1. growth … it’s normal

2. =

4. But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it... 11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service...... so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

5. 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 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. 16 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.

6. two dimensions of growth … … increasing

7. … about 3000 were added … the number of men who believed grew to about 5000 … the churches … grew daily in numbers … the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world

8. Year 100 500 1000 1800 2010 % of world pop’n 0.8 19.9 16.9 22.7 32.5 Source Patrick Johnstone … The Future of the Global Church

9. 32.5% 22.6%

10. two dimensions of growth … … increasing … maturing

11. … the churches were strengthened in the faith … growing in the knowledge of God … like new born babies, crave pure spiritual milk so that by it you may grow up in your salvation

12. growth … it’s normal there is a goal … it’s all about Jesus

13. growth … it’s normal there is a goal … it’s all about Jesus … the faith … knowledge of the Son of God … fullness of Christ … mature body of him … Christ … from him

14. growth … it’s normal there is a method … it’s all about love

15. growth … it’s normal there is a method … it’s all about love … as each part does its work … over time … together

16. growth … it’s normal there is a reason … it’s all about stability

17. growth … it’s normal there is a reason … it’s all about stability … don’t be naïve … rest

18. church … construction site X