Mark 3: A Healthy Church Member is Gospel Saturated

The gospel is not only news for a perishing world, it is the message that forms, sustains, and animates the church. Apart from the gospel, the church has nothing to say. The gospel is absolutely vital to a vibrant, joyous, persevering, hopeful, and healthy Christian and Christian church.

Take steps to be sure we know the gospel with some clarity and depth. Recognize that there is no risk in sharing the gospel, only the reward of faithfulness. Desire to hear the gospel and preach the gospel to yourself. Memorize the gospel, pray the gospel, sing the gospel, review how the gospel has changed you, and study the gospel. Fight for and protect the apostolic gospel delivered and preserved in the pages of Scripture (Galatians 1:8-9).

Mark 4: A Healthy Church Member is Genuinely Converted

Conversion is the radical turn from an enslaved life of pursuing sin to a free life of pursuing and worshiping God. Conversion is a change of life, not merely a decision. This change is not a matter of moral rectitude, self-help, or mere behavior modification. It cannot be accomplished by human effort but only by the power of God.

The book of 1 John is a helpful book to study when examining the work of God in our souls. Do we walk in the light or darkness (1 John 1:6-7)? Do we love God the Father (1 John 2:15)? Do we love other Christians (1 John 3:14-15, 3:18-19, 5:1)? Do we have the testimony of the Spirit that we are children of God (1 John 3:24b)? Are we persevering in the faith (1 John 5:4-5)?