Keys to a Thriving Church - Pastor Stacey Shiflett

Watch this special 70th Anniversary message here:

Keys to a Thriving Church

Acts 16:5 And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.

Intro: As we celebrate 70 years today, I want to point out one important truth.

Just because a church has survived does not mean it has thrived.

I’m not interested in just existing!

In North Carolina this week, I passed literally hundreds of churches.

They are on every corner nearly. Dead and lifeless and doing nothing for God.

I believe that Calvary Baptist Church has stood the test of time, but more importantly, I believe this church is healthier and stronger than ever before.

That doesn’t happen by accident.

I believe that there are several key elements that will help a church be a Thriving Church.

A Thriving Church is a place where….

I. The Bible is the Standard

The Word of God should be the sole textbook of the church.

A place where man’s opinions and man’s philosophies are firmly based on Scriptures.

·        Psalms 138:2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

2 Timothy 2

·        14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.

·        15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

·        16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

A church that is thriving must be centered around the Word of God.

The preaching, the teaching, the philosophies, the methods – all of must be centered on the Word of God.

·        Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

A Thriving Church is a place where….

II. The Brethren are Spiritual

A church where the members are walking in the Spirit is invaluable.

·        Acts 9:31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

Paul wrote to the church of Corinth, and addressed the importance of this.

1 Corinthians 3

·        1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

·        2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

The spiritual level of the church can have a great effect on that church.

A carnal church has enormous limitations that prohibit them from being a thriving church.

·        In verse 1, Paul acknowledged the limitations it placed on his preaching.

·        In verse 2, Paul acknowledged the limitations is placed on their eating.

A carnal church without spiritual church members will do very little restoration.

·        Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

A church that is not spiritual will have the wrong kind of music.

Ephesians 5

·        18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

·        19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

A Thriving Church is a place where….

III. The Battles make you Stronger

Every church has battles.

Jesus introduced this concept when He introduced the church to His disciples.

·        I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Notice what Paul said to the church of Thessalonica.

2 Thessalonians 1

·        3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;

·        4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:

Some battles divide the church.

Some battles multiply the church.

Some battles cause a church to become bitter.

Some battles cause a church to become better.

Some battles cause a church to lose their pastor.

Some battles help establish their pastor.

Some battles destroy the church’s reputation in the community.

Some battles enhance the church’s reputation in the community.

Battles reveal the essence of the church.

Battles reveal the enemies of the church.

1 Timothy 1

·        18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;

·        19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck;

A Thriving Church is a place where….

IV. The Burden is for Souls

A church without a burden for the lost is already dead and just don’t know it.

A church that is not reaching the unsaved in their community won’t thrive OR survive.

A church that is not fulfilling all three aspects Great Commission and is not a biblical church.

Jesus told the church to get the lost saved, baptized and disciples.

A church that is not doing that is not a biblical, obedient church.