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Scripture Reading:  Matthew 13:31-33

 

History of the Church (#2)

The Growth of the Lord's Church

Intro.
1.  Review the origin of the Lord’s church:

  a.  A house built (Isa. 2:2-3; 1 Tim. 3:15), 1 Pet. 2:4-5.

  b.  A kingdom established (Dan. 2:44; Eph. 1:21-23), Heb. 12:28.

  c.  The church composed of “called out” people (saved), Mk. 16:15-16; Gospel preached & obeyed on Pentecost, Acts 2 (2:47).

  d.  Church purchased by blood of Christ (cross) (Acts 20:28).

  e.  Obedient ones added to the church (Acts 2:37-41, 47).

2.  This lesson turns our attention to the growth of the church.

 

I.  GOD’S RECORD OF THE EARLY CHURCH (Acts 2-28).

  A.  From a Small Beginning to a Mighty Force:  Record of the Great Commission, Matt. 13:31-32; 28:19-20.

    1.  Acts 1:8: Theme of Acts:  Fulfillment of the commission.

      a.  3000 added the first day (Acts 2:41).

      b.  Soon, men numbered about 5000 (Acts 4:4).

      c.  Multitudes (Acts 5:14) & multiplying (Acts 6:1; 9:31).

    2.  Col. 1:5-6, 23: Within ~30 years the gospel had gone into all the world & preached in all creation.

  B.  Growth Occurred in God’s Way, Eph. 4:11-12.

    1.  Gospel preaching spread the kingdom, 1 Cor. 1:21.

    2.  Influence of the kingdom spread like leaven, Matt. 13:33 (Peter, John, Stephen, Philip, Paul, Barnabas, Silas, Timothy…).

      a.  Growth occurred as all Christians preached the gospel (the seed of the kingdom), Acts 8:4; 11:19-21; 18:24-28; 19:9-10

      b.  Faithful Christians teaching others also, 2 Tim. 2:2.

    3.  They planted & watered, God gave the increase, 1 Cor. 3:5-7.

  C.  Acts Records Growth of the Church in many Different Places among Many Different Kinds of People.

    1.  Jerusalem (2); Judea, Galilee & Samaria (8:5-12; 9:31-35); Caesarea (10-11); Antioch (11:19-21); scores of places on Paul’s preaching journeys (13-21, 27-28).

    2.  Jews (2:5, 41), priests (6:7), Samaritans, sorcerer (8:13), government officials (8:27), persecutor (9:18), Gentiles (10:47-48), jailer (16:30-34), tentmakers (18:1-3), eloquent (18:24-26), common (28:30-31), etc.

    3.  Idolaters, homosexuals, adulterers, thieves… (1 Cor. 6:9-11).

  

II.  THE SEED OF THE KINGDOM PRODUCES ALL OF ITS TRAITS, Matt. 13:18-19 (1 Pet. 1:22-23).

  A.  When the Seed (word of God) is Planted into Good & Honest Hearts, it bears Fruit, Matt. 13:23 (Lk. 8:15); Jas. 1:21-22.

    1.  Fruit is consistent with composition of the seed (Matt.7:17).

    2.  The church (composed of Christians) MUST harmonize with the seed that produced it.

  B.  Therefore, we must Always Respect & Obey the Word of the Kingdom (Gal. 1:8-9; 2 John 9; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Jude 3).

    1.  The body (church) must function under the direction of its head (Christ), Col. 1:18; Eph. 5:23-24.

    2.  NT church respects (subject to) authority of Christ.

  C.  Distinctive & Identifying Features Include:

    1.  Organization, Acts 14:23; 20:17, 28 (Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3; Tit. 3).

      a.  Independent, local churches w qualified elders & deacons.

      b.  No worldwide overseeing / functioning hierarchy in NT.

    2.  Name, Acts 11:26; Rom. 16:16; 1 Cor. 1:2 (possession; ownership; not of divisions between Christians, 1 Cor. 1:10-13).

        -Members just “Christians” (honorable name, Ac 11:26; Jas. 2:7).

    3.  Worship, Jno. 4:24; Heb. 11:4; Matt. 15:7-9.

      a.  Spirit & truth; by faith to be accepted; Not of man.

      b.  Prayer (Acts 2:42); singing (Eph. 5:19); giving (1 Cor. 16:2); Lord’s supper & preaching (Acts 20:7).

    4.  Work of local church (collective or congregational; Spiritual).

      a.  Teach gospel, Acts 11:26.

      b.  Edify the saints, Acts 20:28 (1 Cor. 14:26).

      c.  Relieve needy Christians, Acts 4:34-35 (6:1-6; 1Tim.5:16).

    5.  Life of members (Christians), Titus 2:11-15 (Phil. 4:8-9).

      a.  Holy: Deny sinful attitudes & actions, 2:12.

      b.  Obedient: Live soberly, righteously & godly in this world, 2:12.

      c.  Hope: Look for the coming of the Christ, 2:13.

      d.  Pure: Live as belonging to Christ, 2:14 (1 Jno. 3:2-3).

      e.  Diligent: Zealous of good works, 2:14.

      f.  Authority: Christ approves this lifestyle, 2:15.

-Failure to respect & obey the authority of Christ (revealed in His word) produced corruption in doctrine, organization, name, worship, work & lives of Christians.

 

Conclusion

1.  The church grew from small beginnings into a mighty force because the proper seed was planted & obeyed.  (Same seed, same fruit)

2.  Any church that does NOT bear the identifying marks of the NT church is not the church of Christ (Lk. 6:46).

 

Part 1