By: Bro. Sunday Eyanrin (Evangelist)
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INTRODUCTION
Brethren, from the inception of the New Testament Church, “the Church of Christ” on Pentecost, the Lord desires that the Church grows. Hence, in Eph. 4:11–16, the Lord ensured that adequate Spiritual gifts are provided to enable the Church grows.
Eph. 4:11-16.
And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 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; 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, 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.
DEFINITION OF KEY WORDS
Brethren, it has become necessary that we define the key words of this message for the proper understanding of Brethren.
WHAT IS PRINCIPLE?
PRINCILPE Can be simply define as a Comprehensive and Fundamental law, Doctrine or Assumption.
CHURCH:
“Church” is an English word translated from the Greek word ‘’ekklessia’’- Meaning: A call out body of people from the world to serve God through Christ. “1 Peter 2:9-10 Declares”,
1Peter 2:9-10:
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. NKJV
GROWTH:Can be simply defined as a stage in the process of growing.
For Example: “The Word” – “The Gospel” when planted as a seed, what happens? It grows from one stage to the other
TWO IMPORTANT PRINCIPLES OF CHURCH GROWTH
The importance of the study of the principles of Church growth in the local Congregation cannot be over emphasized. Growth is expected in every Church. There are so many ways to Church growth.
Today, we will be considering two basic principles of Church growth that are very vital and effective:
- EVANGELISM
- EDIFICATION
ENHANCED CHURCH GROWTH
For evangelism and edification to be effective in Church growth, there must first be enhanced individual members. When each member of the local congregation does his or her part as a member of the body, growth is achieved. Eph. 4:15-16– but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head — Christ — 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.
EVANGELISM THE GREATEST MISSION OF THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH
The primary mission of the New Testament Church – is to evangelize the Whole World for “CHRIST”. Every member of the CHURCH, Educated or Uneducated must see him or herself as a proclaimer (EVANGELIST) of (the Good News) (The Gospel) of our LORD JESUS CHRIST.
TO ENHANCE GROWTH OF THE CHURCH, THE GREAT COMMISSION WAS DECLARED BY THE LORD – IN Matthew 28:18-20
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. NKJV
IN Mark 16:15-16 HE DECLARED
“Go’’ into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. NKJV
APOSTLE PAUL DECLARED IN ROMANS 1:16-17
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” NKJV.
PAUL’S CHARGE TO TIMOTHY AND TO ALL CHRISTIANS (2 TIM. 4:1-5)
I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry. NKJV
TWO VITAL AREA’S OF EVANGELISM
COLLECTIVE EVANGELISM
PERSONAL EVANGELISM
“COLLECTIVE EVANGELISM”: is the Church in action, to evangelize the whole World for Christ. The local Church is God’s only Agency to achieve the Goal of preaching the Gospel to the whole world.
The Church, the only agency of God to preach the Gospel must use every available means to reach out both publicly and Door to door Evangelism.
THE LOCAL CHURCH
Each local Congregation of the Lord’s Church must see herself as a missionary to carry the Gospel to the lost world. Every member of “the Lord’s Church” Locally or universally must sanctify him or herself ready for the work.
PERSONAL EVANGELISM is the medium by which individual Christians plan and carry out their Evangelism. A Brother or Sister can also evangelize by supporting an effective preacher to preach the Gospel. Note – A Brother or Sister must not stay away from preaching because he or she is supporting a preacher, unless he or she is sick, on duty, or very old. These were the two basic principles used by the Church to enhance growth.
SOME WAYS TO CARRY OUT PERSONAL EVANGELISM
- Door To Door Evangelism
- Bus Evangelism
- Tract Distribution Evangelism
- Open – Air Evangelism
- Media – Radio and Television Evangelism
CHURCH GROWTH IS ENDANGERED
When members fail to play their part: what happens?
- The Church is handicapped by non-functioning members
- The Church cannot perform to its full potential.
- The church may even die
EDIFICATION
The New Testament Church is a self-edifying Institution. The word ‘’Edify’’ Means to build up, Strengthen, More firmly establish, or Instruct. The objective of every local congregation is to see her members grow spiritually and in number as required by the LORD in Matt.28:20 –Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
To achieve this command, apostle Paul by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit declared in 2 Tim.2:2- And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
A BRIEF HISTORICAL ANALYSIS OF THE GROWTH OF THE CHURCHAT HER INCEPTION
Brethren, it is necessary to give a brief historical analysis of the growth of the Church at her inception in Jerusalem. It is amazing to say that the two principles highlighted in this discussion were the principles uses by the first century Church to achieve her growth.
- Public Evangelism
- Door to door Evangelism.
- It all began when Peter preached the first Gospel sermon on Pentecost at Jerusalem, 3,000 Souls were baptized and added to the 12 Apostles. Acts 2:1 – 47.
- In Acts 4:4, the number increased to about 5,000
- In Acts 5:14, multitudes, both man and women were added
- In Acts. 9: the Church spread from Jerusalem to Judaea, Galilee and Samaria.
- Brethren, the Church is now in Grey Street Warri, the task to grow the Church is our civic responsibility. May God help us to fulfill this noble task in JESUS Name- Amen
EDIFICATION
Edification is the sole responsibility of the local congregation for the growth of those who are added into the body (The Church).
To achieve the enhancement of growth in the Body (THE CHURCH) every member of the Body –young and old, Brothers and Sisters must be part of this great task. 1 Cor. 3:8-9
Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labour.
For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building.
NKJV
It is absolutely necessary to mention hear that your part as member of the Body to grow the congregation cannot be over emphasized.
Do you know that without Evangelism and conversion of souls, there will be no need talking about (CHURCH GROWTH)?
Beloved, the desired expectations of growth by Our LORD cannot be achieved if you are not part of this great work. Therefore growth is endangered when any member of the Body fails to be part of the growth process of the Church. Are you ready?
In Matt 9:37-38
Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest KJV .
BELOVED, ARE YOU WILLING TO BE PART OF THIS GREAT HARVEST?
CONCLUSION
Beloved, we have seen the two important principles of Church growth in this discussion.
- How each member of the body must be part of the process to enhance growth?
- The growth of the body is endangered when you are not part of the growth process.
- BELOVED, IF YOU ARE NOT PART OF THIS PROCESS, WHAT WILL YOU TELL THE LORD WHEN HE RETURNS?
MAY GOD BLESS HIS WORDS IN JESUS NAME – AMEN
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