September 21, 2003
Morning Worship
Text: Acts 5:12-16
Subject: Church Growth
Title: Planting the Seed – Watching it Grow
Do you ever get up on Sunday morning and not feel like going to church?
A husband and wife got up one Sunday morning and the wife got dressed for church. It was just about time for the service to begin when she noticed her husband hadn’t even started getting dressed. His wife was perplexed. She asked, "Why aren’t you getting dressed for church?"
He said, “Cause I don’t want to go.”
She asked, "Do you have any reasons?" He said, "Yes, I have three good reasons: First, the congregation is cold. Second, no one likes me. And third, I just don’t want to go. The wife replied, wisely, "Well, honey, I have three reasons why you should go: First, the congregation is warm. Second, there are a few people there who like you. And third, you’re the pastor! So get dressed!"
As we observe churches all around us, I have come to the conclusion that there are two basic reasons that churches grow. The first reason is that, just as the apostle Paul foretold, “the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, the will heap up for themselves teachers and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.” There are churches that are appealing to the masses because they do not require any commitment. If you say the sinner’s prayer God will just take everything away from you that, He doesn’t want you to have. That is a nice thought but what does that do to the doctrine of personal responsibility? Being a Christian in those churches is easy, and people flock to them. The second church, though, that is seeing growth, is the church that preaches the whole counsel of God without compromise, is taking the word of God out into the community, and is seeing the word confirmed by signs and wonders. That is the biblical example of what the church is to be.
If you are one of those who have to make the decision to come to church, be encouraged. As we look at the early church today we will see a perfect example of the kind of church that God wants First Assembly of God Palmyra to be.
I. The Hands of the Apostles. (Verse 12)
A. Work is done through the hands of the apostles. I want you to notice that at this time Jesus has chosen to work through those who had been closest to Him during His earthly ministry. We know that it is the power of God at work. However, He has chosen certain people to be vessels of His operation at this time. Does this mean that only those with an apostolic ministry today can work signs and wonders? If we just look to the next chapter, we see a list of men selected to serve. The only requirements for them were that they had a good reputation and were full of the Holy Spirit. One of those men, Philip, went on to do mighty things in Samaria. We also see miracles listed as one of the gifts of the Spirit listed in 1 Corinthians 12 that are available to all who are baptized in the Holy Spirit. Now let’s go back to the source of the power. We know God is the giver, the Holy Spirit is the source and the church is to be the contractor. So, anything that is to happen in the church is to come through God’s people. This is what Paul is writing about in Colossians 1:24 when he says, “I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church.” The only thing lacking in the afflictions of Christ is that there is still work to do and He is not here to do it. We are to continue the work that Jesus began by allowing Him to work through our hands. What is it that is being done through the hands of believers?
B. Signs and wonders. Before Jesus returned to heaven he told those who were with Him, “These signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover. “ Mark 16:17-18. Verse 20 goes on to say, “and they went out and preached the gospel everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen!” The signs and wonders were occurring because the people were obedient to Jesus’ last command. “Go and preach the gospel!” How do we know that?
C. Because it says they were done among the people! Listen church. You have been given gifts by the spirit to be used among the people. That is for the building up of the church. These signs and wonders that are given are a miraculous testimony to the gospel of Jesus Christ that is going out to the world. Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.” In Revelation 1 the churches are referred to as lampstands and Jesus is seen standing in their midst. The church is to be a light to all those who are near. I want you to take special notice where the early church was when these signs and wonders were taking place.
D. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch. That was part of the temple complex. They were having church. Stop and think about this. How many times did Jesus heal people while they were in the synagogue? And it stirred the anger of the religious folks. They were having church and they thought that healing shouldn’t be happening on the Sabbath while they were in church. It might disrupt the order of the service. We might lose control. We might not get out of here till 12:30! Who’s going to take my roast out of the oven? That’s not the way it was at all. They were all in one accord and in God’s house. There were signs and wonders taking place and everyone knew it.
II. The Fear of the People. (Verse 13)
A. According to John Gill’s commentary this group of people mentioned in 13 could have been either people outside the church who saw what was going on or could have been some who had made a decision for Christ, but after the Ananias and Saphira episode were just to afraid to associate themselves with the apostles. So, they stayed on the fence. That’s a dangerous place to be! There was a large group of people. On one side of the group stood Jesus. On the other side of the group stood Satan. Separating them, running through the group, was a fence. The scene set, both Jesus and Satan began calling to the people in the group and, one by one - each having made up his or her own mind - each went to either Jesus or Satan. This kept going. Soon enough, Jesus had gathered around him a group of people from the larger crowd, as did Satan. But one man joined neither group. He climbed the fence that was there and sat on it. Then Jesus and his people left and disappeared. So too did Satan and his people. And the man on the fence sat alone. As this man sat, Satan came back, looking for something which he appeared to have lost. The man said, "Have you lost something?" Satan looked straight at him and replied, "No, there you are. Come with me." "But", said the man, "I sat on the fence. I chose neither you nor him." "That’s okay," said Satan. "I own the fence."
B. This group knew that everything that they had heard the apostles say and do was right. Nothing that was taking place was happening in the secret. The truth was being preached and was confirmed by signs and wonders out in the open for all to hear and see. The man at the beautiful gate was healed in the open after Peter had said to him, “I don’t have any silver or gold, but I have something better than that. And I’ll give it to you. In the name of Jesus Christ (the anointed one of God) of Nazareth rise up and walk.” For what ever reason, in spite of all the evidence that pointed to the truth of the gospel, some refused to be associated with the church.
C. Even so, they (the church) were highly esteemed. The way they lived their lives went right along with the message they preached. I like the way Paul challenged the church in Corinth when dealing with their pride. He asked them, “What do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?” Some in Corinth somehow lost sight of God’s grace and thought that they had earned God’s favor. That’s not grace. The apostles and the church in Jerusalem on the other hand never lost sight of the fact that it was their sin that put Jesus on a cross and yet they still received grace to be saved from the punishment due them; and their lives showed it. Even though there were many who didn’t want to be a part of God’s plan, there were many who did.
III. The Faith of the Multitudes. (14-16)
A. Believers were added. Look at the descriptive words that go with this. Increasingly added – It sounds to me like every report of those being saved was greater than the previous one. There were multitudes of both men and women. The gospel is gender friendly. It doesn’t know any racial or social boundaries. There isn’t a class system in the church – you are either in or out. But by faith multitudes were being saved. How do you think that was happening? The word of God was being preached. It wasn’t with persuasive words of human wisdom. If you look at the message that Peter preached on the day of Pentecost, there were no flowery words or comical illustrations to get his point across. It was the simple, straightforward truth. It is the gospel that is the power of God for salvation to all who believe. I’m not saying that there is anything wrong with using illustrations to get a point across. But it’s not in the illustration itself where the power lies, it’s in the truth behind the illustration. What happens when people begin to accept the gospel?
B. People expect to be healed. Look at the faith of the people in Jerusalem. They heard the truth. They saw the character of those in the church. They saw the power available to them and they believed. To clarify a point, there was nothing mystical or magical about Peter’s shadow. But because Peter’s life was bursting with the power of God, he became a focal point for people to receive from God. Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is. And that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Often Jesus commended those who had faith to be healed. “Your faith has healed you”. “According to your faith, be it unto you.” What do we see taking place here? First, the gospel is preached. People are being saved. Then God confirms His word with signs and wonders. Those signs and wonders attract others.
C. Verse 16. A multitude gathered from the surrounding cities. Whatever was going on, the word was getting out. Remember what Colossians said about filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ? That is what was happening here. The church was continuing the ministry of salvation and healing and casting out demons that Jesus had begun. Now Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father and we are here as His legal representatives. Romans 8:16-17, “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs – heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.” We are not only given the opportunity to continue the work of Christ, we are expected to do it. We have everything we need. The opportunity – people everywhere need to here the gospel. We have the public meeting place – the church – where everyone is welcome. We have the message – the gospel of Jesus Christ. And we have the power – the baptism in the Holy Spirit.
I want you to look at one more thing here as we close. There is a progression in Book of Acts that gives us a clue as to how the church today should be operating. In 2:41, “Those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.” Now go to 4:4, “many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.” Next 5:14, “And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, both men and women.” One more in 6:1, “Now in those days, when the number of disciples was multiplying…” The more disciples there were who were the more there were who were saved.
If we can just do the math, we see that if two told two more about Jesus and they are saved that is addition. Two plus two is four. Then if those four go and tell four more you have eight. Now each of those tell another person = sixteen. Now we are not adding any longer but are multiplying. Unfortunately in America the church is not multiplying. In reality, over all it isn’t even adding. Church growth is at a 0% rate while the world population is multiplying. Do you see a problem here? The good news is that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. What He did for and through the church then He wants to do now. There is no doubt that signs and wonders attract people. God uses signs and wonders to confirm the word of truth – the gospel message. We have the perfect place for the gospel to be presented – the House of God. Once we get unsaved visitors in here to hear the gospel message look out! Signs and wonders will abound.
It would appear that God is honoring that promise in relation to the number of unsaved people we have to hear the gospel message. It isn’t just about seeing people saved. It is about giving them the opportunity to do so. That is obedience. That is what God wants from us. Preach the gospel, expect signs and wonders and let the Holy Spirit do His work. Have you told anyone yet about the healing that God is doing in little Jordan Rose Chatfield? Who have you told about the healing that He gave Charlotte earlier this summer after we prayed that Sunday evening? When is the last time you invited an unsaved neighbor to come to church? Of course Jesus is going to build His church. Why wouldn’t you want to be a part of it?
Notice once more the cycle. The gospel – signs and wonders – people are drawn to the signs – then we have an opportunity to share the gospel with more and so on….
It is a matter of simple math. Multiply!
