Church Growth – Part 2 Strengthening in  the Faith

Church Growth – Part 2

Introduction
Acts 16:5 records the pattern: congregations were strengthened in the faith and increased in number daily. This lesson urges desire, fruitfulness, and steady habits that produce true growth (Acts 16:5; 1 Corinthians 3:6–7).

A Shared Aim for the Year
God’s design for growth remains clear. He strengthens a congregation as its members choose the way of faith, plant the seed of the gospel, and water it with prayerful perseverance. Numbers matter because souls matter; yet, the Lord assigns the increase while disciples devote themselves to obedient labor (1 Corinthians 3:6–7). This year’s aim is twofold: renewed strength in the faith and wise work that reaches the lost and restores the wayward (Acts 16:5; James 5:19–20).

Strengthening in the Faith Begins with Desire
Spiritual progress always starts in the will. The new life hungers and thirsts for righteousness and longs for the sincere, unadulterated milk of the word (Matthew 5:6; 1 Peter 2:2). God expects growth beyond spiritual infancy; therefore each disciple resolves to finish the year sturdier in conviction than he began. Desire becomes a plan when time is reserved daily for Scripture, prayer, and self-examination.

Bringing Back the Wanderer Is Real Growth
James closes his epistle with a charge that deserves our attention. When someone strays, turning that soul back saves from death and covers a multitude of sins (James 5:19–20). Restoring the fallen is kingdom work. It displays love, repairs fellowship, and strengthens the whole body. A congregation grows in a visible way when former absentees return to faithful worship and service.

Abiding in Christ to Bear Lasting Fruit
Jesus is the true vine; the Father tends every branch. He expects fruit, prunes for greater fruit, and warns that fruitlessness reveals separation from the source of life (John 15:1–6). Abiding—remaining in His word and love—produces the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23). Imagine the witness of a congregation measurably richer in these graces by year’s end. The community notices when believers grow gentler in speech, steadier under trial, more joyful in hope, and more disciplined in daily choices.

Pursuing Growth with Diligence
Peter calls for earnest effort. Adding virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love keeps disciples from spiritual barrenness and opens a rich entrance into the everlasting kingdom (2 Peter 1:5–11). Diligence turns good intentions into sanctified habits. Each step strengthens the next; each grace feeds the others.

Setting the Mind on Things Above
Hearts rise when minds rise. Those raised with Christ seek the things above and set their thoughts where Christ reigns (Colossians 3:1–2). This focus reshapes priorities, conversations, and calendars. It keeps disciples from measuring progress by earthly standards and keeps the church oriented toward heaven’s values.

Three Simple Practices That Build a Strong Church

Daily Scripture Intake
Receive with meekness the implanted word, look into the perfect law of liberty, and continue in it as doers who act (James 1:21–25). Daily reading deepens fellowship with God’s mind and equips the heart to recognize truth, reject sin, and comfort the wounded. A plan helps: read widely for breadth and slowly for depth; pray the text into your life.

Bible Classes with Attentive Hearts
From infancy Timothy learned the sacred writings through faithful family influence (2 Timothy 3:14–15). Bible classes extend that good work to all ages. Listening closely, asking questions, and sharing applications multiply the benefit. Classes anchor the young, steady the struggling, and sharpen the mature.

Whole-Hearted Participation in Worship
Everything done in word or deed must carry the Lord’s authority (Colossians 3:17). Scripture guides congregational singing that teaches, prayers offered together, preaching on the Lord’s Day, the weekly breaking of bread, and the giving that funds God-given work (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26; 16:1–2). Worship strengthens fellowship, deepens gratitude, and sends believers into the week with courage and clarity.

Boldness Joined to Grace
The apostles prayed for courage and spoke the word with confidence (Acts 4:29–31). Gospel work requires clear teaching and gracious tone. Sometimes strong rebuke defends the flock (Galatians 1:8–10); sometimes patience wins a careful hearing (Colossians 4:5–6; 1 Peter 3:15). The aim in every case is faithfulness to the message that alone has power to save (Romans 1:16).

Trusting God for the Increase
The Lord measures our labor by faithfulness. Plant abundantly. Water persistently. Pray earnestly. Encourage the restored. Welcome new converts. The God who gives growth delights to bless a people who abide in His Son, obey His word, and love one another.

Church Growth – Part 2 Sermon Outline:

• Introduction – The pattern of Acts 16:5; the call to strengthening and increase.

• I. Strengthening Begins with Desire – Hunger for the word; plan for growth (Matthew 5:6; 1 Peter 2:2).

• II. Restoration as Growth – Bringing back the wanderer (James 5:19–20).

• III. Abiding to Bear Fruit – The vine and branches; fruit of the Spirit (John 15:1–6; Galatians 5:22–23).

• IV. Diligent Pursuit of the Graces – Adding to faith leads to stability (2 Peter 1:5–11).

• V. A Heavenly Mindset – Seek and set above (Colossians 3:1–2).

• VI. Three Practices for a Strong Church

  • Daily Scripture intake (James 1:21–25).

  • Bible classes with attentive hearts (2 Timothy 3:14–15).

  • Whole-hearted participation in worship (Ephesians 5:19; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26; 16:1–2).

• VII. Boldness with Grace – Pray for courage; speak clearly (Acts 4:29–31; Romans 1:16; Colossians 4:5–6).

• VIII. Trusting God for the Increase – Plant, water, God gives the growth (1 Corinthians 3:6–7).

Call to Action
Choose growth. Ask God to restore holy desire. Commit to daily Scripture, steady class participation, and engaged worship. Abide in Christ to bear fruit, pursue the graces with diligence, and set your mind above. Pray for opportunities to restore the wandering and to share the gospel with clarity and kindness. Plant and water faithfully; trust the Lord to give the increase.

Key Takeaways

• God strengthens and multiplies His church as disciples pursue faith and mission (Acts 16:5).

• Desire for God’s word drives real growth (Matthew 5:6; 1 Peter 2:2).

• Restoring the erring is soul-saving work and congregational growth (James 5:19–20).

• Abiding in Christ produces visible spiritual fruit (John 15:1–6; Galatians 5:22–23).

• Diligence in the graces prevents barrenness and secures stability (2 Peter 1:5–11).

• A heavenly mindset orders earthly priorities (Colossians 3:1–2).

• Daily Bible intake, Bible classes, and worship participation are core habits (James 1:21–25; Acts 20:7).

• Bold gospel proclamation pairs clarity with grace (Acts 4:29–31; Romans 1:16; Colossians 4:5–6).

• The Lord gives the increase as we plant and water (1 Corinthians 3:6–7).

Scripture Reference List

• Acts 16:5 – Strengthened in the faith and increased in number daily.

• 1 Corinthians 3:6–7 – Planting and watering; God gives the increase.

• Matthew 5:6 – Hunger and thirst for righteousness.

• 1 Peter 2:2 – Desire the sincere milk of the word.

• James 5:19–20 – Turning the wanderer saves a soul and covers sins.

• John 15:1–6 – Christ the vine; fruit through abiding.

• Galatians 5:22–23 – Fruit of the Spirit.

• 2 Peter 1:5–11 – Add the Christian graces; never stumble.

• Colossians 3:1–2 – Seek and set minds on things above.

• James 1:21–25 – Receive the implanted word; be doers.

• 2 Timothy 3:14–15 – From childhood, taught the sacred writings.

• Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16 – Singing that teaches and admonishes.

• Acts 20:7 – Lord’s Day assembly and preaching.

• 1 Corinthians 11:23–26 – The Lord’s Supper.

• 1 Corinthians 16:1–2 – Giving on the first day of the week.

• Acts 4:29–31 – Prayer for boldness; the word spoken with courage.

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

• Colossians 4:5–6 – Wise walk and gracious speech.

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