The Mystery of Multiplication
Notes
Transcript
Introduction: This morning I want us to do something a little different. We can do that because we’re a family not a Christian entertainment center. I want us to look at some scriptures together from the book of Acts. The message this morning springs from several things.
Our bible study at Woo Hoo. We spent a long time in the book of Acts and different things spoke to me during that time.
My doctoral studies is in evangelism and church planting so as you can imagine the book of Acts comes up a lot.
Third, I read an article by Benjamin R. Wilson called “The Depiction of Church Growth in Acts.” that really got my mind racing about church multiplication.
So, this morning I want us to read several passages from the book of Acts and then draw some conclusion and implications.
42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. 46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
13 Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly. 14 And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,
1 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.
31 Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.
21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord. 22 Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. 23 When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. 24 For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.
5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.
What is the common theme among these passages of scripture? Growth, Multiplication
The church is growing incredibly. People are being saved. The Gospel is going forth.
Now, this growth has bewildered people for years and especially since the church growth movements of 90’s and 2000’s.
Let’s point out some things about these.
First, There is No Human Cause for the Growth.
First, There is No Human Cause for the Growth.
You can say well they went. Yes they did eventually! But, they didn’t cause the growth.
They shared the Gospel. Yes they did because they couldn’t keep quite, but they didn’t bring the growth.
There is no marker in the language that attributes the cause to anything.
Listen to what Benjamin Wilson says about this: At the same time, though lacking in overt markers of causation, the growth summaries do tend to be constructed in such a way as to give the impression that ultimately the growth of the church is closely tied to the Lord’s initiative and blessing. Indeed, quite often this focus upon divine involvement is striking.
1 Corinthians 3:7 would agree with Wilson’s assessment.
7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.
In fact, Acts 2:47 makes it very clear.
47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
So, the question we are left with is what created the environment that God saw fit to bless? I have some ideas about that.
An Environment Reliant Upon Spiritual Power.
An Environment Reliant Upon Spiritual Power.
The entire movement in the book of Acts was initiated by the Spirit of God.
In almost all of these accounts there is some sort of supernatural manifestation of the Spirit of God.
Now, I think that the showmanship of our day has almost caused us to err too far the other way.
We have become skeptics to the point that we are almost Christian agnostics. If we can’t explain, we won’t believe it.
Listen, I don’t follow or ascribe to the flashy name it claim it movement, but we need to depend upon and believe in the power of the Holy Spirit.
How else can we preach the Gospel with confidence?
I believe when Paul said that he came in the power and demonstration of the Spirit, that he came empty of self and full of confidence in the Holy Spirit.
He did his part, proclaim the Gospel and God did His part signs and wonders.
If we want to see God bless then we must lean more upon Him.
An Environment of Genuine Community.
An Environment of Genuine Community.
I was looking back at these passages this morning and I noticed something. Acts 2:44-45
44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
Their love was more than lip service. They cared about one another. They were compelled to help one another.
I was challenged yesterday by the recovery community. The way they support one another!
We read Acts 5:14, Listen to Acts 5:15-16
15 so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. 16 Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.
We read Acts 6:1, notice what happens later in that chapter. The widows are ministered to. They organize to ensure that this happens.
We read Acts 9:31, Listen to Acts 9:32-35
32 Now it came to pass, as Peter went through all parts of the country, that he also came down to the saints who dwelt in Lydda. 33 There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years and was paralyzed. 34 And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed.” Then he arose immediately. 35 So all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.
We read Acts 11:21-24 and in verse 25 Barnabas goes after Paul to encourage him and engage him.
This was a Sunday morning, see the show Christianity. These people cared for one another.
The environment that God will bless is one that relies on His power and might, and one that is a genuine, caring, faith family.
HOW COULD GOD BLESS THE DISUNITY, DISCONNECTED, DISSATISFIED, DYSFUNCTIONAL CHURCH THAT WE’VE GROWN ACCUSTOMED TO?
An Environment Where the Gospel is Proclaimed.
An Environment Where the Gospel is Proclaimed.
In this first church nothing disrupted the flow of the Gospel.
The Gospel was such good news and had so changed and saturated their lives. It was such a part of their community that no matter where they went they told people about it.
I’m gonna say something that may be shocking to you. I don’t think they used the Roman Road to share the Gospel.
I believe they just met people in every day life and the Gospel came out in conversation, because it was so central.
Sure, when Peter or Paul preached to crowds the proclamation was more polished but we see in Acts 11:19-21 as they are going they are preaching.
19 Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only. 20 But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.
Let’s get ready for the invitation. Will you stand with me? I want to ask a few people to come up.
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
God doesn’t need all our methods, He needs us.
He needs us to trust Him and rely upon His Spirit and His power. Let’s ask ourselves if we are running on our own strength. Less of me and More of You Lord!
He needs us to love, care, forgive. Genuinely be a family of faith. It’s not the leaders jobs to care for everyone. It everyone’s job including the leaders to care for everyone. You can’t care if you don’t engage and take an interest. We can’t stay blessedly ignorant of what is going on in other people’s lives. On the other side you can’t keep your mouth shut about your troubles and expect everyone to guess what is wrong.
God does need us to make the Gospel a part of our everyday lives. Is the Gospel still changing you? Has the Gospel ever changed you?