Strengthening The Church Part I
Scroll to read a recap of Pastor John’s sermon from January 11th, 2026
Let’s Break it Down
What if the secret to church growth isn't actually about getting bigger, but getting healthier first? When we truly seek the best for others instead of ourselves, unity happens naturally.
Key Takeaways
Character endures longer than giftedness - we must prioritize developing godly character over showcasing talents
The church must be strong and healthy internally before it can effectively handle growth and reach others
Agreement in prayer is powerful - unity among believers creates a foundation for answered prayer
God's house is meant to be a house of prayer, and cleansing must come before healing
We are called to welcome everyone while lovingly speaking biblical truth, remembering we were all once in need of God's grace
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5 Day Devotional
Day 1:The Perfect Bond
Devotional: Love has a way of binding things together that nothing else can. When we think about the strongest relationships in our lives, they're held together not by rules or obligations, but by genuine care for one another. In the church, this same principle applies. True unity doesn't come from forced agreements or surface-level politeness, but from hearts that genuinely seek what's best for others. This kind of love isn't natural to us - it's supernatural. It requires us to put aside our own preferences, our need to be right, and our desire for recognition. Instead, we choose to celebrate others' victories, support them in their struggles, and prioritize their growth over our own comfort. When we wrap ourselves in this unselfish love, something beautiful happens. Differences of opinion don't divide us; they become opportunities to learn from each other. Conflicts become chances to practice forgiveness. Weaknesses become places where others can step in with their strengths. This is how God designed the church to function - not as a collection of individuals pursuing their own agendas, but as a family bound together by love that seeks the best for everyone involved.
Bible Verse
'Beyond all these things, put on and wrap yourselves in unselfish love, which is a perfect bond of unity. For everything is bound together in agreement when each one seeks the best for others.' - Colossians 3:14
Reflection Question
In what specific ways can you demonstrate unselfish love to someone in your church family this week, even if it requires you to set aside your own preferences or comfort?
Quote Beyond all these things, put on and wrap yourselves in unselfish love, which is a perfect bond of unity. For everything is bound together in agreement when each one seeks the best for others.
Prayer
Father, help me to wrap myself in Your unselfish love. Show me how to seek the best for others, even when it's difficult. Create in me a heart that values unity over being right, and help me be part of the perfect bond that holds Your church together. Amen.
Day 2:Building from Within
Devotional: Have you ever watched a building collapse because its foundation wasn't strong enough to support what was built on top? It's heartbreaking to see something that looked impressive from the outside crumble because the internal structure couldn't handle the weight. The same thing happens in churches, families, and even our personal lives. We get excited about growth, outreach, and expansion, but we neglect the internal health that makes sustainable growth possible. We want to reach the world, but we haven't strengthened the relationships right in front of us. God's design for the church is that it would be a place where people are consistently built up, encouraged, and strengthened. When we come together, we should leave feeling more equipped, more loved, and more confident in who God has called us to be. This doesn't happen by accident - it requires intentional investment in one another. Just like a wise builder ensures the foundation is solid before adding more floors, we must prioritize the health of our church family before pursuing ambitious growth plans. When the internal bonds are strong, growth becomes natural and sustainable rather than forced and fragile.
Bible Verse
'Isn't it amazing that when the church is functioning as it should, the body edifies itself in love?' - Ephesians 4:16
Reflection Question
What is one area of your church relationships that needs strengthening before you focus on reaching new people, and what practical step can you take this week to address it?
Quote How much can we do as a church if we're not healthy and strong? I think we need to strengthen the ties that bind us first.
Prayer
Lord, help me to prioritize the health of my church family. Show me where I can invest in building others up and strengthening the bonds between us. Give me wisdom to know when to focus inward and when to reach outward. Amen.
Day 3:Welcoming the Broken
Devotional: There's something powerful about remembering where you came from. When we forget our own brokenness, we lose our compassion for others who are still struggling. When we remember how God found us, loved us, and transformed us, it changes how we see everyone who walks through our doors. The church should be the safest place on earth for broken people. Not because we ignore sin or pretend everything is fine, but because we understand that we're all works in progress. We've all needed grace, forgiveness, and second chances. We've all had moments where we were the 'worst of the worst' in some area of our lives. This doesn't mean we compromise truth or enable destructive behavior. Love sometimes means having difficult conversations and setting healthy boundaries. But it always means extending the same grace we've received, remembering that transformation is God's work, not ours. When we create an environment where broken people feel safe to be honest about their struggles, amazing things happen. Healing begins, hope is restored, and lives are transformed. This is what the church is meant to be - a hospital for the hurting, not a museum for the perfect.
Bible Verse
'And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.' - 1 Corinthians 6:11
Reflection Question
How can you better remember and share your own story of brokenness and redemption to help create a more welcoming environment for others who are struggling?
Quote And such were some of you. Don't you ever forget what God has done for you. Don't you ever forget what God has brought you out of.
Prayer
God, help me never forget what You've brought me out of. Give me a heart of compassion for those who are still struggling, and help me create a safe space where broken people can find healing and hope. Show me how to speak truth in love. Amen.
Day 4:The Power of Agreement
Devotional: There's something supernatural that happens when people truly agree in prayer. Not just surface-level agreement where everyone nods along, but deep, heart-level unity about what God wants to do. This kind of agreement becomes a powerful force that invites God's intervention in ways we could never accomplish on our own. Agreement in prayer isn't about everyone thinking exactly the same way about every detail. It's about aligning our hearts with God's heart and with each other around His purposes. When we pray together with this kind of unity, we're not just hoping God will hear us - we're positioning ourselves to receive what He's already wanting to give. This principle extends beyond prayer into every area of church life. When we agree about our values, our direction, and our commitment to love one another, we create an environment where God can work powerfully. Division weakens us, but agreement strengthens us and opens doors for God to move in extraordinary ways. The goal isn't uniformity - it's unity. We can have different perspectives and still be unified around what matters most: loving God, loving each other, and reaching our community with the hope of the gospel.
Bible Verse
'Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.' - Matthew 18:19
Reflection Question
What is one area where you need to seek greater agreement with your church family, and how can you contribute to building that unity through prayer and conversation?
Quote If two or more agree on anything and they ask the Father, it'll be done for them. Agreement is a powerful, powerful place.
Prayer
Father, help me to seek true agreement with my brothers and sisters in Christ. Show me how to align my heart with Yours and with theirs around what really matters. Use our unity to accomplish Your purposes in our church and community. Amen.
Day 5:Character That Endures
Devotional: In a world obsessed with talent, charisma, and quick results, it's easy to be impressed by giftedness while overlooking character. We notice gifting immediately - the dynamic speaker, the talented musician, the natural leader. But character? Character reveals itself over time, through consistency, integrity, and faithfulness when no one is watching. Character knows who it is and what it stands for. It doesn't waver based on circumstances or popular opinion. When everything else fades - when the applause stops, when the spotlight moves on, when the challenges come - character remains standing. This is especially important in the church, where we're called to be people of integrity who represent Christ well. Our gifts might open doors, but our character determines whether we'll be trusted with what's behind those doors. Our talents might impress people initially, but our character determines whether they'll want to follow our leadership long-term. Building character isn't glamorous work. It happens in the small, daily choices to do what's right even when it's difficult. It's developed through seasons of testing, refined through trials, and proven through consistency over time. But it's this character that creates the foundation for lasting impact in God's kingdom.
Bible Verse
'Therefore thus says the Lord God: "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: whoever believes will not be in haste."' - Isaiah 28:16
Reflection Question
What is one area of your character that God is currently developing, and how can you cooperate with Him in that process this week?
Quote You'll notice gifting right away, character wins out. Character is loaded with integrity, longevity. Character lasts. When everything else fades, character stands.
Prayer
Lord, help me to value character over charisma and integrity over immediate results. Develop in me the kind of character that endures through every season and represents You well. Show me where I need to grow and give me the strength to make the right choices. Amen.