ARE WE READY TO GROW?

As a congregation, we can offer assemblies that edifyBut in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come

together it is not for the better but for the worse. (1 Corinthians 11:17 ESV)

If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or

unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds? (1 Corinthians 14:23)

As a congregation, we can offer assemblies that edify

By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

(John 13:35 ESV)

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

(1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV)

Experience help, courtesy, warmth, interest?

As a congregation, we can offer assemblies that edify

Will our guests find a greeting, enthusiasm, preparation in worship leadership?

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to

meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as

you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV)

As a congregation, we can assimilate/nurture new membersTherefore we must pay much closer attention to

what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. (Hebrews 2:1 ESV)

We drift slowlyBut exhort one another every day, as long as it is

called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

(Hebrews 3:13 ESV)We are hardened in heart slowly

As a congregation, we can assimilate/nurture new members

We who are strong have an obligation to bear

with the failings of the weak, and not to please

ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for

his good, to build him up. (Romans 15:1-2)

As Individuals, we can improve our relationship with God

…having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason,

make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge

with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with

brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing,

they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:3-

8 ESV)

As Individuals, we can improve our relationship with God…if these qualities

are yours and are increasing, they keep you

from being ineffective or

unfruitful in the knowledge of

our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Peter

1:8 ESV)

Happens in…

Study

Prayer

Worship

fellowship

As Individuals, we can improve our relationship with one another

Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more,

(1 Thessalonians 4:9-10 ESV)

Excelling in love

As Individuals, we can improve our relationship with one another

Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,

(1 Peter 1:22 ESV)

This is the reason some obey

As Individuals, we can improve our relationship with one another

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show

hospitality to one another without grumbling. (1 Peter 4:8-9 ESV)

One simple way to accomplish

this is through hospitality

As Individuals, we can improve our relationship with the lost

Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they

may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. (1 Peter 2:12 ESV)

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it

under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine

before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

(Matthew 5:14-16 ESV)

We need to be ready,to be useful to the Master

• The church

needs to be

ready

• Each member

needs to be

ready