Keys to a Growing Church
By:
M. Allen
FILING
INFORMATION:
97052
12/14/97 - Rapid City, SD
I. Introduction.
A.
Growth. This certainly a desire of us all. Each one of us would love to see this
building full of people.
1.
We can. We can accomplish the goal of numerical
growth!
2.
God wants us to grow
numerically. God expects us to
grow numerically. God expects each one of us to do our part.
3.
The potential for growth
here in Rapid City is enormous!
a.
Excellent facilities. Many congregations in country (esp. in Midwest)
would love to have facilities like ours.
b.
A loving atmosphere in the
congregation.
c.
A genuine desire to grow -
on the most part.
d.
Brethren who are spiritually
strong & blessed with much Bible knowledge. Impressed w/the fact that so many of you are spiritually
minded.
4.
Let us realize our potential
& exercise our talents to spread the gospel to those who are outside the
body of Christ.
5.
If we doubt ourselves and
tell ourselves that evangelism is useless tan we are only playing into the
devil's trap.
B.
The commission has been
given to each Christian by our
commander-in-chief - Jesus Christ.
1.
Mt. 28:18-20 - Based on Christ's
authority, one must go forth and teach people. When they respond - we baptize them and teach them to
observe the things, which He taught.
2.
Mk. 16:15-16
3.
It is a responsibility that
has been given to each & every Christian!
4.
Perhaps it is a responsibility
that we don't take as seriously as we should.
a.
Push responsibility off on
preacher, elders, or "knowledgeable" ones.
b.
Feel that evangelism isn't
important. Think outsiders will
find it if they want it bad enough.
c.
Feel that because it may not
be easy to do, that God will not mind if we skip out on our responsibility.
C.
Let us all be motivated to
spread the gospel. One can look at
the first century church and find that it grew fast. We can grow at a rapid rate also.
1.
Acts 2:47 - Lord added to
church daily those who were being saved.
2.
4:4 - many who heard
believed & it came to about 5000.
3.
5:14 - believers
increasingly added to the Lord - multitudes of both men & women.
4.
5:42; 6:1 - number of
disciples were multiplying.
5.
6:7 - number multiplied -
great many priests were obedient to faith.
6.
8:4 - men went everywhere
preaching the gospel. V. 6 - many
heeded the words of Phillip - they responded to the gospel call!
7.
9:31 - walking in the fear
of the Lord - they multiplied.
8.
9:42 - many believed on the
Lord.
9.
11:21 - hand of the Lord was
with them - great #'s believed and turned to the Lord.
10.
11:24 - many people added to
the Word of the Lord.
11.
13:48-49 - Gentiles
believed.
12.
14:21 - many disciples
13.
16:5 - churches strengthened
in faith & increased in # daily.
14.
17:34 - men joined Paul,
including prominent Greeks.
15.
18:8 - many Corinthians
believed & were baptized.
16.
19:18-20 - word of the Lord
grew mightily & prevailed.
D.
Growth is a conditional
thing.
1.
Only take place if certain
conditions are met. If not growth
will not happen and death occurs.
2.
We wish to look at the F.
Century church and some conditions it met to grow.
3.
Friends, we can grow
numerically. But we must we
prepared to work toward that goal. Are you ready?
II. Keys to Growth.
A.
Make a United Effort.
1.
Theme: united
we stand, divided we fall… This premise holds true when considering church
growth. It is essential that we as
a congregation unite as ONE in all areas.
2.
F. Century church made
united effort. Acts 2:44 - because
of this they met with much success! We can experience the same success!
3.
To make a united effort does not mean that we should team up
w/denominations and work together w/them!
a.
Many - even in the Lord's church - are embracing the ecumenical
movement with open arms.
1.
Max Lucado - San Antonio, TX
2.
Rubel Shelley - Nashville,
TN
3.
Other prevalent
institutional preachers.
b.
Many pretend to unite today while ignoring important Biblical
principles. Oh how I fear from my
daughter's generation & ones after it.
1.
Current belief -
"spokes in a wheel, etc." is misleading.
2.
Many people in world
confused by the many names, bodies, faiths, baptisms of denominations.
c.
Christ taught - Jhn. 17:20-21
1.
Must unite on Biblical principles & Biblical
principles alone!
2.
Bible is our standard!
3.
Each one of us gathered here must unite with a "Thus says
the Lord!"
4. Interesting about F. century church - they stood together!
a.
Getting more and more hard-pressed
to find brethren who will stand together today - as in times past.
b.
Don't believe this?
1.
circulations b/t brethren
today…
2.
Electronic mailing lists
(ML, etc.)
3.
Periodicals (GOT, GT, CM,
Sentry, etc.)
c.
To many brethren spend too
much time, energy, ink, paper fighting among each other.
1.
Makes me wonder whether many
gospel preachers have forgotten their responsibility to help spread gospel to
the lost!
2.
Too many have failed to heed
Gal. 5:15
5. When problems arose, the First Century church worked for
peace.
a.
We are human. Problems will come about. Only natural. But must follow direction of FC church. Work problems out as quickly as
possible - move on.
b.
Acts 6:1 - problem by
Hellenists (Gk. Spking Jews) b/c their widows neglected.
1.
Apostles sought brethren to
appt. 7 men to work out problem.
2.
V. 7 - problem fixed and….
c.
Eph. 4:1-3 - must follow
this admonition of Paul.
5.
Let us unite together on
Biblical principles and spread the gospel!
B.
Make a Steadfast Effort.
1.
Acts 2:42 - continued steadfastly in the apostles
doctrine.
a.
"Steadfast" - not moving; fixed; unyielding; firm in
purpose, faith, or attachment; loyal.
b.
The FC Christians were
committed to the cause of Christinity. They were dedicated - willing to sacrifice life in necessary.
c.
Do we have dedication that
produces the desire to spread gospel?
d.
Do others around us know of
our desire to serve the Lord?
2.
1 Cor. 15:58 - we must
abound in the work of the Lord.
a.
This verse should give each
one of us great hope! Work we do
for Christ does not go unnoticed!
1.
by Christ
2.
By the world. They see our glorifying Christ. This can be a good influence upon them!
b.
Are you immovable when it
comes to Christianity or are you willing to compromise?
3. Compromising/unstable members weaken the church!
a.
At fist sign of temptation
many yield to it - giving those on outside opportunity to put down church.
b.
Let us remain steadfast for
the Lord!
C.
Believe in Message.
1.
Many say they believe what
they read in Bible, hear in sermons, read in articles, etc. - but actions never
prove it.
a.
Many say lost in danger of
hell fire. But do we really
believe it?
b.
If we really believe it, why
aren't more out trying to tell the lost of their fate?
2.
First century Christians had
enough faith to speak to lost - Col. 1:23
a.
Had enough faith to
preach/teach even if it meant death!
1.
Acts 4:19-20 - unafraid -
Peter/John standing before men who could have them put to death! Their dedication influenced &
strengthened others for good!
2.
Phil. 4:22- Paul - saints in
Caesar's household.
a.
How many of us would have
been dedicated enough to preach in his house?
b.
How many would have thrown
up our hands and quit?
3. First century Christians tried to save people rather than
please them!
a.
so many caught in this today
b.
Our "religion"
might offend someone so we keep mouth shut.
c.
Gal. 1:1 - who are we
seeking to please?
4. First century Christians rode out storms of opposition.
a.
Acts 8:1-4 - massive effort
to stomp out Christianity.
b.
2 Cor. 11:23-28 - personal
example of Paul.
D.
Personal Sacrifice.
1.
examples:
a.
Acts 2:45 - sold; divided
possessions - gave them to those who were in need.
b.
2 Cor. 8:1-5 - churches of
Macedonia sacrifice to help apostles.
c.
2 Cor. 12:15 - attitude of
Paul - willing to do whatever it takes to help others reach destination of
heaven.
d.
Rom. 12:1 - commission to
Roman Christians - all of us! People of Paul's day knew this could very well be
their physical lives!
2.
Sacrificing comes easy if
one has dedication & faith!
a.
Razorbacks as a kid - get up
early - drive to Fayetteville (250 MI) etc…
b.
Causes we believe in…i.e.,
boy scouts, Shirley singing group, etc. Why? They believe in what
they are doing.
3.
Little faith is the cause
behind:
a.
poor attendance in meetings
b.
poor attendance on Sunday/Wednesday
night
c.
Lack of volunteers to help
with ongoing work of the church.
4.
How much are you willing to
sacrifice for the Lord?
E.
Conversion to the Lord!
1.
Phil. 2:14-16 - notice
Philippian brethren.
a.
Were striving to be w/o
fault - shining as lights!
b.
Holding fast to the word of
life.
c.
They had been converted
spiritually!
2.
"Convert" = to change into another form, substance,
state, or product; to induce or be induced to adopt a new religion or belief.
a.
The Philippian lives had
been forever & totally changed! They wanted to tell the world about it!
b.
When compared with the world
their lives would have stood out as black & white.
3.
Words of Christ - Mt.
6:14-15…
a.
Are we a light to those
around us? Or do we simply
"blend into" those around us?
b.
How can we hope to change
others when we ourselves haven't been changed?
4.
Rev. 2:5 - if we are not
converted or if we revert back to the ways of the world - we cannot uphold the light!
5.
Are you converted to the
cause of Christ?
III. Conclusion.
A.
These are five keys to
growth. We can grow my friends if
we will do these things. The
possibilities are endless if we will simply do our part!
B.
God is on our side. He will help us to succeed. He wants us to succeed.
C.
All that's left is for you
to do your part!
D.
I N V I T A T I O N