We are continuing our look at greatness in the Kingdom of God.

Yesterday, we looked at the mark of Jesus’ greatness and the mark of an individual’s greatness.

Today, we look at a third mark of greatness.

3. The Mark of a Church’s Greatness

I have seen marquees and signs outside of towns that said things like, “The Friendliest Church In Town” or “The Fastest Growing Church In Town.”

That’s no sign of greatness!  

Listen to 1 Peter 4:10, “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”

A great church is made up of people, each one using his spiritual gifts to serve others and in so doing Jesus is lifted up. And if Jesus is lifted up, He will draw all men unto Him and the church will grow.

A great church is one which does not ask, “How can the community serve it?” but, “How can it serve the community?”  We must be willing to ask the question, “How can we bridge our church with our community?” 

God is not calling us to grow in numbers. He is calling us to grow in greatness and God will take care of the numbers.

One of my greatest concerns is that when all is said and done, we will grow by adding believers who share our passion and yet, we will not grow by the heart of Jesus to reach the lost.

Luke 19:10 (NIV) “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”

Matthew 4:19 (NIV)  “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”

If we are not fishing, we are not following. 

The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.

What Jesus said to Paul, we must hear Him say to us:

Acts 26:17-18 (NIV)
17 … I am sending you … 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

Let’s be very clear about the purpose of our church. Our mission is to Make disciples of Jesus Christ in safe, relational environments. Our vision is to reach our world with Jesus one person at a time.

That means that the church must always have a two-prong focus.

1. We are about relationships. 

True disciples are relational. There is no such thing as a disciple of Jesus who does not love and care for others.

2.  But also, we are about reaching the lost and unchurched.

We must stay open to wanting to include new people in our relational environments. 

The Bible belt is filled with disillusioned people who “tried church.” And what they saw was not what church is supposed to be.

Jesus said, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)

When we bring lost or disillusioned people into our fellowship, we have an opportunity to show them 

what it means to love one another.