1. Getting Ready to Grow Based loosely on an outline by Mark Copeland
Preached at West Side on July 15, 2007
Print slides 5,14,17 for handout

2. Getting Ready to Grow Offer Assemblies That Edify
What we must do as a congregation…
Offer Assemblies That Edify
1 Corinthians 14:23-25; Hebrews 10:24-25

3. 1 Corinthians 14:23-25
Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind? 24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. 25 And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.

4. Hebrews 10:24-25
And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
Some babes in Christ are extremely dependent upon the assemblies for edification. Does our assembly edify?

5. Getting Ready to Grow Offer Assemblies That Edify Nurture New Members
What we must do as a congregation…
Offer Assemblies That Edify
1 Corinthians 14:23-25; Hebrews 10:24-25
Nurture New Members
Romans 15:1-3; Hebrews 6:1-3

6. Romans 15:1-3
We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. 3 For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.”

7. Hebrews 6:1-3
Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do if God permits.

8. Getting Ready to Grow Strengthen our Relationship with God
What we must do as individuals…
Strengthen our Relationship with God
Philippians 3:12-15; 2 Peter 1:5-8

9. Philippians 3:12-15
Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.

10. 2 Peter 1:5-8
But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

11. Getting Ready to Grow Strengthen our Relationship with God
What we must do as individuals…
Strengthen our Relationship with God
Philippians 3:12-15; 2 Peter 1:5-8
Strengthen our Relationship with Others
1 Thessalonians 4:9-10; 1 Peter 1:22

12. 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10
But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; 10 and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more.

13. 1 Peter 1:22
Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart.

14. Getting Ready to Grow Strengthen our Relationship with God
What we must do as individuals…
Strengthen our Relationship with God
Philippians 3:12-15; 2 Peter 1:5-8
Strengthen our Relationship with Others
1 Thessalonians 4:9-10; 1 Peter 1:22
Develop Relationships with the Lost
Matthew 5:14-16; Mark 16:15-16

15. Matthew 5:14-16
You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

16. Mark 16:15-16
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”

17. Conclusion: If we want to grow as a church, we have responsibilities both individually and collectively to prepare ourselves in accord with God’s Word!