Jump Start # 1814

Philippians 2:25 “But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my need”

The last two Jump Starts have explored the working relationships between elders and preachers. There is a special relationship and bond that is shared among them. They are after the same things. Together, through encouragement, teaching, example and influence are trying to build up the body of Christ. Their goal is a strong church. Wonderful things come from a strong church. Worship seems more passionate coming from a strong church. The care among the members seems more genuine coming from a strong church. It’s harder for the devil to get a foothold in a strong church. Teachers, future leaders seem to be easier to find within a strong church.

Strong churches do not just happen. They are not based upon size. I’ve seen large churches, that were weak and indifferent. I’ve seem small churches that were powerful. But I’ve also see the opposite. I’ve seen small churches that were dead and large churches that were thriving, touching lives and making a difference.

What makes a strong church? Everyone wants to be a part of a strong church, but how does it happen?

First, it doesn’t just happen. It has nothing to do with location, size, or the building. It has everything to do with hearts, faith and putting the Lord first. Strong churches come from strong families and strong personal lives. What happens outside of the church building is an indication of the strength of the church. Are folks playing around? Are they flirting with the devil? Are they feeding their souls? Are they being serious about their commitment to Christ?

Second, strong churches are made up of strong families. Marriages that are solid, spiritual and helping each other and those around them. Children that are being raised to know the Lord and to stand with God’s people. You can’t build strong churches from weak families. Families making wise spiritual choices. Families that are thinking about the Lord in all that they do. This becomes the backbone of strong churches.

Third, strong churches are built upon solid teaching of God’s word. The Bible is taught. Many circle around the Bible, much like Joshua marching around Jericho, around and around they went, until they finally went in and conquered it. For some, they never go in. They talk about superficial things. They talk about pop psychology. They talk about issues that do not bring about much change nor commitment. Strong faith comes from strong teaching of God’s word. The hood is raised on passages. Intense applications are made. Practical, relevant and useful teaching of God’s word becomes the backbone of a strong church. Strong churches don’t chase the latest fads. They don’t spend time discussing things that does not matter. They see issues as they really are. They make adjustments to deal with current situations and problems and find Biblical answers and Biblical ways to address these problems.

Fourth, strong churches work together. This is where our passage fits in today. Paul was sending one of his trusted co-workers, Epaphroditus, to help the Philippians. Paul described this brother as a “fellow worker” and a “fellow soldier.” He wasn’t the Savior. He wasn’t a superhero. He wasn’t going to fix all of their problems. He wasn’t to come in and do everything for them. He was a worker, a “Fellow-worker.” This is the key element of a strong church. Strong churches work like a team. They have different levels of talent, all of them are used. They have folks who are good at one thing and others who are good at another thing. Together, like a team, these members pull together and do what they can. There isn’t time nor room for jealously. There isn’t time nor room for pride. There isn’t someone who tries to run the whole show. There isn’t someone who gets their feelings hurt because they didn’t get a shout out from the pulpit. There isn’t someone who thinks it has to be done their way or else they will leave. None of that is found nor fits in a strong church. There are attitudes that reflect Christ. It isn’t about them, but the glory of God.

Paul was sending Epaphroditus, one of many that he had as fellow servants. There was Timothy and Ttus. There was Luke and Apollos. There was Silas. There was Fortunatus and Stephanas. Paul chose Epaphroditus. He was proven. He was worthy. He would be a team player. Working with one another is a characteristic of a strong church. We have different talents. We have different strengths. We need each other. Strong churches recognize that. It’s not just the preacher that does it all. It’s not just the shepherds that do it all. Everyone pitching in. Everyone contributing. Everyone busy. Everyone doing what they can for the Lord. The best player is of little value if he is sitting on the sidelines. He needs to be engaged. He needs to be in the game. Someone pouting because they didn’t get their way isn’t the trademark of a strong church.

Fellow workers working—that’s the key of a strong church. As in so many organizations, as it is too often in the church, the few do the most and the most do little. It shouldn’t be this way. There’s enough to go around for everyone to be busy and contributing to the kingdom of God.

Working together—that’s the key. Your part, your faith, your commitment, either adds to the strength of the church or the lack of those things is just another reason why the church isn’t strong. You can’t have a strong church and weak members. You can’t have a spiritual church and worldly members. We want everyone else to get on board and make the church great and powerful. What about us? What are we doing? It begins at home. It begins with my choices, my faith, and my heart. It begins with me.

Roger