We do not fail in our evangelism if we faithfully tell the gospel to someone who is not subsequently converted; we fail only if we do not faithfully tell the gospel at all.
Mark DeverRead
A healthy church is not a church that's perfect and without sin. It has not figured everything out. Rather, it's a church that continually strives to take God's side in the battle against the ungodly desires and deceits of the world, our flesh, and the devil. It's a church that continually seeks to conform itself to God's Word.
Interpretation
What this quote means
A healthy church acknowledges its imperfections and actively works to align itself with God's teachings.
This quote emphasizes that the essence of a healthy church does not lie in its perfection or the absence of sin, but rather in its commitment to align itself with God's intentions and resist the negative influences of the world. It underscores the importance of striving for growth and spiritual integrity, recognizing that this effort is ongoing and requires dedication to adhere to divine principles.
Themes
ChurchFaithSpiritualityGrowthStrivingGodIntegrity
In practice
Example use cases
During a sermon on church unity, this quote can be referenced to remind congregants about the importance of striving for alignment with God's teachings.
More from Mark Dever
All quotes →As long as quick numerical growth remains the primary indicator of church health, the truth will be compromised. Instead, churches must once again begin measuring success not in terms of numbers but in terms of fidelity to the Scriptures.
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