Embracing Growth: A Call to Multiply Disciples
Summary
In our journey as a church, we have been steadfast in our commitment to the Great Commission, which is to reach the lost, baptize new believers, and make disciples. This is not merely a suggestion but a commandment from our Lord Jesus Christ. Our goal is to see families changed, lives transformed, and our community impacted by the Gospel. We understand that as we faithfully execute this mission, our church will inevitably grow. This growth is not for our own glory but for the glory of God and the expansion of His Kingdom.God's design for His Kingdom is one of increase and multiplication. From the very beginning, God commanded His creation to be fruitful and multiply. This principle extends to the church as well. We see in the book of Acts that the early church experienced both addition and multiplication in their numbers. This was not accidental but a clear indication of God's blessing and favor upon a church that was obedient to His call.We must reject the notion that smallness equates to faithfulness. While it is true that every church must start somewhere, contentment with stagnation is not a virtue. The parable of the talents teaches us that God expects us to grow and increase what He has entrusted to us. Faithfulness, according to God, is fruitfulness. Therefore, we must strive to be a church that is always reaching out, always growing, and always making room for more.Our focus on numbers is not a superficial obsession but a reflection of our passion for souls. Each number represents a life, a story, and an eternal destiny. We are committed to reaching every person we can with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. Our church is not just a building; it is a community of believers who are called to be a beacon of hope and a place of refuge for the lost and hurting.As we look to the future, we are excited about the plans God has for us. We are expanding our facilities not for our own comfort but to accommodate the growth that comes from reaching more people. We are not deterred by criticisms that suggest a large church lacks intimacy or authenticity. On the contrary, we believe that a church filled with the presence of God will attract those who are seeking something real and will repel religious complacency.Key Takeaways:- The church is called to be an agent of transformation, reaching the lost and making disciples. This mission is not optional but a direct command from Jesus Christ. As we obey this mandate, our church will grow, reflecting the Kingdom principle of multiplication. [49:33]- Faithfulness in the Kingdom of God is measured by fruitfulness. The parable of the talents illustrates that maintaining what we have is not enough; we are expected to increase and multiply what God has given us. A church that is not growing is not fully living out its God-given potential. [50:52]- Numbers are significant in the Kingdom because they represent individual lives touched by the Gospel. Our focus on numbers is a focus on souls, each one precious to God. A growing church is a sign of a healthy, outward-focused community that prioritizes evangelism and discipleship. [59:06]- The presence of God in a church should not be a deterrent to growth but rather the most attractive quality we possess. A church that is truly presence-driven will be a magnet for those who are seeking authenticity and will naturally grow as a result. [56:23]- Our commitment to expansion and building larger facilities is rooted in our desire to reach more people for Christ. Just as the early church met in both homes and the temple, we too need spaces that can accommodate large gatherings for worship and teaching. Our buildings are tools for ministry, not monuments to ourselves. [01:07:28]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)
> "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
2. Acts 2:47 (NIV)
> "Praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."
3. Matthew 25:14-30 (NIV)
> The Parable of the Talents
#### Observation Questions
1. According to the sermon, what is the Great Commission and why is it important for the church? [52:05]
2. How does the book of Acts illustrate the principle of multiplication in the early church? [46:41]
3. What does the Parable of the Talents teach us about faithfulness and fruitfulness? [50:52]
4. Why does the pastor emphasize that numbers are important to God? [57:56]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) shape the mission and activities of the church? [52:05]
2. In what ways does the growth of the early church in Acts 2:47 reflect God's blessing and favor? [46:41]
3. What are the implications of the Parable of the Talents for individual believers and the church as a whole? [50:52]
4. How can a church balance the focus on numbers with maintaining intimacy and authenticity in its community? [56:23]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your personal commitment to the Great Commission. How can you actively participate in making disciples in your daily life? [52:05]
2. The early church experienced both addition and multiplication. What steps can our small group take to contribute to the growth of our church community? [46:41]
3. The Parable of the Talents emphasizes the importance of increasing what God has given us. What specific talents or resources do you feel God has entrusted to you, and how can you use them to serve the church and community? [50:52]
4. Numbers represent individual lives touched by the Gospel. Think of one person in your life who needs to hear the message of Jesus. How can you reach out to them this week? [57:56]
5. The presence of God should be the most attractive quality of a church. How can we cultivate an environment in our small group that draws people seeking authenticity and spiritual growth? [56:23]
6. Our church is expanding its facilities to accommodate growth. How can you contribute to this vision, whether through prayer, volunteering, or financial support? [01:07:28]
7. Reflect on the pastor's story about losing his son in the mall. How does this illustrate the urgency of reaching the lost? What practical steps can you take to prioritize evangelism in your life? [53:06]
Devotional
Day 1: Obedience Ignites Church GrowthThe Great Commission is not a passive suggestion but a divine mandate that calls for active engagement in reaching the lost, baptizing believers, and making disciples. This obedience to Christ's command is the catalyst for transformation within families, individuals, and the broader community. As the church embraces this mission, growth is a natural byproduct, reflecting not human ambition but the glory of God and the advancement of His Kingdom. This growth is not for self-congratulation but a testament to the church's commitment to the divine plan of multiplication, as seen in the early church's expansion in the book of Acts. The increase in numbers signifies God's blessing and favor on a congregation that aligns itself with His will [49:33]."Then the word of the Lord spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith." - Acts 6:7 (ESV)Reflection: How can you personally contribute to fulfilling the Great Commission in your local community this week?Day 2: Faithfulness Expressed Through FruitfulnessThe Kingdom of God equates faithfulness with fruitfulness, as illustrated in the parable of the talents. It is not enough to maintain what has been received; there is an expectation to grow and multiply the gifts and resources entrusted by God. A church that is not experiencing growth may need to reevaluate its commitment to God's call. Stagnation is not a virtue, and contentment with the status quo can hinder the church from reaching its full potential in God's plan. The pursuit of growth is a pursuit of faithfulness, and a church that is always reaching out and expanding is one that is truly alive and fruitful [50:52]."He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more." - Matthew 25:16 (ESV)Reflection: What talents or resources has God given you that you can invest in to further His Kingdom?Day 3: Every Number Has a NameIn the Kingdom, numbers are not merely statistics; they represent individual lives, each with a unique story and an eternal destiny. The church's focus on growth is fundamentally a focus on souls, with each addition symbolizing a life impacted by the transformative power of the Gospel. A growing church is a vibrant, outward-focused community that prioritizes evangelism and discipleship, demonstrating health and vitality through its commitment to reach every possible person with the message of Jesus Christ [59:06]."And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved." - Acts 2:47b (ESV)Reflection: Who is one person in your life that you can begin to intentionally pray for and share the Gospel with?Day 4: Authenticity AttractsThe presence of God within a church is the most compelling attribute it can possess. A church that is genuinely presence-driven will naturally attract those seeking something real and will discourage complacency. The true presence of God fosters an environment of authenticity and intimacy, regardless of the church's size. This divine presence is what draws people in and encourages growth, as it offers a beacon of hope and a place of refuge for the lost and hurting [56:23]."And they were filled with awe and said to one another, 'We have seen extraordinary things today.'" - Luke 5:26b (ESV)Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper sense of God's presence in your own life to impact those around you?Day 5: Building for the HarvestThe expansion of church facilities is not a pursuit of comfort but a strategic move to accommodate the growth that comes from effectively reaching more people for Christ. Just as the early church met in various settings, including the temple for larger gatherings, modern churches require spaces to gather, worship, and teach. These buildings serve as tools for ministry, enabling the church to fulfill its mission to evangelize and disciple. The commitment to expansion is rooted in a desire to be good stewards of the harvest God is bringing in [01:07:28]."And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts." - Acts 2:46 (ESV)Reflection: In what ways can you support the physical and spiritual growth of your church community?
Quotes
- "If your discipleship doesn't result in lost people being found, you're not making disciples, you're making Pharisees." [55:19] ( | | )
- "God defines faithfulness as fruitfulness. Maintaining is not faithfulness; faithfulness according to God is growing and increasing what God has given you." [50:52] ( | | )
- "The presence of God should be growing our churches. Yes, the presence of God repels religious people from our churches... but lost, broken, hurting people are craving something real and authentic." [56:55] ( | | )
- "I am all about the numbers of lost people being found, families being changed, students encountering God, and kids learning about God's word. God cares so much about numbers, He wrote a book in the Bible about it called Numbers." [57:56] ( | | )
- "If God wants a big church and you want a small church, you and Jesus aren't on the same page... if you are going against God's grand plan for mankind, you've made a wrong turn." [01:01:16] ( | | )
- "When I hear people say 'I prefer a small Church,' what I really hear is it doesn't bother you that people are going to hell... that's what's at stake here, it's eternity." [01:03:04] ( | | )
- "Church growth is not my ambition, it is the will of God... everything God does multiplies. The very first command God gave to mankind was 'be fruitful and multiply.'" [48:05] ( | | )
- "We're building an auditorium that seats 2,000 people and new kids spaces... we're going all in on this thing because heaven and hell are real and I want to... help reach people who are far from you." [01:06:51] ( | | )
- "The early church met in homes... but they also met together in one place to hear the word of God. Peter and Paul preached in the largest auditoriums of their day." [01:07:59] ( | | )
- "I believe that the largest auditoriums across our nation... are going to be used as platforms to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ... they were built to be places that would proclaim the Gospel." [01:10:14] ( | | )
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