THE ABC'S OF A SUCCESSFUL CONGREGATION

ASSEMBLING faithfully. The church at Troas came together on the first day of the week to break bread (Acts 20:7). Hebrew Christians were told "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together" (Hebrews 10:25). Vital to the life of every Christian is assembling and worshiping.

BEARING BURDENS. All Christians should be conscious of the burdens borne by so many and help all we can to alleviate the pains. "Bear ye one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2).

COUNSELING WITH GOD'S COUNSEL. Paul told the Ephesian elders, "I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God." (Acts 20:27). The Counsel of God is the gospel of Jesus Christ as found in the New Testament.

DIRECTING THE YOUNG IN THE WAY OF THE LORD. "And ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." (Ephesians 6:4). The church can help in this by encouraging all to meditate on the word of the Lord and to let it direct their lives.

ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO DO WHAT THEY CAN. There is an involvement that every member of the church can have in the Lord's work. "So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another" (Romans 12:4). Each has a special talent they can utilize the Lord's work.

FAITHFUL SERVICE. It's very important not only to start a good work but to keep it up for months, years and a lifetime. Faithful service is dependable service. "Be ye steadfast unmovable always abounding in the work of the Lord" (I Corinthians 15:58).

GOD PUT IN EVERYTHING. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness." (Matthew 6:33). "Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name ofthe Lord Jesus" (Colossians 3:17).

HAPPY PEOPLE THAT HUMBLE SELVES IN IDS SIGHT. (James 4:6, 7). Then we can say, "The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me." (Hebrews 13:6).

INCREASING IN ALL THINGS. "Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18).

JUDGING ONLY IN RIGHTEOUSNESS. "Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment." (John 7:24). We all must make decisions concerning actions of life. Be sure it is according to righteousness.

KEEPING CHRIST'S COMMANDMENTS. Jesus said, "Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." (John 15:14). .

LOVING ONE ANOTHER FERVENTLY. "Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit, unto the unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently." (I Peter 1:22).

MAKING EVERY DAY COUNT. "Ye know not what shall be on the morrow" (James 4:14). "Redeeming the time" (Ephesians 5:15).

NOT FORSAKING THE SCRIPTURES The scriptures are inspired of God, profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness, making the man of God complete. (2 Timothy 3:15-17).

OPERATING UNDER APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY. This is building on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ being the chief cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20).

PRAYING WITHOUT CEASING. (I Thessalonians 5:17). The sick, troubled, sinful, bereaving, homes, schools, young Christians, nissionaries, and many others need praying for all the time.

QUESTIONING STRANGE DOCTRINES. "If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words... the words of the Lord Jesus—from such withdraw thyself." (I Timothy 6:3-5).

RESTING IN JESUS. (Matthew 11 :28-30). Come to Him with your life and learn of Him finding rest for your souls.

SERVING THE LORD with reverence and godly fear by worship md a love for His Kingdom which is His church (Hebrews 12:28).

TEACHING THE LOST by example and by also giving them the word (I Timothy 4:12-16).Teaching the lost and kindly entreating.

UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLE. Keeps us from becoming foolish but makes us wise, understanding what the will of God is (Ephesians 5:17).

VICTORIOUS IN FAITH (I John 5:4). This is done by holding fast to our confidence in the true gospel of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 10:35, 36).

WATCHING OURSELVES and all our brethren to encourage the right and shun the evil (Galatians 6:2,4; I Thessalonians 5:22).

“XTRA” MILE PEOPLE. "Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two." (Matthew 5:41). This is the spirit of submitting rather than retaliating. The only thing we are to go contrary to government is if what they ask us to do will keep us from doing what God said do (Acts 5:28, 29).

YIELDING TO GOD and using our bodies and lives as instruments f righteousness but not for sin (Romans 6:13).

ZEALOUS OF GOOD WORKS as the people of God (Titus 2:14).