Strong Churches
The term strong is generally desired as a descriptive word when talking about someone or something. It means to have much force or power, last or endure a long time, and not easily changed or deformed. When the term is applied in the
religious world, to a church, this definition also holds true. Ephesians 6:10 "Finally my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might." This isn't an optional quality, but a necessity. The way an individual or a church gains strength
is through Christ and obeying his commands. Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ whichstrengthens me." Many people have a false perception of what makes a church strong. I would like to discuss a few of these, and prove from God's word
that they are so.
Contrary to the beliefs of many, large numbers do not necessarily mean strength is present. In the days of Noah only eight souls found favor in God's eyes because or their righteousness (Genesis 6). Only Joshua and Caleb entered into the
promised land due to the majority complaining about what God had done (Numbers 14). Matthew 7:13-14 plainly teaches that the majority of people will take the broad, the easy way which leads to eternal destruction, while the few sincere disciples will
seek the hard narrow way. This isn't God's fault, since he wants all to be saved, but instead comes from human kind's continual rebellion and lazyness (2 Peter 3:9). Wealth is also used as a measure of a church's strength. The old saying that money
talks does not end with the physical world. It seems that this materialistic view permeates the religious world also. Was the ministry of Christ as he walked on this earth a rich one? Matthew 8:20 Tells us that Christ didn't even own property or a
home, so why should his
followers dwell on the physical as they often do? Today we see false teachers gathering the physical from their followers and sorely neglecting the spiritual. Revelation 3:17 exposes a congregation who claimed to be rich (physically), but were
condemned for their spiritual poverty. While Revelation 2:9 depicts a spiritually rich congregation who have very little physically. I wonder what use Christ has for a large bank account with so many lost souls in the world today? (Luke 10:2)
Popularity is perhaps the biggest misunderstanding that exists about church strength. Many feel that being loved and honored by the world shows strength. Romans 12:2 "Be not conformed to this world but be ye transformed..." John 15:18-23
explains that if we are loved by the world, we can't follow Christ, since it hated and crucified him. A church that is strong will stand against sin and not compromise to go with the flow. It will be peculiar and not find "UNITY IN DIVERSITY!"
True strength comes from standing for the truth. Not large numbers, many dollars, or popularity. These often become hinderances to fighting against error (2 Peter 2:20).
Steve Fouty
April, 1998 Volume 4 Issue 2 Index
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