ZNA-198

931205AM

TVS-1 TEN VITAL SIGNS OF A HEALTHY CHURCH FAMILY

A HEALTHY CHURCH FAMILY MEMBER:

1. FEELS FOR ONE ANOTHER:  Philippians 2:1 If [there be] therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, (KJV)  Romans 12:9-21 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (NIV)

 Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin. (KJV)

>READ OBITS/WEDDINGS FROM PAPER…

2. LONGS TO SEE EACH OTHER:  Romans 1:11-12 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; 12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. (KJV)
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 Philippians 2:25-26 But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. 26 For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. (NIV)

3. GIVES SACRIFICIALLY TO MINISTER TO THE FAMILY:

2 Corinthians 8:1-5 And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. 5 And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God’s will. (NIV)

Philippians 4:15-16 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. (NIV)

4. PRAYS WITH UNDERSTANDING FOR OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS:

2 Corinthians 11:28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. (NIV)

Colossians 1:9-12 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10 And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. (NIV)

CONCLUSION: Some have told me and others, I just can’t come back. Its so far, its dark, we are all relaxed or are at relatives. What is the answer? We say, we can’t risk not being with our Family. In this toxic waste dump-filled-world of Satan: • with every ad screaming self is in and God is out… • with all the entertainment world slowly conditioning us to condone sleeze and decadent behavior…
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• with the hedonistic-pleasure-worshipping -society squeezing our minds every day… • with public opinion saying the literal belief in the Bible is dangerous.. • and with the scenario of the end times of John on Patmos and Daniel’s prophecy–forming before our very eyes..

We can’t risk not getting our family: RECHARGED, RETUNED, REHEATED, RECALIBRATED, REFUELED and ready to go for another few days. We can only go a few days without a recharge! How about you? Are you so close to the Lord that you just need to be with His Family like the Apostles were?