HOW THE CHURCH GROWS

How The Church Grows 

Pastor Steve Anderson | 07.08.2026

Matthew 16:18 (ESV): “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

IT’S GOD

The of the Good News.

Romans 1:16-17

16 For I am not ashamed of this Good News (gospel) about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. 

17 This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”

It’s The Lord’s and .

Acts 2:47 

47 And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. 

Acts 4:4 (ESV): 

4 “But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.”

It’s The “” of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 9:31

31 The church then had peace throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, and it became stronger as the believers lived in the fear of the Lord. And with the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, it also grew in numbers.

It’s and (in quick succession).

Acts 2:41 

41 Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.

IT’S GOD, BUT IT’S US, TOO

It’s God’s that His church will grow through a multiplicity of effort.

1 Corinthians 3:6-7 (ESV)

6 “I (Paul) planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 

7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but God who gives  the growth.”

Matthew 25:23

23 It shall be said to him, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord” 

The Church “Grows” As grow: Strength in leads to daily numerical increase.

Acts 2:42 The early believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. They shared generously, met together, praised God, and enjoyed favor with people—resulting in the Lord adding to their number daily.

It’s and Community.

Acts 2:42-47

42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper, and to prayer.

43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 

44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 

45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. (Benevolence) 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, (Priority) met in homes (hospitality) for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity— 

47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. 

Mark 16:15-20

15 And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. 

16 Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned. 

17 These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages.

18 They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.”

19 When the Lord Jesus had finished talking with them, he was taken up into heaven and sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 

20 And the disciples went everywhere and preached, and the Lord worked through them, confirming what they said by many miraculous signs.

The church grows when the church grows SPIRITUALLY.

Ephesians 4:11-16

11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 

12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. 

13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.

14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. 

15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 

16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

Acts 2:17-21

17 ‘In the last days,’ God says,  ‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.

18 In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on my servants—men and women alike— and they will prophesy.

19 And I will cause wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below— blood and fire and clouds of smoke.

20 The sun will become dark, and the moon will turn blood red before that great and glorious day of the Lord arrives.

21 But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

NOTES

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