Topical Sermons - Follow-up: Definition & Importance

<< Previous | Index | Next >>
                  "FOLLOW-UP: DEFINITION & IMPORTANCE"


INTRODUCTION

1. In the Great Commission, Jesus did not simply tell His apostles to
   baptize... - cf. Mt 28:19-20
   a. He said "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded
      you"
   b. He wanted them to 'follow-up' those who were baptized

2. Too often, once people are baptized they are left to simply drift...
   a. In many cases, drifting back into the world
   b. Or they drift into a state of apathy regarding their devotion and
      service to the Lord

3. This greatly hinders the growth of the Lord's church...
   a. Not only are the souls who drift or become apathetic in danger of
      falling away
   b. Think of the potential souls they could have brought to the Lord
      if they had been faithful!

[Proper 'follow-up' should be of primary importance to any congregation.
But exactly what is meant by this meant by the term 'follow-up'...?]

I. DEFINITION OF FOLLOW-UP

   A. THE WORK OF GROUNDING A NEW BELIEVER...
      1. Such was the goal of Paul's labors - Col 1:28-29
      2. Therefore it was an important part of his ministry - Ac 14:
         21-22

   B. INVOLVING SEVERAL AREAS OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH...
      1. Having the assurance of salvation and acceptance with God
         - 1Jn 5:13; 2:3
      2. Developing a consistent devotional life - 1Pe 2:2; Col 4:2
      3. Understanding the basics of abundant Christian living - Col 3:
         12-17; 2Pe 1:5-11
      4. Integrating into the family life of the local church - He 10:
         24-25
      5. Grounded in the basics of Bible doctrine - He 5:12; 6:1-3
      6. Involved in sharing the gospel with others - 1Pe 2:9-10

   C. UTILIZING A THREEFOLD APPROACH...
      1. Group follow-up:  nurturing the believer through the local
         church - He 10:25
      2. Personal study:  activities in which the new Christian engages
         on his own - 1Ti 4:13-16
      3. Personal follow-up: one-to-one relationship with a mature
         believer to aid and inspire the new Christian's growth - e.g.,
         Barnabas and Mark, Paul and Timothy
         a. This work is best done by members serving as mentors and
            role models
         b. It should also be done with discretion (e.g., women
            following up with women)

[With this understanding of 'follow-up', consider some reasons regarding
the...]

II. IMPORTANCE OF FOLLOW-UP

   A. VULNERABILITY OF A NEW CHRISTIAN...
      1. Satan seeks to destroy those in the faith - 1Pe 5:8-9
      2. A Christian is most vulnerable when they are not grounded in
         the faith - Lk 8:13
      -- Weak Christians need to be assisted by older, mature Christians
         - Ga 6:1-2

   B. POTENTIAL FOR CHANGE IN A NEW CHRISTIAN...
      1. A new convert has just expressed godly sorrow and repentance
         - 2Co 7:10
      2. The desire to change and do what is right is at a peak - e.g.,
         Ac 16:15
      3. Given proper direction at this time, much progress can be
         accomplished - 2Co 7:11
      4. Yet if the desire to change is not cultivated, discouragement
         and apathy can develop
      -- Thus the need to encourage the transformation process for the
         new Christian

   C. EFFECTIVE IN PRODUCING SPIRITUAL MULTIPLICATION...
      1. Growth in the early church was described as multiplying - Ac
         6:7; 9:31; 12:24
      2. Contrast 'spiritual multiplication' with 'spiritual addition'
         a. Spiritual addition - involves leading people to Christ, but
            that is all
         b. Spiritual multiplication - involves leading people to
            Christ, then developing them until they are leading others
            to Christ
      3. 'Spiritual multiplication' involves four stages:
         a. Evangelizing - teaching others the gospel of Christ - Mt
            28:19
         b. Follow-up - teaching them to observe all that Christ
            commanded - Mt 28:20
         c. Reproducing - when they in turn begin to teach others - cf.
            2Ti 2:2
         d. Multiplying - what finally occurs when those taught in turn
            follow-up and make disciples who then teach others
      -- Without 'follow-up', spiritual multiplication does not happen!

   D. SEEN WHEN ONE GRASPS 'THE VISION OF MULTIPLICATION'....
      1. Suppose you develop just one truly 'multiplying Christian' each
         year...
         a. Not an unreasonable goal
         b. For some that may not seem like much
      2. If each year those 'multiplying Christian' developed one more
         'multiplying Christian'...
         a. In two years there would be 4
         b. In five years there would be 32
         c. In ten years there would be 1,024
         d. In twenty years there would be 1,048,576
         e. In thirty-three years there would be 8,589,934,592
      3. If  you simply baptized 1,000 a year, in thirty-three years
         there only would be 33,000
      -- Not all become 'multiplying Christians'; the reason many don't
         is lack of follow-up!

CONCLUSION

1. If we want the Lord's church to grow, then we need to provide
   follow-up for new Christians

2. Proper follow-up involves both a congregational and individual effort
   (especially the latter)

Please give prayerful consideration as to what you can do to provide
'follow-up' for new Christians...
<< Previous | Index | Next >>
Home Page
Have A Bible Question? | Want A Free Bible Study Course? | Looking For A Church Near You?
Want To Talk With Someone By Phone? | Want To Discuss The Bible By Email?
Search The Outlines