"A Growing Church." "The Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." Acts 2 v 47. Would you like to have been part of the New Testament church? Imagine meeting and hearing the testimonies of new converts every day in the church! The early church was dynamic. The Spirit of God was at work. The believers were aflame for God. He was real to them. A brief glance reveals the following facts. These people were not content to meet once a week for “services as usual”. They met daily. (Acts 2 v 46) They were winning souls daily. (v 47) They cared daily. (Acts 6 v 1) They searched the Scriptures daily. (Acts 17 v 11) No surprise then that they increased in number daily. (Acts 16 v 5) Dr Weirsbe said, “Jesus Christ was their day-to-day reality and not their once a week routine.” We are not meant to model our ministry on the programme of the early church. But we are duty bound to cultivate the zeal and fidelity of these first century believers. That is why the Spirit of God preserved the book of Acts. It is a handbook for ministry at any time during the age of the Spirit. This brief message is based on Acts 2 v’s 41 –47. You ought to read these words before you go any further. In his book, "The purpose Driven Church", Pastor Rick Warren refers to five main biblical principles which contribute to healthy and lasting church growth. 1. The Church grows warmer through fellowship. People like the church sanctuary to feel comfortable and warm. Imagine the spiritual atmosphere being the same. We can recall the delight of sitting around the hearth with the fire ablaze in the grate. Many individual coals were all contributing to the overall result. When God’s people get together to give themselves to the work of the kingdom there will be spiritual warmth and growth. 2. The Church grows deeper through discipleship. The Great Commission is to make disciples of all nations. There are too many who are happy to bear the name of Christian but who are not prepared to pay the price of discipleship. Jesus said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Discipline is not a popular theme in our self centred society, but it is the hallmark of the New Testament Church. Let it be the distinctive mark in our lives. Let us be the Lord’s disciples. 3. The Church grows stronger through worship. Let the wonder of worship mark our devotions and our gathering together in his Name. We come to worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. He is looking for those who worship him in Spirit and in truth. The appreciation of Christ’s worth and the depth of our worship go hand in hand. It is the magnifying of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ that should flow through all our praise and prayer each Lord’s Day. We will grow stronger as we worship the Lord. 4. The Church grows broader through ministry. As the disciples ministered to each other in practical deeds and kindness their lives became richer and their hearts were expanded. It has been said that “a man wrapped up in himself makes a very small package.” I have observed over many years that the more we give ourselves and share ourselves, the greater will be our joy and fulfilment. 5. The Church grows larger through Evangelism. The reaching and winning of others to Jesus Christ is the way to increase the congregation of our church. We can all do it to some extent. Ordinary people who will share the message of the Gospel in a Christlike manner are still effective today. We cannot always get people to attend church but we can be His ambassadors anywhere. The hour of grace is passing and there may not be much time left to do the work. The night cometh when no man can work. Let us do our part and God will give the increase. . If you would like spiritual counsel and feel you would like to talk to our pastor then click HERE to e-mail him directly. Written for this website by Rev. E. Stewart. Due to be updated: end April Archived Messages. 24/12/04 Christmas Message. 18/09/04 The Three-fold Inheritance. 23/05/04 Christ Our Life. 30/01/04 Being Faithful. 27/12/03 Advent Prediction. 11/10/03 Watchman - Guilty or Guiltless? 14/05/03 An epoch making day. 20/04/03 All hail the risen Lord. 22/03/03 Heart Cry for Revival. 02/01/03 The Church of the Open Door. 02/12/02 The River of Blessing. 01/09/02 The Revelation of the River. 04/05/02 The Greatest Watershed in History. 29/01/02 Knowing and doing the Will of God. 22/11/01 Things Which Cannot Be Shaken. 07/07/01 The Soulwinner's conflict 24/04/01 The Divine Dividend 17/03/01 The Move That Made The Difference 10/01/01 Marching On In The Will of God 15/12/00 Christmas Message 07/10/00 The Inheritance of Divine Fullness (2) 15/09/00 The Inheritance of Divine Fullness (1) 28/07/00 Prerequisites To Divine Fullness (4) 15/06/00 Prerequisites To Divine Fullness (3) 07/05/00 Prerequisites To Divine Fullness (2) 09/04/00 Prerequisites To Divine Fullness (1) 22/04/00 Easter Message