Grow Up To Grow Out Series "Challenges For A Growing Congregation" Sunday, November 14, 2010 Jim Beasley

Introduction 1 Thessalonians 2:18 For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way. 1 Peter 5:8-9 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

Introduction 2 Corinthians 11:3 But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. Revelation 3:11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

We Must Remember What Our Work Is… To Equip The Saints For Ministry (Edification)... We are to provide for the spiritual growth of each member Ephesians 4:11-12 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up. This is how the body continues to grow Ephesians 4:15-16 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

We Must Remember What Our Work Is… To Sound Forth The Gospel Of Christ (Evangelism)... Like the church at Thessalonica 1 Thessalonians 1:8 The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, Through individual and collective efforts, we must "sow the seed" As our building fills, it becomes tempting to slack off, but we must either expand or experience diminishing returns. Is each one of us doing what we can to spread the gospel?

We Must Remember What Our Work Is… To Provide For Needy Saints (Benevolence)... The original purpose behind the collection – 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: Do what I told the Galatians churches to do. On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. Even if there is no need locally, there may be needy saints in other places. Is each one of us doing what we can to see that needs are being met?

We Must Live Above Pettiness Even Good Churches Can Be Hindered By Pettiness... What do you mean by pettiness? The things that is truly unimportant in comparison to God’s overall mission. Pettiness is those trifling issues that slow down or hinder kingdom work. Notice Paul's concern for the church at Philippi – Philippians 4:2-3 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life. When churches loose sight of their primary purpose, they are ripe for being torn apart by selfishness, gossip, and factionalism.

We Must Live Above Pettiness “Often we allow ourselves to be upset by small things we should despise and forget. We lose many irreplaceable hours brooding over grievances that, in a year's time, will be forgotten by us and by everybody. No, let us devote our life to worthwhile actions and feelings, to great thoughts, real affections and enduring undertakings." Maurois, Andre

We Must Live Above Pettiness We Must Keep A Proper Sense Of Proportion... It is disastrous if we begin to "major in minors", to blow problems all out of proportion. We must see the largeness and importance of our work in comparison to our own personal problems Every church has its problems, for we are imperfect people Remembering Paul's exhortations will certainly help Philippians 2:1-5 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like- minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

We Must Maintain Gratitude For Our Blessings We Have Much For Which To Be Thankful... As individuals: We have many physical blessings Our families, friends, homes, health Our freedoms, jobs We have many spiritual blessings Salvation in Christ, the forgiveness of sins, peace of mind if we trust God. The love of God, the strength of the Holy Spirit, the hope of heaven.

We Must Maintain Gratitude For Our Blessings We Have Much For Which To Be Thankful... As a congregation: Freedom to worship. Filled with love and unity. Blessed with good facilities, signs of numerical and spiritual growth. Great potential for both individual and congregational growth.

We Must Maintain Gratitude For Our Blessings We Should Be Noted For Our "Attitude Of Gratitude"... Note how often Paul exhorted the Colossians to be thankful Giving thanks to the Father Colossians 1:12 Abounding with thanksgiving Colossians 2:7 As the peace of God rules in your heart, be thankful Colossians 3:15 Giving thanks to God Colossians 3:17 Be vigilant in prayer with thanksgiving Colossians 4:2

We Must Maintain Gratitude For Our Blessings We Should Be Noted For Our "Attitude Of Gratitude"... As individuals, and as a congregation, let us never become "unthankful" It is a step toward depravity – Romans 1:21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. It is a sign of perilous times – 2 Timothy 3:1-5 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.

Conclusion There are many other challenges that congregations may face... Such as persecution for the cause of Christ Or natural calamities that may devastate our community But in most cases, even those challenges can be met and overcome if we... Remember what our work is Live above pettiness Maintain gratitude for our blessings With a will to do what the Lord desires of us, and with the "attitude of gratitude" lifting us above any sense of pettiness that might drag us down, let us do our part to answer the prayer of Paul: "...to Him (God) be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." (Eph. 3:21)