God's Church Growth Plan

I. Preliminary notes and recap

II. Introduction –
A. Illustration (Talking stones)
B. Building the First Wonder of the World

III. The Foundation (Ephesians 2:20)
A. The apostles and prophets
1. Who are they?
Ephesians 4:11-12
2. Part of a ‘5-fold ministry’ in the church?
3. Is what sense is the church apostolic
B. The chief corner stone
1. Providing stability and strength
2. Providing unity
C. Foundation or scandalon (stumbling stone)

IV. The Edifice
A. Church Growth (Biblical idea)
1. The spreading of God’s Word
Acts 20:32
John 17:17
Ephesians 4:12
2. Personal Growth in individual believers and unity of common fellowship
Colossians 2:6-7
1 Thessalonians 3:12
Ephesians 4:11-16
3. Being Fitly-Framed-Together
B. Church Growth (Modern ideas)
1. From “seeker-friendly” to “missional” churches
a. The similarities in what they say
b. The similarities in what they do not say
c. Reformed: Be wary of inferior products packaged under a good name

V. How then, do we build God’s Temple?
A. Be a House of Prayer
1. Isaiah 56:7
2. Jude 20
3. 1 Corinthians 14:16
B. Present your body a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable
1. Romans 12:1-2
2. 1 Corinthians 6:18-19
3. Psalm 51:7
C. Do not forget to do good and share (Hebrews 13:16)
D. Live missional lives and support missions
1. Romans 15:16
2. 2 Corinthians 3:12-18
3. Philippians 4:18
E. Come out of shadows and live in the sunlight of God’s presence.