There are all kinds of churches now days. Country Churches, city churches and, the Mega-Churches that we have seen arise the past few years. People have differences of preference concerning these churches.

The church I wish to comment about today was a Great Church. It was the Church in Jerusalem. It got hold of Heaven and went to work with God's power. There are many dead churches today, just like there are dead batteries. I live in a town of about 1200 people and there are 7 churches here. Most of them run about 12 to 45 on Sunday Morning. 4 of these churches are almost in the dying stages. Most all these churches were vibrant churches years ago, running anywhere from 125 to 250 attendees on Sunday Morning. What happened?

I am sorry to say that people see no need for God anymore. They feel they are Masters of their own destiny and seminaries are more like cemeteries, producing nothing more than vocations, instead of callings of God.
Many Pastors today are preaching 10 to 15 minute Sermonettes to a bunch of Christianettes, so they can go home and watch their TV Sets and feel like they have done God a favor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today, we need preachers and Pastors who will stand on The Rock of Ages and preach from the word of God as the basis for our living and, if it makes their toes sore or contradicts their lifestyles, so be it. Incidently, Jesus was not a Pussy Foot Preacher. I would rather have my toes stepped on by a good preacher than my ears tickled by a gutless. false teacher any day!!!!!!!!

Here some things that made this Church in Jerusalem, Great:

1. They had Purpose:
Jesus told then to tarry in Jerusalem until they were empowered from on High and they obeyed. He said to preach the Gospel in Judea, Samaria and to the uttermost parts of the world. Acts 1:8
Peter stood and preached a simple message. That message was for people to repent and be saved. Any church that does not have the goal to see people saved, as a number 1 priority, is failing Christ's command.

2.' They had great Preaching:
Peter was a fisherman. I don't know what kind of speaking voice he had but, he sure was not a highly educated man. He may not have had an eloquent delivery of his message but, his message was a simple message of salvation through Jesus Christ.
a. He lifted up Jesus
b. He lifted up and encouraged the saved people
c/ He called sin as it was. He exposed sin. Many preachers today don't even preach about sin or salvation!!!!!

3.They had Great Power:
If you expect power with God, it comes with a price and qualities in your life
a. You must have a clean life to have God's power.
b. You must be consistant in your Christian walk.
c. You must have commitment to Christ.
I have seen very little power in a Christian's life if they hap-hazardly go to church. I call these Christians, "Popcorn Christians". They pop in, pop off and, pop out!!!!!! They are not consistant or committed.
David was not perfect, but, God used him greatly because he had a good heart, a wise thought process and he had working hands. God is still looking for people like David.

4. They endured Persecution:
Hey, it wasn't easy being a Christian back in this day in Acts. Many Christians were killed for their faith. All of the Apostles suffered Martyrdom except 2. Remember the first New Testament Martyr, Stephen? He was stone while Saul of Tarsus held the coats of those who stoned him. Saul of Tarsus later became the Great Apostle Paul!!!!!!!!! Many Missionaries are being killed and have been killed, for their teachings in our lifetime.
Christ asks us to live for Him because He died for us.

5. They had Great People:
Peter, Andrew, James and John were fisherman on the sea of Galilee. Most of the Apostles were just simple ordinary men from all walks of life yet, Jesus used them in mighty ways. They were willing to work.
They were willing to spread the word. They were will to be faithful and committed to what Jesus asked them to do. They gave up everything to do anything for Christ. We should be ashamed for grumbling about a preacher preaching longer than 10 or 15 minutes. Can't we give God a few minutes out of a 7 day week?????

6.They Gave Great Praise:
They continued daily in ONE accord. They were united. They realized there was UNITY in commUNITY!!!!!!!!
They were not afraid to Praise God. They found favor with people because of their love for people.

I read a story one time about a little old lady who stood up in a testimony meeting one time. Here is what she said,. "I don't have much in worldly goods, my health is not very good either. I only have 2 teeth left. One on top and, one on the bottom but, praise God, they meet in the middle"!!!!!!!!! There is always something to be thankful for. A Positive Attitude will produce Sincere Gratitude.

7. They had Great Promises:
They had the promise of the Holy Spirit---so do we.
They had the promise of happiness and joy----so do we.
They had the Promise of Eternal Life---so do we.

The bible says that Christ loved the Church and gave His life for it.
Should we not attend it?
Should we not support it?
Should we not be committed to it's cause?
Should we not be concerned about the lost people around us?

I believe we should. Heaven is real and everyone wants to talk about Heaven. The truth is, Hell is real too, and people are dying every day without Christ and we set idly by and do or say nothing!!!!!!!!

This message is different than most I post here but folks, it's time we wake up and realize that if we don't stand up and speak up, then what will we say when we have to stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ?
God doesn't ask for perfect people, He asks for willing people. Someone to go and tell others about Christ, His love, His mercy, His pardon and His cleansing, by His death on the Cross and His promise of Eternal Life. This is what makes a GREAT CHURCH.

Oldbiker