Preparing to Shrink Is the church ready to shrink? 2 Timothy 4:1-4

Passages to think about not endure sound doctrine have itching ears turn their ears away from the truth2 Timothy 4:3-4 – 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables

Passages to think about depart from the faith conscience seared1 Timothy 4: Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,

Passages to think about drift awayHebrews 2:1 - Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. These passages warn of departure, leaving, shrinking of the church There are many other texts about apostasy, alerts that people will leave the church

Passages to think about The church is under attack from several directions:The church is under attack from several directions: –New methods of interpreting Scripture –Change agents (altering the fundamentals of our faith, doctrine, and worship) –Unity in Diversity (Fellowship with denominations) –Loss of doctrinal importance –Lack of knowledge

Passages to think about Solutions neededSolutions needed: –Sound doctrinal preaching –Sound knowledgeable elders –Firm standing up for truth –Solid opposition to error (doctrine, moral) –Teaching of the Bible in depth

Smaller churches / Fewer churches – US government census showed: –159,658 members –2,649 churches Mac LynnMac Lynn – “The numbers are so close, that it is almost too close to call. If there had been a continuing growth factor, I think the numbers we’re picking up would show it. But they’re not.”

Smaller churches / Fewer churches Mac Lynn –Mac Lynn – My feeling is that the church has plateaued and perhaps in the last couple of years started downward. I think we’re at least safe in saying that the numbers are plateaued.” “What we know is the the population continues to grow. In the United States, we have grown from 76 million to 281 million in one hundred years. We’ve picked up 200 million people. Churches of Christ have picked up one million. It 200-to-1 growth.”

We are a “Remnant” Isaiah 10:20-21Isaiah 10:20-21 – 20 And it shall come to pass in that day That the remnant of Israel, And such as have escaped of the house of Jacob, Will never again depend on him who defeated them, But will depend on the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth. 21 The remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob, To the Mighty God.

We are a “Remnant” Isaiah 11:16 -Isaiah 11:16 - There will be a highway for the remnant of His people Who will be left from Assyria, As it was for Israel In the day that he came up from the land of Egypt. Ezekiel 14:22Ezekiel 14:22 - Yet behold, there shall be left in it a remnant who will be brought out, both sons and daughters; surely they will come out to you, and you will see their ways and their doings. Then you will be comforted concerning the disaster that I have brought upon Jerusalem, all that I have brought upon it.

We are a “Remnant” Joel 2:32 -Joel 2:32 - And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, As the LORD has said, Among the remnant whom the LORD calls. Zephaniah 3:13Zephaniah 3:13 - The remnant of Israel shall do no unrighteousness And speak no lies, Nor shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth; For they shall feed their flocks and lie down, And no one shall make them afraid.”

Open Our eyes Take a realistic look at the church – 2004 style We are losing men qualified to be elders or deacons More preachers retire (or quit) than are being readied to fill pulpits

Smaller / Not Weaker Our strength is not in numbers – never has been – never will be Matthew 7:14Matthew 7:14 - Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Elders spend most of their time trying to keep members coming and giving

Strength is not in numbers Genesis 6:8Genesis 6:8 - But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. Only 8 people were saved Genesis 18:32Genesis 18:32 - Then he said, “Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak but once more: Suppose ten should be found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of ten.”

Strong churches remain faithful Strong in teachingStrong in teaching Philippians 1:17Philippians 1:17 - but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. Jude 3Jude 3 - Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.

Strong churches remain faithful Strong in UnityStrong in Unity John 17:21 -John 17:21 - that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. Strong in Bible StudyStrong in Bible Study John 8:32John 8:32 - And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

Conclusions We must not be discouraged – or it is all over We must be realistic about the current situation, the trends and shifts of our day We must be optimistic about what God can do through us WHAT IS GOD DOING THORUGH YOU?WHAT IS GOD DOING THORUGH YOU?