What MAKES a church grow
CHURCH NOTES:
ESSENTIALS OF CHRISTIANITY
1) ITS FOUNDER: THE LIVING, RESURRECTED JESUS CHRIST
2) HIS GOAL: TO CHANGE INDIVIDUALS LIFES AND SAVE THEIR HEARTS
3) HIS METHOD: SALVATION. MADE POSSIBLE THRU THE BLOOD OF CHRIST—WHICH EFFECTS EVERY AREA OF A BELIEVERS LIFE.
4) HIS MEANS: DISCIPLESHIP. BELIEVERS DEDICATED TO CARRYING OUT HIS PLAN.
OUR CHALLENGE IS TO NOT GET SIDE TRACKED!
THE ACTS 2:42 CHURCH
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” — ACTS 2:42-47
CHURCHES GROW WARMER THROUGH FELLOWSHIP.
CHURCHES GROW DEEPER THROUGH DISCIPLESHIP.
CHURCHES GROW STRONGER THROUGH WORSHIP.
CHURCHES GROW BROADER THROUGH MINISTRY.
CHURCHES GROW LARGER THROUGH EVANGELISM.
I) CHURCHES GROW WARMER THROUGH FELLOWSHIP.
VS. 42 - “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”
THEY VISITED TOGETHER AROUND THE TABLE
BREAKING BREAD
THEY VISITED TOGETHER IN THE CHURCH
THERE IS POWER IN GATHERING FOR THE PURPOSE OF MINGLING
THEY VISITED TOGETHER AT EACH OTHER’S HOMES
HOSPITALITY: ENJOYING HAVING PEOPLE IN YOUR HOME.
YOU ARE NOT FUNCTIONAL UNTIL YOU ARE RELATIONAL
II) CHURCHES GROW THROUGH DISCIPLESHIP
FIND PURPOSE IN LIFE - PEOPLE BLOSSOM WHEN THEY FIND THEIR MINISTRY
ESSENTIALS OF DISCIPLESHIP:
MORE THAN A BELIEVER. YOU MUST E A DISCIPLE IN ORDER TO PRODUCE A DISCIPLE.
COMMITTED PEOPLE DEVELOP COMMITTED PEOPLE; DISCIPLES PRODUCE DISCIPLES.
LORDSHIP: “IF HE’S NOT LORD OF ALL HE’S NOT LORD AT ALL”
“Then he said to them all: ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.’” — LUKE 9:23
“DENY HIMSELF”: TO SAY “NO” TO SOMETHING IN ORDER TO MAKE HIM THE RULING PASSION OF YOUR LIFE.
“TAKE UP HIS CROSS DAILY”: TO PREFER HIS WILL OVER OUR OWN. ALLOWING HIM TO BECOME OUR SOLE FOCUS.
“FOLLOW ME”: UNCONDITIONAL OBEDIENCE.
“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” — II TIM. 2:2
THE CHURCH GREW FROM DISCIPLESHIP (PAUL, TIMOTHY, ETC.) — FAITHFUL MEN TEACH OTHERS
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” — MATT 5:16
FREEDOM RESTRICTED BECOMES POWER
III) CHURCHES GROW STRONGER THROUGH WORSHIP
WE ENTER GOD’S PRESENCE
“I WILL ENTER HIS GATES” – PS. 100:4
WE ENCOUNTER GOD’S PRESENCE BEHIND THE VEIL
WE EXPERIENCE GOD’S PROVISION AT THE MERCY SEAT
DEEP ROOTS: RECEIVING HIS WORD IN OUR HEARTS, AND SEEING HIS WORKS IN OUR LIVES.
WORSHIP IS AN OUTWARD EXPRESSION OF AN INWARD LOVE.
IV) CHURCHES GROW BROADER THROUGH MINISTRY
LUKE 4:18
NIV. "THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS ON ME, BECAUSE HE HAS ANOINTED ME TO PREACH GOOD NEWS TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM FREEDOM FOR THE PRISONERS AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT FOR THE BLIND, TO RELEASE THE OPPRESSED, TO PROCLAIM THE YEAR OF THE LORD'S FAVOR."
MSG. GOD'S SPIRIT IS ON ME; HE'S CHOSEN ME TO PREACH THE MESSAGE OF GOOD NEWS TO THE POOR, SENT ME TO ANNOUNCE PARDON TO PRISONERS AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET THE BURDENED AND BATTERED FREE, TO ANNOUNCE, "THIS IS GOD'S YEAR TO ACT!"
V) CHURCHES GROW LARGER THROUGH EVANGELISM
THE QUESTION WE MUST ALL ANSWER: “HOW WE WILL RESPOND TO THE GREAT COMMISSION?”
“Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” — MATT 28:16-20
GOD IS NOT WILLING THAT ANY SHOULD PERISH
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” — 2 PETER 3:9
THE ISSUE WE MUST ALL SETTLE: “ARE THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW CHRIST LOST?
THERE WOULD BE NO NEED FOR CHRIST TO COME AND DIE
THE BIBLE TELLS US TO VALUE, SEEK, AND WIN THE LOST
LUKE 15 – LOST COIN, LOST SHEEP, LOST SON
JESUS’ PURPOSE WAS: “TO SEEK AND TO SAVE THAT WHICH WAS LOST” (LUKE 19:10)