THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL

“If...”

Acts 2:42–47 (ESV)

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.

And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.

And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people.

And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

If you are:

Preaching the positive, life-changing Good News of Christ,

If your:

Members are excited by what God is doing in your church,

If you are:

Providing a service where they can bring unsaved friends without embarrassment,

And if you:

Have a plan to build, train, and send out those you win to Christ...

…attendance will be the least of your problems.

People flock to that kind of church. It’s happening all around the world.

Every church needs to grow:

1. Warmer through Fellowship

2. Deeper through Discipleship

3. Stronger through Worship,

4. Broader through Ministry, and

5. Larger through Evangelism.

In Acts 2:42–47, these five facets of growth are described in the first church at Jerusalem.

The first Christians:

1. Fellowshipped,

2. Edified each other,

3. Worshiped,

4. Ministered, and

5. Evangelized.

Note a couple of things about this verse:

1. First, God added the growth (his part) when the church did its part (fulfill the five purposes).

Note a couple of things about this verse:

1. First, God added the growth (his part) when the church did its part (fulfill the five purposes).

2. Second, the growth was daily, which means, at a minimum, this healthy church had 365 conversions a year!