The church grows through the missional work of faithful followers of Jesus Christ. --- God can do amazing things through ordinary people who are empowered by the Holy Spirit. In the book of Acts, the Holy Spirit was given to all believers and the church was born. The church is God's chosen instrument in the world for sharing the good news about Jesus Christ. The book of Acts is all about the unhindered movement of God throughout the world as the gospel of Jesus Christ is proclaimed through the church. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, the early church was an unstoppable movement that proclaimed the Kingdom of God and Jesus Christ as the only way to eternal life. Today, the church empowered by the Holy Spirit is called to continue God's redeeming work in the world by fulfilling God's mission of making Jesus known to the ends of the earth.
Acts of the Apostles 11:19-26 NLT
Meanwhile, the believers who had been scattered during the persecution after Stephen’s death traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch of Syria. They preached the word of God, but only to Jews. However, some of the believers who went to Antioch from Cyprus and Cyrene began preaching to the Gentiles about the Lord Jesus. The power of the Lord was with them, and a large number of these Gentiles believed and turned to the Lord. When the church at Jerusalem heard what had happened, they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw this evidence of God’s blessing, he was filled with joy, and he encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord. Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith. And many people were brought to the Lord. Then Barnabas went on to Tarsus to look for Saul. When he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. Both of them stayed there with the church for a full year, teaching large crowds of people. (It was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians.)
1. The church grows larger when we share the Good News of Jesus with all people. (v. 19-21)
2. The church grows stronger when we encourage one another in the faith. (v. 22-24)
3. The church grows deeper through the teaching of God’s Word. (v. 25-26)
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Challenge: A growing church is one that is committed to going further on mission by sharing Jesus with all people, and going deeper in Christ together by encouraging one another, spending time in God’s Word together, and by serving those in need. God, help us to be committed followers of Jesus who will stand firm in our faith as we grow stronger and deeper in Christ – who are willing to make Jesus known around the world – who desire through the Holy Spirit’s presence and power at work in us, to shine the light of the gospel upon a dark world, winning others to you! Amen.
