God’s grace not only saves us (Eph. 2:8-9) but it empowers us (Titus 2:11-12) to be the Church we should be which leads to growth. This is a critical truth for church leaders to grab hold of if they desire both quantitative and qualitative growth in the church.
God’s grace must be a part of the Gospel message we proclaim if we want to see quantitative growth through conversions.
If we want to see conversion growth in the Church, we must understand the power of the Gospel, which according to 1 Corinthians 15 includes Jesus’ death, resurrection, and appearance to many prior to ascending back to heaven. Jesus’ death and resurrection were necessary because sin separates us from a holy God (Rom. 3:23; 6:23). Though God’s holiness and righteousness demand judgment on sin, His grace and mercy bring salvation from eternal damnation (Titus 2:11). We cannot work for or merit salvation (Eph. 2:8-9). We are “justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (Rom. 3:23-24).
At the end of the day, it is not going to be our methodology that brings people to Christ. And, it won’t be offering the best church programs that save people. Nor will it be the messenger. Apart from the power of God at work through His grace and the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we will not see growth in our churches due to conversions.
God’s grace must empower the Church in order to experience qualitative growth.
Jesus’ intent is to present the church “as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless” (Eph. 5:27). Apart from the grace of God, that isn’t going to happen. We can’t make ourselves holy. And, we certainly aren’t blameless. In Christ, however, we can stand before God as holy and blameless because the blood of Christ has been applied to our account.
As we walk in grace, the state of our lives, as His Church, can more and more match our standing. Colossians 2:6 exhorts, “Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him.” We received Christ “by grace … through faith” (Eph. 2:8) which means we walk by grace through faith. His grace “teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age” (Titus 2:10-11).
In the next post we will look at how God’s grace enables church leaders to be agents of church growth.
For More about Grace, Go To: Resources about God’s Grace
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
SO SIGNIFICANT
To be sure, Ngufer Martins, God’s grace to quite significant to church growth. Apart from the grace of God we have nothing, and can do nothing, of eternal significance. — “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them – yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.” (1 Cor. 15:10)
you are doing well in training church leaders. may God bless you. shalom