 More money Some television evangelists  Status Denominational leaders in a community  Large 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 , Matt 28:19-20 , 1 Tim 3:15 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 mem bers 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 …..

5:42-6:1 ….

“spoke with boldness” “disciples multiplying”

6:3-7 ……..

8:1-5 …......

“disciples multiplied greatly” “everywhere preaching”

9:31 ….......

“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