2. Willow Creek Community Church Bill Hybels began preaching for this church in a NW suburb of Chicago, Illinois in 1975. They started a survey in the community on why people stayed away from church. In response it grew from 125 to 2,000 in 1977 & then to about 15,000 weekly members in 1995. “Music, drama, video, multimedia, and dance are only used as a prelude to a thirty- to forty-minute message that then brings strong biblical clarity to the topic of the day.” (The Atlantic Monthly 1995 digital edition) In answering questions about its growth, Bill Hybels said in his book “Rediscovering Church” in 1995, “Music, drama, video, multimedia, and dance are only used as a prelude to a thirty- to forty-minute message that then brings strong biblical clarity to the topic of the day.” (The Atlantic Monthly 1995 digital edition)

3. Willow Creek Community Church It became a pattern for the growth of much of the megachurch movement here in America. They were in the process of building a 7,200 seat auditorium and decided to do a self critique of the church of how the members were growing spiritually and were shocked by the results. They found out in this 2004 survey that “church activity is not a blueprint for spiritual growth”. (http://revealnow.com/), “ They made it clear they wanted access to more rigorous learning opportunities”. (Lillian Kwon, Christian Post, 9/18/08 http://www.christiantoday.com) Bill Hybels admitted, “ They made it clear they wanted access to more rigorous learning opportunities”. (Lillian Kwon, Christian Post, 9/18/08 http://www.christiantoday.com)

4. What Man Thinks vs. the Bible Even though the church had good intentions in trying to help people grow spiritually they failed to grasp the concept that Jesus Christ has all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18). God’s ways & thoughts are much higher than our ways & thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9). Everyone must have book, chapter, and verse for what they believe, teach, and practice in the name of Christ (Colossians 3:17). In this lesson we will apply Biblical principles that examine what they say by the Scriptures. (Acts 17:11; Matthew 15:4-5)

5. They Draw People in by Using Carnal Means rather than God’s Word They have music geared for the young people, a choir, actors, drama, food & fun. What has the Father used to draw people to hear Jesus? Not things that would entice the flesh, but hearing and learning from God’s word. (John 6:44-45; 26-27; 63) The sinless Savior taught the truth, offended people, and it left him unpopular as many quit following Him (John 6:66) unlike the mega churches of today.

6. They Draw People in by Using Carnal Means rather than God’s Word But the apostles knew that he had the words of eternal life and were drawn by that (John 6:67-69) and so should we. “But Steve, Jesus fed the 5,000 in order to bring the people in to hear Him teach God’s word and therefore we can also.” No, Jesus performed the miracle of using 5 loaves and 2 fish to feed the 5,000 so that they might believe He is the Son of God (John 6; 20:30-31). Let us hunger and thirst after righteousness that will satisfy us rather than worldly things (Matt. 5:6).

7. The Church Must Obey Christ rather than Catering to People’s Needs Since Christ loved, sacrificed, and purchased the church with His own blood; is the Savior and Head of it; the church must obey Christ in everything. (Acts 20:28; Eph. 1:22-23; 4:4; 5:24-27) If the church is to obey Christ in everything why doesn’t the Willow Creek Community church or any other church submit to Christ by wearing His name just like the wife wears the name of her husband? (Acts 11:26; Eph. 5:24; Rom. 16:16) Because the churches of men cater to the perceived needs of the people rather than conforming them to the teaching of Christ (Col. 2:8; Rom. 12:2).

8. You Cannot Grow Spiritually if You are Not Converted to Christ Willow Creek realized that their church programs did not help people grow spiritually in the truth. Bill Hymels and the leaders were making plans for the church wanting seekers to come and not feel judged. “Straight, expository sermons would be replaced by talks that connected the Bible to daily problems.” (Verla Gillmor, Christianity Today, 11/13/00) But in Acts 2, Peter preached a Scripture filled message, which was heart convicting, sin rebuking, and a sermon that specified that they had crucified the Son of God (Acts 2:36-37).

9. You Cannot Grow Spiritually if You are Not Converted to Christ Connecting the Bible with the daily problems of life would not have saved the souls of any those Jews in the 1 st century & won’t today either. The guilty sinners responded to Peter’s preaching by submitting to the command to repent and be baptized in the name of Christ and their sins were forgiven (Acts 2:38, 41). The Lord added the saved to the church (Acts 2:47) The commands for spiritual growth are written to those who are already Christians, not unbelievers. (1 Pet. 2:2; 2 Pet. 3:18; Eph. 4:15)

10. Those Who Grow Spiritually Study, Pray, and Practice God’s Will “ The survey indicated that people continued to grow, not through programs, but through the practice of spiritual disciplines — Bible reading, prayer, and other expressions of personal commitment.” http://chuckwarnockblog.wordpress.com/2007/10/24/ Programs that appeal to the flesh leave people selfish and dependent on the church to make them feel good but leaves them spiritually malnourished. Christians must discipline themselves to study the Bible, meditate on it, and put it in practice in their everyday lives. (2 Timothy 2:15; 1 Tim. 4:7, 15; Philippians 4:6-9)

11. Those Who Grow Spiritually Study, Pray, and Practice God’s Will Hybels confesses: “We made a mistake. What we should have done when people crossed the line of faith and become Christians, we should have started telling people and teaching people that they have to take responsibility to become self feeders. We should have gotten people, taught people, how to read their bible between service, how to do the spiritual practices much more aggressively on their own.” (http://outofour.com) Our faith must not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God (1 Corinthians 2:5).

12. Conclusion While the untaught twist the truth to their own demise, we must be watchful so that we aren’t carried away by the error of men & fall from grace (2 Pt. 3:16-17). God’s pattern for the church will never change! God’s drawing power for salvation will always be His word, not carnal means. The church must always be subject to Christ (since it His), not catering to men’s perceived needs. You cannot grow spiritually if you are not converted to Christ. To grow spiritually, you must be willing to study, pray, and practice God’s will.