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