Isaiah 58:8-14 Then shall your light break forth as the morning, and your health shall spring forth speedily… I. ESSENTIALS OF A HEALTHY CHURCH. 1. A Scriptural constitution. 2. Nutritious food. 3. Pure air. 4. Regular exercise. II. CHARACTERISTICS OF A HEALTHY CHURCH 1. Health is sometimes known by outward appearances. The rosy cheeks, the sparkling eyes, the sonorous voice, all testify to health. A healthy Church may be known by its prayer-meetings, contributions, missionary spirit, etc. 2. Health is known by tastes. A sickly man's taste is bad. Unwholesome dainties are preferred to strong meat. So with regard to an unhealthy Church. Silly anecdotes are preferred to good scriptural teaching. Thinks much of forms and ceremonies. 3. Contentment of mind. An unhealthy man is querulous and difficult to please. So an unhealthy Church. It is a fault-finding Church. 4. Work. Sickness disables a man for labour. Health stimulates to work. A healthy Church may be known by its labour. III. THE DESIRABILITY OF A HEALTHY CHURCH. A healthy Church — 1. Is one of great comfort to itself. 2. Will survive through many trials. The healthy man is heedless of east winds, etc. So a healthy Church survives persecutions, etc. 3. Is attractive. People shun unhealthy Churches as they do fever dens. 4. Is one likely to live.Lessons: 1. A morally sick Church is a great curse to a neighbourhood. 2. The sooner the better that many a Church should apply to the great Physician for spiritual healing. 3. The Church will by and by become perfectly whole. 4. When perfectly whole, diseased persons will no longer be admitted into its fellowship (Revelation 21:27). (J. Williams.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward. |
    |