The Signs of a Healthy Church

The church is the body of Christ and, as such, is charged to carry out His work in the world. Before Jesus ascended back into heaven, He gave the disciples the Great Commission: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19—20). A healthy local church will be actively fulfilling the Great Commission, and the Bible provides specific guidelines of what the signs of a healthy church are. 

First, it's important to mention that a large church is not a foolproof sign of a healthy church. Growing in numbers can be a sign that a church is healthy (Acts 2:47; 5:14; 16:5), but it's not an automatic guarantee of health. Spiritual growth and biblical soundness, not numbers, are how we measure the healthiness of a church. What are the key things to look for? 

The Bible should be the center of all teaching, and the doctrine should be sound (Titus 1:9; 2:1; 1 Timothy 6:3–4; 2 Timothy 2:2). Sound doctrine will be reaffirmed throughout the Bible and is generally not based on a single verse or passage. Rather, it's a message we see repeated throughout the Scriptures. As Paul told Timothy, "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16—17). Ungodliness prevails when doctrine is not sound. When we hear and apply sound doctrine, the result is godly living (1 Timothy 1:10; 4:6; 2 Timothy 1:13—14). 

A healthy church will have godly leadership who exemplify a life of obedience to Christ and a heart of service for others. Their lives will be marked by faithfulness and righteous living (Titus 1:6–9; 1 Timothy 3:1–7). Jesus Christ is the head of the church, and while no pastor is perfect, it should be evident that they are working to become more like Jesus every day (Colossians 1:18; Matthew 20:25–28; John 13:12–17). Godly leaders will be good stewards of the resources, talents, and ministry that God has entrusted to them (1 Corinthians 4:1–3; 9:17; 1 Peter 4:10; Ephesians 4:11–16). As Jesus spent time with the disciples, training them in the ways of the Lord, godly leaders will train and cultivate others into spiritual leadership, as well (Acts 6:1–7). 

When a church has sound doctrine and godly leadership, discipleship and subsequent spiritual fruit will be evident within the congregation. Faithful leaders produce faithful followers who love the Lord and seek to live according to His Word (John 8:31–32; 14:15; 1 John 2:3–6). Believers who are being discipled will build solid relationships with others (Acts 2:42–47; 1 Corinthians 10:17; Hebrews 10:24–15), be involved in the church—using their gifts to serve others (Romans 12:4–8; 1 Corinthians 12:7), and will be bearing fruit as they grow in their own sanctification (John 15:5–8; Galatians 5:22–25; 1 Thessalonians 5:23). 

Finally, a healthy church will be recognized by its outreach. It will be evangelistic, spreading the gospel. And it will be compassionate and generous with its resources for the sake of others. Evangelism occurs within a wide spectrum of experience, ranging from our day-to-day lives and interactions with others to local community efforts and world missions. We have this incredible gift of forgiveness and salvation, and because of this, as the church, we are called to be: "the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life" (2 Corinthians 2:15–16). The good news of salvation through Jesus Christ is not something to hoard—it should be shared near and far, fulfilling the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19—20). This good news brings forgiveness, salvation, light to darkness, and peace to chaos. A healthy church can be recognized by its passion to get the word out to those in need. 

Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source:  www.gotquestions.org

What Does Being a “New Man” in Christ Mean?

        We know from scripture (John 3:3) that Jesus told Nicodemus he must be “born again of the spirit”. That’s not a remodeling job, but rather a starting over. We are told by the apostle Paul in 2^nd Corinthians 5:15 & 17, the following: “And He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf. . .. Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”

Using the illustration of birth has been done for a specific reason; because when saved we are made completely new from the inside out. Your spirit has become alive, where prior to our conversion we were spiritually dead. Hence the phrase “dead man walking”.

Prior to receiving Christ, we essentially lived for ourselves. We were number one in our lives, and though we may have given our heart to another, at our core we were selfish, and self-centered.  Our former self was dead in sin, but thru salvation we were brought back to life. We were like the proverbial dead men walking. We thought we were happy, but at some point, in the quiet of a lonely evening, didn’t we wonder if that was all there is to life.

There is a belief that every person has a “God shaped hole” inside them. “The concept of a "God-shaped hole"in every person is most commonly attributed to Blaise Pascal, a 17th-century French philosopher, mathematician, and theologian, who stated that there is a "God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every man". This idea has been echoed and elaborated upon by various religious and philosophical figures throughout history. For instance, St. Augustine wrote in his Confessions that "You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you". John Calvin, the Protestant reformer, referred to a "sense of divinity" as a natural instinct within humans. The idea has also been discussed by C.S. Lewis, Rick Warren, and even acknowledged by the atheist philosopher Bertrand Russell, who described a “deep, unfulfillable longing in human existence”. While Pascal is the most frequently cited originator, the concept reflects a broader philosophical and theological theme about the human search for meaning and transcendence.” ^[1]

            Once you become a follower of Christ you are righteous, justified, & sanctified in God’s eyes. All that is because of what Christ did on the cross for all of mankind. You are to yield to the spirit within you and slowly become more like Christ. God changes our desires, outlook, and focus as we turn from self-worship to God-worship.

            At salvation, the Holy Spirit pours into our hearts and inflates the spirit inside us so that we can now communicate with God. Whereas a person was formerly directed by the sin nature, he or she can now be directed by the Holy Spirit who works to transform us into the image of Christ (Romans 8:29).

            We are to present our bodies as a living sacrifice and renew our minds so that we begin to think as God thinks (Romans 12:1–2). As we focus on knowing God, reading His Word, and surrendering ourselves daily to the control of the Holy Spirit, our choices change, along with our priorities. A person was formerly directed by the sin nature, but now can be directed by the Holy Spirit who works to transform us into the image of Christ (Romans 8:29).

Therefore, we are becoming a “new man”.

            Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Thanksgiving Thoughts from a Random Mind

            Everyday should be Thanksgiving for the Christian. That’s because every day you can ask yourself “What am I thankful for?” and come up with pretty much the same answer. I’m thankful for the fact that Christ died for me. Salvation has changed the entire trajectory of my life. I get to know the Creator of the Universe a little better every day. 

            So in this world that is becoming more hateful and chaotic every single day, I get to love others and reach out with the love of Christ. No hate, no violence, no ugliness... just a calm spirit, and a will to do the right thing in the eyes of Almighty God. 

            Am I perfect? Not even close, but I strive for perfection by trying to be a reflection of Jesus in this sin-sick, violent, hateful world. Does it seem irrational to strive for something you can never obtain this side of heaven? I personally don’t think so. I mean, what are your alternatives. You go on social media and lately all you see is name calling and ugly rhetoric that depresses your soul. Christ uplifts my soul every time I think of Him. 

            So on this Thanksgiving Day 2025, I am grateful for life, liberty, & forgiveness. I am thankful for all the folks I know. I’m thankful for my lovely wife, Kathy. I’m thankful for the life I’ve lived, with all its peaks & valleys, for that is where growth takes place. I am a better man today because Christ is in my life and I will continue to be a better version of myself every day that I serve the King. How about you?

            I hope this finds you in good spirits & may the Lord bless both you & yours on this beautiful day.  HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!  

 

Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

 

The Purpose of the Church

                    God established the church as a community of believers united under Christ to fulfill a multifaceted purpose rooted in His eternal plan. The primary purpose is to bring glory to God through worship, discipleship, and evangelism, while also serving as a spiritual family that equips believers for service and fosters unity in faith and knowledge of Christ. This involves both internal growth—through teaching, fellowship, prayer, and the observance of the Lord’s Supper—and external mission, including making disciples of all nations and proclaiming the gospel to the world.

The church is the body of Christ, a group of people called out from the world to represent and reflect Him, unified by faith in Jesus and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Its purpose includes spiritual maturity, where believers are equipped for works of service so that the body of Christ may be built up until all reach unity in faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, becoming mature in Christ.

The church is tasked with the Great Commission to go into all the world, make disciples, baptize them, and teach them to obey Christ’s commands, ensuring the message of salvation is shared globally.

It serves as a light to the world, pointing people to God through its character and actions, and is called to care for the vulnerable, such as orphans and widows, while remaining unstained by the world.

Ultimately, the church exists to prepare a people for the coming Kingdom of God, where believers will reign with Christ as a kingdom of priests, reflecting God’s eternal purpose of gathering all things in Christ.

Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source:  www.compellingtruth.org

Revisiting the God-Shaped Hole & its Tie to Happiness

In 1670, Blaise Pascal published Pensées*, which was a defense of the Christian religion. In that book, he has a quote:

“What else does this craving, and this helplessness, proclaim but that there was once in man a true happiness, of which all that now remains is the empty print and trace? This he tries in vain to fill with everything around him, seeking in things that are not there the help he cannot find in those that are, though none can help, since this infinite abyss can be filled only with an infinite and immutable object; in other words by God himself.”

- Blaise Pascal, Pensées VII (425)

Augustine of Hippo rightly stated in his fourth-century book Confessions, “Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in thee.”

The phrase "God-shaped hole," has taken on a life of its own and has been found throughout many Christian circles. Therefore, it is accepted, at least by believers, that true, lasting happiness, peace, & contentment are a direct result of Almighty God being an integral part of our lives. Without God happiness is fleeting. Like a whisper in the wind.

This concept of a God-Shaped Hole in relation to one’s happiness is not biblical per se, although there is biblical support for such a concept.

            Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: https://christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/2746/where-does-the-concept-of-a-god-shaped-hole-originate

*This book was published after Pascal’s death in 1662.

Have you ever wondered how God’s sees you?

          I know what the Bible says regarding how God both views us & feels about us, but with the strange things that we all say and do from time to time, it begs the question: “Lord, how can you love me now?” According to scripture, there is nothing we could ever think, say or do that would ever turn Him against any of us. No matter how terrible you may think the thing you have thought, said or done is. 

 

“For I know the thoughts I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11.

 

“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9.

 

“For the Lord will not cast off His people, nor will He forsake His inheritance.” Psalm 94:14.

 

“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Romans 8:38-39.

            Hopefully these verses, and there are plenty more, have convinced you that no matter what you could ever think, say or do, you will NEVER drive a wedge between yourself and God’s love for you. 

            Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Sola Gratia

                       Sola gratia is a Latin phrase that means "grace alone." It means that salvation from sin and death is provided by God's unmerited favor alone, and we can do nothing to earn it. The concept is expressed in Ephesians 2:8-9 which reads, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." 

Sola gratia is one of the five "solas" of the Protestant Reformation. The others are: 

 

1) Sola scriptura: Scripture alone; God gave us His Word through Scripture, not papal authority or sacred tradition

 

2) Sola fide: Faith alone; salvation is by grace, through faith, not our works (Ephesians 2:8-9)

 

3) Solo Christo: Christ alone; Jesus is the only way to salvation (John 14:6)

 

4) Sola Deo Gloria: glory of God alone; everything we do should be for God's glory (Colossians 3:17) 

 

These were foundational beliefs during the development of the Protestant Reformation, and continue to be vital today.

 

Why is it essential to believe and teach that salvation is provided by grace alone (sola gratia)? First, Scripture is clear that no person seeks God of his or her own initiative: "None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God" (Romans 3:10-11). Instead, God must reach out to sinful humanity (Romans 3:23). Christ died for us while we were still ungodly (Romans 5:8). Further, Jesus came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). He actively pursues sinners, calling us to faith in His name.

When a person does accept Christ by grace through faith, Jesus is the One who gives eternal life (John 3:16) and makes us a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). Once we have become a believer in Christ, God's Spirit provides the power to live for Him and keeps us in the love of God (Roman 8:37-39). Ultimately, Christ also gives us assurance of eternal life (1 John 5:13).

Salvation is by God's grace alone because He is the One who created us, provided a way of salvation for us, seeks us, gives us faith, changes us when we do believe in Him, empowers us to live for Him, keeps us in His love, and will take us to be with Him for eternity. At no point do our good works provide salvation. This is why sola gratia was not only an important belief during the Protestant Reformation, but remains essential to Christian faith and living today.

Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source: www.compellingtruth.org