TRUE CHURCH GROWTH
By David Riggs
Intro.
A. Text: Acts 14:21-23
1. We have studied these verses before in a sermon, but in this
lesson we want to re-examine them in view of church
growth.
2. We can learn much from these verses regarding church
growth, and the strengthening of a local congregation.
3. Let's examine them carefully.
I. Verse 21
A. Notice that disciples are made by the preaching of the gospel.
1. The gospel is God's power to save. Rom. 1:16
2. God calls us by the gospel. 2 Thess. 2:14
B. Disciples are not made through the means of recreation and
entertainment.
1. Church growth does not come through means of recreation
and entertainment.
2. Growth is something that must come from within each
disciple.
a. As the individual members grow, the church grows.
II. Verse 22a - "Strengthening the souls of the disciples."
A. The "souls" were strengthened; in other words, they were
concerned about the spiritual strength of the disciples.
B. We grow in strength as a congregation when we grow in faith and
love. 2 Thess. 1:3
1. We are to build ourselves up in our faith. Jude 20-21
2. Jesus showed that love is the badge of discipleship. John
13:34-35
3. John spoke of this commandment. 1 John 4:21; 4:12
C. We have strength when there is unity and peace among us.
1. "United we stand; divided we fall."
a. "A house divided against itself cannot stand." Matt.
12:25
2. We must strive for unity and peace. Eph. 4:3; Rom. 14:19;
Rom. 15:1-4
3. Problems will arise from time to time; we must be careful
that bitterness does not spring up. Heb. 12:14-15
III. Verse 22:b - "Exhorting them to continue in the faith."
A. The church must have continual self-exhortation toward
faithfulness.
B. The church is compared to a body in which each member does its
part. Rom. 12:4-9a; Eph. 4:16
1. Do you know how many members of the Tate family belong
to your church? There is brother Dic Tate who wants to run
everything, while Uncle Ro Tate tries to change everything.
Their sister Agi Tate stirs up plenty of trouble, with help
from her husband, Irri Tate. Whenever new projects are
suggested, Hesi Tate and his wife, Vege Tate, want to wait
until next year. Then there is Aunt Imi Tate, who wants the
church to be like all the others. Devas Tate provides the
voice of doom, while Poten Tate wants to be a big shot. And
of course there is the black sheep of the family, Ampu Tate,
who has completely cut himself off from the church.
2. However, not all members of the Tate family are bad.
Brother Facili Tate is quite helpful in church matters, and
a delightful, happy member of the family is Mrs. Felici
Tate. And, there is cousin Medi Tate who always thinks
things over, and lends a helpful, steady hand. (Author
Unknown)
3. Let us facilitate the cause of Christ rather than agitate
it.
IV. Verse 22c - "Saying, 'We must through many tribulations enter
the kingdom of God."
A. This exhortation was to those who were already Christians;
thus, it is through much tribulations that we enter the eternal
kingdom.
B. Paul and Barnabas did not preach a gospel of "health and
wealth," but prepared the disciples for hardships.
1. Jesus did the same with his disciples. Matt. 10:21-22
C. More often than not, things can be very hard for new converts.
1. Some of the most severe persecutions can come immediately
after one is converted.
2. We need to prepare new converts for a hard road ahead.
V. Verse 23a - "So when they had appointed elders in every church."
A. Faithful churches can exist without elders as is evident of the
churches here in this context before elders were appointed.
B. But any congregation without elders is lacking as shown in
Titus 1:5 and the verses following.
1. Qualified men are to be appointed.
2. In some churches men are being appointed elders who are
not qualified.
3. Being an elder is not some honorary title given to certain
individuals.
4. As Paul said, "If a man desires the office of an elder, he
desires a good work." 1 Tim. 3:1
C. God's arrangement is best for any local congregation. Every
church should seek to have elders.
VI. Verses 23b - "Prayed with fasting."
A. The early disciples set the example of fasting along with
prayer. Acts 13:1-3
B. Fasting is not emphasized in the New Testament as much as
prayer.
1. Nonetheless, there probably needs to be more fasting among
Christians today.
VII. Verse 23c - "They commended them to the Lord in whom they had
believed."
A. The Lord is our source of strength and comfort.
1. Barnabas exhorted the disciples that with purpose of heart
they should cleave to the Lord. Acts 11:23
B. 1 Thess. 3:12-13; 2 Thess. 2:16-17
Concl.
A. Thus, we have examined a few words from God's holy
Scriptures.
B. May the exhortation given then be profitable to us as it was
for those early disciples.