Critics of house churches often say that they can be (and many times are) weak in the areas of doctrine and clear exposition of the Scriptures.

In our house church we work very hard to make sure that we are not guilty on either count.  We take the time to explain Bible doctrine as we work our way exposistionally through the passage of Scripture we are studying that week.

For the summer our church has undertaken a study of the book of Philippians.  For the past three weeks we have been looking closely at Paul’s instruction to the church in 1:27 where he charges them to live a manner of life worthy of the gospel of Christ.  Each week as we have studied this passage together I have realized some things that I find to be unsettling, unsettling because I see how so many churches are missing the mark that God has clearly defined for them.

First of all one of the themes of the book of Philippians is the subject of unity.  Anyone who has been associated with the church for any length of time will know that the unity of the church is a very fragile thing and can be easily shattered.  That is why Paul tells the church at Philippi that must have the same mind, and that they must be striving together for the sake of unity.  He encourages them to have the mind of Christ in their dealings both with those inside the church and those outside the church.  He gives them and us the example of Jesus Christ and the mind that he displayed where he always put the interest of others before his own.  I came to the conclusion that if churches would truly take these words to heart it would overnight solve most if not all of the internal battles that characterize far too many churches.

Paul goes to say in verse 12 that they are to work out their own salvation with fear and trembling and then he goes on to explain exactly what that means.  To work our their own salvation (again these words are written to the church) means that they would do “all things without grumbling or questioning”.  What would be the result if they obeyed these commands?  They would “shine as lights in the world”, in other words their testimony, their lifestyle would stand out in stark contrast to the darkness of the world around them.  The gospel would clearly stand out!  The difference the gospel makes would shine brightly!  The power of the gospel would blaze brightly through the darkness of this world that is characterized by fighting and strife on every hand!

That’s why I say many churches are missing the mark.  They are not striving together for the sake of unity, they do not exhibit the mind of Christ and they do everything with grumbling and complaining!  Is it any wonder then that so few churches are shining brightly in the darkness of this world?