“Church Growth… It Comes From Within”

2. “Church Growth… It Comes From Within” Ephesians 4:11-16

3. The Lord wants His church to grow… Ephesians 4:11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ-- 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. Colossians 2:19  and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God.

4. Each part must do it’s share… Ephesians 4:16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

5. Church growth in improved… READ 1Corinthians 12:12-22 Ephesians 4:16  from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. Colossians 2:19  and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God. Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. (NKJV)

6. Church growth in improved… Philippians 4:13  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Ephesians 3:16  that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, Ephesians 3:20  Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 2Corinthians 1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.

7. Our growth is put @ risk… • When members don’t do their part • The church is handicapped by nonfunctioning members • The church cannot - and will not - perform to its full potential • When other members have to make up the difference • Who often struggle under the extra burden • Who sometimes become discouraged, & even give up • When members won't do their part, a church can’t grow as God intended

8. Church growth is boosted… • Proverbs 14:4 Where no oxen are, the trough is clean; But much increase comes by the strength of an ox. • Romans 15:1 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. • Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. • 1Thessalonians 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. • With strong members bearing with weak members, the help needed for the weak to grow will be provided.

9. Church growth is jeopardized… • Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. • When members become discouraged, they grow weary of doing good. • 1Corinthians 15:58  Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. • When strong members become discouraged, they may start to feel like their labor is in vain.

10. Growth is hindered when strong members lose their source of strength… Galatians 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Colossians 1:10  that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; Ephesians 3:20  ”Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us” Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

11. IS growth being hindered here…? • Some of us could be forgetting… • The joy of serving for the Lord’s sake alone, even if others don’t appreciate it! • We CANNOT lose our perspective • There’s always going to be weak one among us • Dealing with the weak is necessary training for future elders and teachers • If the strong members become weak, a church cannot grow!

12. We’ve seen that… Growth is boosted when each part does its share Growth is threatened when members don’t do their part Growth is developed when the strong bear with the weak Growth is put at risk when the strong themselves become weary.

13. Let’s consider what we all need to be doing to help the Lord’s church grow… • Follow through with our work in the body of Christ • Do our share in the work of the church • Grow as we should in the service of the Lord • Bear with the scruples of the weak • Scruples-a moral or ethical consideration that tends to restrain action or behavior • Look to the Lord for strength to avoid becoming discouraged!!!

14. “Church Growth - It Comes From Within…” 1Corinthians 15:58  Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.