CHURCH PLANTING BY THE BOOK (cont.)
(The Church – God’s Masterpiece – Pt. 6)
by
Dennis Rokser
In our last article we began considering
several biblical principles on church planting from Acts 13 & 14.
1. When church planting, remember that God uses
believers who are already growing and ministering for Him. (Acts 13:1-2a)
2. The Holy Spirit must direct and enable you from the
very beginning in order for church planting to be successful.
(Acts 13:2b, 4a)
3. Church planting needs to be bathed in
prayer. (Acts 13:3a)
4. Church planters (missionaries) were confirmed by
and sent out through the local church. (Acts 13:3b)
5. There is great value in having a
church-planting "team."
(Acts 13:4-5)
6. Church planters need to preach the Gospel publicly
and privately.
(Acts 13:5, 12)
7. You need to expect opposition to the truths of
God's Word, especially religious opposition. (Acts 13:6-10, 45, 50)
8. Church planting may include a flexible but defined
strategy.
9. The church planters utilized the chronological
approach in their Bible teaching with a focus on the Gospel. (Acts 13:17-37)
10. The church-planters preached Jesus Christ and told
their audience specifically how to and how not to be justified before God.
But he, whom
God raised again, saw no corruption. Be it known unto you therefore, men and
brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:
And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which
ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. Beware therefore, lest that
come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets; Behold, ye despisers, and
wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no
wise believe, though a man declare it unto you. (Acts 13:37-41)
While this
approach may be unpopular and offensive in our day, it is thoroughly biblical
and very effective in underscoring the one and only response to the Gospel –
faith alone in Christ alone! Since this salvation message was preached to
religious Jews and God-fearing Gentiles at the synagogue in Antioch of Pisidia
(13:14, 26), Paul wanted no syncretism of his Gospel with the prevailing Jewish
traditions of that day. Thus, he boldly proclaims…
And by him all
that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not
be justified by the law of Moses.
(Acts 13:39)
No speaking
invitations from the "Hour of Power" for this courageous apostle. Yet
Paul practiced what he preached.
But though we,
or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we
have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now
again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received,
let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to
please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. (Galatians 1:8-10)
For our
exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: But as we
were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not
as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. For neither at any time
used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is
witness: Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others… (1 Thess. 2:3-6a)
Granted, while
forthright preaching will please God, some men will be offended by such a bold
approach (perhaps even fellow-believers). Yet, God will honor His Word as you
do God's will, God's way, to God's glory.
11. When church planting, work with the willing and do
not worry about numbers.
And when the
Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words
might be preached to them the next sabbath. Now when the congregation was
broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and
Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of
God. (Acts 13:42-43)
In the various
ministries of our church we have utilized this motto: "We are not here to
have fun with the phonies or to cater to the carnal. We are here to work with
the willing." With the firm conviction that Jesus Christ promised to build
His church, and believing that God will use the sword of the Spirit (which is
the Word of God), a church planter must preach it in a clear, accurate,
practical, and simple fashion – leaving the results with God. With the passing
of time, the Lord will surface those individuals who are responding (and it may
surprise you who they are). The willing, in turn, will be used by God to
provide numerous other personal contacts and open doors for the Gospel.
And the next
sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God. (Acts 13:44)
But do not be
surprised when religious opposition also comes – our Lord Jesus Christ promised
it would happen (John 15:18-16:4).
But when
the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against
those things which were spoken
by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. Then Paul and
Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should
first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge
yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the
Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. And
when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the
Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. And the word
of the Lord was published throughout all the region. (Acts 13:45-49)
Also, do not be
discouraged when the lost totally miss initially what you are seeking to
com-municate, for blind people do not see well (read Acts 14:6-18). Remember,
God does the saving, we do the preaching, leaving the results in His hands.
But if our
gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world
hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the
glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For
we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your
servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of
darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the
glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in
earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. (2 Corinthians 4:3-7)
12. Since church planting is a divine under-taking,
believers need to be filled with the Holy Spirit to accomplish the task.
But Elymas the
sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn
away the deputy from the faith. Then Saul, (who also is called Paul), filled
with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, And said, O full of all subtilty
and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness,
wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? (Acts 13:8-10)
But the Jews
stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and
raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their
coasts. But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto
Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.
(Acts 13:50-52)
It is interesting
to note that both of these incidents involved opposition to the truth. When
better (and more needed) to be filled with Christ by means of the Holy Spirit
(Ephesians 5:18-20, Colossians 3:16-17)! Since we are totally inadequate to do
God's will (including church planting), it is imperative that we walk in
dependence on the Lord and the resources of His grace, lest we attempt to do
God's will in our own wisdom and strength – a sure recipe for failure; busy,
but barren (John 15:1-5).
Not that we
are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our
sufficiency is of God; Who also hath made us able ministers of the new
testament; not of the
letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. (2 Cor. 3:5)
Whom we
preach, warning every man,
and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in
Christ Jesus: Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working,
which worketh in me mightily.
(Colossians 1:28-29)
So shall my
word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void,
but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing
whereto I sent it. (Isaiah
55:11)
And it came to
pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and
so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks
believed. (Acts 14:1)
In being privileged to teach the Word of
God, I view myself as a table-waiter or servant (1 Cor. 3:5). In keeping with
this metaphor, I am seeking to get
the food from the kitchen to the table
without spilling it. And though I am both humbled and thrilled when God uses
the two-edged sword of His Word in human hearts, it should not surprise me. He
promised that this is exactly what would happen. Thus, over the years I have
heard after church services remarks such as…
·
"Pastor, did my
wife call you?"
·
"It was like you
were in my back pocket this last week."
·
"Would you start
preaching at someone else for a change?"
·
"Pastor, what
you taught is exactly what I needed to hear today."
Confidence in the transforming power of
God's Word will also help deliver you from the temptation to utilize legalistic
arm-bar pressure or Madison-avenue gimmicks to accomplish results.
10. When utilizing a church-planting team, wisdom
dictates that someone needs to head it up.
As you follow
this missionary journey closely, you will observe a subtle shift from Luke
mentioning "Barnabas and Saul" (Acts 13:2,7) to "Saul and
Barnabas" (Acts 13:43, 50). Also, the superstitious crowd at Lystra was
planning to worship Paul "because he was the chief speaker"
(Acts 14:12). It is like the old adages, "Too many cooks spoil the broth
soup" and "Too many chiefs and not enough Indians." And while
every member of the church planting team has been uniquely gifted and prepared
by the Lord to contribute to the cause, the buck needs to stop somewhere.
This counsel
becomes necessary and valuable when practical decisions will need to be made.
Who makes them? What if there is a disagreement? Who decides? In addition to
this, submission to spiritual leadership can be modeled in the process which
will prove to be helpful later when the church becomes established
organizationally.
Obey them
that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must
give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is
unprofitable for you. (Hebrews
13:17)
No wonder the
writer of the book of Hebrews quickly attaches to this instruction an
admonition, Pray for us… (Hebrews 13:18a)
11. Doing follow-up work is essential for spiritual
stability and growth, especially doctrinal establishment and personal
en-couragement.
And when they
had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned
again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, Confirming the souls of
the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we
must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. (Acts 14:21-22)
The "P and
B" missionary team retraced their steps in doing some essential follow-up/
discipleship ministry. This is amazing since Lystra was the very place where
Paul had earlier been stoned and left for dead (14:19). The word
"confirming" (vs. 22) means "to establish, to streng-then, to
confirm." This strengthening comes primarily through feeding God's sheep
the Word of God (Acts 15:32). It became a standard practice of Paul (Acts
15:41, 18:23) and is the only means to get believers spiritually stabilized and
able to stand on their own (1 Peter 2:2).
Furthermore, Paul
"exhorted" or encouraged these new believers. Babes in Christ need
sound doctrine and personal encouragement by caring fellow-believers to help
facilitate spiritual growth in their lives. Apart from this, they may be easily
misled, or get discouraged and choose to hang up the towel spiritually. Do not
underestimate this principle!
For God is my
witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without
ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; Making request, if by any
means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to
come unto you. For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual
gift, to the end ye may be established; That is, that I may be
comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. (Romans 1:9-12)
12. Organize only as the need requires, appointing
spiritual leaders (when qualified) in due time.
And when they
had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting… (Acts 14:23a)
Paul and Barnabas
"ordained" (appointed) "elders in every church." These
spiritually mature men (relatively speaking) would serve their local church by
overseeing, shepherding, and feeding God's flock (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1-3). A
major feature of New Testament church function was simplicity not complexity.
Furthermore, Acts 6 bears out that it is wise to organize further only
as ministries rise that need organization. Remember that the church is both an
organization and an organism with dynamic-life. It is far more important to
have believers established and equipped (walking by faith vertically with the
Lord) than to have some kind of organized program in place. And resist the
pressure to appoint unqualified men as elders (1 Tim. 3:1-7) to meet some kind
of quorum or model.
13. Trust the Lord to ultimately undertake for the
planting and growth of the church.
…they
commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. (Acts 14:23b)
"They (Paul
and Barnabas) commended (entrusted) them (these new spiritual leaders) to the
Lord, on whom they believed." It is very important that church-planters be
reminded that this is not "their baby" – it is the Lords! And while
the eleventh attribute of God seems to be "God is slow," He has a
sovereign timetable and is never behind schedule regarding the establishment of
His church. Regarding all this, you must "walk by faith and not by
sight."
14. The missionary team gave an honest report back to
the sending local church which magnified God's grace and brought glory to God.
And thence
sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God
for the work which they fulfilled. And when they were come, and had gathered
the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how
he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles. (Acts 14:26-27)
Sensing an accountability to their local
church, Paul and Barnabas report back home. Notice how the Holy Spirit directs
Luke to underscore the divine source ("the grace of God"), the
specific mission ("for the work"), the human instruments ("which
they"), and the spiritual success ("fulfilled"). But these
humble servants of Christ, recognizing the ultimate source of any spiritual
endeavor, "rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he
had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles." Dear friends, the issue
is not, "Did it work?" The bottom-line is, "was God
glorified?" True success in serving Christ is defined by one word:
faithfulness!
Moreover it is
required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. (1 Corinthians 4:2) ˘
In the next article in this series, we
will consider "The Nourishment of the Church" as it revolves around
sound doctrine, so look for it!