OceanSide church of Christ

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CHURCH GROWTH through ORGANIZATION

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   Before person becomes a member of something, he usually looks at the organization first.

1.     I was a member of the Rotary in Paris, TN.  Before I joined, I went to several meetings.

2.     I like to work out in a gym.  Before joining, I like to use the facilities for a few days.

 

B.    This same mindset is true for those that we are seeking to convert to Jesus Christ.

1.     They will usually attend our services for several weeks.

2.     The environment they come into is much different from the environment they are used to.

a.     The worship services are different.

b.    The number of people in the assembly is different.

c.    The facilities themselves are different.

3.     What we, the local church, present to them is very important.

 

C.   Let’s look at the topic:  “Church Growth through Organization.”

 

I.           FRIENDLINESS

 

A.   Proverbs 18:24

 

A man that hath friends must show himself friendly:  and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

 

B.    Individuals who enter into strange environments want to feel welcomed, comfortable, and important.

 

C.   We need to make certain

1.     Shake hands

2.     Say, “Hello”

3.     Help them get their children to class

4.     Find them a seat

5.     Invite them to eat with us

6.     Get them to fill out a visitor’s card

7.     NOTE:  Can you imagine our not doing these things, yet calling ourselves the children of God, people who say we love others as God has loved us.

 

D.   For some, being friendly will be a challenge.

1.     They have to break old habits of sitting down.

2.     They will have to overcome their introverted personalities.

3.     They will have to give up their seats.

 

 

E.    I John 3:17-18

 

But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?  My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

 

II.         UNITY

 

A.   John 17:21; Psalm 133:1

 

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

 

B.    Unity within the church is essential for growth.

1.     We say that we are united upon the truth.  We need to present this.

2.     We say that we are one in Christ.  We need to demonstrate this.

3.     We preach that division is sinful.  We need to manifest this.

 

C.   How division can manifest itself.

1.     There can be an “air” within the congregation.

2.     Where members of the congregation sit in relation to one another.

3.     How members of the church speak to each other, especially in Bible class.

 

D.   Philippians 1:27

 

Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ:  that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, which one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.

 

III.       FAITHFULNESS

 

A.   I Corinthians 4:2

 

Morevover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

 

B.    Those we are seeking to convert are taught that they must be committed and faithful to God.

1.     Thus, when they attend, they are watching to see if the members of the church are committed and faithful.

2.     There can be two things that easily manifest themselves.

a.     The attendance figures:  1/3 to ½ less for Bible studies and P.M worship

b.    The contribution:  Does the church meet its budget on a regular basis?

 

C.   Those coming to us need to see us being real, genuine, and sincere.

1.     Lukewarmness will turn them away.

2.     Hypocrisy will repel them.

3.     It is sad when we have to tell the new convert what Jesus told the Jews about the Pharisees (Matt. 23:1-4).

 

Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to the disciples, saying, The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat:  All therefore they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their words:  for they say and do not.  For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they will not move them with one of their fingers.

 

IV.        USEFULNESS

 

A.   I Corinthians 12:20-23

 

But now are they many members, yet but one body.  And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee:  nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.  Nay, much more those member of the body which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:  and those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon those we bestow more abundant honour:  and our comely parts have more abundant comeliness.

 

B.    Those who come to us have needs.

1.     A need to grow

2.     A need to serve

3.     A need for support:  marriage, children, grief, etc.

 

C.   Ephesians 4:16

 

From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

 

V.          BIBLE

 

A.   Psalm 119:97

 

O how love I thy law!  It is my meditation all the day.

 

B.    This may be the only thing the person we are studying with are not actively seeking, but should be.

1.     The Bible enables the church to exist (II Thess. 2:14).

2.     The Bible provides us the power we need for living (II Pet. 1:3).

3.     The Bible guides us through life (Ps. 119:105).

4.     The Bible protects us from the evils of this world (Ps. 119:11).

5.     The Bible directs us to our home in heaven (Acts 20:32).

 

C.   In every church that calls itself the “church of Christ,” the Bible should be loved, obeyed, taught, and defended.

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   When individuals visit __________________, what do they find?

1.     Friendliness

2.     Unity

3.     Faithfulness

4.     Usefulness

5.     Bible

 

B.    When someone visits us who is studying to become a Christian, we want them to say:  “Yes this is the congregation of which I want to be a part.”