WE BELONG TOGETHER Acts 9:19-31 Pastor Alan Dionson October 22, 2023
Introduction
1. Known principles of church growth
2. Unknown principle of church growth
A. THE BASIS OF BELONGING
1. The church will change according to God’s will (v. 17-18)
2. The church will change according to God’s people (v. 19, 22-25)
A. THE BARRRIERS OF BELONGING
1. Fear of the identity of the past (v. 26a)
2. Fear of comfort in the present (v. 26b)
3. Fear of the uncertainty of the future (v. 26c)
B. THE BLESSINGS OF BELONGING
1. We need to embrace what God is doing (v. 19-21)
2. We need to expand our capacity to help others (v. 22-25, 29-30)
3. We need to encourage those who need to belong (v. 26-28)
Conclusion
“The church then had peace throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, and it became stronger as the believers lived in the fear of the Lord. And with the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, it also grew in numbers.” (Acts 9:31)
