TITLE: Essentials of a Growing Church

2. TITLE: Essentials of a Growing Church TEXT: Acts 2:42-46 THEME: The church and believers growth when celebration, congregation and cell are present.

4. There are two kinds of Christians • Those who think, “either/or”.

5. There are two kinds of Christians • Those who think, “either/or”. • Those who think, both/and.

6. We need both truth and relationship

8. The New Testament Church grew exponentially Acts 1: There were 120 believers. This was before the day of Pentecost. Yet as soon as the Holy Spirit comes into them the picture changes. We find:

9. The New Testament Church grew exponentially Acts 1: There were 120 believers. This was before the day of Pentecost. Yet as soon as the Holy Spirit comes into them the picture changes. We find: Acts 2:41 “3,000 were added to the church.”

10. The New Testament Church grew exponentially Acts 1: There were 120 believers. This was before the day of Pentecost. Yet as soon as the Holy Spirit comes into them the picture changes. We find: Acts 2:41 “3,000 were added to the church.” Acts 2:47 “The Lord added daily those who were being saved.”

11. The New Testament Church grew exponentially Acts 4:4 “The number of men grew to 5,000.”

12. The New Testament Church grew exponentially Acts 4:4 “The number of men grew to 5,000.” Acts 5:14 “And more and more believed and were added (a multitude- to many to count).

13. The New Testament Church grew exponentially Acts 4:4 “The number of men grew to 5,000.” Acts 5:14 “And more and more believed and were added (a multitude- to many to count). Acts 5:28 Critics say, “You have filled Jerusalem with your teaching.”

14. The New Testament Church grew exponentially Acts 6:1 “In those days the numbers of disciples was rapidly multiplying.” Acts 6:7 “So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith Acts 21:20 “20 When they heard this, they praised God. Then they said to Paul: “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law.

15. The New Testament Church grew exponentially Acts 6:7 “So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith Acts 21:20 “20 When they heard this, they praised God. Then they said to Paul: “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law.

16. The New Testament Church grew exponentially Acts 21:20 “20 When they heard this, they praised God. Then they said to Paul: “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law.

17. Where did they put all the people? • Acts 5:42 “…they met day after day in the temple courts and from house to house.” • Temple Courts or Large Group Worship and House to House or small group fellowship is God’s model for church growth. • It is not either/or its both/and.

18. Where did they put all the people?

19. Where did they put all the people? • Acts 2:46 “They met at the temple courts”-multiple venues.

20. Where did they put all the people? • Acts 2:46 “They met at the temple courts”-multiple venues. • Romans 16:3-5 “3 Greet Priscilla] and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. 4 They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. 5 Greet also the church that meets at their house.”

21. Where did they put all the people? • Acts 5:42 “…they met day after day in the temple courts and from house to house.”

22. Where did they put all the people? • Acts 5:42 “…they met day after day in the temple courts and from house to house.” • Temple Courts or Large Group Worship and House to House or small group fellowship is God’s model for church growth.

23. Where did they put all the people? • Acts 5:42 “…they met day after day in the temple courts and from house to house.” • Temple Courts or Large Group Worship and House to House or small group fellowship is God’s model for church growth. • It is not either/or its both/and.

25. What are the essentials in turning unchurched families into devoted followers of Jesus?”

26. I. Celebration: Worship- Celebrating the nature and work of God. (42)

27. Acts 2:42 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

28. I. Celebration: Worship- Celebrating the nature and work of God. (42) A. Truth: Apostles Teaching.

29. Ephesians 2: 19 “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.”

30. I. Celebration: Worship- Celebrating the nature and work of God. (42) A. Truth: Apostles Teaching. B. Relationship: Fellowship (Koinonia

31. I. Celebration: Worship- Celebrating the nature and work of God. (42) A. Truth: Apostles Teaching. B. Relationship: Fellowship (Koinonia C. Worship: Breaking of Bread.

32. I. Celebration: Worship- Celebrating the nature and work of God. (42) A. Truth: Apostles Teaching. B. Relationship: Fellowship (Koinonia C. Worship: Breaking of Bread. D. Prayer.

33. Truth and Relationship • Truth without relationship makes worship cold and impersonal.

34. Truth and Relationship • Truth without relationship makes worship cold and impersonal. • Relationship without truth makes worship superficial and silly.

35. Bible Quiz • Where is the first tennis match mentioned in the Bible?

36. Bible Quiz • Where is the first tennis match mentioned in the Bible? When Joseph served in Pharaoh’s court.

37. Bible Quiz 2. Which Bible character had no parents?

38. Bible Quiz 2. Which Bible character had no parents? Joshua, son of Nun.

39. Bible Quiz 3. What kind of man was Boaz before he got married? Ruth-less

40. Bible Quiz 4. What is one of the first things that Adam and Eve did after getting kicked out of the Garden of Eden?

41. Bible Quiz 4. What is one of the first things that Adam and Eve did after getting kicked out of the Garden of Eden? They really raised Cain.

42. Bible Quiz 5. What excuse did Adam give to his children as to why they no longer lived in Eden? Our mother ate us out of house and home.

44. What are the essentials in turning unchurched families into devoted followers of Jesus?

45. II. Congregation: Large Groups (43-45)

46. Acts 2:43-45 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.

47. II. Congregation: Large Groups (43-45) A. Shared sense ofawe

48. II. Congregation: Large Groups (43-45) A. Shared sense of awe B. Shared resources

49. II. Congregation: Large Groups (43-45) A. Shared sense of awe B. Shared resources C. Shared meeting place