Characteristics of a Growing Church
Spontaneous Praise and Worship. Most of the time we worship from our understanding. We need to learn to worship out of gratitude of the Lord.Constant prayer is another important thing, individually and corporately. When we pray, we let God know what we need. God of course can read our thoughts and our feelings. There is something powerful when we pray. Miracles take place when we pray. There is power in asking. God will supply all our needs. God hears us. Pray while driving, when we are waiting for a dentist appointment, pray constantly. People ask Dr. Jorge what is the one thing that makes his church growth. He answered the one thing is God. We can be very professional. But the Holy Spirit makes it grow.
That is one non-negotiable aspect of the church. We can have well educated and qualified of people but we need the Holy Spirit. Peter said he had no silver nor gold, but he’d give in the name of the Lord. What did he have? He has the power of the Holy Spirit.
We have all kinds of books, good books, beautiful books. But we must read the Bible.
Evangelism us said to be a beggar telling another where to find food. It is good to know where to find food. We all have found fulfillment in Jesus. We have found salvation and forgiveness in Jesus. We need to tell others. We are fishers of man. If we want fish, we need to go out and prepare to get wet and suffer a little.
Some churches don’t believe in go and make disciples. They go and bring disciples. Everyone should evangelize, not just pastors and the deacons.
We have all kinds of talents and gifts. The pastor is here to discover them and put them in different ministries.
Evangelism Spiritual Resources
In the beginning, the church didn’t have- Graduates from seminaries
- Massive crusades
- Plentiful finances
- Planning meetings
- Theme conferences
We need to have Christ. When we have Christ, we have everything we need because he is the giver of all gifts.
A. Being “In Christ”
We have every spiritual blessing in Christ (v3). We are not going to be blessed as we have already been blessed. God adopted us to be his children (v5). Imagine if we are adopted by Warren Buffett. We have been adopted by the creator of Warren Buffett! If we are sons of God, we ahve more resources than Warren Buffett. We tend to forget such things. The early church has Christ. We have Christ. God chose us (v4). We are chosen. God is not forced to choose us. He chose us. In him we have redemption and forgiveness (v6). Every tribe and tongues is brought together in Christ. (v7)We are all made from dirt. Some people think they are better because they are white, they are white dirt.
Every spiritual blessing is designed by Christ. Do not underestimate the gift of others. God has blessed everyone. Do not compare ourselves with anyone. If we feel we don’t have something the others have, we will be depressed. Compare ourselves with Christ instead since we are created in the image of God. If we see others have want we want, do not get bitter. Be faithful to what God has given us.
The gift is good but the giver is better.
B. Holiness
God is holy and we must be holy. We have to be like our Father and be holy.Act 4:12-13 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." (13) Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.
Peter and John did not impress the people with their clothes or their vehicles. They impress because they had been with Jesus.
One major problem in the church today is the lack of integrity in the leaders. They made headlines. Leaders of the church are revealed as pedophiles, involved in fornication and mishandling of funds.
Professionalism or skills doesn’t ensure good preaching. We are what we preach. When we have been with Jesus, we walk like Jesus. Don’t be a submarine Christian or Sunday Christian.
C. Holy Scriptures
Christ proclaimed the scriptures. We should do the same and look for practical application of the Word. The Word has all kinds of good teachings about life, finance, family, etc.Knowledge of the Scripture
2Ti 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
We have to do our best to preach the Word of God and give advice with the Word of God.
Power of the Scripture
Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
When we share the Word of God, people come with repentance.
Scope of the Scripture
2Ti 3:16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness
The children of Israel were blessed. Our children should be blessed similarly.
D. Prayer
Act 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.Why are we afraid and weak? We have forgotten the essentials. Go back to the basics and pray. Prayer and worship prepare us to receive power of the Holy Spirit. When a church is filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, it is easier for them to go out to evangelize and to pray for the sick.
E. Holy Spirit
Christians rely on the guidance of the Holy Spirit.Act 8:29 And the Spirit said to Philip, "Go over and join this chariot."
When was the last time the Holy Spirit speak to us?
The Holy Spirit guided them to make their first missionary trip.
Act 13:2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."
It’s not easy to fast. But when we don’t fast and pray, it’s hard to hear from the Holy spirit. We always get invited to eat but not to fast. We are so full we only hear our stomach.
If we hear the voice of the Holy Spirit more often, we would not be in such a mess. We wont’ have so much anguish and stress.
Today, many voices contend for our attention.
Be open to the work of the Spirit.
Rely on the gifts of the Spirit.
Act 13:8 But Elymas the magician (for that is the meaning of his name) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith.
Are we ready to face the enemy? The devil is alive today.
F. The Body of Christ
We might be old, poor, etc. but we are the body of Christ. (cf Rom 12:3-8, 1 Cor 12:4-31, Eph 4:11-16)We don’t have all the gifts. But together, we have many gifts. In the body of Christ, not all of us have a lot of money to help generally. Some people don’t sing well, preach well, etc. but they are blessed and they may have the gift of giving. Practice and we will become experts. Some people don’t have lots of money, they may be gifted in casting out demons, Find out our gifts. Some people are so nice they are always smiling. Let them become ushers.
There are different kinds of gifts but the same Spirit. The gifts are for the common good of the body. God has combined the various members into one body. Each member should have the same concern for the other members. When one member suffers, the whole body suffers. When one member is honoured, the whole body is honoured.
No one compliment us on our liver or lungs. But we cannot live without them.
A real evangelist is not one to get thousands saved. A real evangelist is one to train others to evangelize.
The pastor is not to do the body’s job. The pastor is to train the members to do the job. When the church grow, it is impossible for the pastor to go to every funeral services. The pastor is to find, train and send members. The pastor is to let the members exercise their gifts. Do not try to be the one-man-orchestra. The pastor should be a conductor. Let all the members play a beautiful symphony of service.
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