1 Traits of Growing Churches. Types of Growth Fast growth? Sustained growth? Spiritual growth? Numerical growth? Growth that pleases God! 1 Cor. 3:6;

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1 Traits of Growing Churches

Types of Growth Fast growth? Sustained growth? Spiritual growth? Numerical growth? Growth that pleases God! 1 Cor. 3:6; Acts 2:47; 5:14; 6:7 Bible traits of growth that pleases God 2

Emphasize Faithfulness to Christ, not Numbers Christians encouraged to be faithful seed- sowers; Let God give results, Lk. 8:11 (5) –Confident faith that is loyal and true to Christ, Phil. 4:13 –Faithfulness is essential to be fellow-workers, 1 Cor. 3:1-9 –Spiritual strength not measured by numbers and quotas, 1 Cor. 3:6; 1 Chrn. 21:1-4, 7, 14 3

Emphasis on the Power of the Gospel to Save Not on gimmicks, entertainment, social gospel, etc., Jno. 6:26-27; 2 Tim. 4:2 –Not: Feasts and festivals to draw people to gospel…or to keep them, Matt. 14:13-15 –Not: Benevolence to draw lost, Acts 3:1-8, 11 –Feeding souls the bread of life, Jno. 6:35 Teaching the gospel, not teaching to teach Send out the message, Isa. 55:11 4

Personal Responsibility of Each Member is Stressed We cannot all do the same things, but we can all do something, Eph. 4:11-16; 1 Cor. 12:12-27; Rom. 14:12 –By doing our part we help unite the church, encouraging one another and helping the church grow 5

Interest is in Working for Christ, not Promoting Self Do the work that needs doing while encouraging others to also work –Don’t “toot your own horn” or look for credit, Matt. 6:16-18 –Self-promotion is worldly, kills enthusiasm and promotes factious division, Jas. 3:13-16 Growth is harmed as disharmony surfaces 6

Prepare each Christian to Help the Church Grow Prepare yourself to teach, Col. 4:5-6 –Study your Bible, 2 Tim. 2:15 –Strengthen your resolve against rejection, 2 Tim. 2:1-3 –Serve in your sphere of opportunity and influence, Gal. 6:5 7

Prepare each Christian to Help the Church Grow Some results of individual preparation: –Principle of multiplication is applied, 2 Tim. 2:2 –Baptize at all hours, Acts 16:33 –Ground new converts, Matt. 28:19-20; Col. 2:6-7 8

God Gives the Increase 1 Cor. 3:6-7 Numerical growth without spiritual growth is just carnal growth Spiritual growth is essential, Eph. 4:12-15 (Matt. 28:19) Numerical growth may or may not coincide with spiritual growth 9