THE Berean
Bible Ministry

HOW HEALTHY IS YOUR CHURCH?

Jesus said that He would build His church, and the gates of Hell would not overcome it (Matt 16:18). He also said that He would never leave us or forsake us (Matt 28:20). Now, fast forward to about 96 A.D. and we find the church being persecuted and no new revelation from Jesus. The church was discouraged and needed reassurance that Jesus was still in charge, and that He knows exactly what is going on. So, the Apostle John was given the Book of Revelation to encourage the persecuted church and to show what is to come.


In the early chapters of the Book of Revelation He writes letters to seven churches in Asia Minor (modern day Turkey), assessing the strengths and weaknesses of each congregation. In this He demonstrates that He knows exactly what is going, hasn’t abandoned the church, and has a plan for mankind that results in His return. In Chapters 2 and 3 Jesus assess the health of seven churches.


Here is a list of the churches, the commendations and condemnations of each:


  • Ephesus: Commended for their labor and endurance, condemned for leaving their first love and losing sight of their first priorities.


  • Smyrna: Commended remaining faithful during their tribulation, NO condemnation


  • Pergamum: Commended for not denying the faith, compromising with society, condemned for false doctrine.


  • Thyatira: Commended for their love and ministry, condemned for false doctrine.


  • Sardis: NO commendations, condemned for being apathetic


  • Philadelphia: Commended for missionary zeal, NO condemnations


  • Laodicea: NO commendations, condemned for being lukewarm, Christ is not a part of this church, He stands outside the door, knocking.


So, if Jesus were to write a letter to your church, what would He say, both commending and condemning? How do you assess the health of a church?


Here are a few suggestions:


Are your church’s priorities the same as those of Jesus? Matt 28 tells us that the church is to GO in to all the world, preaching, baptizing, making disciples and teaching. How does your church spend its money? Does 80% or more go for overhead in the form of salaries, benefits, mortgage payments, apportionments, maintenance, utilities? How much of the budget is for missions work? What type of a teaching program does your church have? What level of participation is there at all age levels where people actually are disciples, studying the Word of God? 


James 1:27 tells us that TRUE religion is taking care of those in distress (widows, orphans, etc). How much effort and resources are there in reaching out to help others?


What type of an atmosphere is there at your church? Take a look at Gal 5:19-23 where Paul tells us the difference between the works of the flesh and the gift of the Spirit of God. Is the atmosphere at your church one of fear and intimidation, divisions, selfish ambition, power struggles? Or is there a spirit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, etc.”


The church in Corinth was a very immature group of believers. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 3:1-3, “Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly-mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are STILL not ready. You are STILL worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not WORLDLY? Are you not acting like mere men?”


Paul wrote in Romans 12:2, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be TRANSFORMED by the renewing of your mind.” Notice that these Christians were not living as Christians and they were to be changed, growing more and more like Jesus. How? By renewing their minds. How do you renew your minds, change the way you think to be more in line with Jesus? By studying the Word of God! What does it say about your church and your own transformation of your mind if you have been a Christian for years and are still unfamiliar with the Word of God? If your church experience consists of one hour a week listening to a twenty-minute sermon, how much transformation can you expect in your life?


So, if your church and its members were to be given a “spiritual” examination by the Head of the Church, Jesus Christ, what would his assessment be? Would He declare the church and its member “fit for duty” as they say in the military?

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Why Study the Bible?


Don’t many consider the Bible to be just a book of myths? Why do we read the Bible rather than the sacred literature of other religions?


How do we know that it is from God? How do we know that what we have today is an accurate translation from the original? Is the Bible complete or have there been some books that have been lost?


We should be able to answer these questions, and there are answers! So start here!

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Answers to Common Bible Questions

WHAT ARE YOU GIVING UP FOR LENT?

17 Dec, 2021
Lent is a six week period of spiritual devotion starting on Ash Wednesday and ending at Easter. Those who observe Lent usually give up something for Lent. Some might give up coffee, or soda pop, or alcohol, or chocolate. May I suggest that you give up something that will really impress God and make this season of Lent one of the most memorable and meaningful seasons of your life?  May I suggest that if you are giving up something, why not give up some of the acts of our sinful nature mentioned in Gal. 5:19? Why don’t we give up lying about others? Do you think you can give up the hate you feel towards others? How about envy, can we work on putting envy aside this year? How about giving up on the naïve idea that all pastors are mature Christian leaders whose word should always be accepted, rather than wolfs in sheep’s clothing (Matt 7:15). How about giving up the idea that everyone in church is a real Christian (Matt 7:21-23). How about giving up your desire to seek revenge on those who have hurt you (Matt 18:21-22)? If you are insecure and feel threatened when you see the success of others in ministry, how about giving up efforts to hinder others who have been called to minister (Rom 12:4-8)? Of course it is easier to give up something like chocolate, etc. and make yourself feel like you are doing something that is pleasing to God. If you are not willing to give up unchristian behavior, might I suggest something that will really please God this Lent? Give up all evidence of your profession of Christian faith, such as books, pictures and jewelry. Don’t talk about God, Jesus or the Church. I think God would appreciate it if you would stop giving HIM a bad name by the way you live. Let’s give up what hinders our witness and become a better ambassador for Christ (2 Cor 5:20) this Lenten season.

WHAT WAS THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM?

17 Dec, 2021
In Matthew 2:1-2 is says that the magi saw "His star in the east." What was this star that guided these men to Jesus? Some have suggested that it could have been a comet, an asteroid, or perhaps a meteor or an especially bright star. The problem with these suggestions is that these physical things either quickly move across the sky and then disappear or are too far away to provide directions with any precision. It would be hard to get directions from such objects. The "star" had to move constantly or intermittently at the same pace as the magi. Then it says that it hovered over the house where Mary and Joseph had moved to with Jesus. It hardly sounds like a comet or meteor or a star as we know them. Can you think of another time that people in the Bible were guided by some form of light? How about the time when Moses was leading the Israelites out of Egypt? He didn't have a global positioning system with him. He did have a pillar of fire that led him at night (Ex 13:21-22). We see this light in Solomon's Temple (2 Chron 7:1-3) and when the Jews were about to go into Babylonian captivity, we see it leaving the Temple (Ezek 9-11). In the New Testament we see it at the birth of Jesus (Luke 2:9) at His transfiguration (Matt 17:5) and His ascension (Acts 1:9).  What exactly was this guiding light? The word "star" can also be translated as "radiance." It appears that it was this "radiance" that guided Moses and the magi. The Jews call this the "Shekinah", a physical manifestation of the glory of God in the form of a supernatural radiance. This, I believe, is what the Star of Bethlehem was.

CAN WE BELIEVE EVERYTHING WE HEAR?

17 Dec, 2021
Imagine that you are the pastor of a church. A young married couple is having some difficulties in their relationship and they seek counsel from you. On Monday the wife comes in to give her assessment of their marriage. What do you think she will say? She might say that she is a hardworking, caring and supportive wife and that it is her husband who is the neglectful, insensitive brute and the source of all problems in the marriage. You feel so sorry for this wife and when you see her husband in the hallway, you think to yourself, "What a jerk." On Friday the husband comes in and gives his assessment of the marriage. He tells you that he is hard working and very generous and that she is the major problem in the relationship. As the pastor, you are wondering if they both are talking about the same marriage. Each person tells you what makes them look best and their spouse the worst. Where is the truth? The truth is probably somewhere in between  Proverbs 18:17 says, "The first to present his case seems right, til another comes forward and questions him." There are conflicts in all relationships, between spouses, parents and children, employees and employers. When you hear one side of a story, don’t assume that what you hear is the complete truth. And don’t pass on to someone else what you have heard. Probably, at least some of what you heard is untrue to gain your support in a conflict.
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