Marks of an Exceptional Church Lesson 1

The Marks of An Exceptional Church Lesson 1
Pastor’s Bible Class
Calvary Missionary Baptist Church
August 5, 2010

An Exceptional Church Demonstrates Exceptional Purpose
Scripture: Philippians 2:1-18

Introduction

What are the marks of an exceptional church? When a church wants to go beyond average, what does it look like? When a church wants to go beyond better to become the best it can be, what does that look like? In this letter to the Philippians, the Apostle Paul gives us some benchmarks and principles of what an exceptional church looks like.

What is the mission and purpose of the church? Obviously the mission is to carry out the Great Commission of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:19-20) and the Great Command of Jesus Christ (Luke 10:27). Here in this passage the Apostle Paul sheds more light on the kind of church that seeks to be exceptional. The kind of church we seek to be, exceptional.

I. An Exceptional Church Demonstrates Exceptional Unity of Purpose. (Phil. 2: 1-4.)

A. Paul makes a special appeal for unity of purpose. He uses the IF-THEN argument…

1. If you have any consolation in Christ. (The mutual encouragement they share in Christ.)
2. If you have any comfort of love. (The mutual love they share for each other.)
3. If you have any fellowship in the Spirit. (The mutual partnership they share in the Holy Spirit.)
4. If you have any deep feeling for each other. (The mutual concern that comes from the heart. The mutual experience of life together.) The bowels were considered the seat or heart of the emotions.
5. Then, be likeminded. (Share the same purpose.)
6. Then have the same love. (Share the agape love for each other.)
7. Then be on one accord. (Share the same unity that was in the upper room on the day of Pentecost. See Acts 2:1).
8. Then be of one mind. (Share the same goals, the same thoughts, and the same attitude toward mission.).

Questions: What kind of mindset makes for an exceptional church today? What kind of feelings should an exceptional church share today? What makes a church go from being average to being exceptional?

B. Enemies to being an exceptional church. Warnings from Paul.

1. Let nothing be done through strife. What is strife?

Read Gen. 13:8. What was the context of this situation?
Read Prov. 13:10. What does this say about strife?
Read Phil 1:15-16. What was taking place in this passage? Does this still happen today?

2. Let nothing be done through vainglory. What is vainglory?

3. But we should do ministry with Lowliness of mind. What does this look like in the church?

Read Romans 12:16. What does that tell us about relationships in the church?

II. Christ is our Exceptional Example. (Phil 2: 5-11.)

A. Let this Mind or Attitude Be in You.

1. How would you describe the mind or attitude of Christ?

Read. Phil. 2:7. What does it mean that Christ made himself of no reputation?
Read Phil 2:8. Describe the obedience of Christ. How does that look like in the church?

2. Many times we must go low before we can victorious. Share a time when you survived a humbling experience. How did God bring you up?

B. Let This Obedience Be in the Church.

Read Phil 2:9-11. What will be the outcome of Christ obedience?
How is this obedience an example for an exceptional church? How can a church model this type of obedience?

III. The Picture of Exceptional Ministry. (Phil. 2: 12-18.)

Who is at work in and through the church? (v. 12-13).
How does the church do ministry together? (v. 14).
How does the church minister in this present generation and culture? (v. 15-16).
What should cause an exceptional church to rejoice? (v. 17-18).