The Lord Grows Churches
Posted by: forthrightmag <forthrightmag@...>
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Going straight to the Cross
Church growth is no technique, for God wills it.
The Lord Grows Churches
by Phil Sanders
The Lord causes the growth of churches (1 Cor.
3:6-7), but he works through his servants to bring
about that increase. As Christians, we are fellow-
workers with the Lord (2 Cor. 6:1). God shapes and
equips us in order to make us competent to be
servants (2 Cor. 3:5).
The Lord brings about church growth when the seed
is planted and souls are watered. This takes love,
kindness, and truth.
The seed is the Word of God (Luke 8:11; 1 Pet.
1:23-25); nothing else will do. One cannot see a
church grow without the foundation of Christ and
His teaching (1 Cor. 3:11). Only the gospel has
the power of God unto salvation (Rom. 1:16), and
God was well-pleased to use the message preached
to save those who believe (1 Cor. 1:21).
We water that planted seed through continued
edification inside and outside of our worship
assembly. Prospective converts need attention and
love. Babes in Christ also need lots of tender
care and instruction to grow (1 Pet. 2:2). One can
hear the Savior exhorting Peter, “tend my lambs”
(John 21:15-17).
Our goal is not to baptize alone, but to bring
young Christians to maturity (Matt. 28:19-20). May
they remain faithful unto death (Rev. 2:10), so
that they may receive the crown of life. Heaven is
glorious beyond our understanding and worthy of
every effort for ourselves and those we love.
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