Church Growth - The Biblical Way

Scripture: John 1:29-51

Sermon preached at Gospel Light Christian Church, Singapore
by Pastor Dr Paul Choo
on 30 June 1996

Introduction: Because of poor growth in church membership, proponents of the Church Growth Movement (CGM) promote the use of music, 'miracles', mass-rallies and slick methods. Let us learn the biblical principles of church growth as we study the Church's early growth.

Message: The New Testament church began by John the Baptist preaching a very simple message: 'Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world' (v.29). This simple message changed the lives of his hearers and of millions of others through the centuries more than any other message ever did or will, for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth (ROM 1:16). John's message focuses ("behold") on a person ("the Lamb of God") not a doctrine or church. The Lord Jesus Christ is the only One who taketh away (ie, beareth away) our sins. This simple message of Jesus and His marvelous work (presented in different ways according to the type of audience) is the only message that will ensure genuine growth in church membership.

Method:

(a) Repeat - When John proclaimed this simple message for the first time there was no response from his disciples (v.29). However, when he proclaimed it the second time, two of his disciples left him and followed Jesus (v.37). When there is no response to the presentation of the Gospel, we should not be discouraged from presenting it again, nor tempted to change the message, but we should repeat it whenever we have the opportunity to do so.

(b) Recommend - When Nathanael doubted what Philip said (v.46). Philip did not try to reason with him nor argue. Philip simply said "Come and see." We may give logical reasons to doubters, and win debates with antagonists of the Gospel, but we will seldom win their hearts through these means. However, both doubters and antagonists are more likely to be won by a good Christlike testimony.

(c) Result - The correct method of evangelism will result in genuine salvation. Both John's and Jesus' evangelism resulted in the hearers following Jesus (v.37, 43). Genuine salvation is evidenced by a life of following Jesus. A follower of Jesus is one who (a) leaves other masters to cleave to Him, (b) realizes that he is a servant of his Lord. (c) and therefore, serves Him in His way. In other words, he separates from the world, and serves His Lord in His steps. False "followers" seek Jesus as one who will give them physical goodies to satisfy their lusts. When John's two disciples followed Jesus, He asked them "What seek ye?" (v.38). We need to check our hearts and ask ourselves why we are followers of Jesus. The above-mentioned steps are the usual method of salvation. However, sometimes God calls sinners without using an evangelist. Jesus called Philip directly without giving an explanation or promises and he responded immediately (v.43).

Men:

(a) Family - Very soon after Andrew followed Jesus, he first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him. We have found the Messias (v.41). It is natural for one to share a new found treasure with his loved ones. Therefore, we should share the Gospel with our loved ones first. We are often hindered from doing so because, unlike our good testimony to outsiders, we do not have a good testimony before our loved ones. Jesus' first disciple, Andrew, never wrote a book of the bible, nor founded a church but he did the most important work of all - he evangelized.

(b) Friends - Very soon after Philip followed Jesus, he findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph (v.45). It is also natural for us to want to share a new found treasure with our friends. Furthermore, we have more opportunities to share with friends than with those whom we do not know. However, we often forfeit this natural "mission-field" because of our bad testimony to our friends. Though Philip was somewhat ignorant of the details of scripture (he called Jesus "the son of Joseph," rather than "as was supposed the son of Joseph" yet because of his zeal he was an effective evangelist. Furthermore, he must have known his friend Nathanael was a doubter (v.46), yet he believed that the Gospel was the power of God unto salvation (ROM 1: 16).

(c) Others - After the disciples had shared the Gospel to their family and friends, they shared the Gospel to all others that they met.

Conclusion: However young we are in the faith it is our responsibility to share the Gospel with our family, friends and contacts. We have no excuse not to do so, because evangelizing is so easy.