More money More money Some television evangelists

StatusStatus Denominational leaders in a community

Large numbersLarge numbers To some churches of Christ with many social and secular programs, functions and activities sponsored by the church.

TO GODThe spiritual depthspiritual depth of every Christian.

Heb 5:12-14 Heb 5:12-14 — 2 Pet 3:182 Pet 3:18

God’s Idea Of Church GrowthGod’s Idea Of Church GrowthIs not to attract people with whatever it takes

to create greater numbers.

BUT

God’s Idea Of Church GrowthGod’s Idea Of Church GrowthGrowth in spiritual maturity, creating a body of teachers who will teach the lost.When each member grows as he should, numbers take care of themselves.God’s design for the church makes sure this type of growth takes place.

Greatest Work on EarthGreatest Work on EarthSaving the LostLost

Eph 3:8-12, 2:10Eph 3:8-12, 2:10, 1 Tim 3:15 1 Tim 3:15Matt 28:19-20Matt 28:19-20, 2 Tim 2:1-2 2 Tim 2:1-2

Edifying the SavedSavedEph 4:11-16Eph 4:11-16, Acts 20:17Acts 20:17, 28-31 28-31

2 Tim 2:152 Tim 2:15, 4:2-3 4:2-3

BENEVOLENCE?BENEVOLENCE?

NT BENEVOLENCENT BENEVOLENCE It is only a supplement to the work of saving lost souls and edifying the saved.

1 Tim 5:31 Tim 5:3, 9-109-10, To faithful ChristiansWHAT HELP TO THE CAUSE OF CHRIST WHAT HELP TO THE CAUSE OF CHRIST DOES AN UNFAITHFUL CHRISTIAN OR A DOES AN UNFAITHFUL CHRISTIAN OR A NON-CHRISTIAN OFFER?NON-CHRISTIAN OFFER?

2 Cor 8:42 Cor 8:4, Work of fellowship among saints.CAN SAINTS BE IN FELLOWSHIP WITH CAN SAINTS BE IN FELLOWSHIP WITH NON-CHRISTIANS?NON-CHRISTIANS?

For some, evidence of growth is seen in the creation of:

Secular EducationSecular Education

EntertainmentEntertainment

RecreationRecreation

SocialSocial

ScriptureScripture

Appeal To The Spiritual Not PhysicalAppeal To The Spiritual Not Physical“Silver and gold I do not have”…………….Acts 3:6Acts 3:6LOSTLOST…....Mark 16:15-16Mark 16:15-16, 1 Cor 2:1-51 Cor 2:1-5,Gal 1:11-12Gal 1:11-12 1 Cor 2:12-13 1 Cor 2:12-13 SAVEDSAVED.Acts 20:20-21Acts 20:20-21, 25-2725-27, Titus 2:1, 2 Th 2:15Titus 2:1, 2 Th 2:15 Human ideas—carnal..1 Cor 3:1-31 Cor 3:1-3, 4:64:6, 1 Pet 4:111 Pet 4:11Violation? ……...……..2 Th 2:152 Th 2:15, 3:63:6, 1414, 2 John 92 John 9

-Growth by reduction….Acts 5:1-14Acts 5:1-14, , 1 Cor 5:1-111 Cor 5:1-11

-Honest people, seeking truth will not want to be part of a group that refuses to rid itself of sin.

-SIN IN THE CHURCH AFFECTS GROWTH!

Using the Wrong Principles for GrowthUsing the Wrong Principles for GrowthAppeal to the flesh then claim to teach Bible. Preaching lacks essentials for spiritual maturity.RESULT?

Little time and effort for spiritual maturity.Temporal enticements become old quickly and must be upgraded to hold growth. Money is wasted that could be spent on preaching the gospel. Time is wasted that could help train Christians to teach the lost.

Numbers do increase but look what is missing….?

Before Jesus’ death…...…..…….John 16:13-John 16:13-1515After his death……….………Acts 1:8Acts 1:8, 2:1-42:1-4, 1111Appeal to wretched condition….…Acts 2:36-37Acts 2:36-37Church grew from mature Christians teaching the lost, who taught the lost, who taught the lost, who taught the lost, etc.NOTE: In times of persecution or invasion of false doctrine, it will not matter how many mem-bers a local church has. If they have not been fully grounded in truth they will not stand. The church will weaken, go into apostasy and often be divided, become a denomination or disperse.

2:422:42……....……....

4:29-314:29-31…..…..

5:42-6:15:42-6:1….….

6:3-76:3-7……..……..

8:1-58:1-5…......…......

9:319:31….......….......

“apostles' doctrine”

“spoke with boldness”

“disciples multiplying”

“disciples multiplied greatly”

“everywhere preaching”

“they were multiplied”

AA

CC

TT

SS

Never, never do you see 1st century church growth through appeals to the flesh.

PhilipPhilip…………. Acts 8:5 Acts 8:5, 1212

PaulPaul…….……Acts 13:42-49Acts 13:42-49

1st century Christians did not dilute the 1st century Christians did not dilute the gospel to make it more palatable.gospel to make it more palatable.

The gospel appeals to the human heart because the maker of the heart made the gospel.The reason many will not listen to the gospel:

-They either have not heard it OR-They heard it and hardened their hearts. Acts 28:24-29Acts 28:24-29-The first problem is eliminated when mature Christians do their work. -The second is the sinner’s problem, and can only be remedied when he obeys God.

Most important question on church Most important question on church growth!growth!

Are we doing all we can to be the mature teachers of the gospel to bring about the kind of growth God wants?

Matt 5:13-16Matt 5:13-16, 28:19-2028:19-20