What Made the Early Church So Effective?

Believers often speak wistfully of the early church, wishing we could recover the spirit of that day. Those early believers were indeed a remarkable group, spreading the gospel of Christ with remarkable effect. So what made the early church so incredible? John Piper makes 6 observations based on Stephen Neil's A History of Christian Missions:

1. First and foremost was the burning conviction which possessed a great number of the early Christians.

2. The solid historical message which Christians brought was indeed good news, and a welcome alternative to the mystery religions of the day.

3. The new Christian communities commended themselves by the purity of their lives.

4. The Christian communities were marked by mutual loyalty and an overcoming of antagonisms between alienated classes.

5. The Christians were known for an elaborate development of charitable service, especially to those within the fellowship.

6. The persecution of Christians and their readiness to suffer made a dramatic impact on unbelievers.

In other words, the early church truly believed the gospel! Consequently, Christ transformed every aspect of their lives and bore much fruit through them.

What makes a church effective? It's no great mystery: the life-transforming gospel of Jesus!

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10 Things To Pray For Your Church

Before the year 2010 began, the Lord laid on my heart to make a list of ten things our church should be praying for as the body of Christ. The original intention was to encourage our people to make an all out effort to pray faithfully for these ten things only in the year 2010.

Later, I realized that these ten requests needed to always be upheld before our Lord for the overall health of our church no matter the year (duh, sometimes I am a little bit slow). So up to this day, even though it is 2011, we continue to pray this way as a church family for God's help as we carry on the gospel ministry for His glory alone.

I know by no means is this is an exhaustive list, but I hope it will help guide and encourage you as you faithfully pray for your church as well.

PRAY....

THAT OUR UNITY AND LOVE WILL ALWAYS BE GENUINE.

THAT EVERYTHING WE DO WILL BRING GLORY TO GOD.

THAT WE WILL REACH THE LOST FOR CHRIST AND MAKE DISCIPLES.

THAT WE WILL GROW IN SPIRITUAL MATURITY.

THAT OUR FAMILIES AND MARRIAGES WILL BE STRENGTHENED.

THAT WE WILL STAY HOT FOR CHRIST - TREASURING JESUS MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE.

THAT THE LORD WILL USE OUR JOYFUL WORSHIP AS A MEANS TO DRAW OTHERS TO HIMSELF.

FOR ONE ANOTHER DAILY.

FOR THE LORD'S PROTECTION FROM SATAN AND SIN.

FOR THE PASTOR AND HIS FAMILY.

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