By Garry Knighton
Church of Christ/North - Shreveport, La.
BUILDING A STRONG CHURCH SERIES - Lesson 1
FORMULA FOR A STRONG CHURCH
Ephesians 4:1-16.
INTRODUCTION:
Christ's church was designed by God - Ephesians 3:7-10.
No accident.
Not result of man's plan - Ephesians 1:3-4.
Church is of God - I Corinthians 1:2.
The Church is the "called out ones" - Ephesians 2:1-3.
The saved - Ephesians 5:23.
The church is the Body of Christ - Ephesians 1:22-23.
"Body" means that the Lord directs.
The Church is a living organism - I Peter 2:5.
Living things must grow or die.
The church can live, grow, give God glory and edify the saints by this plan.
THE NECESSARY ELEMENT - EPHESIANS 4:1-2.
The church is a calling - v. 1-3.
Must view as a vocation.
Must put the kingdom first - Matthew 6:33.
Our commitment must show forth Christ - Galatians 2:20
The church activity is the center, not the sideline.
THE CLIMATE OF GROWTH - U-N-I-T-Y - EPHESIANS 4:3-6.
Jesus prayed for unity - John 17:20-21.
Paul condemned division - I Corinthians 1:10-13.
Unity - oneness of mind - Acts 2:42-46.
Doctrinal matters - I Corinthians 4:6.
Expedient matters - "the best, fastest, most appropriate way."
Liberty - in areas of no command or example.
THE "TRUTH" IS THE SOURCE OF GROWTH - EPHESIANS 4:15.
The church is planted through teaching the Word of God.
Word is the SEED - Luke 8:11.
Jerusalem church is an example of the teaching of the Apostles - Acts 2:39, 42, 47.
The church grew because the Word was preached - Acts 8:4.
Antioch resulted from the preaching of the Word - Acts 11:19-26.
God's Word is called "milk" - I Peter 2:2.
God's Word is called "meat" - solid food - Hebrews 5:12-14.
If the church is to be edified we must:
Teach it to our people - 2 Timothy 4:1-4.
Teach it to faithful men - 2 Timothy 2:1-2.
Christians must grow in the knowledge of Christ - 2 Peter 1:8.
EACH MEMBER MUST BE INVOLVED - EPHESIANS - 4:16.
Each member is important, needed and useful for the welfare of the whole church.
Every joint supplying - 4:16.
Without each holding his part the building will fall.
CONCLUSION:
What is standard for measuring church growth? When every member:
Is becoming more Christ like - Philippians 2:5.
Is gaining more power to stand against the Evil One - Ephesians 4:27.
Is "Always abounding" in the work of the Lord - I Corinthians 15:58.
Is supplying his or her part.
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