Scripture Reading: Acts 8:1-4

Factors of Successful Church Growth

Intro.

1. Growth: Numerically (Acts 6:7), Spiritually (Acts 8:1-4; 9:31).

a. Each Christian expected to grow, Heb 5:12; 2 Pet 3:18.

b. Means of accomplishing and its purposes, Eph 4:11-16.

2. Five factors which contribute to a growing church.

I. FAITHFUL TEACHING AND FAITHFUL TO TEACH, 2 Tim 2:2.

A. Spiritual Growth Demands Spiritual Food, 1 Pet 2:2.

B. Faithful Teaching of the Gospel (Acts 20:27):

1. Teach the ways that are “in Christ”, 1 Cor 4:17.

2. No other doctrine...godly edification, 1 Tim 1:3-4.

3. Nourished in words of faith and good doctrine, 1 Tim 4:6-11.

4. Sound doctrine exhorts and convicts, Titus 1:9 (Acts 20:28).

C. Evangelism: Faithful to Teach, 2 Tim 2:24-26.

1. cf. Visitors: Deserve our kindness, patience and attention; not rudeness or be ignored.

2. Hospitality, Heb 13:2: You cannot measure its potential.

-Applications:

· Bible classes · Public preaching · Home classes

-Bible must be focus of all our study and teaching to be a growing church.

II. FERVENT PRAYER, 1 Ths 5:17; Acts 2:42.

A. For Boldness in Gospel Preaching, Acts 4:23-24, 29-31.

B. For Safety of Brethren, Acts 12:5, 12.

C. For All of God’s People, Eph 6:18.

D. For Spiritual Blessings (one another), Jas 5:13-16.

-Applications:

· Public prayers · Private prayers · Special prayers

-Prayer puts our focus upon the power of God for growth and not our own, 1 Cor 3:6.

III. ENDURANCE IN SUFFERING, 1 Pet 4:16 (Acts 8:1, 4).

A. When First Converted, Heb 10:32-34.

B. As You Continue in Your Faith, Heb 10:35-39 (faith).

C. In Doing Good, 1 Pet 3:13-17.

D. To the Point of Death, Rev 2:10.

-Applications:

· Not ashamed · Endure in faith · Eternal perspective

-Commit ourselves to God by doing good (1 Pet 4:19).

IV. Liberality in giving, Rom 12:8; 2 Cor 9:6-11.

-Singleness, simplicity, sincerity, mental honesty-

1a) the virtue of one who is free from pretense and hypocrisy

2) not self seeking, openness of heart manifesting itself by generosity

A. Give as you have been Prospered, 1 Cor 16:1-2; Mk 12:41-44

B. Your Time, Eph 5:16 (Matt 25:34-40).

C. Your Abilities, Matt 25:15 (Lk 12:48).

-Applications:

· Proper priority · Serve (not served) · Sacrifice

-Give without pretense, with singleness of heart (1 Tim 6:17-19)

V. PURITY IN LIVING, Titus 2:11-14.

A. Light of the World, Matt 5:14-16.

B. A Pattern of Good Works, Titus 2:6-8.

C. Honorable Conduct toward All, 1 Pet 2:11-12.

D. Inherit an Eternal Blessing, 1 Pet 3:8-12.

-Applications:

· Our language · Our clothing · Our morals · Our hope

Conclusion

The body grows when each member does his share. Eph 4:15-16