What is multiplication in a spiritual sense? It’s a little hard to define but it
simply means supernatural exponential growth. 8+8=16 but 8x8=64. The
Bible uses words like progress, expansion, increase, overflow.
So, let’s do a quick walk through the Bible and look at a few different
Genesis 1:28 - Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and
multiply. Fill the earth and govern it.”
1 Chronicles 4:10 - And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh,
that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your
hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I
may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.
Psalm 23:5 - ...You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Matthew 14:19-21 - And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and
looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to
the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes. So they all ate
and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments
that remained. Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
But my favorite multiplication story involves THE CHURCH!
Jesus said... Jesus - “...I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18)
And all the way up to today! The church is multiplying! Contrary to what
you might hear on the news, Christianity is exploding. Think about this,
there are more Christians on the earth right now than in all of church
history (2.6 Billion). Every day it is estimated 250,000 people come to a
saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Think about this, the largest Muslim
nation, which is Indonesia is experiencing massive revival and some
estimate they country is now over 35% Christian. The truth is,
multiplication is happening all over the world.
I want to teach on 4 metaphors the Bible uses to describe the church...I
love these and I try to teach on them once a year in our church...
The House of God! A specific place...A place of miracles and life change!
Psalm 26:8 - Lord, I love the house where you live, the place where your glory dwells.
Some people say that buildings don't matter. You’ve probably heard
people say, “The church isn’t a building, it’s people.” I get what they’re
saying, but Biblically and historically, God’s people have always
gathered to worship in big gatherings at specific places. To God, it has
always been about a people and a place. From The Tabernacle that
Moses built to The Temple that Solomon built.
The truth is, what makes church great is you! Of course you’ve heard the
old adage...it may be a HOUSE but it’s not necessarily a HOME. The
difference maker is THE PEOPLE. You’re the ones who make it a home!
It’s your heart and your spirit. And I just wanted to give a big thank you to
all of you who serve week in and week out and make this house a home.
1 Timothy 3:15 - ...God's household, which is the church of the living
God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.
A pillar represents strength. It’s one of the things I love about the church.
It’s a place of strength. Strong Worship. God’s Word preached with strength. Strong Atmosphere...you can just feel it lift you up!
There’s just something about the atmosphere of the House of God. Something special and powerful about the local church...
Psalm 92:12-14 - The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will
grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they
will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green. Seed and Soil
Think about the atmosphere OUR CHURCH values
An Atmosphere of Hospitality.
An Atmosphere of God’s Presence.
An Atmosphere of Salvation.
An Atmosphere of Generosity.
An Atmosphere of Expansion.
An Atmosphere of Changed Lives.
