SF168 - TEN MARKS OF A GROWING CHURCH (Acts 2 47)
@RECORD = SF168
TEN MARKS OF A GROWING CHURCH<R>PART ONE
Acts 2:47
INTRODUCTION:
@INDENT PARA = I dare say if I were to ask, almost everyone present today would say that their desire was to see our church grow.
@INDENT PARA = However, if I was to ask you to define church growth and explain how it can happen you might struggle with the answer.
@INDENT PARA = Unfortunately, most of us really do not realize what church growth is or what the Bible teaches about it.
GROWING CHURCHES...
1A. PLACE A DEFINITE PRIORITY ON PRAYER (1:14)
1B. They Prayed
2B. They Persevered
Constantly = Continued
Ø Their prayer meeting lasted ten days.
3B. They Petitioned God
They literally sought God's heart not His hand.
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FULL GOSPEL CHURCH
Dr. Paul Yonggi Cho pastor of the Full Gospel Central Church in Seoul, Korea states that prayer is the single most important element in the church growth. He pastors the largest church in the world with over 230,000 members. They estimate that their members spend over 260,000 hours in prayer per month simply by attending the church's regular services.
The question we must answer is how much time do I spend in prayer?
Are my prayers making a difference?
2A. PLACE THE EMPHASIS ON UNITY NOT UNIFORMITY
"all joined together" (one accord) = One mind
1B. In Devotion (1:14)
"all joined together"
2B. In Direction (2:1)
"In one place"
Must come together, To go together.
3B. In Determination (2:46)
"continuing daily"
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3A. HAVE A SPIRIT‑CONTROLLED MEMBERSHIP (2:2‑4)
THE SPIRIT FILLED LIFE
"The Spirit filled life is yielding every decision to the control of the Spirit." John McArthur.
1B. The Source of the Filling (2:2)
The infilling originates with God.
2B. The Stipulation (2:3)
The infilling demands spiritual cleansing.
Fire represents God's cleansing
Ø Three Hebrew Children
3B. The Subjects (2:4)
The infilling is for all believers.
Ø Are you completely yielded to Christ?
4A. PRACTICE LIFESTYLE EVANGELISM DAILY
1B. Cultivate Relationships With Seekers (2:46)
"in their homes"
Ø 80% of those who will join our church will come the first time because a friend asked them.
2B. Build On Those Relationships (2:47)
"enjoying the favor of all the people."
Ø "Most people do not come to church because they know someone who does."
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3B. Compel The Lost To Be Saved. (2:40)
"pleaded" = beg
"And the Lord added to the Church daily"
Everything about the early church emphasized evangelism on that first day 3,000 were saved. On that first day each believer reached 25 unbelievers. It has takes 40 Southern Baptist to reach 1 lost person.
DR. CRISWELL RESTAURANT STORY
Are you reaching your family and friends for Christ?
If you were lost would you want to come to this church?
5A. AGGRESSIVELY SEEK TO REACH THEIR COMMUNITIES (2:5‑13)
1B. Identify Their Audience.
"God‑fearing Jews from every nation under heaven." (2:5)
Sixteen different groups represented.
2B. Identify With Their Audience.
"each one heard them speaking in his own language." (2:6)
They spoke their language
3B. Adjust Their Methods
"Then Peter stood up" (2:14)
Who have you exclude?
Ø All those you have not sought to include.
Anyone, anytime, anywhere = Open enrollment
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CONCLUSION
DON'T PRACTICE PARTIALITY
Legend tells of a simple laborer who was wonderfully saved and decided to join a local church. The first one he visited was an impressive looking structure. The minister was a splendid orator, and the choir was famous for its musical ability. The poor man didn't realize that most of the congregation were people of high social rank. Week after week he was politely ignored. Although he frequently expressed a desire to become a member, the preacher never called on him. One night after praying about the matter, he fell asleep and dreamed he met the Savior and confided to Him his problem. The Lord gently replied, "My child, don't let it trouble you. I myself have been trying to get into that church for years without success!"
Are you ...
Placing A Definite Priority on Prayer
Placing An Emphasis on Unity Not Uniformity
Seeking to be Spirit ‑ Controlled
Practicing Lifestyle Evangelism Daily
Aggressively Seeking To Reach Your Community
SF168
TEN MARKS OF A GROWING CHURCH<R>PART TWO
Acts 2:47
INTRODUCTION
Review Part One
Growing Churches ...
Place A Definite Priority on Prayer
An Emphasis on Unity Not Uniformity
Spirit ‑ Filled Membership
Practice Lifestyle Evangelism Daily
Aggressively Seek To Reach Their Communities
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6A. WILLING SUBMIT TO GOD'S CHOSEN LEADERS
Peter (2:14)
1B. Called By God
Matthew 16:17‑19 (NIV)
"Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 19 "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.""
2B. Care For God's People. (2:15‑21)
John 21:15‑17 (NIV)
"When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." 16 Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep." 17 The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep."
3B. Committed To God's Word (2:14‑36)
Ø 8 times Peter refers to God
Ø 3 times to Jesus
Ø 2 times to Christ
Longevity of Great Pastors
Criswell 40+ years
Rodgers nearly 20 years
Lindsay 20 years
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7A. EFFECTIVELY CLOSE THE BACK DOOR (2:41‑42)
To Do So We must...
1B. Help Them Belong (2:41)
2B. Help Them Grow (2:42)
"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching"
3B. Help Them Develop Friendships
"fellowship"
4B. Help Them Become Involved
Can God trust us with His babies?
8A. EXPERIENCE A GENUINE SENSE OF WORSHIP WHEN THEY GATHER (2:43)
1B. Deliberate Reverence Of God
"awe" = reverential fear that is the controlling motive in the Christian.
2B. Demonstration Of The Power And Presence Of God
"wonders and miraculous signs" = the obvious movement of God.
Need to be an unexplainable element to every service.
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9A. EXERCISE A GENEROUS SPIRIT IN GIVING (2:44‑45)
1B. Of Themselves (2:44)
"All the believers were together"
2B. Of Their Possessions (2:45)
10A. ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER (2:46‑47)
1B. By Their Presence (2:46)
"Every day they continued to meet together"
2B. By Their Perseverance (2:47)
"continued"= to be earnest towards, i.e. (to a thing) to persevere, be constantly diligent, or (in a place) to attend assiduously all the exercises, or (to a person) to adhere closely to (as a servitor):‑‑attend (give self) continually (upon), continue (in, instant in, with), wait on (continually).
3B. By Their Praise
"glad"
"sincere"
"praising"
Conclusion:
THE UNBREAKABLE CHAIN