A Healthy 2023
Back to Basics
As we begin a new year, I’d like us to reflect on the last one for a second. But not just last year, let’s take a quick look at the last four. The family and I arrived in August of 2018. In that first year, from Aug ’18 to Aug ’19, we focused on building fellowship and connecting with the community. It was a fruitful year focused on the two Great Commandments—Love God, and love others. Then, as we approached the turning of the calendar, things were looking great. 2020 was going to be the year we would explode in healthy growth. Well, there was something of an explosion.
As 2020 turned into “The Year of COVID,” we had to take a hard look at how to do church. The congregation had a the whole gamut of opinions—from “it’s no big deal, where is the faith?” to “We should shut the place down.” Well, what some of you may not remember is that was also the year that we had some of our best financial blessings. We continued to meet in the parking lot, and then back in the sanctuary, and God was faithful to us as we were faithful to Him. We did lose many people, but we also gained many.
Then, in 2021, we were blessed to move out of “COVID mode” almost altogether. However, it was still a hard year. We had lost a lot of volunteers, and so getting ministries back and running proved difficult. Even so, we continued to see growth among our members, primarily spiritually (which is most important), but also we added some new faces.
This last year, it has been rough on many of us. We have seen triumph and heartache, and if you are like me, it would happen in the same week. I tend to default to looking at what’s wrong with people and circumstances, but God is teaching me to look at the positive. One thing stuck out as I prepared for today. In 2022, we baptized 5 people—one of whom is my son, Ethan. Now, I know in other circles and compared to other churches, that doesn’t seem like a lot, but it is for us. Why do I say that? Because Chilhowee Baptist hasn’t seen 5 baptisms in one year since 2017. That is something to celebrate!
God has blessed us as a church this past year, and I believe it is because of His goodness and our faithfulness. If we are to see more blessings this year, then we must remember the “secret formula” for success—and, no, it’s not really much of a secret.
Remembering what makes us faithful
Faithfulness is a mark of healthiness, and faithfulness leads to growth. Another way to say this is:
Healthy growth comes from a healthy church, and a healthy church comes from healthy Christians.
I told the church way back in 2018 the way we would reach the community with the Gospel would be pretty simple—we would go tell them about Jesus. It really isn’t rocket science. Unfortunately, churches have a habit of making the simple complicated because some snake-oil salesman will come along with “the next big thing for church growth”. I still believe the key to having a healthy, growing church falls in one verse. Let’s read that now.
And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
Acts 2:42
The early church focused on these four things, and through that, look at what happened:
And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Acts 2:43-47
Before we look at the how, take a look again at the results:
Awe came upon every soul
Wonders and signs were done
All who believed had all things in common, meaning they were united in love
The needs of the poor were met
All had enough to eat and praised God daily
The church had favor with all the people
The Lord added to their number daily those being saved.
The church was healthy—tremendously healthy. The believers were unified, needs were met, people in and out of the church esteemed the Christians, and God brought salvation daily to the people. This description is an astounding statement and testimony to those first Christians. Now, of course, we know from the rest of Acts and the Epistles, these were not perfect Christians, but we do know they were a growing congregation. They were headed in the right direction.
So, how did it happen? Of course, God was moving dramatically. Pentecost had just happened. The Holy Spirit was poured out on the disciples, and they were proclaiming salvation to the Jews. Soon, they would be proclaiming salvation to the Gentiles, also. But, if we just sit back and say, “Well, that’s what God did back then,” then we miss the reason Luke put this in Acts. Luke wants us to know why God blessed those first Christians. And, if we will put these principles into practice, then, yes, we can expect God to bless us as well.
And so, I present to you four principles toward a healthy 2023.
Four Principles for a Healthy 2023
First, the Christians were devoted to the Apostles’ teachings.
1) Be devoted to studying the Bible
How can we be devoted to Apostles teachings? Here are three ideas.
First, find a Sunday school or small group. In fact, this is probably one of the most important decisions you can make to grow in Christ. More spiritual growth happens through an active small group than almost any other task. The big exception is in mission work, but we’ll get there in a minute. A small group, whether the traditional Sunday School class or a home group, is vital because we need a small number of people who can help us be accountable.
Second, read through the Bible. Now, if you struggle with getting through the Bible cover to cover, first off, don’t fell bad. You are not alone in that. Most people get to the laws in Exodus and fade out. If they make it through Exodus, then Numbers trips them up. But, if they make it to Numbers 5, then the story picks up again. But then, Leviticus happens. Only the persevering who have the grit to make it to Deuteronomy realize the books of the Bible are organized the way they are to test the faithfulness of God’s people. Once you get to Deuteronomy, the stories return, and you are rewarded for your perseverance.
But even if you do happen to read the whole Bible, cover to cover, it can be a daunting book. Remember, God’s Word is living and active. Every time we read it, we will come away with something to change our hearts. In fact, I don’t think I have ever heard anyone say, “I spend too much time studying God’s Word.” It can’t be done!
For this year, I am recommending listening to “Between the Lines” while you read. I’ve put out January’s reading plan, and you can listen to a couple of pastors in Chicago discuss the daily readings.
Last, you can always read a theology book to help you study. There are lots of devotionals that will help you read through Scripture and meditate on it, but what I’m talking about is an actual book that discusses a theological topic. When we study a particular topic, it forces us to look inside the Bible to see why a theologian says what he says. There are numerous ones in the church library to take advantage of. After all, our library is free. We also have RightNow Media which offers video series that which almost all are based on a book. (In other words, if you don’t want to read, then commit to at least watching the book.)
The key to finding a good one is to simply fill in the blank, “I want to learn more about _______.” If you need help finding a book, let me know what you filled in the blank with, and I’ll do my best.
2) Be devoted to fellowshipping with other Christians
Studying the Bible will take you far. But if you study the Bible with other Christians, you will go farther. It cannot be underestimated the importance of fellowshipping with other Christians. Now, keep in mind, “fellowship” is far more than mere lunch together. It is joining in mission with one another. It can begin over a meal, so the first recommendation is the most obvious: be at the potluck on the last Sundays. Join in the meal. Bring a dish, but even if you don’t, join in the meal.
Second, make a new friend in the church. Find someone you don’t normally sit by, and sit by them. Find out their name. Find out about their family. Make a friend. Go to each other’s house. Watch a movie together. Share a meal. Whatever you do, just do it with the intention of getting to know your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
If you do that, it will eventually lead to true fellowship which is being a part of a church ministry together. Fellowship that isn’t on mission is just friendship. And there isn’t anything wrong with friendship, but it isn’t true fellowship. Fellowship is joining together to minister to the community. It’s joining to go tell others about Jesus. It’s joining together to study the Bible more. It’s joining together to worship and lead others to worship.
This kind of fellowship should be a part of your Sunday School class. But if it isn’t, then talk to your Sunday School teacher about how your class can become a true fellowship. Have a quarterly Sunday School party. Pick a few months this year to have a ministry day. Most important, take part of the monthly visitation. This month is January 16.
3) Be devoted to the Lord’s Supper
When we read, “devoted to breaking bread,” some believe it has to do with eating a meal together (and it does), but it may also point to the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper. I don’t think I’ve read a church growth book where the Lord’s Supper plays part of the model, but it is vitally important. We have two ordinances in the church: baptism and the Lord’s Supper. The first initiates the new believer into the church, and the second reminds us of the grace that was poured out for our salvation. The Lord’s Supper binds us as Christians to one another.
And so, be at the Lord’s Supper on the last Sunday of the month. Also, get a buddy to make sure you are there (and you make sure they are there). Do not forsake this time of remembrance.
4) Be devoted to prayer
The last point is one that is often overlooked, but surely shouldn’t be. Be devoted to prayer in order to know what steps God wants you to take next. Think about it:
If you read your Bible, but never listen for what God is telling you, have you really engaged with God’s Word?
If you fellowship with other Christians, but never listen for God’s guidance for your group, how will you know where to serve next?
If you join with Christians in observing the Lord’s Supper every time, but never listen as God reassures your heart, how will you experience God’s grace?
Prayer is central to the Christian life, and yet, too often we take it for granted. It is the lifeblood for the Christian walk. Consider what John writes in 1 John 3:18-24.
Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.
1 John 3:18-24
When we love in deed and in truth (we apply Scripture and fellowship), we know we are of the truth. But if our heart condemns us, if we are reminded of our failures and sin, “God is greater than our heart, and He knows everything.” And, we can have confidence before God. That is why we pray. We pray so that we can have confidence before God and before others. We listen as we pray, because God will reassure our heart.
When we are fearful,
When we feel guilty,
When we can only focus on past failures,
We pray and listen for God to speak.
Because when God speaks, He will speak the Truth. And the Truth is, if we are in Christ, we are loved perfectly and can love which casts out fear.
If we are in Christ, we are no longer guilty, we are acquitted. Christ has forgiven our sin, past, present and future.
If we are in Christ, our failures become His victory.
If we are in Christ, God will speak to us and remind us, “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
So, be devoted to prayer. Take the prayer guide with you during Bible readings. Pray for those on the visitation list. And, don’t end your prayer time without knowing one specific thing you can do in response to what you are praying for.