An Acts 2 Church - Growing

An Acts 2 Church - Growing - Outline Acts 2:46-47 Most American churches have steady or declining attendance. Many, like our own, are very small. However, around the world, the church of Jesus is growing. Growth has always been God's plan for His church. An Acts 2 church is a growing church. I Growth Began at Pentecost A God Began with a Modest Core Group - Acts 1:13-15 1 A group numbering about 120 A Eleven remaining apostles B Women followers plus Jesus's mother and brothers C Other men including Joseph Barsabbas and Matthias 2 There were other believers, but mostly in Galilee. (Note over 500 in 1 Corinthians 15:6.) B The Holy Spirit Drew a Crowd on Pentecost - Acts 2:1-6 1 The Spirit gave visible and audible manifestations. 2 He enabled the 120 to worship God in other tongues. 3 He enabled the crowd to understand in their own languages. C The Gospel Was Then Proclaimed in the Power of the Spirit - Acts 2:14 1 Peter was speaking prophetically, by the Spirit. 2 Peter proclaimed the crucified and risen Lord and Christ. - v. 22-24, 36 3 He then called on the crowd to repent. - v. 27-40 D God Grew His Church on Pentecost - Acts 2:41 1 Those who accepted his message were baptized. 2 This added about three thousand people to the church that day. 3 It is implied that they also received the gift of the Spirit. Was this growth to be a one-time phenomenon? II Daily Growth Followed Pentecost A The Lord Added to Their Number - Acts 2:47b 1 People continued to receive salvation through faith in Jesus. 2 People were being saved daily. 3 They were being added to the church by the Lord. A The church can and must proclaim the gospel. B The church must reach out and invite others in. C The church must welcome newcomers and make them feel at home. D But only Jesus by His Spirit can add anyone to His church. B Their Numbers Continued to Grow - Acts 4:4 1 Peter had proclaimed the gospel. 2 The crowd had seen him arrested for his preaching. 3 Nevertheless, those who had heard believed the gospel. 4 The number, counting only the men this time, reached 5000 in the Jerusalem church. C Then More and More Were Added -Acts 5:12-16 1 Non-Christians became cautious because of persecution and Ananias and Saphira's deaths. 2 However, continuing miracles continued to draw crowds. 3 So, even more people believed and were added to the church. III The Church Continued to Grow A They Never Stopped Proclaiming Jesus - Acts 5:40-42 1 The apostles were flogged and officially ordered not to speak of Jesus. 2 However, they rejoiced at the honor of suffering for Jesus. 3 So, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming Jesus. A They did so day after day with persistence and faithfulness. B They did so everywhere, in the temple and house-to-house. B Their Growth Created Problems - Acts 6:1-6 1 Increase in number will bring change and conflict. - v. 1 2 They addressed their new problem with wisdom, justice, and efficiency. 3 Leadership kept their priority on prayer and ministering the word. 4 They overcame by relying on the Holy Spirit even in business matters. C Their Growth Now Increased - Acts 6:7 1 With the conflict settled, the message reached even more people. 2 Their number in Jerusalem multiplied exceedingly. (CBL) 3 The church in the surrounding region grew and multiplied in number. - Acts 9:31 4 Despite government opposition, the gospel continued to spread. - Acts 12:24 Growth is God's plan for His church. Persecution can be expected, but it will not stop the growth. Problems and conflict will arise, but the Spirit gives wisdom to solve them and to continue the growth. Miracles, signs, and wonders are among God's tools to grow His church. We must recognize both our task and God's task. We are to continue to proclaim the gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit. We are to reach out to others with His love and His message. We are to trust God for conversions and miracles. However, God is the One who brings growth. Jesus will build His church. Only God can add to His church. Are you committed to do your part to see the church grow? Are you sharing the gospel with those around you? And first and foremost, have you received the gospel by turning from your self and sin to put your full faith in Jesus to save you from your sin and make you a child of God committed to serving Him?