10 marks of a biblical church

10 marks of a biblical hurch   

As believers, our local church plays such a pivotal role in our spiritual life. We must seek a local church where we can worship in spirit & truth, serve, pray, learn & apply the word, and fellowship with other like-minded believers.  We are in perilous times where many churches today are simply social clubs and look absolutely nothing like a biblical church. We must be prayerful, wise and discerning when choosing a local church. I pray that this blog can shed light on what to look for in a healthy church!

1. Sound teaching

The purpose of preaching is to deliver the truth of God's word. Does the Pastor teach sound doctrine that aligns with God's word?(Titus 2:1) Does the Pastor exegete scripture and preach the word in it's proper context? Does the Pastor use the pulpit to edify, correct, rebuke, encourage, and exalt Christ?(2 Timothy 4:2) Or does he use the pulpit for fleshly rants, jokes, manipulation, and to tickle ears?(2 Timothy 4:3) Are his sermons narcissistic and self-centered? Or does the message always point back to Christ? Does he preach feel good sermons that focuses only on what God can do for you? Are his messages very shallow and avoid any depth of the word? Or powerful convicting sermons that challenges you and causes you to examine yourself? Is Jesus preached in His rightful place as a sovereign Ruler and King who will one day judge the world? Or does he simply preach Jesus as a genie in the bottle and your free ticket to get prosperity, blessings, and your "best life now"? 

2. Biblical leadership

God has set out certain guidelines for His church. He has called for men to lead not only in the homes but also in the church(1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:6-9). It's not that women are inadequate or inferior, it's simply God's design and order! Women are gifted in so many ways and still can effectively minister, preach the gospel, disciple and serve in the body of Christ. Women just aren't called to Pastor or Co-pastor a church!(1 Timothy 2:11-14) If a church is willing to bend on church leadership, what else are they willing to bend on?

3. The Gospel is clearly and faithfully presented

A biblically sound church faithfully preaches the gospel. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation and the method of how God saves(Romans 1:16,Romans 10:14). Do they preach that we are separated from God because of sin and stand under God's wrath?(John 3:36,Ephesians 2:3) Do they teach that Christ came to save us from sin(Galatians 1:4) to reconcile us to God(2 Corinthians 5:18) forgive us(1 john 1:9) give us eternal life(Romans 6:23). Do they preach repentance and faith in Christ alone?(Matthew 4:17,Romans 2:4) Do they preach Christ as the only way to be saved?(John 14:6,Acts 4:12) Do they teach on God's judgment and hell for those who reject Christ?(Revelation 20:11-15, Romans 2:5) Are do they believe everyone will go to Heaven?

4. Clear understanding of conversion

The leaders of a biblically sound church have a clear understanding of how conversion works. It is our responsibility to preach the gospel but only God does the saving. Do they teach the necessity of the new birth?(John 3:3) Do they teach on how we are justified before God? (Romans 5:1) Do they try to coerce and emotionalize people at the end of their sermon to walk an aisle to repeat a "sinner's prayer" or to make a decision?  Do they tell people to "just believe" or "accept Jesus" without any explanation of repentance and saving faith? Or do they believe and teach that salvation is all a work of God and not human effort?(John 3:8) Do they teach that salvation is a free gift given? ( Ephesians 2:8,)  Or do they teach a works based salvation and other unbiblical methods for salvation? That we must try harder, perform better, change our externals and do enough "good works" to be saved.

5. Christ exalting

The whole purpose of church is to exalt and glorify the Lord Jesus Christ.(1 Corinthians 10:31) Our worship, preaching, and giving should always center around Christ.  Is Christ truly at the forefront of this church? Is the church modeled after scripture or the latest church growth model? Is the church seeker friendly where their whole aim is to entertain and get more members? Is the church more consumed with Christ or the Pastor's life? 

6. Leaders of integrity

Is the Pastor qualified to lead a church according to scripture? Does the Pastor have elders and deacons to hold him accountable? Has he been involved in church scandals? Is he known for infidelity? Pastors aren't perfect but they are held at a higher standard. You want to sit under a man of God who can shepherd you and model the Christian life before you! (Hebrews 13:7) A Pastor is called to live above reproach(1 timothy 3:2). He must be faithful and devoted to his wife.(Titus 1:6, 1,1 Timothy 3:12) humble, not arrogant (Titus 1:7). Gentle ,not quick-tempered (Titus 1:7; 1 Tim 3:3)Sober, not a drunkard (Titus 1:7; 1 Tim 3:3)  Upright in his financial dealings and not accused of pursuing money over the kingdom of God.(Titus 1:7; 1 Tim 3:3; 1 Peter 5:3) hospitable, self-controlled and holy (Titus 1:8; 1 Tim 3:2) and an example to the flock.(1 Peter 5:3)

7. Accountability & Church Discipline

At a biblically sound church, you have brothers and sisters in the Lord who truly love you and care about your soul. How do they handle when someone is in sin? Do they shun the person? Do they lovingly call you to repentance and seek to walk with you in restoration? Or do they say nothing? Saying nothing is saying something. We are condoning sin by our silence. If someone is caught in sin, they should restore that person gently while being careful not to fall into temptation. (Galatians 6:1) Do the leaders keep a watch for your soul?(Hebrews 13:17) Is unrepentant sin rampant and allowed in the church? Does the church practice church discipline? (Matthew 18:15-20, 1 Corinthians 5:1-13) Church discipline is the process of correcting sinful behavior among members for the purpose of protecting the church and restoring the member.

8. Evangelistic

We're not called to stay in the 4 walls of the church. We're not called to simply invite the lost to our church. Christ has given us a mandate to go into the world, proclaim the gospel, and make disciples. Is this church seeking to obey the great commission?(Matthew 28:18) Do the people at the church have a heart and burden for lost souls? Do the leaders encourage evangelism? Are they equipping members with apologetics and biblical truth to contend for the faith?(jude 1:3) Do they care about building God's church or only making a name for themselves and getting more members? 

9. Affiliations 

Who does the church affiliate with? Do they partner with other gospel saturated churches? Who does the Pastor follow and quote on social media?(YES DO YOUR HOMEWORK!:-)) Do the leaders affirm, partner and endorse false teachers? You ever heard the old saying,"Birds of a feather flock together." If a Pastor is associating with questionable or false teachers, this may be a clear indicator that they are also false(Amos 3:3)  Leaders are suppose to guard their sheep from wolves not lead them to the slaughter. We are called to avoid those who preach false doctrine not endorse them. (Romans 16:17 I appeal to your brothers to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine you have been taught; avoid them)

10. Repentance and reconciliation

There is no perfect church! It can be very hard and get messy walking closely with other people, even as believers. Can I get an amen?! We're all being sanctified and must remember to extend the same grace and mercy that we need. There is also an enemy who hates the church and seeks to divide God's people.  In the midst of everything do you see a body of broken believers who are repentant and broken over sin? Who wants to honor and serve the Lord? Who seeks reconciliation? Who walks in forgiveness?  Who confess their sins and pray for one another?

I encourage everyone who is looking for a local church to TAKE YOUR TIME and DO YOUR HOMEWORK!! Continue to visit the church, meet with a Pastor or an elder to ask questions that you may have, listen to their sermons, check out their social media pages, seek wise counsel, and continue to pray and seek the Lord. If you read this blog and you realize that you may be at a false church, I encourage you to find a biblically sound church. Please don't stay at a false church out of loyalty. Our primary loyalty and allegiance must be to God and His word. Please join me in praying for all of the godly Pastors who faithfully shepherd their local church. Also pray for believers who knowingly or unknowingly sit under false teachers. That the Lord may open their eyes to the deception and send them to a Christ exalting biblical church!
             
                                 

      

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What to look for in a godly man?

A godly marriage requires a godly man and a godly woman. What are the essential traits that a Christian woman should look for in a man she would consider dating or marrying?

1. He must be in Christ

It's not enough that he goes to church, has a title, serves in church, posts about God online, or is a Preacher's kid. It's not enough that he calls himself a Christian. He must be born again and made a new creation in Christ.(John 3:3, 2 Corinthians 5:17) Only when he is born again is He able to (by the power of the Holy Spirit) live a righteous and godly life. What is his conversion story? At what point in his life did he turn from sin and worldliness to serve Christ? Is there a consistent and clear pattern of godly living? Is he pursuing holiness? Or is he double-minded, worldly and in & out the church?  If a guy isn't in Christ no matter how much he performs and tries to "live right" through time you will see his true fruit. He must abide in Christ to bear His fruit.(John 15:4) Inspite of flaws, a man who is in Christ has a genuine love for the Lord and desires to honor Him with his life.

2. Leader

God has called for men to lead. A woman who is submitted to Christ and understands her role desires for a man to lead. C'mon somebody! As Christian women we want to feel secure and comfortable that a man can effectively lead. Is he passive with no backbone? Has he allowed women to control him in the past? Can you see yourself submitting to him? Can you see him leading you spiritually and setting an example to follow? (If he is younger or newer in the faith, he may not be very experienced in leading. It's unfair to compare him to seasoned men of God who have way more years of experience. However, he should prayerfully and actively work on developing leadership.)

3. Broken over sin 

Even as a man of God, he won't be perfect as we are all being sanctified!(1 John 1:8) The question is how does he respond when he falls short? Does he even care that he sinned against God? Does he justify and try to cover up his sin? Or is he broken, grieved, and repentant over sin? Our relationship with sin reveals our relationship with God. If a man loves God, he will also hate his sin. No matter how much he may claim to love God, if he's at peace in a sinful lifestyle it's a clear indicator that he may not know the Lord.(1 John 2:4) Believers should be responsible for our sin being reminded of the gospel, that if we confess our sins Christ is faithful and just to forgive us.(1 John 1:9) You will not see perfection but we should be broken, at war, and repentant over sin.(2 Corinthians 7:10)

“It is not the absence of sin but the grieving over it which distinguishes the child of God from empty professors” -A.w. Pink

4. Spirit-led

Is he very impulsive and makes decisions without prayer or godly counsel? Or does he pray and seek God's direction first? Does he try to make things happen on his own or does he allow God in His timing to open doors? In his pursuit of you is he spirit led? Or is he all over the place, up and down and inconsistent? Do you see more of the fruits of the spirit or deeds of the flesh in his life? (Galatians 5:16-25)

5. Humble and Teachable

How does he respond when he's confronted with sin? How does he respond when he's corrected? Does he ignore everyone and accuses them of being haters, jealous or judgmental? Even if it's not immediately can he come back and take accountability for his actions and humbly admit his mistakes? Can he apologize when he's wrong? Can he take criticism? Does he listen? Or is he a know it all who is prideful, unteachable, and arrogant?

6. Discipline and Self-control

When it comes to sexual purity how is he? Is he seeking to guard his eyes and heart from lust? Does he justify sex outside of marriage? How does he interact with other women? Does he have a reputation of sliding in different women dm? If a man lacks discipline in singleness, it will only manifest in marriage.  If a man cannot be faithful to God with his body in singleness how can you expect him to be faithful to you in marriage? Marriage doesn't cure lust, it only exposes it more! (I truly believe there are brothers who love the Lord who struggle in this area. Until they get the help they need and allow the Lord to do a work in them in this area, I wouldn't go forward.)

7. Grounded in the word

Is this brother invested in knowing his word? Does he study to show himself approved?(2 timothy 2:15) I'm not saying that he has to be a theologian and needs to exegete scripture perfectly lol but does he know the basics of our faith? Can he distinguish between truth and error? Can he discern false doctrine and is able to refute it? As Christian women, we should want a man who can wash us in the word and point us to Christ. (Ephesians 5:26) Also be discerning because there are many men who have head knowledge but have no love for God or no desire to live out all the theology that they know. 

8. Disciple making

Does he have a heart for the lost? Is he seeking to disciple other brothers in the faith? Is he seeking to pour out his life for the glory of God and live out the great commission in his life? (Matthew 28:19-20)

9. Under sound leadership and accountability 

What church does he attend? Is he under a biblically sound Pastor? Sisters listen up this is important!!! How can you follow a man who's following behind false teachers? False doctrine is poisonous to our spiritual walk and can lead us astray.(2 timothy 3:13)  If you were to get engaged, would you want to get marriage counseling from a false teacher? It's important that he sits under a man of God who faithfully preaches the word and gives godly wisdom. Who are his friends? Godly men should have godly friends. If all of his friends are worldly and carnal this is a indicator that he may be too! (Amos 3:3 Can two walk together unless they agree.) 

10. Vision

Does this brother has a plan? I'm sure he doesn't have it all together because we as women sure don't have it all together! He may not have the best job, best credit score, or best car but is he content with staying there? Is he in college, trying to get a better job, being financially responsible or making moves to where he can provide for you if you were to marry? (1 Timothy 5:8) Do you trust his vision and can you see yourself building and growing with him? (Please don't think I'm insinuating getting with a lazy man who has absolutely nothing to bring to the table.)

I hope this blog could be of some encouragement and clarification for my sisters. I think we should also use this blog to examine ourselves. We can't expect these qualities in a godly man if we're not in Christ ourselves and prayerfully working on these areas. Please check out my blog worldy vs godly women. Worldly Vs godly women. Nonetheless, we must be patient and gracious as we are all being sanctified and growing in the Lord. However, if a guy's fruit shows that he doesn't know the Lord sisters PLEASE RUN from unequally yoked relationships. You can't change him, only the Lord can! Above everything else, pray for wisdom and that God's will be done! Please email me if you have questions Highheelsstandards@gmail.com Love you all!