“Why Plant New Churches?”
Sermon Series: “Moving Forward”
Introduction: True Life places a lot of emphasis on church planting. We are planting churches in Honduras, are the mother church for International Fellowship, have just sent out the Robinsons to plant in Washington, etc. Why is this such an emphasis for us and how can you be a part of it?
1. Church planting is the supernatural fulfillment of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) according to the Book of Acts. Aubrey Malphurs writes, “The idea is that planted churches reproduce themselves and make disciples by planting other churches. This is a process that will continue until the Savior returns. In fact, this is the true meaning of the Great Commission. If we desire to know how the early church understood Christ’s commission, we can find the answer in the Book of Acts. Acts is a church-planting book because much of what takes place does so in the context of starting new churches.” We see this in Acts 11 when the disciples were scattered by persecution. As they went, they shared Jesus with people. Many people were saved at Antioch so the church in Jerusalem dispatched Barnabas, who also took Paul, and they taught the people for a year. They developed into a church because Acts 11:26 and 13:1 call them a “church. Then, the leaders of this new church, under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, sent Paul and Barnabas out as missionaries, and they proclaimed the gospel, discipled the converts, established leaders, and ultimately, planted churches in cities including Lystra, Iconium, Antioch (14:21-23), Galatia (16:6), Philippi (16:9-15), Thessalonica (17:1-4), Corinth (18:1-11), and Ephesus (19:1-10).
2. Church planting is a means that God’s uses in the building of His Kingdom. Church planting is not about one church, but it is ultimately about the Kingdom of God and the whole church, which is His vehicle for building the Kingdom in this age.
3. Church planting is a practical necessity if we are going to be like Jesus and find the lost sheep (Luke 15:1-7). There are billions of lost sheep in the world, and we need more churches in order to reach them.
4. Church planting has a proven spiritual impact in people’s lives. In other words, it passes the “fruit test.” Jesus said, “Therefore by their fruits you will know them” (Matthew 7:20). 1 Corinthians 9:22b says, “I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means [church planting is one of those means] save some.” Peter Wagner said, “Planting new churches is the most effective evangelistic methodology known under heaven.”
Conclusion: How can we respond to this and be involved in church planting?
1. Obey if God is calling you to plant a church.
2. Ministering at True Life affects church planting too.
3. Giving.
4. Going on mission trips.
5. Praying. Here are some prayer requests for Honduras:
A. Pray for the church plants and their pastors in Divanna, Rio Dulce, Talanga, Mata de Platano, and Singuezapa.
B. Also, pray for four new communities where some people have reached out about the possibility of starting a church and for churches here considering adopting them and partnering with us.
C. Pray for financial provision.
D. Pray for the Pages as they look to move down there.
E. Pray for the seminary. F. Pray for God to take care of the people going on the September trip and for the marriage conferences we are doing in three different communities.
