Text: 2 Timothy 1:13
We sometimes use the term “sound” to describe a local church. What does this mean? And what standard are we to use to indicate whether or not a church is sound?
What Does It Mean for a Church to be Sound?
- The Greek word translated sound means to be well or in good health; safe; whole
- What makes a church healthy, safe, and whole? … people in the world may have different answers to that question – we will notice a few in this lesson
- But we ought to focus on what God would consider a healthy, safe, or whole church – this answer will be found in the word of God (cf. 1 Corinthians 2:11-13)
Some Things That Are Not Indicators of Soundness
- Large numbers – Jesus warned against following the majority (Matthew 7:13-14); sometimes a church is large because it is not sound (2 Timothy 4:3-4)
- A popular, well-liked preacher – Jesus warned His apostles that the world would hate them (John 15:18-19); sometimes the one leading the crowds is leading them astray (Acts 20:30)
- A good standing in the community – we should not try to make trouble (Romans 12:18); but in the first century, the church was “spoken against everywhere” (Acts 28:22)
- A new, fancy building – church buildings are authorized (cf. 1 Corinthians 11:17-18); but churches can also meet in homes (1 Corinthians 16:19), public places (Acts 2:46), and other locations; a nice building is an indication of good resources, not soundness
- A reputation for being a sound church – Sardis had a good reputation, but was dead (Revelation 3:1); Ephesus had been a sound church in the past, but left their first love (Revelation 2:4)
- A Scriptural name on the sign – Paul associated with “churches of Christ” (Romans 16:16); but having the name “church of Christ” on the sign does not automatically make the church sound (cf. Revelation 3:1)
Proper Indicators of Soundness
- Holding fast the pattern (2 Timothy 1:13) – recognize that there is a pattern, then follow it
- Preaching the gospel without additions, subtractions, or changes (Galatians 1:6-9)
- Intolerance of false teachers/teaching (2 John 9-11) – fellowship makes one a partaker, even without actively promoting/practicing error
- Assemblies patterned after the New Testament – teaching, giving, Lord’s Supper, prayer, singing (Acts 2:42; 20:7; 1 Corinthians 14:15; 16:1-2)
- Doing the work God has given – evangelism (1 Timothy 3:15), edification (Ephesians 4:11-16), and limited benevolence (Acts 11:29-30; 1 Timothy 5:16)
- Content to stay within the bounds of what has been authorized (Colossians 3:17) – the ends to not justify the means; do the Lord’s work in an authorized manner
- Working to grow (Ephesians 4:16; 1 Thessalonians 1:8) – does not necessarily mean the church will grow (1 Corinthians 3:6); but work must be done
Conclusion
- There are many churches in the world – but we are not free to join the church of our choice
- Even among “churches of Christ,” not all are what God would have them to be
- We need to be part of a sound church and work to keep it sound so that we can please the Lord
