1.) Worship & Prayer – Delighting in God, not merely singing about Him (Ps. 72:15).2.) Biblical Learning & Application – Becoming like Christ by knowing and obeying His Word (2 Tim. 3:16–17).3.) Fellowship – Genuine, sacrificial relationships that reflect heaven’s family (Acts 2:44–45).4.) Service – Every believer discovering and using spiritual gifts to bless others (1 Cor. 12:4–7).5.) Mission – near and far. Going, giving, telling, and praying to see the gospel reach every people (Matt. 28:19–20).
Years ago, a little church in Wales was down to twelve members. The roof leaked, the pews were dusty, and the offering barely kept the lights on. But one old deacon said, “Let’s pray until God moves.” They met every night for weeks—no gimmicks, no guest bands, just prayer. One Sunday, a young man walked in, trembling under conviction. He was saved. Then his friend came. Then their families. In a year, the church was packed—and the town was talking about Jesus.
Acts 2 says they devoted themselves to the Word, to prayer, to fellowship, and to reaching the lost—and the Lord added daily to their number.
So I ask you—will we be a body aka church that survives… or a church that breathes?
. Does it kind of seem like your ministry died? Why do some churches thrive while others die? Answer: The true church is one where Christ is acknowledged as its Head, the Bible is preached and taught, and the way of salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ’s death and bodily resurrection, the Holy Spirit is obeyed in the leadership and the people, and the Great Commission is being carried out. Churches that don’t have these characteristics are dead already because they do not have the Holy Spirit at work in the members through faith in Jesus Christ. There are many such churches today, both small and large, which are, sorry to say, just social clubs. The true Christ is not honored there, and although there may be a lot of form, there is no substance. The supernatural has been sapped from their fellowship. In some instances, churches once preached the gospel of Christ, but then as time went on, they no longer did so. Of course, this is also sad. They have become dead churches as well. Then there are churches where Christ is honored and the Bible preached, but they are content in themselves just to be that way. They are just existing. Like the church of Ephesus in the Book of Revelation (2:1-7), they have left their first love. They have good doctrine, but they have lost their passion for Christ to reach out to those needing the Savior. In this sense they are dead. They are content to be Christians, but there is no sign of God at work in their lives. Sometimes a church dies because there is a split in the congregation. Too many people leave, and the church can’t continue. This is also a sad state of affairs, and God is not honored. Some churches die because of the area in which they exist. Smaller churches in rural areas have to close due to changes in the population. In some areas, where smaller churches exist, and they have the same beliefs, they have joined together to form a larger congregation.
Our choices matter.
* Want to grow up into full spiritual maturity in Jesus Individual Christian? It's your decision. You need Him most, and 1) Daily Bible reading, 2) daily earnes prayer, 3) candid fellowship [upwards and out with believers] and here is the outgrowth from your spiritual growth, 4) witessing (at home domesticly, and in other Lands too).
At the same time, the size of the church is not really the issue.
What is going on within the walls of that church fellowship is the key.
Is it Christ-honoring? Is it biblical?
The characteristics of an alive and growing well church are found in Acts 2:42-47 where the believers “were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” They were serving one another, and reaching out to those who needed to know the Lord, and the Lord was “adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.” This tells us that the church has five purposes: 1) Acceptable Biblical Worship/Prayer In Jesus' Name – We were created to give God praise and to have a personal relationship with Him through prayer (Psalm 72:15). 2) Learning the Bible & How to wisely apply truth – We were designed to become like Christ by seeking Him daily in His Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17). 3) Fellowship upsards & outwards with other sold-out believers - We were formed to be part of God’s family (Acts 2:44-45). 4) Service of Jesus and dlcor other to meet needs as a witness/blessing – We were shaped to have a ministry within the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:4-7). 5) Mission Outreach – We are commanded to go (sent by a Christ & a local church to a people group) share God’s love and gospel (Matthew 28:19-20). These five areas describe what the true church of Jesus Christ should be about today. The Holy Spirit must be obeyed in the local church in the leadership and the people. Prayer must be a vital part of the church, for without prayer, a church only operates in the flesh. People need to know and use their spiritual gifts. There must be a ministering to one another in the fellowship, a caring and sharing. There must also be a passion to reach out to those needing the Savior, fulfilling the Great Commission of Matthew 28:18-20. Yes, the church must know why it exists and what it is about. Any church, large or small, honoring Christ, preaching and teaching the Bible, in tune with the Holy Spirit to minister to the congregation as well as to reach the community and the world, will be a vibrant church for Jesus Christ. A true follower of Christ can’t be a pew-warmer or a spectator. Christ came not to be served but to serve. We must do the same.
When a Church Stops Breathing
The surest sign a church is alive is not the size of its budget or the beauty of its building—it’s whether Christ is truly its Head (Col. 1:18), His gospel is clearly proclaimed (1 Cor. 15:3–4), His Spirit is obeyed (Acts 5:32), and His mission is pursued (Matt. 28:18–20). Where these are missing, the heart has stopped beating, even if the body still moves. Vance Havner once said, “We are not going to move this world by criticism of it nor by conformity to it, but by the combustion within it of lives ignited by the Spirit of God.”
Some churches die because they abandon the gospel and drift into being social clubs with religious music. Others still hold sound doctrine but lose their first love (Rev. 2:4)—content to “be right” while no longer burning to reach the lost. Still others fracture through division, with the result that Christ’s name is diminished, not magnified.
The book of Acts gives the antidote: a church “continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42), ministering to one another, and reaching out until “the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved” (v. 47). That’s not a quaint historical footnote—it’s God’s blueprint for every church today.
For the individual believer, the pattern is the same: daily Scripture, earnest prayer, real fellowship, and active witness at home and abroad. The Christian life was never meant to be a pew-warming hobby. Jesus Himself said He came “not to be served, but to serve” (Mark 10:45)—and He calls us to follow suit.
Churches that pray much, love deeply, serve gladly, and proclaim boldly will not just exist—they will pulse with the life of Christ. Anything less is maintenance, not mission. As the hymn reminds us: “Revive us again, fill each heart with Thy love; may each soul be rekindled with fire from above.”
Breath again. Don't Stop.
But Acts 2 gives the prescription: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.” They served one another, reached the lost, and the Lord added to their number daily. That’s not nostalgia—that’s God’s blueprint for today.
The living church will breathe in worship, breathe out prayer. It will feast on the Word, not just snack on it. It will love one another with costly fellowship. It will serve, not sit. And it will go with the gospel to the ends of the earth.
And you, child of God—this is your call too: Daily Scripture. Earnest prayer. Real fellowship. Active witness. You are not saved to be a pew-warmer; you are saved to serve. Jesus Himself said, “I came not to be served, but to serve.” Look at the Word--Focus!
- Ephesians 5:14 says, "Wake up, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you". This verse calls believers to a state of spiritual wakefulness and rebirth in Christ.
- Colossians 2:13-15 explains that God "made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins... by nailing it to the cross". This highlights the new life believers receive through Jesus' sacrificial death and resurrection.
- Acts 3:19-20 instructs, "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord". This shows a link between turning to God and experiencing spiritual refreshing and renewal.
- New Birth is a free gift from God: Like the Prodigal Son who was "dead and has come to life again," believers are given new life through Christ.
- God gladly gives Times of Refreshing: Spiritual refreshment and revival can come when one turns to God through repentance.
- It's via Christ's Resurrection Power: Through Jesus' resurrection, believers are given new, everlasting life and are made spiritually alive, fulfilling God's promise of new life.
Church, it’s Time to Breathe and Live.. cuz You are Called to Life in Christ as Lord.
The question isn’t, “Is our church mere busy?” The question is, “Is our church alive and making an impact?”
Christ—not tradition—He alone is the Head of the church (Col. 1:18). Where He is not honored, the heart stops.
The gospel—not self-help—That is our Message (1 Cor. 15:3–4). Without it, we are just a religious club.
The real Holy Spirit—not human strategy—is our enabling power to witness (Acts 1:8). Without Him, we can’t move right even an inch.
George Barna reports that 42% of practicing Christians haven’t shared their faith in the past year. Friends, that’s not revival—that’s survival. Sadly, many have settled into spiritual spectator mode.
Some churches have form without fire. Others have doctrine without love. Some split and never recover. And some simply fade away because they stopped reaching the lost.
Again, Acts 2:42–47 shows us what a living and well church looks like:
Devoted to teaching. Devoted to prayer. Devoted to fellowship. Devoted to mission. And God added daily to their number.
A.W. Tozer said, “If the Holy Spirit was withdrawn from the church today, 95% of what we do would go on and no one would know the difference. If He had been withdrawn from the New Testament Church, 95% of what they did would stop and everybody would know the difference.”
So let me say it plainly:
If prayer is missing—we’re gasping.
If the Word is neglected—we’re starving.
If fellowship is shallow—we’re drifting.
If service is absent—we’re idling.
If mission is ignored—we’re dying.
You, believer—this starts with you. Daily Bible. Earnest prayer. Real fellowship. Bold witness. D.L. Moody said, “The world has yet to see what God can do with a man fully consecrated to Him.”
The living church will…
Pray until the fire falls so to speak.
Love until the walls fall down.
Preach the Word until the lost are found.
I really want it truthfully said of us—“The Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
Are you awake and like breathing spiritually?.. praying, praising Jesus, confessing sins, repenting
Think about it, Inspect, Evaluate.. Is Your Church Breathing?
Is your church alive—or just busy?
Is Christ the Head—or just a figurehead?
Is the gospel burning—or buried under programs?
Is the Spirit leading—or are we running on fumes?
Years ago, a little church in Wales was down to twelve members. The roof leaked, the pews were dusty, and the offering barely kept the lights on. But one old deacon said, “Let’s pray until God moves.” They met every night for weeks—no gimmicks, no guest bands, just prayer. One Sunday, a young man walked in, trembling under conviction. He was saved. Then his friend came. Then their families. In a year, the church was packed—and the town was talking about Jesus.
Acts 2 says they devoted themselves to the Word, to prayer, to fellowship, and to reaching the lost—and the Lord added daily to their number.
So I ask you—will we be a church that survives… or a church that breathes?
He's Got Your Back, When the Breath Comes Back
Is your church breathing—or just going through the motions?
Psalm 85:6 says, “Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?”
Revival isn’t about merely filling pews—it’s about God filling hearts. Spiritual growth happens inside individual Christians who can't help but to go tell their friends and then the church gets filled with hungry people.
In 2023, Lifeway Research found that only 32% of churchgoers read their Bible daily. Friends, how can we expect the Spirit’s wind if our sails are down?
Leonard Ravenhill warned, “We do not need a new definition of Christianity; we need a new demonstration of Christianity.”
Last year in Ohio, a small-town church decided to stop waiting for visitors and start going to them. They knocked on doors, invited neighbors to dinner, prayed over people in their driveways. In six months, their Wednesday night prayer meeting tripled, and people started showing up early for Sunday worship—hungry for God.
Isaiah 57:15 reminds us: “I dwell… with the contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.”
Church, here’s the call:
Repent -- right there where you and I have cooled spiritually. Lukewarm is lame!
Return to the Word -- that's where the growth comes from.
Reignite in prayer -- like you mean it, because we really do.
Reach out to open people with the Gospel. Put a hook in every opportunity. Cast a net every time you can.
Charles Spurgeon said, “A genuine revival without joy in the Lord is as impossible as spring without flowers.” Let’s be a people where the flowers bloom again—and may it be said of us, as in Acts 4:31, “They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the Word of God boldly.”
Lord, revive us again.. According to Psalm 85:6–Acts 4:31 -- send Another Spiritual Awakening. Use us to point people to Jesus!
Want Some More Revival and Awakening Verses?
- Acts 3:19-20 (ESV)
Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus. - Isaiah 55:7 (ESV)
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. - Isaiah 40:31 (ESV)
But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. - Ezekiel 37:2-6 (ESV)
And he led me around among them, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley, and behold, they were very dry. And he said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord God, you know.” Then he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the Lord.” - Jeremiah 24:7 (ESV)
I will give them a heart to know that I am the Lord, and they shall be my people and I will be their God, for they shall return to me with their whole heart. - Ezekiel 18:32 (ESV)
For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn, and live.” - Psalm 80:18-19 (ESV)
Then we shall not turn back from you; give us life, and we will call upon your name! Restore us, O Lord God of hosts! Let your face shine, that we may be saved! - Isaiah 57:15 (ESV)
For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite. - Hosea 6:2 (ESV)
After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him. - Lamentations 5:21 (ESV)
Restore us to yourself, O Lord, that we may be restored! Renew our days as of old. - Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV)
“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert”. - Joel 2:25-26 (ESV)
I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter. - Romans 13:11 (ESV)
Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. - John 11:25 (ESV)
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live. - Psalms 22:27 (ESV)
All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. - James 4:8 (ESV)
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. - Psalm 119:25 (ESV)
My soul cleaves to the dust; revive me according to your word. - Luke 15:24 (ESV)
For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate. - Colossians 2:13 (ESV)
And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses. - 1 Thessalonians 5:6 (ESV)
So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.
