WHO WANTS TO GROW A CHURCH?

INTRO: I believe that it is the desire of all church member to see their church family grow. The Bible tells us of the importance of Church Growth in all the book of Acts. It is the will of God for us to multiply. His word tells us: “Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion.”

How well we do it and how fast we work at it depends on us. Our unity and vision has to come in accordance with other individuals that are part of the Body of Christ. In other words, we, have to be in agreement with one another and be willing to put aside our personal gains for the Kingdom of God.

I. DO WE HAVE A DESIRE TO PRAY?

When it involves church growth, instead of looking for a gimmick we should seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit

Tommy Oaks mentioned: “If the Holy Spirit were to completely pull out of your life would you notice?”

Randy Reid, 34-year-old welder fell 110 feet, he missed rocks and debris landing in a six foot pile of soft sand and lived. Miraculously living when the paramedics went with a stretcher to carry him to the ambulance he cried out: “Please don’t’ drop me!”

How many times do we cry out: “God, don’t drop me!”

II. DO WE HAVE HUMILITY TO SERVE?

A. At the Lord’s Supper, Jesus could have talked about his favorite miracles or his own Top Ten list but he chose to wash feet

B. There are many in church who want name recognition and personal glory

C. Others that are willing to take a back seat

III. DO WE HAVE COURAGE TO CHANGE?

A. We have to be connected with the culture

B. We must be willing to scratch where people itch while pointing them to Jesus Christ

C. If it is a healthy change that doesn’t compromise God’s Word, the church is wise to do it sooner rather than later

D. 1 Cor. 9:22 “To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.”

E. Someone said: “Death comes when memories of the past supersede our vision for the future”

IV. DO WE HAVE A WILLINGNESS TO BUILD A TEAM?

A. The church is a body, a team, a unit made up of many parts that form one body

B. Reggie Jackson and Earl Weaver manager of the Baltimore Orioles: He wanted to steal a base the other wanted to win a ball game

C. Lone Rangers attract a lot of attention, but team players win the world for Christ

D. John 15:16 “ You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.”

V. DO WE HAVE THE DISCERNMENT TO PRIORITIZE?

A. Your personal relationship with Christ is most importance

B. Time in the Word needs to be more then merely preparation

C. Take the focus off of Christ, and God’s Word and you no longer have a church – you merely have a club meeting

VI. DO WE HAVE THE PERSEVERANCE TO EARN RESPECT?

A. We can’t grow if we don’t have credibility

B. We cant’ grow if we are not honest

C. We cant’ grow if we don’t have boldness and courage

D. What is our reputation?

VII. DO WE HAVE THE CAPACITY TO DREAM?

A. Ben Piña: “Nunca haber soñado”

B. “If your vision is for a year, plant wheat. If your vision is for a decade, plant trees. If your vision is for a lifetime, plant people.”

C. If our dreams are “Christ-honoring fellowship, “then the gates of hell can not prevail against it.”

CONCLUSION: Who wants to grow a church? Are you willing to be a team player, to pray, serve, change, discern, persevere, and dream?