A healthy church through faith and love

Let me point out that in Paul’s excitement over what Timothy reports, Paul makes no mention of the numerical size of the congregation in Thessalonica. I travel a bit, and people find out that I am a pastor. Last night, I was flying back from Chicago after my plane broke down in Indianapolis—the Lord made provision for me—and I was going over this sermon, and the guy next to me said, Are you a pastor? I am. What is the first question he asked me about our church? It is the same first question that is asked of me every single time, resulting in the same cranky response from me every time as well: How many people are in your church? was what I was asked. And let me say, praise God for a growing church. A healthy church, under normal circumstances, will grow. Why? Because the gospel has power, and you should be witnessing to people. There are converts. A healthy church—people will be blessed there. We should be growing. Praise God for church growth. It is a byproduct, not a product—but praise God for it. I hope our church grows because that means that we will be a healthy church, people being blessed here.

But why don’t people say to me, Tell me about the faith and love of your people? Because that is where the action is. Because it is where the action is. I made that comment to the poor man who made that kind statement to me last night on the plane. I was a little weary. He makes no mention. He also makes no mention of the outward circumstances, except to note how bad they were. They are being persecuted. Things are really hard for them. What Paul highlights with great excitement and joy—because of the goals of his ministry—is faith in Christ and love toward one another. John Calvin says this: In these two words, Paul comprehends briefly the entire sum of true piety. That is right. Here we sum up true religion, true piety—faith toward God, love toward others. Leon Morris adds, Faith is the characteristic Christian attitude of the Christian toward God; love is the characteristic Christian attitude toward man. Now, isn’t that valuable: to know what we are aiming for?¹

Richard D. Phillips