Church Growth
In the religious world today, many groups measure success by numbers alone. Newsletters, broadcasts, and online promotions reveal a willingness to use gimmicks and marketing strategies to boost attendance. While growth is a worthy desire—I pray for it daily—it must not come at any cost. The New Testament teaches that there are principles more important than numerical growth. This lesson examines those priorities, each rooted in God’s Word, that must guide the Lord’s church if growth is to be pleasing to Him.

The Favor of God Over the Favor of Men
In Galatians 1:10, Paul challenges the brethren: “Do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.” Pleasing people might fill pews, but it will not gain God’s approval. Some religious groups have surveyed communities to ask what people want in a church, then built their practices entirely around those desires—often disregarding Scripture. Yet Hebrews 4:13 reminds us that on Judgment Day we will give account only to God. Jesus described that final division in Matthew 25, when the Judge separates the sheep from the goats and pronounces eternal destinies. Our focus must always be on pleasing God rather than chasing human approval.

Sound Preaching Over Ear-Tickling Messages
Paul’s final recorded instructions in 2 Timothy 4:1–5 command preachers to “preach the word…in season and out of season,” warning that a time would come when people “will not endure sound doctrine.” Sound preaching, healthy and whole, proclaims the oracles of God (1 Peter 4:11) without alteration. The preacher is not a chef who invents recipes, but a herald who delivers the King’s message. That means reproving, rebuking, and exhorting with patience and teaching—even when the message is unpopular. Jeremiah 5:31 warned of prophets who spoke falsely, priests who ruled by their own power, and people who “love to have it so.” Popularity must never replace truth in the pulpit.

Warning Against Sin and Error
Jesus never shied away from exposing error. In Matthew 15:7–14, He called the Pharisees “hypocrites,” rebuked their man-made doctrines, and warned that those not planted by the Father will be uprooted. Offense did not deter Him from telling the truth. Paul likewise wrote with godly boldness in 2 Corinthians 7:8–10, producing sorrow that led to repentance. Ezekiel’s watchman principle holds each of us accountable to warn the sinner; failing to do so brings their blood upon our hands. Faithful love demands warning against sin so that souls might be saved.

Congregational Purity
In 1 Corinthians 5:1–5, Paul confronts a case of open immorality in the church, urging the brethren to remove the offender “that his spirit may be saved.” Allowing sin to remain unchallenged corrupts the whole body. Love for the sinner and for the congregation’s spiritual health demands firm action. Churches that tolerate sin for the sake of numbers trade purity for popularity, a trade God’s Word never authorizes.

Unity in the Body
Titus 3:9–11 commands rejection of a divisive person after proper admonition, warning that such a one is warped and sinning. Trouble-makers destroy peace, and their influence can split a congregation. In 1 Corinthians 11:19, Paul observes that divisions reveal who is truly approved by God. Unity built on truth is more valuable than swelling numbers filled with conflict and disunity.

Commitment in Discipleship
In John 6:60–69, many of Jesus’ followers abandoned Him when His teaching became difficult. They had followed for physical benefits, not spiritual commitment. Jesus turned to the twelve and asked if they too would leave; Peter’s reply still rings true: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” Christ desires committed disciples who take up their cross daily—not casual followers who fade when the road narrows.

Walking the Narrow Way
Matthew 7:13–14 contrasts the broad road, crowded but leading to destruction, with the narrow way, found by few, that leads to life. The narrow way is difficult and demands sacrifice, yet its end is eternal joy—no tears, sorrow, pain, or death (Revelation 21). True growth seeks to walk this way and lead others along it, not to crowd the broad path for the sake of numbers.

Conclusion and Appeal
There are many things more important than numerical growth: pleasing God, sound preaching, warning against sin, maintaining purity, preserving unity, building commitment, and walking the narrow way. Numbers without these priorities are empty. It is far better to stand with God in the minority than with Satan in the majority. Standing with God begins by obeying the gospel—repenting and being baptized—and continues in a life of faithful discipleship. If you need to begin that walk, or to return to it, the Lord invites you to come.

Church Growth – Exhaustive YouTube Sermon Outline

I. Introduction: The Danger of Measuring by Numbers Alone

• Observation: Many religious groups use numbers as the primary measure of success.

• Examples: Gimmicks, marketing, offering people whatever they want to hear.

• Biblical reality: Growth is good, but not at any cost.

• Transition: Scripture teaches that some things are more important than numbers.

II. God’s Favor Over Human Approval
A. Primary Text – Galatians 1:10

• Paul asks: Do I seek to please men or God?

• Pleasing people can fill pews but may not please God.
  B. Eternal Perspective – Hebrews 4:13

• We will give account to God alone, not to a congregation or a crowd.
  C. Judgment Scene – Matthew 25:31–46

• Jesus separates the sheep and goats; His judgment is final.

• Application: Every decision in church work must be measured by God’s approval.

III. Sound Preaching Over Popular Messages
A. Command to Preach the Word – 2 Timothy 4:1–5

• Preach in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, encourage with patience.

• The time will come when people reject sound doctrine for ear-tickling messages.
  B. Nature of the Preacher’s Role – 1 Peter 4:11

• The preacher is to speak as the oracles of God.

• Illustration: The preacher is a herald, not a chef—he delivers the message; he does not create it.
  C. Courage in Controversy

• Must preach truth even when it’s unpopular.

• Example: Topics like sexual morality, gender issues, and cultural sins must still be addressed.

IV. Warning Against Sin and Error
A. Example of Jesus – Matthew 15:7–14

• Jesus directly confronts the Pharisees: “Hypocrites!”

• Exposes their vain worship and man-made doctrines.

• The disciples note the offense caused; Jesus does not retract the truth.
  B. Paul’s Example – 2 Corinthians 7:8–10

• Godly sorrow leads to repentance; it is not cruelty but love to confront sin.
  C. Old Testament Watchman Principle – Ezekiel 33:7–9

• If the watchman fails to warn, he is responsible for the blood of the sinner.

• Application: Silence in the face of sin is dangerous for both the sinner and the messenger.

V. Maintaining Congregational Purity
A. Paul’s Instruction to Corinth – 1 Corinthians 5:1–5

• Confront blatant sin; do not tolerate it for the sake of appearances or numbers.

• Purpose of discipline: Save the sinner’s soul and protect the church’s spiritual health.
  B. Principle

• Sin spreads quickly if unchecked—compromising purity for numbers is disobedience.

VI. Protecting Unity in the Church
A. Warning Against Divisive People – Titus 3:9–11

• Avoid foolish disputes; reject a divisive person after proper warnings.
  B. Divisions Reveal the Approved – 1 Corinthians 11:19

• Factions show who is faithful to God’s truth.
  C. Application

• Unity based on truth is essential; large numbers without unity invite chaos and conflict.

VII. Commitment in Discipleship
A. Example of the Crowd Leaving Jesus – John 6:60–69

• Many disciples leave when Jesus’ teaching is difficult.

• Peter’s response: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
  B. Lesson

• Jesus wanted committed disciples, not casual followers seeking benefits only.

• Following Christ requires daily commitment and sacrifice (Luke 9:23).

VIII. Walking the Narrow Way
A. The Two Paths – Matthew 7:13–14

• Broad way: crowded, easy, leads to destruction.

• Narrow way: few find it, difficult, leads to life.
  B. Reward of the Narrow Way – Revelation 21:1–4

• Eternal life without sorrow, pain, or death.
  C. Application

• True growth is not swelling the broad road with uncommitted members, but leading people to the narrow way.

IX. Conclusion and Invitation

• Summary: God’s favor, sound preaching, warning against sin, purity, unity, commitment, and the narrow way are worth more than any attendance number.

• Final principle: It’s better to stand with God in the minority than with Satan in the majority.

• Invitation: Obey the gospel—repent, be baptized, live faithfully. Return if you have strayed.

Call to Action:
Measure church growth by faithfulness to God’s Word, not by attendance charts. Build the Lord’s church on His priorities, striving for purity, unity, and commitment while walking the narrow way. Growth that pleases God will follow when His truth is proclaimed and His will is obeyed.

Key Takeaways:

• God’s favor matters more than human approval (Galatians 1:10; Hebrews 4:13)

• Sound preaching demands truth, not popularity (2 Timothy 4:2)

• Warning against sin is an act of love (Ezekiel 33:8–9)

• Congregational purity protects the church (1 Corinthians 5:6–7)

• Unity must be based on truth (Titus 3:9–11)

• True discipleship requires full commitment (Luke 9:23; John 6:68)

• The narrow way is hard but leads to eternal life (Matthew 7:13–14)

Scripture Reference List:

• Galatians 1:10 – Please God, not men

• Hebrews 4:13 – Give account to God

• Matthew 25 – Judgment scene

• 2 Timothy 4:1–5 – Preach the word

• 1 Peter 4:11 – Speak God’s oracles

• Jeremiah 5:31 – False prophets and the people’s approval

• Matthew 15:7–14 – Warning against man-made doctrines

• 2 Corinthians 7:8–10 – Godly sorrow leads to repentance

• Ezekiel 33:7–9 – The watchman’s duty

• 1 Corinthians 5:1–5 – Purity in the church

• Titus 3:9–11 – Reject the divisive man

• 1 Corinthians 11:19 – Divisions reveal the approved

• John 6:60–69 – Commitment to Christ

• Matthew 7:13–14 – Narrow way to life

• Revelation 21 – Eternal reward for the faithful

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO