Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

August 19
Sunday


THE HEART OF
THE CHURCH

READ:
1 Thess. 3:6-13
________________________________

May the Lord make you
increase and abound
in love to one another
and to all.
__ 1 Thessalonians 3:12
________________________________

What makes a church successful? A big turnout on Sunday mornings? A multimillion-dollar budget? A state-of-the-art building?

We all know those things aren't the criteria that define a successful church. Whether your church has stadium size crowds or just a few in attendance, numbers are not the measure God uses for success. He looks at the heart of the church.

The apostle Paul planted an important church in Thessalonica, the capital city of Macedonia. He showed his desire for the church members there when he wrote: "May the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all...so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness" ( 1 Thess. 3:12-13). With these words, Paul showed us two characteristics that are vital for a successful body of believers--love for one another and holiness.

Congregations, church buildings, and budgets come in different sizes. The true measure of success is demonstrated by followers of Christ who love God and each other, and are committed to living holy lives. Our challenge can be found to the words of the prophet Micah: "What does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" (6:8). __Cindy Hess Kasper
____________________________________________________________

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~If you believe on Jesus' name,~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Then of His church you are a part;~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~By loving others you proclaim:~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~"We are the church__we are the 'heart.' " ~~~~~~~~
____________________________________________________________

A small church with a big vision has greater impact
than a big church with a small vision

**********Today's Bible Reading __ 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13**********

6 But now that Timothy
has come to us from you,
and brought us good news
of your faith and love, and
that you always have good
remembrance of us, greatly
desiring to see us, as we
also to see you-- 7 therefoe,
brethren, in all our affliction
and distress we were
comforted concerning you
by your faith. 8 For now we
live, if you stand fast in the
Lord. 9 For what thanks can
we render to God for you,
for all the joy with which
we rejoice for your sake
before our God, 10 night and
day praying exceedingly
that we may see your face
and perfect what is lacking
in your faith?

11 Now may our God and
Father Himself, and our
Lord Jesus Christ, direct
our way to you. 12 And may
the Lord make you increase
and abound in love to one
another and to all, just as
we do to you, 13 so that He
may establish your hearts
blameless in holiness before
our God and Father at the
coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ with all His saints.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

No believer has "arrived" in spiritual development, Spiritual growth
requires lifelong help. The Thessalonian believers had areas in which
they needed improvement. Their doctrinal views about the nearness
of Christ's coming needed correction (1 Thess. 4:1-9). Paul's method
was to begin by commending what was praiseworthy, and then
to correct what was amiss__a good pattern for all of us to follow.
__HDF

Adapted from A Commentary, Critical and Explanatory, on the Old
and New Testaments, by A. R. Fausset and David Brown

[kimberly]

Cimi, you always 'bring it' :D thanks! Kim

[realtmg]

Thanks cimi Real