Church Growth – Part 1: Numerical Growth

Church Growth – Part 1: Numerical Growth

Introduction
God desires congregations that are both strong in the faith and increasing in number (Acts 16:4–5). Tonight we examine biblical church growth—what it is, what it is not, and our personal role in it.

What Biblical Numerical Growth Is
The risen Lord gave a clear mission: “Make disciples of all the nations… baptizing… teaching” (Matthew 28:18–20). Disciple-making has two visible marks: baptism into Christ and ongoing instruction in everything He commanded. True numerical growth begins with conversions that arise from the gospel’s power, not from human persuasion. Paul wrote, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God to salvation” (Romans 1:16–17). A genuine conversion is an inward surrender to Christ that shows in a transformed life (Romans 6:3–5; Colossians 2:12). In Acts 16:4–5 the churches were “strengthened in the faith and increased in number daily.” Growth and depth travel together when the word is taught and obeyed.

What Biblical Numerical Growth Is Not
Some increases resemble swelling rather than health. Scripture warns against four common substitutes:

1. Softening the Message to Please People
   Paul pronounced a curse on “another gospel” and asked, “Do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ” (Galatians 1:8–10). Altering Christ’s teaching may draw crowds; it does not make disciples.

2. Entertaining Crowds Instead of Converting Souls
   Many followed Jesus for loaves and fish. He confronted their motives; “many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more” (John 6:26, 66). Attraction built on amusement dissolves when the show ends. Attraction built on Christ and His word produces durable faith (John 6:68–69).

3. Receiving the Unrepentant Without Discipline
   A church that tolerates open sin endangers souls. The Corinthians were charged to remove the wicked man “that his spirit may be saved” (1 Corinthians 5:1–5). The Lord warned congregations in Asia that tolerating error would bring severe consequences, including removal of their lampstand (Revelation 2:4–5, 14–16, 20–23). Shepherding includes corrective care aimed at restoration (Galatians 6:1).

4. Counting as Christians Those Who Have Not Obeyed the Gospel
   In Acts 2, those who gladly received the word were baptized, and the Lord added them to the church (Acts 2:41, 47). The New Testament pattern is consistent: faith, repentance, confession, immersion into Christ for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; Romans 10:9–10; 1 Peter 3:21). Human enrollment apart from that pattern does not equal New Testament conversion (Colossians 3:17).

Our Personal Responsibility in Growth
God gives the increase; His people sow and water. “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase” (1 Corinthians 3:5–9). Every disciple is a herald of good news (Acts 8:4; 1 Peter 3:15). God’s word accomplishes His purpose (Isaiah 55:11). The Lord longs for all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9), yet many will choose the broad way (Luke 13:22–30). Faithfulness means sowing widely, praying fervently, loving persistently, and trusting God with outcomes.

Practical Ways to Plant and Water
Pray regularly for open doors and bold speech (Colossians 4:2–6; Romans 10:1). Live visibly for Christ so that good works point neighbors to the Father (Matthew 5:16; Philippians 2:14–16). Invite friends to study, worship, and serve alongside you (John 1:40–46; Acts 17:2–4). Share Scripture, your hope in Christ, and your congregation’s care (1 Thessalonians 1:8; Hebrews 10:24–25). Follow up with patient teaching after baptism, because disciple-making continues for life (Matthew 28:20).

Marks of Healthy Growth
Healthy congregations mirror Acts 16:4–5: they strengthen believers in the faith and increase in number. Leaders equip saints for service and maturity (Ephesians 4:11–16). The message remains the apostolic gospel, the method remains teaching and baptism, and the motive remains love for God and souls.

Church Growth – Part 1: Numerical Growth Sermon Outline:

• Introduction

  • Aim: Define biblical numerical growth and our role (Acts 16:4–5).

  • Frame: Great Commission defines disciple-making (Matthew 28:18–20).

• I. What Biblical Numerical Growth Is

  • A. Disciple-making mandate: Make, baptize, teach (Matthew 28:18–20).

  • B. Power behind conversion: The gospel changes hearts (Romans 1:16–17).

  • C. Visible entrance: Burial and resurrection with Christ (Romans 6:3–5; Colossians 2:12).

  • D. Pattern in Acts: Strengthened in faith; increased daily (Acts 16:4–5).

• II. What Biblical Numerical Growth Is Not

  • A. Easier message: Pleasing men versus serving Christ (Galatians 1:8–10).

  • B. Entertainment model: Crowds for bread leave when challenged (John 6:26, 66).

  • C. Unrepentant transfer: Church discipline pursues salvation (1 Corinthians 5:1–5; Revelation 2:4–5, 14–16, 20–23).

  • D. Human enrollment: The Lord adds those who obey the gospel (Acts 2:41, 47; Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21; Colossians 3:17).

• III. Our Personal Responsibility

  • A. God’s role and ours: Plant, water; God gives increase (1 Corinthians 3:5–9).

  • B. Confidence in the word: It prospers in God’s purpose (Isaiah 55:11).

  • C. Realism with hope: God desires all to repent; few choose the narrow way (2 Peter 3:9; Luke 13:22–30).

  • D. Everyday practices: Prayer, holiness, invitation, teaching, steadfast love (Colossians 4:2–6; Matthew 5:16; Acts 8:4; Hebrews 10:24–25).

• IV. Marks of Healthy Growth

  • A. Doctrinal strength with numerical increase (Acts 16:4–5).

  • B. Equipping and maturity (Ephesians 4:11–16).

  • C. Christlike motive and method (Matthew 28:18–20).

Call to Action
Ask God to put one person on your heart this week. Pray for an open door. Share the gospel. Extend an invitation. Offer to study. Plant and water with confidence in God’s power. If you need to obey the gospel—believe, repent, confess Jesus as the Christ, and be baptized for the remission of sins—come to Him today, and He will add you to His body.

Key Takeaways

• The Great Commission defines growth: make, baptize, teach (Matthew 28:18–20).

• God’s word creates conversions; people do not (Romans 1:16–17).

• Healthy churches strengthen faith and increase in number (Acts 16:4–5).

• Altered messages, entertainment, lax discipline, and human enrollment are false paths (Galatians 1:8–10; John 6:26, 66; 1 Corinthians 5:1–5; Acts 2:41, 47).

• Plant and water faithfully; God gives the increase (1 Corinthians 3:5–9; Isaiah 55:11).

• Realism with compassion: God desires repentance; many refuse the narrow way (2 Peter 3:9; Luke 13:22–30).

Scripture Reference List

• Acts 16:4–5 – Churches strengthened in faith and increased in number.

• Matthew 28:18–20 – Commission to make disciples by baptizing and teaching.

• Romans 1:16–17 – The gospel is God’s power to salvation.

• Romans 6:3–5; Colossians 2:12 – Baptism unites us with Christ’s death and resurrection.

• Galatians 1:8–10 – Another gospel condemned; aim to please God.

• John 6:26, 66 – Crowds pursued bread; many walked away.

• 1 Corinthians 5:1–5 – Discipline seeks the sinner’s salvation.

• Revelation 2:4–5, 14–16, 20–23 – Warnings to congregations tolerating error.

• Acts 2:41, 47 – The Lord adds the saved to the church.

• Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21; Romans 10:9–10 – Obedience in conversion.

• Colossians 3:17 – Do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.

• 1 Corinthians 3:5–9 – Planting and watering; God gives increase.

• Isaiah 55:11 – God’s word prospers in His purpose.

• 2 Peter 3:9 – The Lord desires all to come to repentance.

• Luke 13:22–30 – Strive to enter the narrow gate.

• Acts 8:4; 1 Peter 3:15 – Christians spread the word; be ready to answer.

• Colossians 4:2–6; Matthew 5:16; Hebrews 10:24–25 – Prayer, visible witness, mutual encouragement.

• Ephesians 4:11–16 – Equipping for maturity and growth.

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO