Growing Churches: A Divine Mandate for Believers
Summary
### Summary
In our gathering today, we explored the concept of growing churches, emphasizing that this growth is not about buildings or institutions but about assemblies of believers. The church is fundamentally an assembly, a gathering of new believers, as seen in the early church in Antioch. This growth is God's business, a Bible business, and our business.
We delved into the Book of Acts, particularly focusing on the establishment of the first Gentile church in Antioch. This event marked a significant milestone in the history of Christianity, as it was the first assembly of Christian believers beyond the geographical boundaries of Israel. This growth was driven by God's hand, His grace, and His Spirit. The church in Antioch was founded, established, and grew numerically through God's work, not through human efforts or strategies.
We also discussed how growing churches is a Bible business. The church in Antioch was established through the preaching of the Lord Jesus by ordinary believers. It was maintained through encouragement to remain steadfast in faith and secured through teaching by leaders like Barnabas and Saul. This highlights the importance of the Word of God in the growth and sustenance of the church.
Furthermore, we examined the partnership between the churches in Jerusalem and Antioch, emphasizing that growing churches is our business. This partnership involved mutual support and sharing of resources, demonstrating the interconnectedness and mutual responsibility of churches.
In conclusion, growing churches is a divine mandate that requires our active participation. It is a thrilling and rewarding endeavor to be part of God's work in establishing and growing churches worldwide. We are called to seize this opportunity, contribute our resources, and make the growing of churches our business.
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Hand in Church Growth: The growth of the church is fundamentally God's work. The church in Antioch was established by God's hand, His grace, and His Spirit. This reminds us that while human efforts are involved, the ultimate growth and establishment of the church are driven by divine intervention. We must recognize and rely on God's power in our efforts to grow the church. [05:35]
2. The Role of Ordinary Believers: The church in Antioch was established through the preaching of the Lord Jesus by ordinary believers. This underscores the significant role that every believer plays in the growth of the church. It is not just the responsibility of church leaders but of every Christian to share the gospel and contribute to the growth of the church. [17:33]
3. Encouragement and Steadfastness: Maintaining the church requires continuous encouragement and exhortation to remain steadfast in faith. Barnabas' role in encouraging the believers in Antioch highlights the importance of mutual support and encouragement within the church community. We must be intentional in encouraging one another to cling to the Lord with purpose of heart. [19:41]
4. Teaching and Discipleship: The church in Antioch was secured through the teaching of the Word by leaders like Barnabas and Saul. This emphasizes the critical role of sound teaching and discipleship in the growth and sustenance of the church. We must prioritize the teaching of the Bible and ensure that it remains central to our church activities. [21:11]
5. Inter-Church Partnership: The partnership between the churches in Jerusalem and Antioch demonstrates the importance of mutual support and resource sharing among churches. Growing churches is a collective responsibility that requires collaboration and partnership. We must be willing to support and partner with other churches in their growth efforts. [29:34]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:08] - Introduction to Growing Churches
[02:43] - Context of the Book of Acts
[03:48] - The Global Premiere of the Church
[04:52] - God's Business in Growing Churches
[05:35] - God's Hand in Antioch
[07:26] - Luke's Investigative Approach
[08:51] - The Spread of the Gospel
[10:29] - The First Gentile Church
[11:46] - God's Global Church Growth
[14:35] - Establishing the Church through Preaching
[16:49] - The Role of Ordinary Believers
[18:25] - Maintaining the Church through Encouragement
[19:41] - Clinging to the Lord
[21:11] - Securing the Church through Teaching
[22:33] - Implications of Bible-Centered Growth
[23:46] - Common Values in Church Planting
[25:03] - The Importance of Bible Teaching
[26:34] - Deploying Resources for Church Growth
[28:05] - Inter-Church Partnership
[29:34] - Sending Barnabas to Antioch
[31:23] - Our Role in Growing Churches
[32:57] - Seizing the Baton
[34:41] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Acts 11:19-26 (ESV)
> "Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians."
2. Acts 8:4 (ESV)
> "Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word."
3. Acts 1:8 (ESV)
> "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
### Observation Questions
1. According to Acts 11:19-26, who were the first to preach to the Hellenists in Antioch, and what was the result of their preaching? ([08:51])
2. What role did Barnabas play in the church at Antioch, and how did he support the new believers? ([14:35])
3. How does Acts 8:4 connect to the establishment of the church in Antioch as described in Acts 11:19-26? ([08:51])
4. What significant event in Acts 1:8 is reflected in the spread of the gospel to Antioch? ([03:48])
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the establishment of the church in Antioch demonstrate that church growth is fundamentally God's work? ([05:35])
2. In what ways did ordinary believers contribute to the growth of the church in Antioch, and what does this imply about the role of every Christian in church growth? ([17:33])
3. How did Barnabas' encouragement to "remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose" help maintain the church in Antioch, and what does this teach us about the importance of encouragement in the church? ([19:41])
4. What does the partnership between the churches in Jerusalem and Antioch reveal about the interconnectedness and mutual responsibility of churches? ([29:34])
### Application Questions
1. Reflecting on the idea that church growth is God's work, how can you ensure that your efforts in ministry rely on God's power rather than your own? ([05:35])
2. Considering the role of ordinary believers in the growth of the church in Antioch, what specific actions can you take to share the gospel in your community? ([17:33])
3. How can you be an encourager like Barnabas in your church? Identify one person you can encourage this week and plan how you will do it. ([19:41])
4. What steps can you take to prioritize the teaching of the Bible in your personal life and in your church activities? ([21:11])
5. How can your church develop stronger partnerships with other churches to support mutual growth and resource sharing? ([29:34])
6. Reflect on a time when you felt encouraged to remain steadfast in your faith. How can you replicate that experience for someone else in your church? ([19:41])
7. What resources (time, skills, finances) can you contribute to support the growth of your church and other churches globally? ([26:34])
Devotional
Day 1: God's Hand in Church Growth
The growth of the church is fundamentally God's work. The church in Antioch was established by God's hand, His grace, and His Spirit. This reminds us that while human efforts are involved, the ultimate growth and establishment of the church are driven by divine intervention. We must recognize and rely on God's power in our efforts to grow the church. [05:35]
Isaiah 55:10-11 (ESV): "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."
Reflection: In what areas of your life or ministry are you relying more on your own efforts than on God's power? How can you intentionally shift your focus to trust in God's divine intervention today?
Day 2: The Role of Ordinary Believers
The church in Antioch was established through the preaching of the Lord Jesus by ordinary believers. This underscores the significant role that every believer plays in the growth of the church. It is not just the responsibility of church leaders but of every Christian to share the gospel and contribute to the growth of the church. [17:33]
1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."
Reflection: Think of one person in your life who does not know Jesus. How can you share the gospel with them this week in a way that is natural and loving?
Day 3: Encouragement and Steadfastness
Maintaining the church requires continuous encouragement and exhortation to remain steadfast in faith. Barnabas' role in encouraging the believers in Antioch highlights the importance of mutual support and encouragement within the church community. We must be intentional in encouraging one another to cling to the Lord with purpose of heart. [19:41]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: Who in your church community could use some encouragement today? How can you reach out to them and offer support and encouragement in their walk with Christ?
Day 4: Teaching and Discipleship
The church in Antioch was secured through the teaching of the Word by leaders like Barnabas and Saul. This emphasizes the critical role of sound teaching and discipleship in the growth and sustenance of the church. We must prioritize the teaching of the Bible and ensure that it remains central to our church activities. [21:11]
Colossians 1:28 (ESV): "Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ."
Reflection: How can you deepen your commitment to studying the Bible? What steps can you take to ensure that sound teaching and discipleship are central in your personal spiritual growth and in your church community?
Day 5: Inter-Church Partnership
The partnership between the churches in Jerusalem and Antioch demonstrates the importance of mutual support and resource sharing among churches. Growing churches is a collective responsibility that requires collaboration and partnership. We must be willing to support and partner with other churches in their growth efforts. [29:34]
2 Corinthians 8:13-14 (ESV): "For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness."
Reflection: Is there a neighboring church or ministry that could benefit from your support? How can you or your church partner with them to further the growth of God's kingdom?
Quotes
1. "Growing churches is God's business. Now, straight away, that much is very clear simply from reading what Luke tells us in these 12 verses that we just read. We just had read to us. So, verse 21, the hand of the Lord was with them, and great numbers were added. Verse 22, Barnabas came up from Jerusalem when he saw the grace of God he was glad. And then verse 24, a great many people were added. It's a passive. They were added to the Lord by the Lord. So then the church in Antioch was founded by God's hand." [05:35] (36 seconds)
2. "God is in the business of growing churches all over the world. Now, we're going to come to the application in a few minutes, but I think it's worth just pausing and saying, he's pretty good at it. I don't mean that to sound the way it might sound, but I mean, God is pretty good at growing churches all over the world. I wish we could kind of, we haven't got time, you can do it at home, show me when you've done it, but a kind of timeline with kind of video, footage of, you know, people put dots of wherever there's a Starbucks in the city or spots wherever there's a, I don't know, whatever your thing is, Pret or whatever. But actually, God has been growing churches." [11:46] (43 seconds)
3. "The church was established how? Verse 21 and verse 20. Through the preaching of the Lord Jesus. The church was maintained how? Through Barnabas exhorting them to remain steadfast. The church was secured how? Through Barnabas and Saul teaching the believers. You have to admit at first glance that Antioch is actually not very privileged. Antioch is a very promising territory. It was the third biggest city in the Roman Empire after Alexandria and Rome. It was a vast kind of hodgepodge of people from all over the world. It was known as the Queen of the East." [15:48] (49 seconds)
4. "How was it maintained? Look down at verse 23. The church in Jerusalem sent Barnabas. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad. He exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose. I love the way it reads, literally, the old authorized version. The very sort of ancient version reads like this, that with purpose of heart, they would cleave to the Lord. They would cling to the Lord with purpose of heart they would cling to the Lord and I love that it recognizes that having established the church all of us need to be encouraged to keep going." [18:25] (43 seconds)
5. "Growing churches is a Bible business. I'm going to read verses 19 to 27. And as I do so, I want you to answer these questions. One, how did God establish the church? Two, how did God establish the church? Three, how did God secure the church? Three, how does God maintain the church? How does he establish it? How does he maintain it? How does he secure it? There were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord Jesus." [14:35] (33 seconds)
6. "Growing churches is God's business. Growing churches is a Bible business. I'm going to read verses 19 to 27. And as I do so, I want you to answer these questions. One, how did God establish the church? Two, how did God establish the church? Three, how did God secure the church? Three, how does God maintain the church? How does he establish it? How does he maintain it? How does he secure it? There were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord Jesus." [14:35] (35 seconds)
7. "Growing churches is God's business. Growing churches is a Bible business. And growing churches is your business and my business and I have to say isn't it thrilling to be part of it I mean I think it is that there is nothing more thrilling than to be lined up with God's business you can be involved in Willis it's a great thing to be involved in Willis you know 400 offices around the world in 120 countries and it's been it's got connections going back to 1828 actually that's because you know faber was taken over by willis and willis faber then became you know so it's sort of tenuous but here is a project that has been going on well since the beginning of the bible here is a project that is unstoppable it's god's business here is a project that you can be involved in here is a project that stands forever and it is a thrilling thing." [32:57] (66 seconds)
8. "Growing churches is God's business. Growing churches is a Bible business. And growing churches is your business and my business and I have to say isn't it thrilling to be part of it I mean I think it is that there is nothing more thrilling than to be lined up with God's business you can be involved in Willis it's a great thing to be involved in Willis you know 400 offices around the world in 120 countries and it's been it's got connections going back to 1828 actually that's because you know faber was taken over by willis and willis faber then became you know so it's sort of tenuous but here is a project that has been going on well since the beginning of the bible here is a project that is unstoppable it's god's business here is a project that you can be involved in here is a project that stands forever and it is a thrilling thing." [32:57] (66 seconds)
9. "Growing churches is God's business. Growing churches is a Bible business. And growing churches is your business and my business and I have to say isn't it thrilling to be part of it I mean I think it is that there is nothing more thrilling than to be lined up with God's business you can be involved in Willis it's a great thing to be involved in Willis you know 400 offices around the world in 120 countries and it's been it's got connections going back to 1828 actually that's because you know faber was taken over by willis and willis faber then became you know so it's sort of tenuous but here is a project that has been going on well since the beginning of the bible here is a project that is unstoppable it's god's business here is a project that you can be involved in here is a project that stands forever and it is a thrilling thing." [32:57] (66 seconds)
10. "Growing churches is God's business. Growing churches is a Bible business. And growing churches is your business and my business and I have to say isn't it thrilling to be part of it I mean I think it is that there is nothing more thrilling than to be lined up with God's business you can be involved in Willis it's a great thing to be involved in Willis you know 400 offices around the world in 120 countries and it's been it's got connections going back to 1828 actually that's because you know faber was taken over by willis and willis faber then became you know so it's sort of tenuous but here is a project that has been going on well since the beginning of the bible here is a project that is unstoppable it's god's business here is a project that you can be involved in here is a project that stands forever and it is a thrilling thing." [32:57] (66 seconds)
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