How To Build A Church

How to Build a Church

Church Growth April 7, 2002

I. It was heard that He was in the house

(Mark 2:1,2 NKJV) 1 And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house. 2 Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them.

We model ourselves after the first churches how was it then?

Jesus would come to a PLACE to speak and it would be filled immediately.

Without delay instantaneously straight away at once

So many would come that if you read on they had to cut a hole in the roof to Hear, because they WERE sitting ON THE ROOF TOO, and let a paralyzed man lowered into the room for Jesus to heal him.

They came to hear the word Preached.

Not for the fellowship or the Donuts and coffee which are nice too. Because the place was grand and looked nice

They came to hear the word Preached they hear to hear Jesus

They had to travel at times some hard road to get there.

They to Sacrificed to be in the presence of the Lord (day to day cares and responsibilities)

(Eph 3:19-21 NKJV) 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen

2. To Know the Spirit Of God and His Love

Eph 3:19 NKJV The love of God is so great that even when you feel lost or far away his love is sufficient. What love is greater then the love of God has a man.

Not even your mother or father and all their LOVE the closest HUMANS we can know intimately, comes close to THE RESOURCES the love available to you out OF THE LOVE OF GOD and what he has to offer you.

Just for loving HIM

Paul’s prayer here is that, you can ask the Holy Spirit to

Fill every need in your life. What more do we need?

3. The timeless role of the Church Eph 3:20,21 NKJV

THE CHURCH is CALLED TO PRAYER AND PRAISE and TO RECEIVE THE LOST

That the Glory of God is in the Church for its Community to see,

Forever and Ever. Not Just on Sundays OR TWO HOLIDAYS A YEAR

4. The Thing That Will Make You and The Church Grow

(2 Pet 3:18 NKJV) but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

WE ARE TO GROW IN THE GRACE AND KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS CHRIST

READ YOUR BIBLE

KNOW THE SPIRIT AND THE WORD OF GOD

KNOW THE WORD SO WELL YOU CAN TEACH THE WORD OF GOD TO OTHERS

5. That the Word Of God Is Preached Here IN THIS PLACE

A. The Only Thing That Will Last

(Acts 6:7 NKJV) Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

WHAT OTHER GOSPEL IS THERE that can fill your wants and desires, What other GOSPEL CAN STAND THE TEST OF TIME…..

B. The Only Thing That YOU CAN BE SURE OF to Change the Heart of Man…. is the GOSPEL of JESUS CHRIST

(Heb 4:12 NKJV) For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart

THIS THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST GOSPEL

IT IS THE ONLY GOSPEL THAT CAN CHANGE THE HEART OF A MAN AND MAKE HIM WHOLE.

RECONCILED, ACCEPTABLE BEFORE GOD THE FATHER,

JESUS (THE WORD) PAID THE ULTIMATE PRICE FOR THE SINS OF THIS WORLD ….

6. A Unified Congregation

A. In Unity

(Mat 12:25 NKJV) But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.

CAN A HOUSE DIVIDED BY ITSELF STAND IT WOULD BE AS FLIMSY AND UNSTABLE AS A house of cards

YES Men build there lives on poor foundations and they tumble like a house of cards at the first sign of pressure.

B. Commanded By God

(Luke 14:23 NKJV) Then the master said to the servant, ’Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.