
I believe every member wants this to be a
strong congregation.

However, that doesn’t happen by chance or
accident.

Strong congregations were mentioned in the
NT, but none were perfect: Rev. 2:4; 14; 20

Our congregation is strong, but we must work
to make it even stronger: Heb. 5:12-14
2

Consider Romans 8:5-8

What is the “measure” of a strong congregation?
 “Numbers” as a goal usually causes problems.
 Abandon gospel for carnal attractions: Rom.
1:16-17
 Those attracted by “food, fun, and frolic” will not
remain faithful: Jn. 6:26-27, 66

Our success is measured by faithfulness and
spiritual maturity: Rev. 2:10; 3:8, 10
Ten Things That Make a Congregation Strong
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
Paul commands this in Galatians 6:1-2

The Lord’s people should be concerned
for the souls of all men: 1 Tim. 2:3-4; 2
Pet. 1:1

We must do everything we can to help
the weak in faith: Matt. 18:12-14; Jas.
5:19-20; Heb. 12:12-13
Ten Things That Make a Congregation Strong
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

Notice what Paul wrote in: Eph. 4:11-12, 15-16
The religious world has a topsy-turvy attitude
due to the “clergy-laity” concept: 1 Pet. 2:911
 All Christians are priests: 1 Pet. 2:9-11
 That should motivate us to want to work! Neh.
4:6

Have you ever worked with someone who did
not do his/her fair share of the work? Eph.
4:16
Ten Things That Make a Congregation Strong
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
Notice how Paul described the Roman
brethren: Rom. 15:14

The key to continued strength in the
Lord’s work is knowledge: 2 Pet. 1:5
 A congregation lacking knowledge is a
congregation headed for trouble: Hos. 4:6
 We must be people of the book: Neh. 8
Ten Things That Make a Congregation Strong
7

John commended Gaius for his dependability: 3 Jn. 5-8

The easiest aspect of dependability is our
attendance.

Are you dependable in doing whatever
you’re asked to do?

Have you ever known an undependable
person?
Ten Things That Make a Congregation Strong
8

The churches of Macedonia had many liberal
givers: 2 Cor. 8:2

How were they able to do this? 2 Cor. 8:5

We should all have a “let’s pitch-in” mentality.

Do you view giving as a donation? It is a
“contribution”; a sharing in our family’s work.

With liberal giving a strong congregation can
spread the gospel far and wide: 1 Thess. 1:8
Ten Things That Make a Congregation Strong
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
Notice what Jude wrote: Jude 3
 “There
We live in
a “post-modern”
world.
are
no hard distinctions
between
 what
No such
“absolute
isthing
realasand
whattruth.”
is unreal, nor
 Exactlywhat
opposite
scripture:
Jn. 17:17is false. A
between
is oftrue
and what
thing
This puts
us in necessarily
direct conflict with
the world!
is not
either
true or
false;
This places
tremendous
on the
church to
it can
be bothpressure
true and
false.”
compromise the truth.

Harold Pinter
We cannot afford even one ounce of compromise:
Ezek. 3:17-19
Ten Things That Make a Congregation Strong
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
Notice what Paul wrote: 1 Thess. 4:9-10

Shouldn’t we all love our siblings in Christ?

Show hospitality and preference for one
another: Rom. 12:9-13

Love is the glue holding us together: Col.
2:2; 3:14

Without love we are nothing: 1 Cor. 13:1-3
Ten Things That Make a Congregation Strong
11
Paul wrote about peace in Romans 14:17-19
 The Lord taught about peacemakers: Matt.
5:9
 Do you like living in a constant state of
turmoil?
 Such attitudes are not holy; they are not
from God! Jas. 3:17-18
 A congregation at peace can achieve great
things!

Ten Things That Make a Congregation Strong
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
Paul wrote about this: 1 Cor. 14:12, 26

Seek to glorify God and not self! Matt.
6:2, 5, 16
“A good leader takes a little more than his
share
of theeach
blame,
a little
less
than his
 For
success
must
have
a burning
share
of the credit.”
desire for all
to succeed.
Arnold H. Glasow
“It is amazing what you can accomplish if
 Goyou
thedoextra
milewho
to edify
others.
not care
gets the
credit.”
Harry S. Truman
Ten Things That Make a Congregation Strong
13

We can be strong if we accept and obey
these ten things.

Wishing will not get it done!

We can be strong if everyone sets himself
to the task.

Can we be a stronger congregation? The
answer depends on you and me!
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