Day 60: Finding The Right Church For You (Bonus Lesson 9)

Jesus warned us that in the last days, many false prophets will arise. The Apostles recorded in the epistles men who were teaching and misleading people in the body of Christ. So, it is important to know what we should look out for and avoid before we join a congregation of believers. These are some of those things:

1. The Bible must be taught without compromise:

Many churches teach from the word, but that's not enough, a church must teach sound doctrines evidenced in scripture, especially the New Testament.  Many believers because they do not take the time to study God's word on their own fall for false doctrine.

The word is not just to encourage and excite you, you should be challenged and rebuked. You must be encouraged to search the scriptures for yourselves. You must be equipped with biblical principles for real-life issues.

Look out for a church that teaches that the word is potent on its own without adding extra-biblical things.

Must teach repentance from sin and good works but preach justification by faith, not works. God and His Kingdom must be the ultimate focus of every sermon and activity.

Must teach the incarnation of Christ, the sufferings of the cross, His resurrection, glorification, and Lordship over all.

2. Honor and Worship:

Honor is important and you should watch out for a church that has a culture of biblical honor. However, beware of men who preach themselves to be some form of God or prophet incarnate. No man should be exalted as God or worshipped.

Your church should teach you to prioritize God and His voice more than your Pastor and his voice.

Beware of churches where the pastor or leaders of the church are in obvious disobedience of scripture. Whether living in sin or just disobeying laid down principles of scripture.

Beware of churches that are always critical of the body of Christ and other pastors. Always trying to propagate a 'we're better than them' mindset. Every perceived flaw in the local church and the body of Christ should be addressed with grace and love.

Every song whether worship or praise must glorify Jesus as Lord. God specifically in the Old Testament stated no image of Him must be made. So beware of churches that expect you to bow to or pray before some form of image or object.

3. Evangelism and good works:

The Bible tells us in Matthew 28 our primary responsibility to the world as believers. A church must be dedicated to preaching the gospel and discipling men. Jesus also said in Matthew 5:14 that by our good works men should glorify God. Good works must be encouraged. A church should never be blind to the need of less privileged members and the community. There shouldn't be segregation or preferential treatment because of fame, wealth, or status. Good works must be motivated by love and performed with humility and grace, not for recognition or praise.

4. Must teach and prioritize prayer as much as the word of God:

It's not that some churches do not pray, they just do not pray according to or with scripture. Prayer must also be emphasized and taught as fellowship with God and not just a means to get needs met. Look out for a church that places a lot of importance on intercessory prayer both for the lost and the body of Christ. Must teach the ministry of the Holy Spirit in and beyond prayer.

There is one red flag many do not consider when choosing a church: churches that preach isolation or independence from the rest of the body of Christ. Paul in 1 Corinthians 12 describes the church as a body with different members that work together. Many diversities, many gifts but one Spirit and One Lord. So, avoid churches that teach new doctrines contrary to scripture, discourage you from studying the Bible or materials from Christians outside their church.

All the above principles I have given are confirmed in the Bible (especially the epistles of the Apostles). The most important thing though in finding the right local church is divine guidance. Divine guidance is not always spectacular. God often works in ways that seem too simple to be divine. In this series, it has been emphasized that it is God that sets the solitary in families. So, begin by asking God to set you in the right church family for you and watch out for the leading of God's Spirit.

PRAY WITH ME:

Lord, I rededicate myself to the study of your word. Reveal to me from your word what an ideal church should look like. Help me from today to be sensitive to your leading and to detect false doctrines and false prophets.

REFLECT AND ACT:

• Evaluate your local church based on the principles stated and determine if you belong to the right church.
• If you're not sure the Lord set you in your church, pray and ask for His guidance
• If you're searching for a local church, please keep these principles in mind as you proceed.
• Take out time to do a personal search in the Epistles to the early church what an ideal christian community should be.