CHARACTERISTICS OF A GREAT CHURCH
                          2 Cor.13:11-14

The greatness of nay church is not determined by her size or financial status--but by:
The Spirit that motivates and holds her together--consider the New Testament church.

I.  THE SPIRIT OF SACRIFICE:

     A.  No small wonder that the church of the 1st century "turned the world upside down."
     B.  Daily sacrifice testified to their commitment to Christ.  Acts 4:32.
     C.  Gifts of the poor Macedonians - 2 Cor.8.
     D.  Book burning in Ephesus - Acts 19:19
     E.  Sharing of the saints in Jerusalem - Acts 2:42-46.
     F.  Some today sound in doctrine but show not compassion.  Full of good works but no            
          doctrinal soundness.
  
II.  SPIRIT OF SERVICE:

     A.  The early Christians put life into their Christianity and Christianity into their life.
     B.  They presented a living religion to the world.
           1.  James 1:27.
           2.  The fed the hungry both physically and spiritually,
     C.  Evangelism--They preaching the word - Acts 8:4.
     D.  The Edified the Christians

III.  THE SPIRIT OF UNITY.
       
       A.  It held the early Christians together--they were of one heart and one soul - Acts 4:32.
       B.  The Devil had a hard job penetrating them.
       C.  Look at how Luke described the Jerusalem church - Acts 4:32.
             1.  Remember we can be of the same mind, etc.  - 1 Cor 1:10.
             2.  Paul again admonished the Corinthians - 2 Cor.13:11.

IV.  THE SPIRIT OF OPTIMISM:
 
       A.  They believed what Jesus had taught them   Matt.5-7.
       B.  They believed their labor was not in vain in the   Lord - 1 Cor 15:58.
       C.  They believed the gospel preached and obeyed would save - Rom.1:16; 1 Cor.15:1-4.
       D.  They believed all things were possible through Jesus - Phil.4:13