deterrents to church growth (2)

WELCOME TO THE JACKSON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST

WE’RE GLAD YOU’RE HERE

(Eph 4:11-16) And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, {12} for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, {13} till we all come to the unity of

the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the

measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; >>>

{14} that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of

men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, {15} but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him

who is the head; Christ; {16} from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the

edifying of itself in love.

(Eccl 3:22) So I perceived that nothing

is better than that a man should rejoice in

his own works, for that is his heritage. For who

can bring him to see what will happen after

him?

Last Sunday night’s failed joke! (The failed joke was much funnier than the

actual joke.)

• Did you know that scrambled eggs are better than a million dollars?

• Nothing is better than a million dollars! Right?

• And scrambled eggs are better than nothing!

• Therefore, scrambled eggs are better than a million dollars!

LAST WEEK WE LOOKED AT THE FIRST SIX DETERRANTS TO

CHURCH GROWTH

1. LOOSE TALK2. LOOKING BACK3. LACK OF VISION4. LITTLE FAITH5. LOVELESSNESS 6. LISTENING TO THE WRONG PEOPLE

DETERRENTS TO CHURCH GROWTH (2)

I. RELYING ON PROFESSIONALS

A. (Rev 1:6) and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

B. (1 Pet 2:9) But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

II. PROMOTING CLIQUES

A.(Prov 18:24) A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

II. PROMOTING CLIQUESB. (Luke 14:12-14) Then He also said to

him who invited Him, “When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. {13} “But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. {14} “And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”

III. UNWILLINGNESS TO SACRIFICE

A. (Mat 16:24) Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

III. UNWILLINGNESS TO SACRIFICE

B. (Rom 12:1-2) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. {2} And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

IV. DESIRE FOR CONVENIENCE

A. Spare time, extra money, left over religion

B. (Mat 6:33) “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

V. DIVISION

A. (1 Cor 1:10) Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

V. DIVISION

B. (John 17:20-21) “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; {21} “that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.

VI. IMPURE LIVES OF MEMBERS

A. (James 4:8) Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

VI. IMPURE LIVES OF MEMBERS

B. (1 Pet 2:11-12) Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, {12} having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.

ARE YOU HELPING OR HINDERING CHURCH GROWTH?1. LOOSE TALK2. LOOKING BACK3. LACK OF VISION4. LITTLE FAITH5. LOVELESSNESS 6. LISTENING TO THE WRONG PEOPLE7. RELYING ON PROFESSIONALS8. PROMOTING CLIQUES9. UNWILLINGNESS TO SACRIFICE10.DESIRE FOR CONVENIENCE11.DIVISION12.IMPURE LIFE