Following Jesus, fulfilling His mission, in community together.
growth

Better Together #4 Growth

Growth was central to the church of Acts. “… And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.” Acts 2:47 (see also Acts 6:7 (NLT) So God’s message continued to spread. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too; Acts 12:24 (NLT) Meanwhile, the word of God continued to spread, and there were many new believers.) Where the Word of God went, the fruit was growth – both personal and corporate.

Some would say, ‘at my age I’m not looking to grow I just want to make it through the day’; ‘why do we need to get any bigger I like the size we are’ ‘besides, if we grow anymore I won’t know everyone’

Others are like Gabby Williams, they have spiritual ‘developmental inertia’ Gabby suffers from a medical condition that is so rare, doctors do not have an official name for it.

She is nine years old, weighs in at 11 kilos, and has the face and skin of a baby and the body of a toddler.

Think this is what the writer to the Hebrews had in mind when he wrote Heb 5:11–12 … you are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen. 12 You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food.

1 Cor 3:2 (NLT) 2 I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food, because you weren’t ready for anything stronger. And you still aren’t ready,

As we would think it odd for Gabby Williams as a nine year old to have the skin of a baby and the body of a toddler, the writers of Hebrews and Corinthians are left shaking their head – ‘developmental inertia (a tendency to do nothing or to remain unchanged) It’s time to grow people.

Acts 2:42-47 (NLT) 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. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes 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. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.