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.
Acts 9:31 (KJV)
When Paul was converted, He is no longer persecuting the church. He is now preaching the gospel and seeking to win souls for the glory of God. This is a simple statement regarding the state of the church at that time, but it reveals great truth about what every church should possess – location, location, and location. That location is smacked in the middle of where we are!
The church is not the building, we are the church! The location of our hearts determines our success. If our hearts are located in the center of God’s will, we are in a prime location.
An Atmosphere of Peace
The word “rest” implies a sense of peace and prosperity. It was a time of great opportunity for them. Many churches face no real conflict outwardly, but are in turmoil inwardly.
A great church, one that is prosperous for Jesus, must possess peace and harmony within. Unity is found in an atmosphere of peace. Great churches are united in love, worship, and a vision for the future. We must remain committed to an atmosphere of peace. We must have peace if we are to prosper.
An Affection for People
The churches found rest and were edified. Once an atmosphere of peace is established, edification can begin.
The word “edify” refers to a house builder. We, as believers, are called upon to edify each other. (Ephesians 4:12) This is achieved through an earnest affection for each other. Things may not always go your way, but that is no reason not to love the brethren. We do not do the church, nor the Lord, any good by tearing down a brother in Christ.
An Attitude of Purity
Everything we do must be pleasing unto the Lord. He is the source of our strength and the sustainer of our souls. (2 Corinthians 7:1) He must be foremost in our lives. An attitude of purity must become part of our daily routine.
There is little fear of God in our day. People live as they please, never considering whether their actions honor God. Sadly, this is becoming increasingly evident in the church. Great churches possess an attitude of purity.
An Acceptance of Power
There is more to comfort than mere consolation. In this context, it means “to call near, a summons for help.” Without the power of the Spirit, our churches will accomplish little for the Lord. It is good to realize that, but we must take it a step further. We must accept the Spirit’s power and submit ourselves to His will. It is one thing to know something, but quite different to live it!
An Addition of People
We serve a mighty God who is capable of mighty things. It should be the desire of each of us to see folks born into the family of God. What makes the difference? This is directly related to the power of the Holy Spirit. Our churches don’t have the convicting power they used to have! A great church sees souls saved.
A great church is decided by its members. Do you want us to be a great church for Jesus?