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Scripture Reading: Acts 8:1-4

Factors of Successful Church Growth

Intro.

1.   Growth: Numerically (Acts 6:7), Spiritually (Acts 8:1-4; 9:31).

   a.   Each Christian expected to grow, Heb 5:12; 2 Pet 3:18.

   b.   Means of accomplishing and its purposes, Eph 4:11-16.

2.   Five factors which contribute to a growing church.

 

I. FAITHFUL TEACHING AND FAITHFUL TO TEACH, 2 Tim 2:2.

   A.   Spiritual Growth Demands Spiritual Food, 1 Pet 2:2.

   B.   Faithful Teaching of the Gospel (Acts 20:27):

      1.   Teach the ways that are “in Christ”, 1 Cor 4:17.

      2.   No other doctrine...godly edification, 1 Tim 1:3-4.

      3.   Nourished in words of faith and good doctrine, 1 Tim 4:6-11.

      4.   Sound doctrine exhorts and convicts, Titus 1:9 (Acts 20:28).

   C.   Evangelism: Faithful to Teach, 2 Tim 2:24-26.

      1.   cf. Visitors: Deserve our kindness, patience and attention; not rudeness or be ignored.

      2.   Hospitality, Heb 13:2: You cannot measure its potential.

      -Applications:

         · Bible classes     · Public preaching        · Home classes

      -Bible must be focus of all our study and teaching to be a growing church.

 

II. FERVENT PRAYER, 1 Ths 5:17; Acts 2:42.

   A.   For Boldness in Gospel Preaching, Acts 4:23-24, 29-31.

   B.   For Safety of Brethren, Acts 12:5, 12.            

   C.   For All of God’s People, Eph 6:18.

   D.   For Spiritual Blessings (one another), Jas 5:13-16.

      -Applications:

         · Public prayers      · Private prayers        · Special prayers

      -Prayer puts our focus upon the power of God for growth and not our own, 1 Cor 3:6.

 

III.  ENDURANCE IN SUFFERING, 1 Pet 4:16 (Acts 8:1, 4).  

   A.   When First Converted, Heb 10:32-34.

   B.   As You Continue in Your Faith, Heb 10:35-39 (faith).

   C.   In Doing Good, 1 Pet 3:13-17.

 

 

   D.   To the Point of Death, Rev 2:10.

      -Applications:

         · Not ashamed       · Endure in faith        · Eternal perspective

      -Commit ourselves to God by doing good (1 Pet 4:19).

 

IV.  Liberality in giving, Rom 12:8; 2 Cor 9:6-11.

   -Singleness, simplicity, sincerity, mental honesty-

      1a) the virtue of one who is free from pretense and hypocrisy

      2) not self seeking, openness of heart manifesting itself by generosity

   A.   Give as you have been Prospered, 1 Cor 16:1-2; Mk 12:41-44

   B.   Your Time, Eph 5:16 (Matt 25:34-40).

   C.   Your Abilities, Matt 25:15 (Lk 12:48).

      -Applications:

      · Proper priority     · Serve (not served)      · Sacrifice

   -Give without pretense, with singleness of heart (1 Tim 6:17-19)

  

V.   PURITY IN LIVING, Titus 2:11-14.

   A.   Light of the World, Matt 5:14-16.

   B.   A Pattern of Good Works, Titus 2:6-8.

   C.   Honorable Conduct toward All, 1 Pet 2:11-12.

   D.   Inherit an Eternal Blessing, 1 Pet 3:8-12.

      -Applications:

         ·  Our language   · Our clothing   · Our morals   · Our hope

 

Conclusion

   The body grows when each member does his share. Eph 4:15-16