Church History: The Growth of the Lord's Church (#2)

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