GROWING UP A CONGREGATION

GROWING UP A CONGREGATION.
Matthew 13: 18 – 23
18 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.
19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
We need to be in the kingdom, the church, and we need to be good ground, growing in Faith, Love, and Commitment to God. We hear, understand and bring forth fruit.
Our growth in the church is dependant up on us first. The growth of the church here in Bartow is dependant upon us as christians. How can we grow?

I. 2 Cor. 5: 7 Develop a Greater Faith.
We must learn to walk by faith.
7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
This doesn’t happen it must be developed, learned, nurtured. It takes time.
A. Heb. 11: 4 – 8 We must begin with faith in God. The heroes of faith.
4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. {moved...: or, being wary}
8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
Growing in faith, a stronger faith, an enduring faith.
B. Heb. 10: 22 - 23 To walk by faith we must trust God.
22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
Draw near, with a true heart, hold fast, without wavering.
Do not think God and Christ are unfaithful.
1. John 8: 24 We must believe he is Christ.
24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
2. Rom. 5: 1 – 2 We must trust Jesus.
1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
C. Phil. 4: 13 Paul believed there was none other than Christ.
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
1. 2 Tim. 1: 12 - 13 Paul had no doubt in Christ.
12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
2. Gal. 2: 20 Paul lived for Christ.
20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.




D. Eph. 1: 15 - 16 The faith of other Christians will strengthen us.
15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
We must believe in our brothers faith that we can and will work together for the Lord’s church.
1. Eph. 4: 15 Speaking the truth in love.
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
We must not only speak the truth, but in love.
2. Eph. 4: 16 the effectual working of every part, increasing, edifying in love.
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Many members fitly joined together, every joint supplieth,
Making increase, edifying itself in love. Do you see a key here. Speaking in love, edifying in love. Love one another. What does the church never have enough of? Love for the brethren.
II. John 3: 16 God showed his love. Let us show our love.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
A. 1 John 5: 1 - 5 We must learn to love as God loves.
1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him, By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
1. 1 Cor. 16: 13 - 18 If we love God we must love one another.
13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Let all your things be done with charity. I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,) That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth. I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied.
18 For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such.


2. Rom. 12: 4 - 5 Sharing each others lives.
4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
B. Luke 19: 10 Jesus purpose showed love.
10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
1. Acts 8: 4 The early church showed its love.
4 ¶ Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.
Showing love by sharing Jesus Christ with our friends.
2. 2 Cor. 4: 13 Paul says we believe and speak.
13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
If we truly believe in Jesus Christ will we not tell others?
3. Acts 2: 46 - 47 We will be renewed.
46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, {from...: or, at home}
47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Were they excited? Yes. Praising God daily.
III. Acts 20: 28 Make a Greater Commitment to the Lord’s church.
Christ gave Himself on the cross. What are we really giving Him,
28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
Elders have to take the feeding of the congregation seriously. It is a great responsibility.
A. Eph. 5: 25 He loved His church.
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
If a husband loves his wife this way would she not be the happiest wife in the world? He would not neglect her, pressure her, aggravate her, humiliate her, or embarrass her. He would love her as his own body. That is what the scripture says.
1. Rom. 12: 1 How much do we love Him?
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2. 1 Cor. 4: 1 - 2 Are you faithful?
1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
3. Matt. 6: 33 Is he now First in our life.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
4. Luke 22: 41 - 42 Are we doing the Fathers will?
41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,
42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
B. 1 Cor. 6: 19 – 20 Let us teach brethren that we all might grow.
19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
When we stop thinking in terms of “my time”, “my money”, “my church”, then are we going to grow and make the congregation better. I am the Lord’s servant. How I use the Lord’s time and how I spend the Lord’s money, this creates the whole picture in this life. We need to look at the whole picture.
1. Eph. 3: 8 Paul, who calls himself least of all saints, was to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ.
8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
2. Rom. 12: 1 We can only receive these riches if I be in Christ and become a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God.
Ro 12:1 ¶ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Paul writing to brethren says it is still only by the mercy of God that we can even present our selves unto him. Then it is our reasonable service. Reasonable, not outstanding, not exceptional, not tremendous, but reasonable. Not first place, not second place, not even honorable mention, but reasonable.
3. Matt. 6: 19 – 21 Willing to lay down my early treasures.
19 ¶ Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
I think we want to be better Christians. We want to grow and help others to grow in Christ. We want more good works done, more souls reached, more people helped. Then we will have to be willing to pay the price. Willing to develop a stronger faith, a greater love, and a greater commitment. It is a life long accomplishment, but we must work on it now. Then we will become better Christians, better servants, better solders in Christ army, better husbands , wives, young people, parents, grandparents and what ever else we become in Christ Jesus. Are you growing? I know some are. I see it in your lives. I hear it in your conversations, questions, request, suggestions for the work of this congregation. Don’t be discouraged because we can’t do every good work we would like to or even needs to be done. Don’t sell your self short. There may be things you can do that your not. Keep growing. To other I asked, are you in Christ tonight? That is the first thing you must do. Are you in Christ, but think you are getting no where in your growth? Maybe your not being honest with yourself. You must put Christ first. Do you need to come back to Christ? Do you need to be baptized? Jesus is waiting on you. Will you come?