 More
money Some television evangelists
 Status
 Large
Denominational leaders in a community
numbers To some churches of Christ
with many social and secular programs,
functions and activities sponsored by the
church.
TO GOD
The spiritual depth of every Christian.
Heb 5:12-14 — 2 Pet 3:18
God’s Idea Of Church Growth
Is
not to attract people with whatever it takes
to create greater numbers.
BUT
God’s Idea Of Church Growth
Growth
in spiritual maturity, creating a body of
teachers who will teach the lost.
When each member grows as he should,
numbers take care of themselves.
God’s design for the church makes sure this
type of growth takes place.
Greatest Work on Earth
Saving the Lost
Eph 3:8-12, 2:10, 1 Tim 3:15
Matt 28:19-20, 2 Tim 2:1-2
Edifying the Saved
Eph 4:11-16, Acts 20:17, 28-31
2 Tim 2:15, 4:2-3
BENEVOLENCE?
NT BENEVOLENCE
It is only a supplement to the work of saving lost
souls and edifying the saved.
1 Tim 5:3, 9-10, To faithful Christians
WHAT HELP TO THE CAUSE OF CHRIST
DOES AN UNFAITHFUL CHRISTIAN OR A
NON-CHRISTIAN OFFER?
2 Cor 8:4, Work of fellowship among saints.
CAN SAINTS BE IN FELLOWSHIP WITH
NON-CHRISTIANS?
For some, evidence of growth is seen in
the creation of:
Secular Education
Entertainment
Recreation
Social
Scripture
Appeal To The Spiritual Not Physical
“Silver
and gold I do not have”…………….Acts 3:6
LOST…....Mark 16:15-16, 1 Cor 2:1-5,Gal 1:11-12
1 Cor 2:12-13
SAVED.Acts 20:20-21, 25-27, Titus 2:1, 2 Th 2:15
Human ideas—carnal..1 Cor 3:1-3, 4:6, 1 Pet 4:11
Violation? ……...……..2 Th 2:15, 3:6, 14, 2 John 9
-Growth by reduction….Acts 5:1-14, 1 Cor 5:1-11
-Honest people, seeking truth will not want to be
part of a group that refuses to rid itself of sin.
-SIN IN THE CHURCH AFFECTS GROWTH!
Using the Wrong Principles for Growth
Appeal
to the flesh then claim to teach Bible.
Preaching lacks essentials for spiritual maturity.
RESULT?
Little time and effort for spiritual maturity.
Temporal enticements become old quickly and
must be upgraded to hold growth.
Money is wasted that could be spent on
preaching the gospel.
Time is wasted that could help train Christians
to teach the lost.
Numbers do increase but look what is missing….?
Before
Jesus’ death…...…..…….John 16:13-15
After his death……….………Acts 1:8, 2:1-4, 11
Appeal to wretched condition….…Acts 2:36-37
Church grew from mature Christians teaching
the lost, who taught the lost, who taught the
lost, who taught the lost, etc.
NOTE: In times of persecution or invasion of
false doctrine, it will not matter how many members a local church has. If they have not been
fully grounded in truth they will not stand. The
church will weaken, go into apostasy and often
be divided, become a denomination or disperse.
A
C
T
S
2:42…….... “apostles' doctrine”
4:29-31….. “spoke with boldness”
5:42-6:1….
6:3-7……..
8:1-5…......
9:31….......
“disciples multiplying”
“disciples multiplied greatly”
“everywhere preaching”
“they were multiplied”
Never, never do you see 1st century church
growth through appeals to the flesh.
Philip…………. Acts 8:5, 12
Paul…….……Acts 13:42-49
1st century Christians did not dilute the
gospel to make it more palatable.
The
gospel appeals to the human heart because
the maker of the heart made the gospel.
The reason many will not listen to the gospel:
-They either have not heard it OR
-They heard it and hardened their hearts.
Acts 28:24-29
-The first problem is eliminated when mature
Christians do their work.
-The second is the sinner’s problem, and can
only be remedied when he obeys God.
Most important question on church
growth!
Are we doing all we can to be the mature
teachers of the gospel to bring about the
kind of growth God wants?
Matt 5:13-16, 28:19-20