Holding forth the Word of Life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ

Philippians 2:16


Trinity Reformed Baptist Church

Topeka, Kansas    66614

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Nine Marks of a Healthy Church

What is the purpose of the New Testament Church? The answer is simple! God has intended to display through His church the glory of His perfection and love. Imagine what this would look like in our local congregations:

God’s name exalted in song, prayer, thanksgiving and sermon.

Christ’s sacrifice displayed in the lives of repentant sinners.

Relationships held together by love and service to their Lord and Savior.

Marriage and families built for endurance,

God in His goodness and love has not called us to be Christians living to ourselves. Though we individually sin, and are called out of the world individually, we are also commanded to come together in a local congregation to worship and serve our Lord Jesus Christ with others. This assembly of believers is called in the New Testament church, the Body and Bride of Christ.

The Apostle Paul stated to the Ephesians elders, “I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God , which He hath purchased with His own blood.” Acts 20:27-28. “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears” 2 Tim. 4:3.

This series of messages on the “Nine Marks of a Healthy Church” has been developed for your edification, and growth in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. The following “nine marks” will enable you identify a sound gospel church where you and your family may join, thus serving the Lord.

As we learn more about God’s Word, we will learn that, “we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them”. Eph 2:10. "Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children” Joel 2:16.

--Pastor Bob Spagnuolo

Nine Marks Of A Healthy Church
This series of sermons is loosely based on the workbook of the same name by Mark E. Dever. Since it is out of print, we have permission to make scanned copies available.  Please see the Study Aids Resources page.

Chapter One: Expositional Preaching
Part    Sermon Titles-Subject
NM001   Introduction to the Series: Definition of “Church” (Eph. 3:20-21; I Tim. 3:15)
NM002   Expositional Preaching [1] Why the Need (Nehemiah 8)
NM003   Expositional Preaching [2] Authority of Scripture
NM004   Expositional Preaching [3] Salvation of Sinners (Ezekiel 37:1-14)
NM005   Expositional Preaching [4] Growth of Saints (I Peter 2:2)

Chapter Two: Biblical Theology
NM006   Biblical Theology [1] (Jer. 23:21-23)
NM007   Biblical Theology [2] (Jude 1:1-4)
NM008   Biblical Theology [3]

Chapter Three: A Biblical Understanding of the Good News
NM009   The Gospel - Biblical Introduction (Rom. 1:16)
NM010   The Gospel - Biblical Introduction concluded (I Cor. 1:17-18)
NM011   The Gospel - The Truth Proclaimed (I Cor. 15:1-4)
NM012   The Gospel - Right View of God [1] (Gal. 1:1-9)
NM013   The Gospel - Right View of God [2] (Gal. 1:6-9)
NM014   The Gospel - Right View of God [3] (II Tim. 2:8-10)
NM015   The Gospel - Right View of Man [1] (Gen. 1:26-31)
NM016   The Gospel - Right View of Man [2] (Acts 20:24)
NM017   The Gospel - Christ [1] Fully Man (Mark 1:1-3)
NM018   The Gospel - Christ [2] Fully God (Mark 8:27-29)
NM019   The Gospel - Christ [3] The Suffering Servant of Jehovah (I Tim. 3:16)
NM020   The Gospel - Right Response - Repentance and Faith (Luke 13:1-5)
NM021   The Gospel - Right Response - Fruits and Works Following (Eph. 2:8-10)

Please use these links to view the index for each of these chapters:

Chapter Four:  A Biblical Understanding of Conversion

Chapter Five:  A Biblical Understanding of Evangelism

Chapter Six:  A Biblical Understanding of Church Membership

Chapter Seven:  Church Discipline