The Production Of A Dedicated Christian Church

He saw signs that said:

• Smith Hardware

• Smith Pharmacy

• Smith Tire Service

• Smith Garage

• Smith Insurance Company

• Smith Funeral Home

• Smith High School

• Smith Real Estate

• Smith Body Shop

After seeing all these signs with the ame Smith on them he said to his wife “I wonder where all these Smith came from?”

When he got out side of the town limits he saw a large Building on the side of the road and he said to his wife “That is where all these Smiths came from.”

On the side of the building was a large sign that said, SMITH MANUFACTURE COMPANY

In the New Testament we read about some great Christians, “Where did all of these great Christians come from?”

They came from the NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH that produced some of the greatest Christians that ever walked on the face of the earth.

God wants to PRODUCE some great Christians in this church. So we need to learn more about this great church.

WHAT MADE THIS CHURCH SUCH A GREAT CHURCH?

They understood that God placed certain things in the church that the church cannot do without.

That is, they realized there is no substitute for some things.

(1) The same thing applies to food…

Illus: We all have had the similar experience of having our taste buds seduced by a delicious meal. But the moment we took one bite of that delicious food, we immediately knew that one of the main components that would have made this dish taste so good, such as salt or pepper, was missing.

There are some things that cannot be replaced!!!

(2) The same thing applies to Medicine…

Illus: Suppose a person has to take a certain kind of medicine for high blood pressure. The individual runs out of medicine, but he says, "Well, a pill is a pill, they all look alike, it doesn't matter what kind I take."

Really, he will find out very soon, it does make a difference, and you cannot substitute some things.

(3) The same thing applies to gasoline…

Illus: Suppose a person runs out of gas, and he says, "Well, I do not have any gas, but gas looks a great deal like water, so I think I will fill my tank with water and go to town."

It won’t take this person very long to find out that you cannot substitute some things.

(4) The same thing applies to the church…

There are some things the church cannot get by without.

For example, a church cannot get by without DEDICATED CHRISTIANS.

Many churches today are SUBSTITUTING UNDEDICATED CHRISTIANS FOR DEDICATED CHRISTIANS.

Illus: One thing I appreciate about this church (THE FIRST BAPTIST) when the Nominating Committee meet to select nominees for the coming year they will only nominate DEDICATED CHRISTIANS to hold positions in leadership.

They have enough Bible knowledge to know that a church is asking for trouble when they INSTALL UNDEDICATED CHRISTIANS INTO CHURCH POSITIONS.

Beloved, show me a church that is trying to replace the DEDICATED CHRISTIANS with UNDEDICATED CHRISTIANS, and I will show you a church that is spinning its wheels, or sliding backwards.

In the Book of Acts, we clearly see the reason that the early church was so successful. It was successful because of the DEDICATED CHRISTIANS this church produced.

• The greatness of this church was not in the luxuriant buildings they worshipped in

• The greatness of this church was in the God they worshipped and the people who worshipped Him.

Now when you take these two ingredients out of the church, you have a poor substitute for a church.

Let’s read about this great church. Look at Acts 2:41-47. "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized and the same day there added unto them about three thousand souls.(This church was built on the preaching and receiving of God’s Word) And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord into the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."

In order that we might become like this GOD LOVING and GOD USED church, let us look more closely at why God used them the way He did.

We first see in this portion of Scripture that I just read to you this church PRODUCED CHRISTIANS.