Spiritual Habits of a Healthy Church, pt.3, They Rejoice in Christ, Regularly Pray & Return Thanks to God

What is to be the general character of a local church’s worship and corporate relationship? Have you ever thought of this? You probably haven’t but I bet you have sensed it when you have been disappointed or hurt in the worship community. Perhaps you’ve even said or thought, “This is not the way the church is supposed to be.” Or, maybe you’ve attended a service somewhere and found it to be depressing, dull or even morbid, like a funeral. Is that what the Bible teaches? Absolutely not! Christ’s Apostle speaks to the character and nature of our covenant community life in these verses.

This next section which includes the three verses I just read belongs together. They are intertwined and interrelated. It is best, therefore, for us to consider them as a set of commands. 

By way of reminder, we first noted from the Scripture before us that healthy churches have the habit of respecting their spiritual leaders. Secondly, we observed that Paul commanded this congregation to responsibly work to preserve the peace of the body by lovingly holding one another accountable to holy Scripture. 

This morning we will see the imperative for Christian churches to be rejoicing assemblies, prayerful assemblies, and hearty thankful people.