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What is the purpose of the New Testament Church? The answer is simple! God has intended to display through His church the glory of His perfection and love. Imagine what this would look like in our local congregations:
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God’s name exalted in song, prayer, thanksgiving and sermon.
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Christ’s sacrifice displayed in the lives of repentant sinners.
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Relationships held together by love and service to their Lord and Savior.
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Marriage and families built for endurance,
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God in His goodness and love has not called us to be Christians living to ourselves. Though we individually sin, and are called out of the world individually, we are also commanded to come together in a local congregation to worship and serve our Lord Jesus Christ with others. This assembly of believers is called in the New Testament church, the Body and Bride of Christ.
The Apostle Paul stated to the Ephesians elders, “I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God , which He hath purchased with His own blood.” Acts 20:27-28. “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears” 2 Tim. 4:3.
This series of messages on the “Nine Marks of a Healthy Church” has been developed for your edification, and growth in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. The following “nine marks” will enable you identify a sound gospel church where you and your family may join, thus serving the Lord.
As we learn more about God’s Word, we will learn that, “we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them”. Eph 2:10. "Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children” Joel 2:16.
--Pastor Bob Spagnuolo
Nine Marks Of A Healthy Church
This series of sermons is loosely based on the workbook of the same name by Mark E. Dever. Since it is out of print, we have permission to make scanned copies available. Please see the Study Aids Resources page.
Chapter One: Expositional Preaching
Part Sermon Titles-Subject
NM001 Introduction to the Series: Definition of “Church” (Eph. 3:20-21; I Tim. 3:15)
NM002 Expositional Preaching [1] Why the Need (Nehemiah 8)
NM003 Expositional Preaching [2] Authority of Scripture
NM004 Expositional Preaching [3] Salvation of Sinners (Ezekiel 37:1-14)
NM005 Expositional Preaching [4] Growth of Saints (I Peter 2:2)
NM004 Expositional Preaching [3] Salvation of Sinners (Ezekiel 37:1-14)
NM005 Expositional Preaching [4] Growth of Saints (I Peter 2:2)
Chapter Two: Biblical Theology
NM006 Biblical Theology [1] (Jer. 23:21-23)
NM007 Biblical Theology [2] (Jude 1:1-4)
NM008 Biblical Theology [3]
Chapter Three: A Biblical Understanding of the Good News
NM009 The Gospel - Biblical Introduction (Rom. 1:16)
NM010 The Gospel - Biblical Introduction concluded (I Cor. 1:17-18)
NM011 The Gospel - The Truth Proclaimed (I Cor. 15:1-4)
NM012 The Gospel - Right View of God [1] (Gal. 1:1-9)
NM013 The Gospel - Right View of God [2] (Gal. 1:6-9)
NM014 The Gospel - Right View of God [3] (II Tim. 2:8-10)
NM015 The Gospel - Right View of Man [1] (Gen. 1:26-31)
NM016 The Gospel - Right View of Man [2] (Acts 20:24)
NM017 The Gospel - Christ [1] Fully Man (Mark 1:1-3)
NM018 The Gospel - Christ [2] Fully God (Mark 8:27-29)
NM019 The Gospel - Christ [3] The Suffering Servant of Jehovah (I Tim. 3:16)
NM020 The Gospel - Right Response - Repentance and Faith (Luke 13:1-5)
NM021 The Gospel - Right Response - Fruits and Works Following (Eph. 2:8-10)
Please use these links to view the index for each of these chapters:
Chapter Four: A Biblical Understanding of Conversion
Chapter Five: A Biblical Understanding of Evangelism
Chapter Six: A Biblical Understanding of Church Membership
Chapter Seven: Church Discipline