The Church: The Lord added to their number.

^{Growth is challenging but an invitation into growth is better than being forced into growth.}

^{“For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not being merely human?” 1 Corinthians 3:4}

 ^{“What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.” 1 Corinthians 3:5-7}

^{God uses servants for His work.}

^{“He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor.” 1 Corinthians 3:8}

 ^{God’s servants have the same purpose…to embody the Good News of Jesus to others.}

^{“For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building.” 1 Corinthians 3:9}

^{“God creates out of nothing. Therefore, until a man is nothing, God can make nothing out of him.” — Martin Luther}

^{“Calling of Matthew” Carvaggio}

^{Acts 2 Sculpture. This picture in Acts is an invitation to be the Church.}

 ^{“And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” Acts 2:42-47}