Biblical Steps to Church Growth

By Rev. Mark Odle

D O I N G I T G O D ’ S W A Y

B i b l i c a l S t e p s t o C h u r c h G r o w t h

Teaching in the ChurchPreaching as we go forthHealing as Christ Commanded

E n d t i m e s

So the Church can Grow

Page 2 Biblical Steps to Church Growth

Following Jesus’ ExampleMatt. 9:35-38, 10:1a

(35) And Jesus went about all the cities and villages --- Teaching in their synagogues Preaching the gospel of the kingdom Healing every sickness and every disease

Teaching --- in the churchPreaching --- all about the cities and villagesHealing --- was the result of teaching and preaching

(36) But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because ---

They fainted Were scattered abroad As sheep having no shepherd

(37) Then saith he unto his disciples --- The harvest truly is plenteous But the labourers are few Pray ye therefore “the Lord of the Harvest” That he will send forth labourers into his harvest

And when he had called unto him --- His twelve disciples He gave them power

His disciples = the church, the born again believer

Power = an ability, to act in behalf of, delegated influence.

Page 3Biblical Steps to Church Growth

#1 Teaching

Matt. 9:35a And Jesus went about all the cities and villages,

Teaching in their synagogues, ---

The church that follows Christ’s example will be actively teaching what Jesus taught!

Jesus’ first teachings:Matt. 5:1-16And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying ---

#1. Blessed are the poor in spirit: = Be humbleFor theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Teach them how to get to heaven --- be humble

#2 Blessed are they that mourn: = to cry out to GodFor they shall be comforted.

Teach them how to find comfort in a time of need --- mourn

#3 Blessed are the meek:= be gentle in mind, or circumstancesFor they shall inherit the earth.

Teach them how to get along with others, and please God --- be meek.

#4 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness:For they shall be filled.

Teach them to be filled with joy, peace, and happinessRighteousness = make doing justly in the sight of God first priority.

#5 Blessed are the merciful: = be compassionate by word ordeed by divine influence.

For they shall obtain mercy.Teach them how to obtain Gods Mercy --- be merciful.


#6 Blessed are the pure in heart: = forgivenFor they shall see God.

Teach them how to know you will see God --- be forgiven.

#7 Blessed are the peacemakers:For they shall be called the children of God.

#8 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake:For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

#9 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake.

Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: For great is your reward in heaven.

#10 Ye are the salt of the earth.

#11 Ye are the light of the world.

Jesus’ final teachingMatt. 28:18-20And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying,

All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, --- “salvation” Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have

commanded you: And, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.

A-MEN.


#2 Preaching

Matt. 9:35bAnd Jesus went about all the cities and villages,

Teaching in their synagoguesPreaching the gospel of the kingdom.

The church that follows Christ’ example will be actively Preachingwhat Jesus preached.

Note: Jesus went about all the cities and villages, ---Now: Matt. 10:5a These twelve Jesus sent forth, --- Matt. 10:7And as ye go, preach, saying “The Kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matt. 28:19aGo ye therefore, ---

Preaching --- therefore is something we do as we go forth, in the cities and villages.

John the Baptist shows the wayThe Gospel of the Kingdom: Matt. 3:1-3,

(1) In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea,

(2) And saying, Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.(3) For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias,

saying, --- Prepare ye the way of the Lord, and make his paths straight.

The Gospel of the Kingdom --- therefore is spreading the gospel of salvation unto all that we meet as we go about the cities and villages.


#3 Healing

Matt. 9:35And Jesus went about all the cities and villages,

Teaching in their synagoguesPreaching the gospel of the kingdom,Healing every sickness and every disease ---

The Church that follows Christ’s example will be moved with compassion toward the sick and afflicted, helping them to come to Jesus for all their needs.

Jesus tells his disciples:Matt. 10:7-8

(7) And as ye go, preach, saying , the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.

(8) Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils; freely ye have received, freely give.

The big Question: How do we go about doing this?

In John 11:14-15, 25-26, 43-44.Jesus gives us an illustrated example to follow.

Note: This illustration comes as a teaching to the disciples in the greatest of all healings --- raising of the dead.

Jesus teaches his disciples:(14) Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.(15) And I am glad for your sakes.

That I am not there, To the intent ye may believe Nevertheless let us go unto him.


Key Points:Lazarus is dead --- the person’s situation is realI am glad for your sakes --- Jesus needed to teach usThat I was not there, --- there is a purpose in all thingsTo the intent ye may believe --- we must believeNevertheless let us go --- now the lesson begins

We must believe:(25) And Jesus said unto her,

I am the resurrection, and the life: He that believeth in me, Though he were dead, yet shall he live:

(26) And whosoever liveth and believeth in me Shall never die. Believest thou this?

Key Points:Jesus is the resurrection, and life: --- in him is powerHe that believeth in me --- shall power be givenThough he were dead --- regardless the circumstancesYet shall he live ---he will be an overcomerWhosoever liveth and beleiveth --- this can be youShall never die --- shall have victoryDo you believe this? --- the ball is in your court

Christ’s power raised the dead:(43) And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice,

Lazarus, come forth.

He cried with a loud voice --- he called out to the Father --- that all may see and know Lazarus,

come forth --- he spoke with specific direction


Our part in Christ’s Ministry:(44) And he that was dead came forth,

Bound hand and foot with grave clothes: And his face was bound about with a napkin

Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, And let him go.

Key Points:And he that was dead came forth --- Healing cameBound hand and foot with grave clothes ---

Lazarus on his own was helpless.On our own we are helpless.

And his face was bound about with a napkin ---He could not see what to do on his own

Jesus saith unto them --- to his disciplesLoose him, let him go --- they need our help to be free

Therefore:The Growing Church will be ---

Teaching in the church Preaching as they go forth Healing will be a result of teaching and preaching

Showing Christ’s power thru you


The First ChurchActs 2:36-47

What shall we do? This question is asked of Peter and the rest of the Apostles.I ask you today --- What shall we do with the Ministry of the Holy

Spirit?

The Answer:

1st Soul-winningRepent --- be baptized --- receive the Holy Ghost

This promise is unto you --- the first Church And to your children --- the next Church generation And to all that are afar off --- to the last Church

2nd DiscipleshipContinuing steadfast in:

The Apostles’ Doctrine Fellowship Breaking of Bread In Prayers

The Church that is faithful to Soul-winning and Discipleship sees something more

Miracles are added Brotherly Love is experienced Commitment is made to Christ and the Church The Lord added to this Church daily ---

Such as should be Saved


The Church – Following after ChristLuke 2:40

The Childhood of Jesus:V. 40 And the child grew,

And was waxed strong in the spiritFilled with wisdom:And the grace of God was upon him.

1. And the child grew, --- to grow up, mature in body, soul, & spiritBody = physical statureSoul = the natural life of the body --- (The invisible part of man)

That part by which man --- Perceives Reflects Feels Desires The seat of will and purpose Emotions That part of mankind that is bound together in marriage

Spirit = The God likeness – breathed into us (invisible, - immaterial) The moral qualities Faith Divine gifts --- where they – abide, grow, & work

The Church must grow:In body, soul, & spirit

2. And was waxed strong --- in the spiritWaxed strong = to empower, increase in vigor, be strengthened.In the spirit = the moral qualities, faith, divine gifts

The Church must be empowered, increase in vigorIn moral quality FaithDivine gifts


3. Filled with wisdom:James 1:5-8

If any of you lack wisdomLet him ask of GodThat giveth to all men Liberally and upbraideth notAnd it shall be given him.But ask in faith – nothing wavering

For: He that wavereth Is like a wave of the seaDriven with the wind

For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord

The Church must be filled with wisdom Strong in faith believing That God giveth Liberally and upbraideth not

4. And the grace of God was upon him.The divine influence upon the heart and its reflection through one’s life.

The grace of God will be upon the Church alsoWe need God’s influence upon the heart of the Church.So God’s grace is seen through the life of the Church.


The Church in Body, Soul, and Spirit

Looking at the Church as well as our physical – fleshly body

Let’s understand each one:The Body: (the carnal man)

We find it easy to understand the body --- the flesh.Aches, pains, wrinkles, snap-crackle-and popLoss of hair, teeth, eye-sight, and brain cells

The Church Body:It also is made up of the flesh – man – the body.

It has the same basic principles.

The Soul: (the natural man)That part of man which ---

Perceives, reflects, feels, desires,The seat of will and purpose, our emotions

Regardless if it is in the fleshly body or the Church body, this is where Satan attacks us the most.

Here are some prime examples: Satan says ---1. How do you perceive what God’s Word said?

Not: Thus saith the Lord God!

2. Reflect on his Word --- what do you think?Not: Study to show thyself a workman rightly dividing the word of Truth ---!

3. God wants you to have the desires of your heart!Not: God desires you to have his heart!

4. It’s about your emotions, what makes you feel good ---Not: Seek ye first the kingdom of heaven.


Note: What man easily rejects --- is what saves the soul. What makes man feel good --- is the by-product of

what saves the soul.

The Spirit: (the God-likeness, God-breathed)This is the one we don’t seem to understand or agree on.

That part of man, and the Church, in which we find :Moral qualitiesFaithDivine gifts

We are told:Walk in the SpiritPray in the SpiritBe filled with the Spirit

But how do we go about doing it?

A look in the Word --- for understanding.John 4:23-24 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Spirit --- is the opposite of what is material and earthlyTruth --- is what is in harmony with the nature and will of God.

Phil. 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

Rom. 2:29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.


Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth.

Is. 11:2 And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him

The spirit of wisdom --- ask for it The spirit of understanding --- given by God The spirit of counsel --- listen for it The spirit of might --- stand for it The spirit of knowledge --- study for it The spirit of fear / reverence --- given from you

The Spirit of the Lord:Is. 61:1-2 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; because the Lord hath ---

Anointed me to preach good tidings to the meek Sent me to bind up the brokenhearted To proclaim liberty to the captives Opening of prison to them that are bound To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord To proclaim --- the day of vengeance of our God To comfort all that morn

The Church must grow: In body, soul, and spirit.

We will be empowered, increased in vigor, strengthened ---In the Spirit:

In order to carry out the ministry of our Lord!

In Spirit and Truth


Bringing Your Issues To ChristMark 5:24-34

v.24 Jesus was on his way to heal a little girl at the point of death: Crowds of people followed him And thronged him = to compass on all sides

Why?To see Jesus heal a little sick girl that was about to die.

Think about it:What if Jesus could raise someone from the dead!

I want to see that, don’t you?

Note: I can just see the people throng Jesus, excited, talking back and forth to each other, reciting what they envision Jesus to do, and what if she is already dead when he gets there.

What happens when people somewhere in the world see something that appears to like a picture of Jesus crying, on a city wall?

They throng!

v. 25 And a certain woman, which had an issue -- of blood Had suffered many things of many physicians Had spent all that she had And nothing was bettered But rather grew worse

v. 26 When she heard of Jesus She came in the crowd behind For she said, if I may touch but his clothes I shall be whole. She touched his garment (just the hem)

v.29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up She felt in her body that she was healed ---


v.30 And Jesus, immediately knowing That virtue had gone out of him = a miracle work Turned about in the press Said ‘Who touched my clothes?

v.33 But the woman fearing and trembling Knowing what was done in her Came and fell down before him And told him all the truth

v.34 Jesus said unto her Daughter Thy faith hath made thee whole Go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.

What issues do you have that you need to touch Jesus with? Physical Financial Marital Mental

Have you tried to touch Jesus?

Do you have the faith to believe that if you do touch him you will receive what you need?

Can Jesus call you Daughter or Son?

What does it mean to be called Daughter or Son?

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Biblical Steps to Church Growth