Church Growth

So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Sama'ria had peace and was built up; and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit it was multiplied.

Acts 9:31

So how does a church leadership go about building up the body of Christ? One would think that the plan of salvation would take care of that automatically? However, in today's religious climate, churches are "shopped" by members to find the size and fit for what one is seeking. If one does not like what one finds in Church A, you go down the street to Church B and try it out. In the early church of the New Testament this was not the case. There was only one church. Denominationalism has fractured Christendom into different flavors from which one can select. I don't think that is what the Lord had in mind when he prayed for unity in John 17. I love the fact that we belong to a unity movement that began as an attempt to not be just another denomination. Instead of being a "Baptist" or a "Presbyterian" or "Methodist" we decided to simply call ourselves "Christians only; but, not the only Christians". We decided to let the Bible speak for itself and abolished clergy and laity distinctions. Congregations are voluntary associations who choose their own leadership based on the Biblical example of having Elders and Deacons who meet biblical standards set forth in Scripture. And yet, we continue to struggle with the reality that we live in a consumer denominated society whereby churches compete for members.

I am indebted to my son-in-law who sent me an interesting link that addresses some of these church growth issues: See here. I am convinced that the spiritual battle for the souls of mankind is waged at the congregational level of the church. Every member has to take responsibility for the gospel. We are a "priesthood of all believers". Ultimately, it is the work of the Holy Spirit that draws people to the cross. Our job is to lift up Jesus in everything that we do. Note the verse in Acts 9:31 above. Two things stand out to me. One, they walked "in the fear of the Lord". I don't think many in the world worry much about what God thinks these days. The Bible has a lot to say about this:

Job 28:28 - And he said to man, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.'"

Psalms 19:9 - the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever; the ordinances of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether.

Psalms 34:11 - Come, O sons, listen to me, I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

Psalms 111:10 - The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who practice it. His praise endures for ever!

Proverbs 1:7 - The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 1:29 - Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord.

Proverbs 8:13 - The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.

Proverbs 9:10 - The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

Proverbs 10:27 - The fear of the LORD prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short.

Proverbs 14:26 - In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge.

Proverbs 14:27 - The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, that one may avoid the snares of death.

Proverbs 15:16 - Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it.

Proverbs 15:33 - The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom, and humility goes before honor. Proverbs 16:6 - By loyalty and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD a man avoids evil.

Proverbs 19:23 - The fear of the LORD leads to life; and he who has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm.

And there is more. But, the second part of the above scripture refers to the "comfort of the Holy Spirit". I fear that there many Christians in our churches today if asked to explain their experience with the "comfort of the Holy Spirit" would look like a deer caught in the headlights. We do know that Acts 2:38 promises the "gift of the Holy Spirit" to every believer who is born again by baptism. But, unless one can share with a non-believer what that means, it is difficult for our churches to grow. The ultimate testimony of every believer is to explain the hope that is within one. God in us really is the secret of the good news.

Justice and Grace

In the opening chapter of the book of Nehemiah 1:5 we read about Nehemiah's prayer:

And I said, "O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments;

Nehemiah's description of God as "terrible" struck me. The word can also be translated "AWESOME". Either way it should grab one's attention. Much the same way that Moses told the children of Israel [Exodus 19:12] when they encamped at Mount Sinai:

12 And you shall set bounds for the people round about, saying, 'Take heed that you do not go up into the mountain or touch the border of it; whoever touches the mountain shall be put to death; 13 no hand shall touch him, but he shall be stoned or shot; whether beast or man, he shall not live.'

God is who he is and we don't really have to worry about defending him. When we truly see God for who he is we will be like Job when he stood before the Lord to question him. As a result, Job fell to his knees and repented in sackcloth and ashes.

Proverbs 1:7 teaches us that:

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. "

When King Jehoshaphat charged his judges in 2 Chronicles 19:7 he told them:

Now then, let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed what you do, for there is no perversion of justice with the LORD our God, or partiality, or taking bribes."

Only when man fears God is there a hope that justice will not be perverted.

Without an understanding of who God is and what he demands, mankind is left adrift in a sea of relativism that makes the meaning of grace incomprehensible. Without justice we cannot understand grace.