Rachel really wanted to be a mother. Why? It was because her sister had children. Her sister was blessed. Rachel felt unloved. Rachel was jealous. Her heart was envious. She felt like death would be better than being childless. Her desire became a controlling desire - an idolatrous desire that provoked her husband to anger. He rightly said (paraphrasing), "Am I God? Is it my fault you can't have children?"

Friends, you may be asking, "Where is this going? The phrase, "give me children, or else I die" is commonly used to start a topical message on soul winning. But, I think we need to examine the question, "Why did Rachel want children? Was it for the glory of God?" No, it was for selfish reasons.

All church growth is from God. There are no gimmicks, or tricks for church growth that glorify the Lord. The Great Commission is still in effect. In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus told us to go make disciples. We are commanded to go and make disciples - people who are following, and becoming like their master, the Lord Jesus. As we are discipled, and others are discipled, God the Father is glorified. Are we commanded to build churches? NO. Jesus said that He would build His church. In Matthew 16:18 Jesus said, "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." God loves and uses small churches. Why is there a local church? Jesus instituted the church. It is His organization. He is the head and leader of the church. He is the builder.

Matthew 18:18 (AMP) "I assure you and most solemnly say to you, whatever you bind [forbid, declare to be improper and unlawful] on earth shall have [already] been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose [permit, declare lawful] on earth shall have [already] been loosed in heaven." Jesus has given authority on earth to the church to judge, to administer church discipline, to enforce what Heaven has already declared.

More Scripture to consider…

Luke 10:2 "Then He said to them, "The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest."

Matthew 9:38 (NASB) "Therefore, plead with the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest." Matthew 9:38 (ESV) "Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."

Philippians 4:15 "Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only."

Philemon 1:4-6 (NKJV) "I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers, hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints, that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus." See Ephesians 4:11-12 - Christ gave gifts to all His people. The pastor is not to be the only one hauling in the nets, fishing for men!

Acts 1:8 "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

Luke 5:4-11 "But Simon answered and said to Him, "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net." And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!" For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men." So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all & followed Him."

Jesus wants us to be fishing for men, using the gospel and our example. Let us be doing all things for the glory of God - doing things His Way. Working together - looking to Jesus.

Philippians 1:3-11 (NLT) "Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God, both in my imprisonment and in defending and confirming the truth of the Good News. God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus. I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ's return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation-the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ-for this will bring much glory and praise to God."