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Creating a Better Congregation: Personal Responsibility and Collective Growth

Every church can strive for improvement, beginning with individual members. The shortcomings seen in the churches of Revelation highlight the need for personal change. As Paul emphasized, maintaining self-improvement is crucial, acknowledging our imperfections while recognizing God's ability to use us. Focus on the positive aspects of others and approach criticism with prayer and gentleness. Choose godly examples to follow, and increase love within the church, as this will define us as a community. The vital question remains: are we part of the solution or the problem?

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Creating a Better Congregation: Personal Responsibility and Collective Growth

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  1. Making a Better Congregation • Every church, no matter how "good", can always improve • The place to begin is with each individual • Shortcomings of churches in Revelation could not be overcome unless individuals in each made changes • The same is still true today

  2. Making a Better Congregation • REMIND OURSELVES DAILY ONLY WAY TO IMPROVE THIS GROUP IS TO BEGIN WITH SELF • Paul's sense of personal responsibility 1Tim 1:12-16 • Though he was an apostle, he kept improving himself 1Cor 9:27, Phil 3:12-14 • REMIND SELF DAILY - I AM NOT PERFECT • Recognize own shortcomings Matt 7:3-5, Lk 18:10-14, Gal 6:1 • Realize though you're not perfect, God can still use you 2Cor 4:7; • I may be just an old clay jar but God can use me 1Cor 12:12-27

  3. Making a Better Congregation • LOOK FOR AND POINT OUT GOOD QUALITIES IN OTHERS • Pessimism & cynicism abound. Look for good! Phil 4:8 • When we must criticize, pray for them first 2Thes 1:11-12   • Admonish gently Matt 7:2, Gal 6:1 • Accept graciously if you're on the receiving end of criticism Col 3:13-14

  4. Making a Better Congregation • CHOOSE STRONG, GODLY MEMBERS AS EXAMPLE • Some choose weakest, worldliest, most hypocritical to be example just because they are closer friends & end up in same hypocrisy Psalm 37:37-38, 101:6-7 • Someone to follow in most churches 1Cor 4:16; 11:1 • Be an example to someone else. 1Tim 4:12 • We talk a lot about religion, but we need to stop long enough to let our feet catch up with our mouths!“

  5. Making a Better Congregation • DON'T BLAME SOMEONE ELSE FOR FAILURES • Every Christian can be faithful despite bad examples and attitudes around them • Though not everyone is a pillar of godliness, YOU can be! • Either stand or fall on your own Gal 6:4-5, 2Cor 5:10 • When work neglected, instead of complaining, and/or blaming others, roll up your sleeves and get busy. Matt 20:28; Matt 6:1-2 • INCREASE LOVE FOR MEMBERS OF CHURCH • This is the mark by which we'll be known Jhn 13:35 • We are God’s household - behave like a family

  6. Making a Better Congregation • All churches have problems, only two out of seven churches of Asia had no reproof given them • Some more than others but all do nonetheless • The question to ask is "am I part of the problem or part of the solution" 2Cor 13:11

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