What Kind Of Church Does God Want ?
God desires a church that is vibrant, faithful, and compassionate. God wants a church that is embodying the teachings of Jesus Christ. This type of church is a community of believers who love God and each other, serving with humility and selflessness.
It upholds biblical truth, fosters spiritual growth, and spreads the gospel to the world. God wants a church that is a place of worship where His presence is honored. Above all, He desires a church that reflects His love, justice, and mercy, impacting both believers and the lost.
What Kind Of Church Does God Want ?
A Spirit Filled, Powerful, and Fruitful Person & Church
What kind of church does God want ? What kind of Christian and person does He want you to be ? And what does God want His church to be like ?
Many of us would answer these questions by using a combination of today’s modern standards and our own personal opinions or wants. What we think the church ought to be or should be, or what we want the church to be. To find out what God is looking for His children to be, we need to look into God’s Word. The Bible is our authority and guide to find the kind of Christian & church that God wants and desires.
What Kind Of Church Does God Want ?
Clear Guidelines In The Bible
What kind of church does God want ? God has given us clear guidelines in His Word for the kind of church that God wants. He has also given us examples to follow. His Son Jesus, and the early church in the Book of Acts are good examples for us to follow.
This will be a 3 part series of articles that will clearly show the kind of church God wants. We will dig into God’s Word the Bible and discover the 2 keys to being all that God wants us to be. The kind of church that God wants us to be, and that pleases Him. The kind of church that God can use greatly in His Kingdom work and mission.
What Kind Of Church Does God Want ? A Fruitful & Victorious Church
We will start in John 15:8 – “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”
God wants you and His church to be Spirit-filled, powerful, and fruitful. God is greatly glorified by a fruitful Christian and church.
This verse is talking about the eternal, spiritual fruit that is produced when we are the kind of church that God wants us to be
Jesus’ life here on earth, and the early church in the Book of Acts are our examples to follow. In order to be what God wants us to be we need to follow His word and the examples He has given us. In this part we will dig into Acts chapter 2 and discover the first of 2 keys that we need in order to be the kind of church that God wants.
What Kind Of Church Does God Want ?
ACTS 2:42 – the First Key of Being a Spirit-filled and Fruitful Person & Church
Acts 2:42 – “They devoted themselves to 1) the apostles’ teaching 2) and to fellowship, 3) to the breaking of bread and 4) to prayer.”
Question – if a church does all of these things: church services, worship, teach & preach the Bible (at least some parts of it), Bible studies, small groups, fellowships, prayer time… will it be a spirit filled & successful church ? Will it be the kind of church that God wants ?
At first it appears so. It appears at first glance that these 4 things are the First Key thing we have to do in order to be the church that God wants. Bible study, fellowship, eat together, and prayer.
All of these things are important parts of being a Christian and a church, but they are not the First Key. The vital thing you have to have in order to be what God wants you to be.
God Does Not Want Good Religious People
We can do all of these things in a religious way, and our hearts can still be far from God.
We can go to church services, hear God’s word and study it, go to fellowships and small groups, and be involved in the prayer ministry at church, and our hearts can still be far from God. If we do these things as religious things we are obligated to do. Or we can do them as part of a religious checklist that will show that we are being “good Christians”.
Almost all churches do these things in one form or another, but most churches today are not Spirit-filled, powerful, and fruitful churches. In fact many are dead or dying, especially in America and other parts of the world like Europe these days.
What matters most is where our heart is. We can do all of these things and still our heart can be far from God. We can be good religious and moral people, but our hearts can be far from God.
What Kind Of Church Does God Want ?
The First Key to Being The Kind of Church That God Wants
To find the First Key thing we have to have in order to be what God wants us to be – a Spirit-filled, powerful, and fruitful Christian and church, we need to look again and dig further into Acts 2:42:
Acts 2:42 – “They devoted themselves to… here is the First Key:
The Greek word for devoted “proskartereo” is the strongest word in the Greek language for COMMITMENT. It literally means “to latch on and refuse to let go”. The people in the early church in Acts were not devoted or committed to being good religious people, or to merely doing some religious things.
What Kind Of Church Does God Want ? A Church Fully Devoted To Jesus
The early church in Acts was not devoted or committed to a church. Or to a denomination, or to an organization, or to a ministry. “To latch on to and refuse to let go” means that they “latched on to Jesus and refused to let go of Him.
It means they were fully devoted and committed to follow and obey Jesus. No matter where He leads, no matter what he tells you to do. And no matter the cost.
The early church in Acts lived in a very dangerous time for Christians. The same people that tortured and killed Jesus were still alive. This was shortly after Jesus died on the cross.
The early church in Acts suffered a lot of persecution. And they could be arrested or even killed at any time for serving and following Jesus. All but 1 of the apostles were killed for following and obeying Jesus. And for doing what Jesus called and commanded them to do. Share the Gospel with the lost, and make disciples.
What Kind Of Church Does God Want ?
The 1st Key to Being The Kind of Church God Wants
In Part 1 of this 3 part series on What Kind Of Church Does God Want ? we looked at the early church in Acts. We discovered the 1st Key we need to have in order to be the kind of church God wants us to be. We have to be completely devoted and committed to Jesus.
In Part 2 we will continue to look at the kind of church God wants. And we will continue to look into what it looks like to be fully devoted to Jesus. When we are fully devoted to Jesus and obedient, we will see the results that God can produce with this type of church.
We will also discover the 2nd Key that we need to have in order to be the type of church God wants.
Fully Devoted to Jesus – Whatever The Cost
Despite the difficult circumstances and the high cost of following Jesus, they were totally devoted and committed to Jesus. Not just committed to doing some religious things. Or to a church or denomination. They were fully committed to Jesus.
All of the apostles (the leaders & pastors of the early church), except John, died for following and serving Jesus.
Stephen (see Acts 7), Paul, and many others also suffered and died for Jesus.
Because of their total devotion and commitment to Jesus, they were the kind of church God wants. And the result was a Spirit-filled, powerful, and fruitful church.
What Kind Of Church Does God Want ?
The Results and The Signs of Being a Spirit-filled & Fruitful Church
Acts 2:43 – Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.
- a sign of God’s presence & glory filling the church : all were in awe of God; wonders & signs; miracles
Acts 2:44 “All the believers were together and had everything in common.”
- another sign of God’s presence & glory : supernatural “agape” sacrificial love and “koinania” fellowship and unity.
Acts 2:45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.
- another sign of God’s presence & glory : great generosity, unselfishness, love & concern for others (God’s sacrificial “agape” love… the sacrificial love that Jesus displayed when He died on the cross for our sins).
Acts 2:46 “Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,
- another sign of God’s presence & glory. Joy, gladness, contentment, sincerity (despite difficult circumstances, suffering, and the threat of dying)
Acts 2:47a “praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people (good reputation).”
- another sign of God’s presence & glory. Sincere heart-felt true worship and awe of God.
Now we will look at the 2nd half of Acts 2:47.
What Kind Of Church Does God Want ?
The Lord Added Daily…
Acts 2:47b – “and the Lord added to their number daily those who were (joining the church ?) being saved.
Question – how should we define success for a church ? Number of members ? Attendance ? How many programs we have ? How big the campus is ?
We ought to define success as a Christian and church the way God does. 1) as doing whatever Jesus tells us to do. 2) Is there eternal spiritual fruit being produced in our lives and in our service and in our church ?
The eternal spiritual fruit shown in this verse is salvations. Many people were being reached for Jesus and saved. Many were being forgiven of their sins and having peace with God. And a new restored relationship with God. And eternal life in heaven.
God Produces Spiritual Fruit Through His Faithful & Devoted Servants
Notice in Acts 2:47b that it is the Lord God that is adding to their number those who were being saved. It is God that produces eternal fruit. And it is God who receives the glory (see John 15:8).
One of the Main Signs of a Spirit-filled and fruitful Christian and church is that there will be Eternal Spiritual Fruit. Eternal Spiritual Fruit comes in 2 forms. 1) Salvations. 2) Spiritual growth of the believers. In other words, lives are being transformed.
What Kind Of Church Does God Want ?
A Lifestyle of Joining God In His Mission
Notice also that Acts 2:47b says that “the Lord was adding to their number – daily” – this is significant, and it shows that His people, the church, was doing their part regularly in their daily lives. Following and obeying Jesus and doing their part that He commanded them to do was a lifestyle.
They didn’t just do their part as a special event once in awhile, they regularly did their part in their daily life. Because they were fully devoted and committed to Jesus. And Jesus commanded them (and us) to “Follow me and I will make you fishes of men.” Fishers of men are people who actively in their daily life tell as many people as possible about Jesus and how to be saved and have a restored relationship with God & eternal life in heaven.
The 2nd KEY To Being The Kind of Church God Wants
The 2nd Key is to be obedient and faithful in fulfilling God’s kingdom work and mission.
We MUST be on mission with God in order to experience God’s presence/glory/power in our church, And to see God doing what only He can do. Our part is to join God in the work He is already doing and be on mission with Him. Being on mission with God in our “Jerusalem” (local area), our “Judea & Samaria” (regional area), and “the ends of the earth” (as He leads). Acts 1:8
If participating in God’s Kingdom work & mission, or being on mission with God is the 2nd Key in order to be the kind of Christian & church God wants, then it is vitally important that we understand what God’s mission is. Many churches are dead or dying today because they are not filled with God’s presence and glory and power. And they are not filled with God’s presence & glory & power because their hearts are far from God, and they have abandoned God’s mission for their own mission.
What Kind Of Church Does God Want ?
What Is God’s Mission For His Church ?
Question: What is God’s mission ? There are 2 Parts to God’s Mission. We need to look into God’s Word the Bible to find out what God’s mission is. God clearly reveals in His Word what His mission and passion is. And that He wants His followers and the church to obey and faithfully participate in His mission.
1 Timothy 2:4 – God wants (desires) all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
Missions is not about a mission trip, or a special missions or outreach event the church has a few times a year. Or a special ministry for a small group of people with a special gift.
Missions is all about God’s heart. And all about God’s desire and passion for all to be saved. For all people to have a restored relationship with Him and eternal life with Him in heaven.
God has such a strong desire and passion for all to be saved, that He sent His only Son Jesus. He sent Jesus to suffer and die on a cross. All to make it possible for us to be saved and have a restored relationship with God. His love and desire and passion for this is very strong.
The First Part of God’s Mission
When Jesus was here on earth he stated the first part of God’s mission very clearly.
Luke 19:10 – “I came to seek and save the lost”.
We know that Jesus came to save lost people by dying on the cross. Why did Jesus say “seek and save the lost” ? Jesus said he came to seek the lost because He knows people’s hearts and He knows lost people very well.
He knows that most lost people will not step foot into a church. So because He loves them so much Jesus went out to where they were, to share the Good News of salvation with them. His attitude was that He loved them so much, that if they were not going to come to Him then He was going to go out to them. And He would try His very best to help them to have a restored relationship with God.
We need to follow Jesus’ example. We need to love all people like Jesus does. And we need go out to them and try to help them to be forgiven for their sins and have a restored relationship with God. No matter what It costs. It could cost you your dreams. It could cost you your career. Or it could cost you a lot emotionally or financially.
What Kind Of Church Does God Want ?
Who Would Fulfill God’s Mission After Jesus Returned to Heaven ?
Jesus knew that He was going to die on the cross and then rise back up to heaven. Who was going to continue to go and do God’s mission ? God had a plan.
Matthew 4:19 – Jesus said “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men”.
Literally Jesus was talking to His disciples or His followers in this verse. These were the people who would become the apostles later on. They would be the leaders and pastors of the new church in the book of Acts.
In most churches today, if anyone at all is doing God’s mission of seeking and saving the lost, it is usually only a very small group of people. Maybe the pastor(s) and the leaders and a few others. These are supposedly the ones who are gifted to do this.
Is this the way God wants it, only a few people in the church participating with Him in His mission ?
God Provides The Power & Ability to Do His Kingdom Mission
Before we look at that It is important to note that Jesus said “I will make you fishers of men”. He doesn’t say “go out and do your best at being fishers of men.”
Jesus is saying that IF we obey Him and do our part, then He will do His part and empower us. If we go out and seek and save the lost, and share the Gospel with them, then HE will empower us to do the mission work. By the Holy Spirit. And then Jesus will take care of the results too and produce the eternal fruit and success.
Jesus says this in a different way in Acts 1:8 – “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. These are His last words to His followers before rising up to heaven. So they are very important words.
What Kind Of Church Does God Want ?
Is God’s Mission Only for Pastors & Missionaries ?
In Matthew 4:19 when Jesus says “Follow me and I will make you “fishers of men.” Is Jesus talking only to pastors, full time missionaries, and church leaders ? Or is He talking to all of His followers in the church ? Pastors and leaders, or every person in the church ? We need to look into God’s Word to find the answer.
Acts 8:1,4 – On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria… verse 4 – “Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.”
The apostles (pastors & leaders of the church) all stayed in Jerusalem. The rest of the church, the regular people of the church, were scattered to other places. Acts 8:4 tells us that all of the people who were scattered preached the Word (the Gospel) wherever they went. Not just the pastor. All of the regular people of the church preached the Gospel.
ALL of the people in the early church understood that Jesus was talking to everyone in the church when He said “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” And they ALL obeyed Him and did it. Even though there was a lot of persecution at that time. And they could even die for obeying Jesus. That is total devotion and commitment to Jesus. Actually all of the apostles except John did die because they followed and obeyed Jesus. And others like Stephen and Paul died also.
What Kind Of Church Does God Want ?
What God Can Do Through Humble & Devoted People
Here is the result of such total devotion & commitment to Jesus. And obedience to His command in Matthew 4:19.
Acts 11:19-21 – “Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. 20 Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the LORD Jesus. 21 The LORD’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the LORD.”
God’s Presence, God’s Power, God’s Resources…
The Lord’s hand in Acts 11:21 represents His presence, His glory, His resources, and His power. God was doing the mission work through the regular people of the church. And it was God who was producing many salvations and eternal spiritual fruit.
Everyone in the church did their part. And God was able to bless and empower them. And then God produced the results and the eternal spiritual fruit.
They all saw God do great things because of their obedience and devotion to Jesus. And they were all in awe of God and the great things He did. That is the way it should be, and could be today.
The 1st Part of God’s Mission is for all of us to be “fishers of men”. To actively in our daily lives go and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And share with as many people as we can. Because God wants all people to be saved.
What Kind Of Church Does God Want ?
There is a 2nd Part of God’s Mission
Matthew 28:18-20 is the Great Commission. “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Once we reach people for Jesus with the Gospel and they are saved, they are new believers. They are babies in the faith and God wants all of us to help them to grow spiritually.
God Wants Disciples Not Just Converts
God does not just want converts. He wants faithful and fruitful and Spirit-filled disciples (followers).
All of us in the church are to participate in this part of God’s mission also. To make disciples.
We are all to invest our time, efforts, and resources to fulfill this part of the mission. Invest into the lives of other believers, especially new believers, to help them to grow spiritually. And to help them to grow closer to Jesus and be more like Him.
This is not just the job of the pastor(s) or Sunday School teachers. Or small group leaders. It is the job of all of us in the church. We can all invest our time to help others to grow spiritually. And to love them, and encourage them, and to help them learn to read the Bible. And help them to learn to pray and hear God’s voice.
When we are faithful and do our part, then God will do His part. And He will produce fruit. The eternal fruit of salvations and spiritual growth. Then we will be the kind of church that God wants. A Spirit-filled, powerful, victorious, and fruitful Christian and church. And the world around us will be greatly impacted.
Pursuing Intimacy With God is committed to helping you with the most important thing in your life… your intimacy with God , your fellowship with Him, and your partnership with God in His Kingdom work & mission.
There are hundreds of Bible verses and great truths & promises in the Pursuing Intimacy With God studies.
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Other Links
Religion vs Relationship With God
Why Should You Pray & Spend Time With God ?
Is Jesus Your First Love ? Part 2
Prayer Is Passion To Seek & Know God
God’s Purpose & Mission For You And Your Church
Spiritual Gifts: All Christians Have Gifts
Jesus Wants To Heal You & Set You Free
Salvation & The Gospel Of Jesus Christ
The Kind of Christian & Church God Wants
Kevin Bart has been a follower of Jesus for over 40 years. Kevin has taught Bible study classes, small groups, and discipleship classes for many years. He developed Pursuing Intimacy With God Bible studies website and book after many years of seeking God and studying His word. Kevin and his wife Nancy have 3 sons and 2 precious grandchildren.
Kevin is a former business owner, and current international missions ministry leader with more than four decades of combined business and ministry experience. After building and running a successful business for 23 years, with God’s guidance and blessings, he sold his company to dedicate himself to full-time global missions.
For over 20 years, Kevin and his wife Nancy have led a self funded international missions ministry. Utilizing learned business and financial management skills, as well as knowledge and experience in travel points and miles, to date they have had more than 5o mission trips to 36 countries in the Caribbean, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia.
After many years of studying the Bible and the Book of Revelation, and writing many Bible studies and articles, Kevin finally finished Unraveling The Mysteries of the Book Of Revelation. Hopefully it will be a blessing to many people.
