mountain    and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices    will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called   a house of prayer for all nations.”

Worship is both a communal and individual act, reflecting the Church's devotion to God and its acknowledgment of His sovereignty.

• If we have no time for anything else in church and we have to do one thing, we will praise and worship the Lord our God.

• We are created to offer worship to our maker.

• The tabernacle, the tents of king David, and the Temple of Jerusalem were all made as a place to offer sacrifices to God-worship.

• Our preaching is only meant to bring more to the house of worship and help others become better worshipers and better fishers of men.

Matthew 4:1 Do you wonder why when the devil asked Jesus to worship him, Jesus rebuked him and told him, “Away with me Devil?” other times Jesus only responded, “it’s written.

Exodus 20:3“You shall have no other gods before me.”

Deuteronomy 6:14 “Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you.”

Exodus 34:14 “Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.

Isaiah 43:7 everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”

2. Proclamation of the Gospel-The Great Commission.

   The church of Jesus Christ has no option but to obey the great commissioning. the church should get out of the walls and reach out to the lost.

   How will they know if no one tells them?

   We must snatch many from hell's fire.

Matthew 28:16-20 " Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. ¹⁷ When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. ¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

go and make disciples of all nations."

This mission underscores the Church's responsibility to evangelize and spread the message of salvation through Jesus Christ.

Jeremiah 17:7-8: "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit."

• Outreach is obedience to the great commission.

• It’s a demonstration of our love to our God.

• It’s a demonstration of our love to others.

  3. Discipleship and Spiritual Growth.

The Church serves as a nurturing ground for spiritual growth and discipleship. 

• It must ensure mechanisms for family foundational growth.

• The modern church loves fun a lot, I’m not talking about fun.

• I’m talking about things that will build you and equip you to stand when storms come.

• The church must ensure the members are well grounded in the truth of God's word.

Ephesians 4:11-13¹ So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, ¹² to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up ¹³ until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

• The church has a major role in equipping the saints for works of service and building up the body of Christ. Through teaching, fellowship, and accountability.

• Is the church equipped? Pray and arise. Be faithful with what you have.

• The Church helps believers mature in their faith and develop a deeper relationship with God.

• What is the church doing to mentor and guide?

• Are we only interested in the crusades and meeting that are livestreamed in the TVs?

Sometimes Jesus took his disciples away from the limelight to ground them deeper in the word-otherwise they couldn’t’ve withstood the persecution.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, ¹⁷ that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

4. Fellowship

Acts 2:42. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

The early Church was devoted to fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer.

• Have you been wondering why our church spends thousands of dollars in making sure we have tea, mandazi and other snacks to share as we fellowship after service?

it's scriptural!!

• The Church today continues to provide a sense of community and belonging, offering support and encouragement to its members.

• This fellowship fosters unity and love, reflecting the relational nature of the Christian faith.

• This is why we spend thousands of dollars in hospitality, and making sure there is fellowship in the church.

• Fellowship gives us an opportunity to minister to each other.

5. Service and compassion.

The Church is called to serve others, following the example of Christ, who came not to be served but to serve.

Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

• This service extends to both the local community and the global stage, addressing physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. The Church engages in acts of compassion, such as feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, and supporting the marginalized, embodying the love of Christ in action.

6. Moral and Ethical Guidance.

In my last visit to Kenya, I spoke to the pastor's fellowship about the church as the voice to the nation. I told the pastors that the priest guided the kings, when did the king start guiding the priest.

•  When we alter God’s order, we miss on his blessings.

•  The church must be the guiding moral voice to the nation and community-it must be epitome of morality.

• In a world often marked by moral ambiguity, and conformity, the church should never be naïve to raise its moral voice in guiding the nation.

The Church provides ethical guidance based on biblical principles. It stands as a moral compass, advocating for justice, righteousness, and truth. The Church addresses contemporary issues through the lens of Scripture, offering a voice of clarity and conviction.

7. Prayer and Intercessory.

• Prayer is a vital aspect of the Church's role, as it intercedes for individuals, communities, and nations.

• A healthy church must be a prayerful church.

• Prayers for others demonstrates our love for them.

• Prayer to GOD demonstrates our reliance on him.

James 5:16 "The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail."

They who cannot serve God by preaching need not regret it if they can be mighty in prayer. The true strength of the church lies there. This is the sinew which moves the arm of omnipotence. If a man can but pray, he can do anything. He knows how to overcome the Lord in prayer has heaven and earth at his disposal. There is nothing, man, which you cannot accomplish if you can but prevail with God in prayer. Charles H Spurgeon.

• In order to know Gods voice (because our Vision and future depend on it) we have to be near God. 

• God doesn’t scream, He whispers. Because He expects those who want to hear him to be very close to Him. 

In summary, the Church today plays a crucial role in worship, evangelism, discipleship, community building, service, moral guidance, prayer, and cultural engagement. It remains a vital institution, grounded in Scripture and committed to fulfilling its divine mandate in a rapidly changing world.

This year again, just as I have done in the last 4 years, I want to remind you the principle of our church at GAEC [God's Awe Exaltation Center]

These biblical principles will guide our visions, our decisions, our resource distribution, and they will keep our church healthy. Our church has narrowed down the above 7 principles of a healthy church into 5 biblical principles that will guide our vision.

PRINCIPLES THAT GUIDE OUR CHURCH

Our church mission and vision are guided by Five Principles reflected in Acts 2:44-47 " And all that believed were together and had all things common. …And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."

1. Worship.

2. Ministry.

3. Evangelism.

4. Discipleship.

5. Teaching.

OUR MISSION

To be a center of worship, wholly focused on glorifying God, where the Word of God illuminates our path. We build one another in fellowship and embracing biblical truth, to proclaim God's love and make disciples of Christ.

OUR VISION

To see a thoroughly equipped man for every good work.2 Timothy 3:17.