Growing Pains in the Early Church
Church Growth • Sermon • Submitted
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· 96 viewsTo share with believers some of the experiences we will most likely encounter as our numbers grow.
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GROWING PAINS IN THE EARLY CHURCH
GROWING PAINS IN THE EARLY CHURCH
14 And all the more believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly added to their number,
AIM
AIM
To share with believers some of the experiences we possibly could encounter as our numbers grow.
To share with believers some of the experiences we will most likely encounter as our numbers grow.
INTRODUCTION
Perhaps it would be good to look back a few verses to set the background for the passage we will be studying.
A
32 And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. 34 For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales 35 and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need. 36 Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement), 37 and who owned a tract of land, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
REASON FOR GROWING PAINS IN THE EARLY CHURCH
The main reason for church growth is very simple. We grow because Jesus gave us a commission to go out and reach the lost with the gospel.
19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:
In very plain talk, we reach the lost because Jesus told us to do so. Evangelizing the lost is a great way to honor the sacrifice Jesus offered for our sins on the cross. When we evangelize, people are saved, the church grows and God is glorified.
RISKS OF GROWING PAINS IN THE EARLY CHURCH
1 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property,
1 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and kept back some of the price for himself, with his wife’s full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles’ feet.
The name Ananias means God is gracious and Sapphira means beautiful. If we take time to think about the beginning of the church in the book of Acts, they were obviously very young believers in the Lord. Ananias and Sapphira sold a piece of property and kept back a portion of the profit for themselves. This leads us to ask, was there anything wrong with selling a piece of property and keeping their part of the money? The obvious answer is no, however, there is a lot wrong with selling a piece of property, keeping their portion of the money and acting as if you gave all of the proceeds to the Lord to provide for people who are in need. The appearance of public generosity was no more than a family conspiracy. Ananias and Sapphira were under no obligation to sell their property or participate with the church in giving to the members who were in need. What the early church was doing appears to have been a totally personal voluntary deed of kindness to others. The real problem for Ananias and his wife was God was watching their prideful and sinful actions.
Acts 5
3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land? 4 “While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”
Apparently the Lord revealed to Peter the sins of Ananias and Sapphira. The worst problem about what they did was lying to the Holy Spirit. They lied to the people, but they also lied to God.
Acts
5 And as he heard these words, Ananias fell down and breathed his last; and great fear came over all who heard of it. 6 The young men got up and covered him up, and after carrying him out, they buried him.
I love a contrast from the Holman New Testament Commentary on the book of Acts about sickness, death and the death of Ananias.
Holman New Testament Commentary: Acts B. Reaction to the Crime (vv. 5–11)
Sickness and death do not always result from sin, but God reserves the right to deal with sin in his church, even to the strongest possible penalty.
Acts
7 Now there elapsed an interval of about three hours, and his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter responded to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for such and such a price?” And she said, “Yes, that was the price.” 9 Then Peter said to her, “Why is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out as well.” 10 And immediately she fell at his feet and breathed her last, and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband.
Peter questioned Sapphira several hours following her husband’s death. Sapphira shared the same fate as Ananias.
This story teaches us there are risks, sometimes great risks, when God’s church experiences growth. I am convinced one of the reasons we do not grow or want to grow is because we are unwilling to take the risks of dealing with the real problems of real people. Growing churches must deal with things like pride, spiritual immaturity, super spiritual people and selfishness, to name a few. Think about it. Jesus had Peter who made decisions without thinking them through, Thomas who was a doubter and Judas who was a traitor. Paul dealt with people who slandered him and tried to destroy his ministry. Why should be think our generation will be any different?
Acts 5:11
11 And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things.
Notice the result after God solved the problem of Ananias and Sapphira. The church was filled with fear, but it did not cease to grow.
REWARDS FROM GROWING PAINS IN THE EARLY CHURCH
Acts 5:12
12 At the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s portico. 13 But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, the people held them in high esteem. 14 And all the more believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly added to their number, 15 to such an extent that they even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and pallets, so that when Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on any one of them. 16 Also the people from the cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem were coming together, bringing people who were sick or afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all being healed.
There were many rewards from the growing pains in the early church. We do not have enough time to deal with all of them. I am going to deal with one since we are talking church growth. The Bible teaches, “And all the more believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly added to their number.” The early church continued to grow after experiencing the problems with Ananias and Sapphira.
We can and should experience great joy because of those who are being saved.
19 For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy.
God is always glorified when the lost give their hearts to Jesus.
CONCLUSION
Do you think we really understand the reason for winning the lost? If so, are we willing to take the risks of winning the lost and dealing with their problems? Do we want to receive the rewards God offers for those who share the gospel and lead the lost to Jesus? If so, we will experience the growing pains of the early church.
Prepared for First Baptist Church Oakdale - August 27, 2017