I. EXORDIUM:
Have we grown in numbers? Did GOD brought the increase in our church?
II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:
Believers
III. OBJECTIVES:
To lay out plans on church growth in terms of numbers.
IV. TEXT:
Acts 16:5 (NLT)
5 So the churches were strengthened in their faith and grew larger every day.
Pray: Father-heart GOD, strengthen our faith and let us grow in numbers like Acts 16:5
V. THESIS:
Strengthening the faith and growing in numbers
VI. TITLE:
Grew In Numbers
VII. EXPLICATION:
A. Author: Luke, the beloved physician
B. Main Theme: Missionary Campaigns in the early church.
C. Key Text: Acts 1:8
Acts 1:8 (NLT)
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
D. History: First early christian church activities
VIII. MAIN BODY:
A. Churches were strengthened in their faith.
1. Word of GOD is regularly preached (Romans 10:17)
Romans 10:17 (NLT)
17 So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.
2. Belief in GOD's Words (Acts 4:4, Acts 5:14, Acts 6:7, Acts 11:21)
Acts 4:4 (NLT)
4 But many of the people who heard their message believed it, so the number of believers now totaled about 5,000 men, not counting women and children.
Acts 5:14 (NLT)
14 Yet more and more people believed and were brought to the Lord—crowds of both men and women.
Acts 6:7 (NLT)
7 So God’s message continued to spread. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too.
Acts 11:21 (NLT)
21 The power of the Lord was with them, and a large number of these Gentiles believed and turned to the Lord.
3. Believer's Walk: Fear of the LORD + Comfort of the HOLY SPIRIT (Acts 9:31)
Acts 9:31 (NLT)
31 The church then had peace throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, and it became stronger as the believers lived in the fear of the Lord. And with the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, it also grew in numbers.
4. Being filled with the HOLY SPIRIT (Acts 1:8, Acts 11:24)
Acts 1:8 (NLT)
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 11:24 (NLT)
24 Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith. And many people were brought to the Lord.
B. As a result: Grew daily in numbers
1. 3,000 people added in 1 day (Acts 2:41)
Acts 2:41 (NLT)
41 Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.
2. Being saved = added to the number (Acts 2:47)
Acts 2:47 (NLT)
47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
3. 5,000 men were added (Acts 4:4)
Acts 4:4 (NLT)
4 But many of the people who heard their message believed it, so the number of believers now totaled about 5,000 men, not counting women and children.
4. Increased rapidly (Acts 6:7)
Acts 6:7 (NLT)
7 So God’s message continued to spread. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too.
5. Great number turned to the LORD (Acts 11:24)
Acts 11:24 (NLT)
24 Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith. And many people were brought to the Lord.
IX. CONCLUSION:
1. Strengthen our faith (Romans 10:17)
Romans 10:17 (NLT)
So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.
2. Walk in the fear of the LORD and comfort of the HOLY SPIRIT (Acts 9:31)
Acts 9:31 (NLT)
31 The church then had peace throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, and it became stronger as the believers lived in the fear of the Lord. And with the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, it also grew in numbers.
3. Be filled with the HOLY SPIRIT (Acts 1:8, Acts 11:24)
Acts 1:8 (NLT)
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 11:24 (NLT)
24 Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith. And many people were brought to the Lord.
