CHURCH GROWTH (Part 4)

NO CROSS, NO POWER

NO CROSS, NO POWER

Mark 8:35

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.

John 12:24

Verily, verily I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

 

If we would increase in number, size, power and intensity as a Church, we must get back to our source always: The Cross where Jesus calls. If Jesus refused to die at the cross, we never would have been saved. In the same vein, if we refuse to get to the cross, we’re putting our generation in jeopardy. The gospel of the cross carries the “power of God unto Salvation” (Rom. 1:16). Now imagine a generation that runs from the cross, how do you think salvation would come?

Rom. 10:13-16- Go Out in the power of the cross and bring souls into the church lest one day you'll find yourself sitting alone as a carrier of God in that large congregation of a thousand bench-warmers!

God Bless You!

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CHURCH GROWTH (Part 3)

 

APOSTLE PAUL

PAUL’S MODEL OF AN EFFECTIVE MINISTRY (THE MINISTER)-Acts 17:1-9; 1Thess. 2:4

1Thess. 2:2-7

2. But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philipi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.

 3. For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:

4. But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

5. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness.

6. Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.

7. But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:

Here we’re going to consider the effective characteristics of Paul’s ministry in Thessalonica. What did he do that made this church grow so fast and become established with just three occasions of preaching?

*Paul spoke very boldly (he was filled with the word, not confused about it)-1Thess 2:2. Even in the face of opposition. He advised Timothy his son in faith to do the same in 2Tim. 2:15 (In other words he was saying to Timothy: "Study so that you'll not be ashamed when these men confront you just as they did me")

*Paul taught the truth (undiluted word; infallible)-1Thess. 2:3

He never tried to package it in a way as to suit the hearers, or so it would not offend them. He gave it to them as it is.... we need to take this seriously.

*Paul was not a man-pleaser (1Thess. 2:4)

*He did not try to flatter (1Thess. 2:5)

*He had no selfish motives for preaching or teaching. He never did it for recognition or rewards (1Thess. 2:5,6)

*He was caring and gentle (1Thess. 2:7)

If we can follow these principles put forth in the bible, we would have a wonderful result in our strength as a church!

God Bless You!

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CHURCH GROWTH (Part 2)

IGNORED? OR HAVING INFLUENCE?

HOW DO WE INFLUENCE THE WORLD?

Matt. 5:16

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. 

 

First we must know that there are two kinds of people in this world:  

Believers (who are blessed as in the beatitudes-Matt 5:3-13. They are people who realize their spiritual helplessness, show sorrow over sin, and who are meek and hungry for God’s righteousness) and  

Unbelievers (who are proud, self-sufficient, and do not understand their own unrighteousness before a Holy God). The Believer influences the Unbeliever by what He is, not by what He has.  Let us look at some vital points to this effect:

*Christ did not say, “Ye have the salt and light to give the world”, but rather “Ye are the salt…ye are the light”. The believer’s presence in the world acts as salt and light, preventing corruption and exposing error. Do you know it is the presence of the believers on earth that is preserving the earth? Immediately the rapture takes place, the earth will face a tribulation no one has ever thought could exist. If we refuse to be who we are, then we're causing stagnancy in the church.

*1Pet. 2:9- We are a peculiar people who the unbelievers will observe. We are to show forth the praises of God to whom? The world and all that dwell therein. Have you been acting and being peculiar as you're called to be? If you don't shine the light, how do you expect all to see and glorify God? When persons glorify God, they're one step closer to the Church. (When I say church, I mean the body of Christ; the commonwealth of believers).

*Seeing the believers' contentment despite poverty and physical suffering, the unbelievers are amazed (2 Cor 6:10). It may even cause them to see their own lack of spiritual security in spite of worldly goods (Rev 3:17).

*The Believer Must Interact with This World of Corruption and Darkness in Order to Act as Salt and Light, then will the world see, be converted and glorify God, then join the church. Don’t hide in your comfort zone. Come out and evangelize. Come out and be the light God has made you to be. Do not loose your essence in that hiding place of yours!

God Bless You!

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CHURCH GROWTH (Part 1)

CHURCH GROWTH

HELLO! Readers...... Sorry about the long time off.

Church growth is a very vital topic that has brought so many views from so many people.
Well, let us see what the scriptures have for us about this topic...Don't miss any part of this series.

The Encarta dictionary defines growth as an increase in numbers, size, power, or intensity. Hence church growth could mean the increase of the church in numbers, size, power or intensity (i.e relevance). 

We must understand that the strength of the church is not measured by how many persons are in the auditorium, but by how many persons carry God in that auditorium.

We are in the last days and we should not be carried away by population, we need to go past population and begin to discern our congregation. Are we really growing? Is heaven counting only 2 persons in the church while we’re counting 200? Are unbelievers disturbed about their unbelief as they see us? Or do they even say there’s no need for salvation since they don’t see any difference between us and themselves?

We will look at four headings in this series, starting with the first; Accord/Unity, and we trust God to teach us through the Holy Spirit about Church growth.

ACCORD/UNITY

Acts 2:1, 41-47

Accord means agreement. Amos 3:3 says can two walk together except they be agreed?

Before the Holy Ghost came, they had to be together in one place in one accord, with one mind, one spirit, one purpose, one vision. It was possible for them to be in one place whereas their hearts would be far apart from each other. Show me a church that knows of but is empty of the Holy Ghost and I’ll show you a church that is full of strife, malice, disagreement and all sorts of spices the devil prepares. In the later verses of our text (41-47), we see that about 3000 souls were added as a result of the preaching with power (the Holy Ghost) which comes when there is unity and also God added to this number daily as a result of their accord and sharing things in common.

When agreement has had its place, then we can talk about TEAM WORK!

Eccl. 4:9-12; Matt. 18:18-19

There is power when we work together. Before we can work together, we must first be able to walk together (agree| Amos 3:3). When two persons fall, one lifts the other up, how? Both of them fell. That’s the power of teamwork. If two of you agree about anything on earth, it shall be established. Do you know this is the principle that applied to the fall of man? If Adam refused to eat the fruit do you think man would have fallen? It is when Adam ate the fruit in agreement with eve that their eyes were opened. (Check it). When members and leaders of the church agree, you’ll be surprised at how much we will grow. If on the other hand they agree about wrong things, you can imagine the repercussion.

God Bless You!

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AGREEMENT

Agreement!

You know, I discovered a little early that every principle and operation of life is stated clearly in the scriptures. The Bible is the Creator's manual and the Creator is God. Many diligently try to deny this truth, although it always ends in confusion of 'sense' points.

"Can two walk together, except they be agreed?"- Amos 3:3

This rhetorical question has its answer as NO! Its impossible. Even if they try to, they'll end up at a deadlock somewhere without moving forward.

This simple principle of agreement and progress comes in play during our daily activities.

Now I'll divide this agreement into two: Self agreement and Team agreement.

Whenever we read this text, what comes to our mind is Team agreement. Agreement between two or more people.

I want to introduce Self agreement also. You agreeing with yourself on a certain issue or opinion.

"A double minded man is unstable in all his ways"-James 1:8

Imagine a scenario where the brain  sends signal for the leg to move, then the leg doubts for a second before obeying. You know it could cause the whole body to fall. When one is not in agreement with himself, such a person will be unstable in everything he does; in decisions and every other thing.

So in conclusion, agreement whether as a team or as one's self is very important if there would be progress in any way.

If we would also excel in our walk with God our creator, then we must also agree with him. The bible says woe to the man who strives with his maker!

Agreement is a necessity in our day to day activities.

Hope you agree with me on this?

All the best!

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Also read combat for glory  and do you truly know the lord?

COMBAT FOR GLORY

GLORY COMBAT! WHO WINS

The potter makes what he wishes with the clay

The clay has to yield or be molded astray

Woe to him says the great prophet

That strives with his Maker

Let the potsherd strive with the potsherd of the earth

Shall the clay say to the potter, what do you make?

Yet we ask our creator this question day by day

He demands all attention

We ask for recognition

He gives us in secret all we ask

We take the praise in open without a mask

Oh! What a father; loving his children ever

He sent his only begotten Son for us, to die at Golgotha

Yet we are daily farther from adoring him whenever

It’s a struggle for recognition

Between the potter and the clay

The end however is always destruction

Of the clay day by day

Stop the struggle for recognition!

Stop the COMBAT FOR GLORY!

Channel all honour to the maker!

GOD!!!

Or what do you think?

Leave a comment... 

Also read DO YOU TRULY KNOW THE LORD (Part 2)