Perhaps you feel like the life has gone out of your church and you’re not sure if it can ever return to what it once was, albeit to grow. You may have resigned yourself to not retaining everyone you had so the idea of growing isn’t on your radar. Things have gone too long. Any spiritual momentum you had certainly will take even longer to regain, you might think.
Wait!
Now is the time to think about church growth! God specializes in the seemingly impossible, in bringing to life that which was dead.
Out of the darkness, from the grave, Christ arose! Three days of despair and hopelessness ended with His triumphal resurrection over sin and death.
Think about Church Growth Now Because Resurrection Power Makes It Possible
There is hope, no matter how things might look or feel. God can bring life back into our churches that’s even better than before. That same power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to us today. But, we need to accept these realities:
1) Resurrection power changes us and we become better.
Though it was the same Jesus, the resurrected Jesus wasn’t the same. He now possessed His imperishable body. He would be ascending to the Father. And, life would be better. If this hadn’t happened, we would still be lost in our sin. The Holy Spirit wouldn’t have come. The Church wouldn’t have been established. And, we would not have the hope of one day being raised to be with Him.
If we yield to His resurrection power, even now, we will arise as something better — a healthier, more vibrant and growing Church. We will continue to have the same purpose, design, and mission, but we will be changed. Why would we want to stay the same when we can be raised to something better?
2) Death preludes resurrection power..
Here’s what we need to remember: The resurrection didn’t happen without a death. Jesus first suffered a cruel, agonizing death. And, the resurrection didn’t happen immediately. Jesus laid in the tomb, dead, for three days.
Let’s patiently persevere while passionately pursuing Him.
I want to know Christ – yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. (Phil. 3:10-11)
I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms … (Eph. 1:18-20)
For more on Ephesians 1:18-20, go to: God’s Power – The Resurrection
All Posts about Church Growth:
- Church Purpose That Leads to Church Growth
- Church Growth Outgrowth of Church Purpose
- Everybody Has a Part in Church Growth
- Church Growth & the Great Commission
- Trying to Attract People to Your Church by Becoming Like Them?
- Trying to Attract People to Your Church with Grace?
- Trying to Attract People to Your Church by What You Offer?
- Trying to Attract People to Your Church Through Manipulation?
- Trying to Attract People to Your Church by Watering Down the Truth?
- Church Growth & God’s Power
- Power of the Gospel & Church Growth
- Power of the Gospel, Not Entertaining
- Power of the Gospel, Not the Messenger
- Power of the Gospel, Not Swayed by What People Think
- Grace to Grow
- Grace to be a Growth Agent
- True Church Growth & Health: Reliant on the Holy Spirit
- Collaboration in Church Growth Efforts Possible with Spirit
- Competence, Conviction & Confidence in Church Growth
- Growth Because of His Name
- Growth When All Done in His Name
- Growth in His Name Came at a Cost
- Prayer Essential for Church Growth
- Praying for Church Growth
- All Spiritual Gifts Needed for Church Growth
- Perspective Toward Each Other’s Part in Church Growth
- Not the Time to Think about Church Growth?
- How Resurrection Power Helps with Church Growth
- Attacks Against Church Growth
- Attacks Against Church Growth Need God’s Protection
- Our How-To Book for Church Growth
- An Example of What It Takes for Growth and Spiritual Health
- Good Stewards Aim Toward Growth
- Leader Qualities in Church Growth
God bless you all in Christ Jesus. You just returned me back to hope to growth in the Church. We lost all members, my wife and son also relocated to another city leaving me to continue alone. But with this your teaching about Jesus death and eventual resurrection, I believe a new beginning just erupted. Jesus is Lord
Thank you, Kunle Adebambo, for a testimony of the hope we can find in our gracious and all-powerful Lord. May you continue to believe that all things are possible with our Mighty God.