Growing the Church of Jesus Christ
(Preaching Outline)
1) We have been focusing on becoming more like Jesus every day.
a) Model:
i) We must be filled with the Holy Spirit
ii) We need a continual revelation of Jesus
iii) We need the body of Christ
iv) We need to feed on the Word of God
v) We need a life of prayer
b) Because of the upcoming outreach, today I want to focus on “we need the body of Christ.”
c) It began with Shonda telling me that LSCC has something special and people need what we have.
i) Most businesses fail not because they do not have a great product or service, but because people do not know about them.
2) Before we focus specifically on the church, I want to take some time to encourage us from God’s word.
a) Proverbs 13:12 (NKJV) — 12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.
b) Galatians 6:7–10 (NKJV) — 7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
c) First blade
d) Philippians 4:10–14 (NKJV) — 10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. 14 Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress.
3) Building a church
a) 1 Corinthians 3:11–14 (NKJV) — 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.
b) There are many ways to grow a church, some fast and some slow, but will it endure?
c) For example, we can focus on being special for a variety of reasons. – or how the news/social media works.
d) 2 Timothy 4:3–4 (NKJV) — 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.
e) What is the outcome we are looking for? That is an important question.
f) I think we all agree that Christianity in America is not having the impact in America that it could.
g) If we want to change the outcome, the church in America has to do something different.
h) People are concerned about the downward trajectory, but there was once an upward trajectory, that is what we want to find.
4) Why do people go to church?
a) Some common reasons
i) Great music
ii) Like the messages
iii) Social mobility
iv) Friendships
v) Personality
b) Exploring stronger foundations
i) Most of those reasons are all about “me.”
ii) How about a conviction of the value and importance of church?
5) What is special about LSCC?
a) Do we have the best preaching? No
i) Why many preachers?
ii) Why in depth messages?
b) Do we have the best worship? No
i) Authentic worship where we hopefully increasingly experience the presence of God.
c) What do we have?
i) Authenticity
ii) Really good people
iii) Genuine diversity
iv) A great mission
6) What can you do to grow LSCC?
a) Pray
b) Join the outreach committee.
c) Talk about why church is important and what you see is special about LSCC with other members.
d) Take time to build relationships with members of the church.
e) Talk to me to share testimonies or thoughts about our church on Sunday mornings.
f) Invite people.
g) Seek to become more like Jesus every day.
