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Sunday, November 10, 2013 pm

 WHAT WILL MAKE THE CHURCH GROW?

 A few years, in an article about church growth, the following description of the church was given as an introduction.  “The church is the fulfillment of God’s eternal purpose (Eph. 3:10-11). It is a spiritual institution with a spiritual message (Jn. 18:36; Rom. 14:17; 1 Tim. 3:15). The church is the agency through which God’s will is preached, and in the accomplishment of this work it makes known “the manifold wisdom of God” (Eph. 3: 10). God’s many-sided wisdom is seen in the church, its arrangement, its all-sufficiency to do the work that God requires it to do.”[1]

With this description, as you study the church of the first century you find that it grew, even in times of great persecution, difficulties and limited resources.  The church in Jerusalem began with 3000 souls (Acts 2:41) and within a very short span of time it was 5000 men (plus women and children)(Acts 4:4).  When persecutions drove the church out of Jerusalem and Judea (Acts 8:1-4) it only took a few years for Paul to proclaim that the gospel had been preached to “every creature under heaven.” (Col. 1:23)   How did they do it back then?  Are there qualities they exhibited that we need today?  I believe the answer to that is yes.  And with that in mind I would like to take a few minutes tonight to note some things that will make the church grow.

What do we mean by grow?  There are many churches growing numerically, but their emphasis is on the numbers or external factors.  While our ultimate goal is material growth, the bottom line is that any growth that is worthy of consideration must FIRST be pleasing to God.  All the numbers in the world are meaningless if we have to compromise the truth to achieve it.  So our lesson tonight will focus on some things that will promote TRUE growth within the local congregation.

 I.                    It will teach the truth –

a.        The gospel must be preached without compromise.  1 Tim. 3:15 speaks of the church as “the pillar and ground of the truth.”
1 Tim. 4:2-4 – preach the word – even though some do not want to hear it.

b.       Any plan for growth that disregards truth is meaningless in the end.

c.        The bottom line is seek the blessing of God in all that we do (i.e. His approval).  If we desire His favor, we must be true to Him and His word.  Rev. 2:4-5 – the church at Ephesus had left its first love and was called to repent and return.

d.       That is why in a growing church you will find a strong teaching program where members are grounded in the truth – Eph. 4:12-16.

 II.                    True worship –

a.        John 4:24 – true worship is “in spirit and in truth.”

b.       One purpose of the church is to worship God.  Paul spent considerable time emphasizing this to the church at Corinth (chs. 10-14).   When we worship properly, God is glorified. 

c.        We ought to regard worship as a privilege rather than an obligation. 

d.       How does this promote growth?  When we are together we are drawn closer to God and one another as brethren – Heb. 10:24-25.
Furthermore, when we have visitors, they will see our love for God and one another.  They will see our worship to God is not mere ritual, but genuine service (Eph. 5:19 – from the heart, Jas. 5:16 – fervent prayers, 1 Cor. 11 – proclaiming the Lord’s death, etc.).   That cannot harm the truth!   In fact 1 Cor. 14:24-25 speaks of worship that is understood (i.e. prophecy instead of tongues, a study within itself) which when, “an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all.  And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.”

 III.                  Unity in the body –

a.        John 13:34-35 – when we have love for one another, all will know that we are His disciples.  If we are to get anything done, we need to work together. 

b.       Eph. 4:16, 1 Cor. 12:24-25 “but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.”

c.        WHEN we are united we can work together to reach other.  Furthermore, we have an environment that promotes growth – whether it be visitors coming or us working together to accomplish some work.

 IV.                Genuine care –

a.        First, we need to care about each other - Rom. 12:10 – kindly affectionate to one another.  Also note again 1 Cor. 12:24-25 – we have the same care for one another.  Therefore, rather than resisting each other we strive to work together.

b.       We also ought to truly want to reach the lost and restore the erring. 

                                                   i.      2 Cor. 5:10-11 – we will all be judged.  Knowing the terror of the Lord we persuade men.

                                                  ii.      Furthermore, the lost will notice the way we treat each other and that can promote growth.

 V.                   Effort –

a.        WE have to work at it!  We cannot sit back and do nothing and expect to grow.  WE cannot bury our “talent” in the ground and expect the master to be pleased with us. (cf. Matt. 25:14-30)

b.       Eph. 4:16 which we have already alluded to says, “from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.”

c.        Zealous for good works – Titus 2:14.   
Acts 5:42 – “And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.”

 VI.                  Prayers –

a.        In so many things we emphasize prayer.  That is because: 1) It is so often neglected; and 2) It is so important to everything we do spiritually.  When it comes to growth in the church (and as individuals) we ought to ask God’s help

b.       As individuals – Jas. 1:5 – if you lack wisdom.  Phil. 4:6

c.        In reaching the lost we ought to fervently pray – for doors to open, opportunities, boldness, etc. (Col. 4:3, 2 Thess. 3:1 – that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, etc.

 VII.                Vision –

a.        We need to have plans.  WE need to set goals.  We need to have direction and be headed that way.

b.       Is planning in the Bible?  Absolutely!  Our salvation is the result of the ULTIMATE plan – sometimes called “the scheme of redemption” it was carried out to perfection.  Gal. 4:4 speaks of the fullness of time.
Paul made plans – many of his letters to churches concluded with his plans.  He encouraged congregations to make plans for his arrival and to do works ahead of time.  His life was lived with vision of eternity with Jesus – Phil. 3:12-13 – he pressed toward the goal.  What is a goal if it does not include vision?

c.        Many churches fail to grow because they only take things one day at a time.  They refuse to look into the future.

 VIII.               It will take members who are growing as they ought to –

a.        Because the church is made up of individuals, as the member grows, so grows the body.  Consider again 1 Cor. 12:27, “Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.”

Again we note Eph. 4:16 where “every part does its share causes growth of the body.”

b.       It will take members that care about the church – she ought to be important to us, as it was to Christ.  Why did Paul spend so much time correcting errors at Corinth?  Could be because the church was important?  I am certain that was a factor!

c.        It will take members that are morally pure – the truth is if we are not living as godly examples, we will NOT will souls – Matt. 5:16, Phil. 2:14-16 tells us to shine as lights in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. 

d.       The bottom line is that if the church is to grow it is going to be up to each of us! 

 

And thus we can see some things that will make the church grow.  This lesson is a general introduction to many subjects.  I am sure others could be added to this list, but my purpose is for each of us to think about where this church is headed and to commit to do our part to make sure it is in the right direction.  Are you helping or hindering the growth of the church?