Sermon Central
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The 7 Reasons We Should Focus On Numerical Growth Series
Contributed by Brett Crosson on Feb 12, 2019 (message contributor)
Summary: Every church should have SOULS BEING SAVED and CHURCH GROWTH as part of their vision. Jesus died for the world, and now he sends us out to tell the nations about Him and what He has done.
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SO, WHY NUMERICAL GROWTH?
Why should we be concerned about numbers?
There are seven main reasons:
The Command of Scripture
The Cost of a Soul
The Caution of Scripture
The Compassion of the Saviour
The Call to Sinners
The Conviction of the Saints
The Crown of the Soul-winner
1. THE COMMAND OF SCRIPTURE
In Matthew 28:19 we are introduced to the Great Commission - To go into all the world...to make disciples of all nations...
See also John 3:16
God has a great love for the world. He wants all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.
We HAVE TO focus on numerical growth...on discipleship-making IN OBEDIENCE to our Lord and Saviour...our Commander-in-Chief.
If we call Him Lord, then we should do what He commands.
we must be concerned about numerical growth because of The Command of Scripture, but also because of
2. THE COST OF A SOUL
Mark 8:36 What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
- The soul of a person is precious to God.
- Silver and gold, Peter tells us, did not and cannot pay for your souls.
- Worldly wealth cannot be exchanged for the value of a soul.
- The only thing that can purchase a soul is the Blood of Jesus Christ
- When he went to calvary he was exchanging his blood for your soul
So Numbers are important to God because
- They represent individuals
- They are made up of precious souls
- They include people in your family…your children…your spouse...your neighbours…
- They are important to God
3. THE CAUTION OF SCRIPTURE
Ezekiel 18:20 The soul that sins will surely die
Adam and Eve sinned and plunged the world into darkness
As a result, We are born into darkness...with darkness in our hearts
- We do not seek God
- We do not love God
- Instead, We seek to satisfy only ourself
- We love only ourselves
The Bible says: We are dead in our sin and trespasses (Eph. 2:1-2)
- We are Shut off from God
- We are Separated from Him
Rom 3:23 says: For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God
- As a result we are lost and without hope in this world
- We cannot save ourselves
- We need a Saviour
- Our good works cannot save us
- And the goodness of your family members and friends cannot save them
- They need a Saviour
- They need two surrender to Jesus
- They need to put their trust in his death and resurrection
In Rev 20:15 we read these sobering words: Whosever name was not written in the Lambs Book of Life was cast into the Lake of Fire.
In Luke 13:3 Jesus said: Unless you repent you will all likewise perish
Paul gives a very strong warning in 1 Cor 6:9-10
Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
Jesus said (Matt 7:13-14) Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
We have to warn our family…our friends…our colleagues.
We have to bring them to church.
We have to share the gospel with them.
We have to pray they become a part of God's Temple, His people.
We HAVE TO BE concerned about numerical growth - because of the Command, and because of That Caution, but also because of...
4. THE COMPASSION OF THE SAVIOUR
Jesus knows that every person will give an account for the way they lived
He said that we will have to give an account for every idle word
We will be judged
The world will be judged
Every person will have to give an account for how they lived, what they said, and how they walked
Jesus knows that we will be facing an impartial but Holy Judge
He know that the consequences of standing before Him with sin are eternally grave
He knows that a Righteous Judge has to punish sin
He has to deal with sinners
So Jesus offered himself
Philippians 2 says He emptied himself of his glory…made himself of no reputation… became like us....took on the form of a servant… and was obedient unto death
He came to die for sinners
He came to die for us
