Preparing for the Lord's Day
Acts
I’m not sure how April and I ended up in that particular Sunday School class. It was Easter Sunday, and we were visiting family for the holiday. When we arrived at church, we “randomly” chose a class to attend—just for that one Sunday. But once we sat down, we realized we’d walked into a room full of church leaders, all discussing how to stimulate church growth.
At the time, I was in seminary, so I leaned in, thinking this conversation might be useful for my future ministry. But as the discussion unfolded, it became clear that their vision of growth was quite different from mine. There was no mention of gospel preaching, no talk of training members to share their faith, no plans to gather for prayer to cry out for the lost. Instead, they focused on how to get more people into the building. They debated ways to make worship more comfortable. They brainstormed giveaways to attract crowds. Someone even used the phrase “bait and switch” to describe a strategy for tricking people into coming to church so they could hear the gospel.
Now, there's nothing inherently wrong with creativity or outreach strategies. We should be thoughtful about how we engage the world. But we must never undermine the gospel in our attempts to share it. And we must never forget that, while we are called to plant and water, it is God alone who gives the growth (1 Cor. 3:6–7).
This Sunday, we’ll look at Acts 5:12–16, where Luke once again gives us a snapshot of the early church. And once again, we find a community that is both healthy and growing. But it’s not the kind of growth you’d expect from comfort or convenience. In fact, Luke tells us that people were afraid to join because of the powerful presence of God in their midst (v. 13). Yet, despite that fear, “more than ever” believers were added to the Lord (v. 14), and even the sick was carried into the streets, longing for God’s healing touch (vv. 15–16).
The apostles weren’t asking how to make church more attractive. They were trusting in the presence and power of God. And it was His presence that brought true health and growth.
If we want to be a church that is flourishing—truly growing and truly healthy—then we must do the same. We must trust in the power of God to bring the life we were created for, rather than chasing after the world’s vision of success. To come prepared for the sermon, take time this week to read and to meditate upon Acts 5:12-16, Proverbs 9:10, John 15:5, Acts 2:47, 1 Corinthians 3:6-7, Hebrews 12:28-29, James 5:14-15, and this article on Church Growth.
As we gather to worship the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit this Lord’s Day, we will join our hearts in song, singing the Hymn of Praise “Holy, Holy, Holy,” the Acclamation of Praise, “Jesus! What a Friend for Sinners!” and the Hymn of Response “By Faith.” Let us come to worship this Sunday prepared to hear God’s Word, to receive it in faith, to love and treasure it in our hearts, and to practice it in our lives that we may continue to glorify and enjoy Him!
Sermon Information
Text: Acts 5:12-16
Title: Flourishing in the Presence of God
Outline:
- We Must Trust in the Fear that the Presence of God Brings (vv. 12-13)
- We Must Trust in the Growth that the Presence of God Brings (v. 14)
- We Must Trust in the Healing that the Presence of God Brings (vv. 15-16)