THE JOB’S NOT DONE ‘TIL WE REACH EVERY ONE
September 4, 2022
Pastor Brian
“Here is another illustration Jesus used: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches.”” (Matthew 13:31–32, NLT)
Three Kinds of Church Growth
•
•
•
1. BECAUSE JESUS
“Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age.”” (Matthew 28:19–20, GNB)
“But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.” (Acts 20:24, NLT)
2. BECAUSE PEOPLE
“When Jesus arrived, he saw this huge crowd. At the sight of them, his heart broke—like sheep with no shepherd they were. He went right to work…” (Mark 6:34, The Message)
“[God] wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:3–4, NLT)
“[God] is not willing that any should perish…” (2 Peter 3:9, The Living Bible)
3. BECAUSE JESUS WANTS TO
“…I will build my church; and all the powers of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18, The Living Bible)
• The Sower & the Seed – Matt. 13:1-23
• The Fig Tree – Luke 13:6-9
• The Yeast – Matt. 13:33
• Parable of Great Banquet – Luke 14:15-24
“Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full.” (Luke 14:23, NIV)
4. BECAUSE GROWTH IS A NATURAL OUTCOME OF
“…Under Christ’s control the whole body is nourished and…it grows as God wants it to grow.” (Colossians 2:19, GNB)
“So the churches grew strong in the faith, as well as growing daily in numbers.” (Acts 16:5, NJB)
Example: The church at Jerusalem
“…about 120 believers were together in one place…” (Acts 1:15, NLT)
“Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.” (Acts 2:41, NLT)
“…And each day the Lord added to their fellowship…” (Acts 2:47, NLT)
“But many of the people who heard their message believed it, so the number of men who believed now totaled about 5,000.” (Acts 4:4, NLT)
“Yet more and more people believed and were brought to the Lord…” (Acts 5:14, NLT)
“the believers rapidly multiplied…” (Acts 6:1, NLT)
“…My friend, you can see how many tens of thousands of our people have become followers!” (Acts 21:20, CEV)
EXCUSES FOR NOT GROWING
• “God isn’t interested in numbers.”
• “Our church wants quality, not quantity.”
• “Large churches are impersonal!”
5. BECAUSE
“And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:14, NLT)
1. COMMIT TO A “GUEST FIRST” MINDSET.
2. SERVE IN A WEEKLY MINISTRY.
3. PRAY FOR & INVITE PEOPLE WHO NEED A CHURCH HOME REGULARLY.
4. TAKE HOME CLASS AND BECOME A HOME RUN HERO!