Sermon Tone Analysis

*TOGETHER WE GROW*

 

*TEXT: Acts 2:47*

*                                                            *

*INTRODUCTION:*

A.

Not all churches are prepared to grow in number and in spirit

1.      Consider the church at Laodicea (Revelation 3:15-19)

2.

Even if a successful evangelist had come and converted many, how many would have remained faithful in a spiritual environment such as that

B.         For churches to grow, they must look beyond their evangelistic efforts

1.

For the mortality rate of new converts is often high

2.      Unless a congregation is prepared to assimilate and nurture new converts, any success in evangelism may be short-lived

C.        To have real, enduring growth, we must get ready to grow

1.      Preparing ourselves as a congregation

2.      Preparing ourselves as individual members of a congregation

 

II.

WHAT ME MUST DO AS A CONGREGATION

A.         Offer assemblies that edify

1.

The first exposure many have to the gospel is by visiting a local congregation

a.       What do they see and hear?

Do they see love? */John 13:34-35/*/  A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

/

b.

Does it draw them closer to God?

c.       Do our visitors experience courtesy, warmth, and interest in spiritual matters?

d.

Not all churches provide the right environment conducive for worship and spiritual growth

2.      New converts often depend heavily upon the spiritual nourishment provided by the assemblies, and rightly so */Hebrews 10:24-25/*/ And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

/

\\ a.       Excited by their new found faith, anxious to grow quickly, they attend all the services of the church

b.

What do they find?

Half hearted services?

Sparsely attended by older members

3.      If we are serious about growing

a.

Those who lead us in our services will take their tasks seriously

(1)Coming prepared to serve their role

(2)Doing so gladly and with enthusiasm

b.

Every member will do what they can to make our services edifying to all

(1)Arriving early to welcome and visit with visitors, other members

(2)Participating whole-heartedly in the singing, prayers, etc.

(3)Staying around and visiting afterward

B.         Assimilate and nurture new members

1.

As valuable as our servces may be, they are not always adequate by themselves

a.       New members may remain “on the fringe”

(1)Left our of the “family life” of the congregation (activities that members do together)

(2)Remain “on the fringe” for long, and they may begin looking elsewhere

b.      Babes in Christ often require special attention and nurturing

(1)New converts often bring with them many personal problems

(2)They need the concern and care of interested, mature Christians */Romans 15:1-3/*/ We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.

For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.

/

(3)Otherwise them may soon “wither away”

 

III.

WHAT MUST WE DO AS INDIVIDUALS

A.         Strengthen our relationship with God

1.

Why is this so important

a.

Others must see in us the blessings of walking with God

b.

Not simply the pride of knowing about the Lord

c.

We cannot share what we do not have

\\ 2.      No matter how strong our relationship with God, we can always improve

a.       Paul recognized this in his own life/ *Philippians 3:12-15* Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

/

b.

Peter wrote that our spiritual growth must always by increasing 2 peter 1:5-9

3.      Therefore we must continue to ad to our faith virtue, to virtue knowledge

a.

Much of this is accomplished through personal and daily devotions

b.

But personal efforts must be accompanied by frequent assembling */Hebrews 10:24-25/*

B.         Strengthen our relationship with one another

1.

Why is this important

a.

Our love and unity is a powerful witness for Christ  */John 13:34-35/*/  A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another/;

b.

A strong network of Christians is essential to assimilate and nurture new Christians

2.      No matter how strong our relationship with one another, we can always improve

a.

As Paul exhorted the Thessalonians */1 Thessalonians 4:9-10/*/ But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.

And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more; /

\\ b.

As Peter wrote to Christians in general/ *1Peter** 1:22*  Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: /

3.      Therefore we must seek opportunities to strengthen our bond in Christ

a.       Regular attendance is certainly a great help */Hebrews 10:24-25/*

b.

And so is simple hospitality (both offered and accepted)

C.        Develop relationships with the lost

1.

Why is this important

a.

Light must shine in darkness to be of much value

b.

If people are sick, those with the cure must be willing to be among them

c.

The right example can prepare people to receive the Word

d.      Relationships with the lost can serve as the basis for continued relationships with them after they are saved

2.      Develop relationships with the lost is an on-going process