“WHAT THE BOOK OF ACTS TEACHES US ABOUT CHURCH GROWTH”

WHY DID FIRST CENTURY CHURCHES GROW SO FAST?

Intro.

1.  Striking fact found over & over in Acts: Phenomenal spread of the gospel – 2:41; 4:4; 5:14; 6:7 – Impact of gospel on world.

2.  Even with persecution (designed to stop growth), the number of believers grew – 9:35; 11:21. Approx. 15 years after Pentecost, the number of believers was still growing – cf. 14:1.

  a.  All this from just 12 men! (Mk. 16:15)

  b.  Col. 1:23, 6 – All creation heard (30 years)

3.  Church grew fast initially & continually.  How did this occur?  Why did first century churches grow so fast?

 

I.  NOTE SOME THINGS WHICH WERE NOT IN THEIR FAVOR.

  A.  Most People Rejected The Gospel – Matt. 7:13-14. (Christians have always been in the minority.)

  B.  Moral Decadence Of The Society – Rom. 1:24-32. (Would appear to be a reasonable explanation for little growth.)

    1.  v. 24 – Lust ruled in uncleanness.

    2.  v. 25 – Man reigned supreme.

    3.  v. 26-27 – Vile passions / Homosexuality.

    4.  v. 28 – Refused to know God.

    5.  v. 29-32 – Such immorality led to this!

    6.  In spite of false religions – church grew!

      a.  Ephesus:

        i.  Diana: Ceremonial prostitution / Religious fornication!

        ii.  Yet, growth – Acts 19:20.

      b.  Corinth:

        i.  “Live like a Corinthian” – Lead a life of drunken & immoral debauchery; Bacchus (god of wine) – Drunken feasts.

        ii.  Aphrodite (goddess of love/beauty) – 1000 priestesses (prostitutes).

        iii. Typical Corinthian: “The man who recognized no superior & no law but his own desire.” Yet, growth! Acts 18:9-10

    7.  In spite of immorality – church grew!

      a.  Given today as the reason for little growth!

      b.  Matt. 9:12-13; 1 Cor. 6:9-11 – These need conversion!

  C.  Active Opposition To The Truth – Acts 4:17-18; 5:28; 8:1-3; 14:2-6.

    1.  From without:

      a.  Religious opposition / Physical persecution.

      b.  Idolatry (Acts 19:23-40); Judaism.

    2.  From within:

      -False teachers (Acts 15:1).

    3.  Reaction of disciples: Persistence / Not ashamed / Growth continued (not their excuse to do nothing)!

      a.  Moved ahead – Acts 4:19-20; 5:40-42; 8:4; 14:7.

      b.  Glorified God – 1 Pet. 4:12-16!

II.  THE NT CHURCHES GREW (Acts 9:31)…

  A.  Because Of Steadfast Faith (Persistence, firmness).

    1.  Steadfast in the word – Acts 2:42.

      a.  Studied it – 2 Tim. 2:15.

      b.  Were teaching it – Acts 5:42.

      c.  Were not ashamed of it – Rom. 1:16.

    2.  Steadfast in their fellowship – Acts 2:42.

      a.  Worshipped regularly & together! Didn’t have to be rebuked to get them to worship God! (20:7)

      b.  Dwelt continually on death of Jesus! United in faith.

    3.  Steadfast in service – Acts 2:44-47.

  B.  Because Of Personal Evangelism.

    1.  Fruit-bearers – Rom. 7:4; Jno. 15:2, 8.

      -One type of fruit is teaching others.

    2.  Took the great commission personally – Acts 8:4; 17:6; 28:22 (everywhere!).

    3.  Takes the personal involvement of every Christian!

  C.  Because They Kept The Church Clean.

    1.  Acts 5:1-11 – lst church discipline – By God Himself!

      -Result: Acts 5:5, 11, 12-14.

    2.  Acts 8:22 – New convert sinned – Immediate rebuke.   -Positive result (repented)!

    3.  Purposes: Save & protect – 1 Cor. 5:3-6.

    4.  We need to be serious about church discipline, using it constantly & consistently as a means of saving souls & to maintain the purity of the church.

Conclusion

1.  NT churches grew so fast because Christians were fully given to their faith.

  a.  Steadfast living / Personal evangelism / Kept the church clean.

  b.  They were diligent in all things – Rom. 12:11.

 

“LOOKING FOR THAT BLESSED AND GLORIOUS APPEARING OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST”

” ARE YOU LOOKING FOR AND ANTICIPATING THE GLORIOUS RETURN OF THE LORD JESUS?”

Intro.

1.  God appeared & spoke to men in times past in various ways (Heb. 1:1; cf. Acts 7:2, 30).

2.  Never as when God appeared to the world in the flesh (Isa. 7:14; Jno. 1:1-3, 14).  To see (know) Jesus is to see (know) the Father – Jno. 14:7-9.

3.  The past & future appearance of Christ should change who we are & the way we live!

 

I.  HIS FIRST APPEARANCE (INCARNATION) – Jno. 1:1-3 (Matt. 1:21).

  A.  Jesus Revealed God’s Eternal Purpose & Grace – 2 Tim. 1:9-10.

    1.  God’s kindness & love toward us appeared – Tit. 3:4-7 (Jno. 3:16).

    2.  Salvation of sinners (by His purpose & grace) in Christ – Acts 4:12.

  B.  Jesus Abolished Death by His Death & Resurrection – 2 Tim. 1:10 (1 Jno. 3:8).

    1.  Overcame spiritual death by His death – Heb. 2:14-15; 9:26.

      a.  To redeem us from sin & purify us for Himself (Tit. 2:14); to deliver us from evil (Gal. 1:4); to heal our souls (1 Pet. 2:24).

      b.  To give spiritual & eternal life – Jno. 12:49-50 (Rom. 6:23).

    2.  Overcame physical death by His resurrection – Acts 2:24; 1 Cor. 15:21-22, 50-54 (bodily resurrection).

  C.  Jesus Brought Life & Immortality to Light through the Gospel – 2 Tim. 1:10.  (Gospel reveals our sin, our death & the remedy!)

  D.  Because of His First Appearance…

    1.  We must believe & obey the gospel to be saved! – Mk. 16:15-16 (Rom. 1:16).

    2.  We must not be ashamed of His gospel – 2 Tim. 1:8.

      a.  Share in sufferings because of it (1 Pet. 4:16).

      b.  Live for righteousness – 1 Pet. 2:24.

    3.  Love His appearing – 2 Tim. 4:8 (endure, 4:7; cf. Jas. 1:12).

 

II.  HIS SECOND APPEARANCE (COMING) – Heb. 9:27-28.

  A.  A Hopeful Coming – Titus 2:13 (1 Ths. 4:13-14, 18).

    1.  Christians are comforted instead of being in sorrow.

    2.  We hope for the resurrection of (eternal) life because we currently live in Christ!  (Jno. 5:28-29)

  B.  A Powerful Coming – 1 Ths. 4:15-17; 2 Ths. 1:7-9.

    -His power (energy) to subdue all things will be applied! – Phil. 3:20-21

    1.  Power to raise all the dead (Jno. 5:28).

    2.  Power of judgment (to condemn & save) will be in His hand – 2 Tim. 4:1 (Matt. 25:31, 33; Rev. 20:12).

    3.  Power to deliver the kingdom to God (save) – 1 Cor. 15:23-24.

    4.  Power to punish all sinful disobedience – 2 Ths. 1:8-9.

    5.  Power to destroy the material universe – 2 Pet. 3:10.

  C.  A Glorious Coming – Phil. 3:21 (Col. 3:4; 2 Ths. 1:10).

        -Christ will be honored & His saints will share in His honor!

  D.  Because of His Second Appearance…

    1.  Become a Christian now! – 1 Tim. 6:12 (Tit. 2:11-13)

    2.  Obey God’s commands with a pure heart – 1 Tim. 6:13-14.

    3.  Look for His coming with holy living – Tit. 2:13; 2 Pet. 3:11-12.

    4.  Get ready for judgment (to appear before Him) – 2 Cor. 5:10.

Conclusion 

1.  Jesus came to give His sheep abundant life (Jno. 10:10).

2.  If you will believe, & obey the Son you will have life eternal – 1 Jno. 5:11-13.

3.  Do you love His appearing?  (2 Tim. 4:8)