There is no substitute for the preaching and teaching of God's Word. Each weekday on enjoying the journey, Scott

Pauli leads us in a brief study of scripture. Today, on the weekend pulpit, we are happy to share a full-length

Bible message given through Scott's pulpit ministry. These messages were recorded live in a local

church or gospel event in recent days. It is our prayer that the message will be a help to you today. I want you to open your Bible with me, please, to First Thessalonians, would you?

We've had two meetings together already this morning. Really, I'm just going to share a thought with you.

And when I finish, we're going to do something with it, all right? We're going to do something with what I'm about to show you.

So pay real close attention.

We're going to close with a special prayer, a prayer of Thanksgiving and a prayer of dedication.

For you individually and for this church collectively.

Look, how does a church grow?

Would you like to know how a church grows?

A church grows when each individual in the church is growing. I'd like to call how a church grows a church grows when each individual in the church is growing

i'd like to call for a church vote pastor do i have your permission i'd like to call for a church

vote has nothing to with money all right how many would you vote that this church would continue

to grow and go forward and be used to the lord. Would you raise your hand? All right?

I'm going to tell you how you actually cast the vote.

You don't cast the vote by secret ballot.

You don't cast the vote by raising your hand or even saying amen.

You cast the vote by being a growing Christian yourself.

And when each individual Christian in the church is moving forward for the Lord, guess what?

The whole thing moves forward.

We've looked 1st Thessalonians 1.1, 1st Thessalonians 2.

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