Planting Seeds of Faith for Kingdom Growth

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound calling of the church to plant new congregations, a mission rooted deeply in the early church's practices as seen in Acts 13. This calling is not merely a strategy but a divine mandate to expand God's kingdom by sending out our best to establish new communities of faith. We reflected on the example of Barnabas and Saul, who were set apart by the Holy Spirit for a specific work, illustrating the necessity of being open to God's direction and willing to sacrifice for the greater good of His kingdom.

The act of planting churches is likened to a farmer's decision to plant seeds rather than consume them. While eating the seeds might provide immediate satisfaction, planting them yields a far greater harvest over time. This metaphor underscores the long-term vision and discipline required to see the fruits of our labor in God's kingdom. It challenges us to consider whether we are willing to invest in the future by planting seeds of faith, even when it means letting go of valuable resources and people.

We also discussed the importance of each individual's role within the church. Just as every part of the body has a function, so does every member of the church. Whether through giving, administration, evangelism, or other gifts, each person is called to contribute to the mission of the church. This requires a shift from being mere spectators to active participants in God's work.

Furthermore, we emphasized the need for obedience to the Holy Spirit's leading. Just as Saul and Barnabas were called to new ventures, we too must be ready to pivot and follow God's direction, even when it disrupts our plans. This obedience is crucial for the church to fulfill its mission in these last days, as we anticipate a great revival and the outpouring of God's Spirit.

Finally, we were reminded of the cost of discipleship and church planting. It involves sacrifice, but it is a sacrifice that leads to exponential growth and the expansion of God's kingdom. As we pray and fast, seeking God's will, we are called to support this mission with our resources and our lives, trusting that God will provide and guide us in this endeavor.

Key Takeaways:

- The Call to Plant: Planting churches is a divine mandate, not just a strategy. It requires us to send out our best, trusting that God will use them to expand His kingdom. This mission is rooted in the early church's practices and is essential for reaching new communities with the gospel. [01:02:05]

- Seeds of Faith: Like a farmer choosing to plant seeds rather than consume them, we are called to invest in the future of God's kingdom. This requires vision, discipline, and a willingness to sacrifice immediate gains for long-term growth. [57:54]

- Active Participation: Every member of the church has a role to play. We are not called to be spectators but active participants, using our unique gifts and skills to contribute to the mission of the church. [01:06:23]

- Obedience to the Spirit: We must be open to the Holy Spirit's leading, ready to pivot and follow God's direction even when it disrupts our plans. This obedience is crucial for fulfilling the church's mission in these last days. [01:10:37]

- The Cost of Discipleship: Church planting involves sacrifice, but it leads to exponential growth and the expansion of God's kingdom. As we pray and fast, we are called to support this mission with our resources and our lives. [01:23:02]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [28:07] - Praise and Worship
- [39:02] - Announcements and Events
- [46:15] - Offering and Stewardship
- [48:56] - Introduction to Church Planting
- [51:04] - The Vision of Planting
- [55:52] - The Challenge of Planting
- [57:54] - The Farmer's Choice
- [01:02:05] - The Call of Barnabas and Saul
- [01:06:23] - Finding Your Role
- [01:10:37] - Obedience to the Spirit
- [01:15:19] - The Holy Spirit's Guidance
- [01:18:26] - The Cost of Church Planting
- [01:23:02] - The Expansion of God's Kingdom
- [01:28:32] - The Story of Elisha
- [01:32:50] - The Call to Action

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Acts 13:2-3

Observation Questions:
1. What specific work were Barnabas and Saul set apart for by the Holy Spirit according to Acts 13:2-3? How does this relate to the church's mission today? [01:02:05]
2. In the sermon, the act of planting churches is compared to a farmer's decision to plant seeds. What are the implications of this metaphor for the church's mission? [57:54]
3. How does the sermon describe the role of each church member in contributing to the mission of the church? [01:06:23]
4. What examples from the sermon illustrate the necessity of being open to the Holy Spirit's leading, even when it disrupts personal plans? [01:10:37]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the example of Barnabas and Saul in Acts 13:2-3 illustrate the importance of obedience to the Holy Spirit in church planting? [01:02:05]
2. The sermon mentions the cost of discipleship and church planting. What are some specific sacrifices mentioned, and how do they contribute to the growth of God's kingdom? [01:23:02]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that every church member can actively participate in the mission of the church, rather than being a spectator? [01:06:23]
4. How does the sermon challenge the traditional view of church growth and expansion, particularly in the context of sending out the best people for church planting? [01:18:26]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the metaphor of planting seeds. Are there areas in your life where you are consuming rather than planting? How can you shift your focus to invest in long-term growth for God's kingdom? [57:54]
2. Consider your unique gifts and skills. How can you actively contribute to the mission of the church rather than being a spectator? Identify one specific way you can get involved this month. [01:06:23]
3. The sermon emphasizes obedience to the Holy Spirit's leading. Is there an area in your life where you feel the Holy Spirit is prompting you to change direction? What steps can you take to follow that leading? [01:10:37]
4. Church planting involves sacrifice. What resources or comforts might you be holding onto that God is calling you to release for the sake of His kingdom? [01:23:02]
5. How can you support the mission of church planting in your community, whether through prayer, financial support, or other means? Identify one specific action you can take this week. [01:25:48]
6. The sermon discusses the importance of being open to the Holy Spirit's guidance. How can you cultivate a lifestyle of prayer and fasting to better discern God's will for your life? [01:16:36]
7. Reflect on the story of Elisha and the mantle. Is there a "mantle" or calling that God has placed on your life that you have been hesitant to accept? What steps can you take to embrace that calling? [01:30:42]

Devotional

Day 1: The Divine Mandate to Plant Churches
The call to plant new congregations is not merely a strategic decision but a divine mandate rooted in the practices of the early church. In Acts 13, we see Barnabas and Saul set apart by the Holy Spirit for a specific work, illustrating the importance of being open to God's direction. This mission involves sending out our best to establish new communities of faith, trusting that God will use them to expand His kingdom. It challenges us to prioritize the long-term growth of God's kingdom over immediate comfort and resources. As we embrace this calling, we are reminded of the early church's commitment to spreading the gospel and reaching new communities. [01:02:05]

Acts 13:2-3 (ESV): "While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.' Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off."

Reflection: Who in your life might God be calling you to support or send out for His work? How can you actively participate in this divine mandate today?


Day 2: Investing in the Future of God's Kingdom
The metaphor of a farmer choosing to plant seeds rather than consume them highlights the importance of investing in the future of God's kingdom. While consuming the seeds might provide immediate satisfaction, planting them yields a far greater harvest over time. This requires vision, discipline, and a willingness to sacrifice immediate gains for long-term growth. As followers of Christ, we are called to plant seeds of faith, even when it means letting go of valuable resources and people. This act of faith and obedience is essential for seeing the fruits of our labor in God's kingdom. [57:54]

Galatians 6:9 (ESV): "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."

Reflection: What is one resource or talent you have that you can invest in God's kingdom today, even if it means sacrificing immediate comfort or gain?


Day 3: Embracing Active Participation in the Church
Every member of the church has a unique role to play in the mission of the church. Just as every part of the body has a function, so does every member of the church. This requires a shift from being mere spectators to active participants in God's work. Whether through giving, administration, evangelism, or other gifts, each person is called to contribute to the mission of the church. Embracing this active participation allows us to use our unique gifts and skills to further God's kingdom and fulfill our purpose within the body of Christ. [01:06:23]

1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (ESV): "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good."

Reflection: What specific gift or skill do you have that you can use to actively participate in your church's mission this week?


Day 4: Obedience to the Holy Spirit's Leading
Being open to the Holy Spirit's leading is crucial for fulfilling the church's mission. Just as Saul and Barnabas were called to new ventures, we too must be ready to pivot and follow God's direction, even when it disrupts our plans. This obedience requires a willingness to let go of our own agendas and trust in God's greater plan. As we anticipate a great revival and the outpouring of God's Spirit, we must remain sensitive to His guidance and ready to act in faith. [01:10:37]

Isaiah 30:21 (ESV): "And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left."

Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you feel the Holy Spirit prompting you to change direction? How can you take a step of obedience today?


Day 5: The Cost and Reward of Discipleship
Church planting involves sacrifice, but it leads to exponential growth and the expansion of God's kingdom. As we pray and fast, seeking God's will, we are called to support this mission with our resources and our lives. This cost of discipleship is a reflection of our commitment to Christ and His mission. While it may involve letting go of comfort and security, it ultimately leads to the joy of seeing God's kingdom grow and flourish. Trusting in God's provision and guidance, we can embrace this calling with confidence and hope. [01:23:02]

Luke 14:33 (ESV): "So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are hesitant to sacrifice for God's kingdom? How can you begin to trust God with this area today?

Quotes



Planting churches means that we take the best people that we have in our congregation and we send them away. Rather than holding on and using them in our congregation, allowing God to use their lives to multiply our congregation, we choose to have a multiplication of smaller churches around the world rather than a very few amount of bigger churches. [00:55:59] (29 seconds)


The thing about seeds is this. You can eat the seeds if you wanted to. You can eat the seeds if you wanted to. You can eat the seeds if you wanted to. If you have a bag full of seeds, seeds on their own have nutritional value. You could survive on seeds if you wanted to. If you have a bag of apple seeds, it's, you know, it's not that much, but you could swallow the seeds and you could get enough to survive. [00:57:29] (25 seconds)


And so the wise farmer must plant. But guess what? Planting is a lot harder than eating seeds. Planting requires investment of time and energy over generations. A tree does not grow in one season or in one year. A tree takes at least four to five years before it begins to bring forth a harvest. [00:58:25] (27 seconds)


We need people who are givers and not takers. We need people who are on the field, in the game, and not only spectators. Hello? So often the church falls into this unfortunate ratio like there is at a football game where you have 22 football players on the field at any given time, and they are the ones doing the difficult things and playing the plays, and then you have 10,000 fans who are eating hot dogs. [01:04:24] (32 seconds)


Every one of you have a gift, a skill that you can offer to the church. You have something in your hands, just like Moses. When God called Moses, He thought that he had nothing to offer. He looked at himself and said, Lord, what can I do? I'm a man of slow speech, slow of understanding. What am I going to do? I'm a has-been. I'm a washed-up, old Egyptian. [01:05:36] (26 seconds)


And the Bible says that as they prayed and as they fasted, that the Lord called them. Did you see that? Verse 2, while they were worshiping, and worshiping the Lord and fasting, it's the Holy Spirit who says, Can I ask you? First of all, before we continue, does the Holy Spirit have the right to redirect your life? [01:09:33] (28 seconds)


This is not about the will of where you want to live or where you want to go. This is about obedience to the Holy Spirit. And there are times when the Holy Spirit will say, set them apart so that they can do the work to which I have called them in our fellowship. We believe in church planting. We believe in the principle of sending the best that we have. [01:11:33] (31 seconds)


And if that happens, God is going to need a church to be in place in local communities where new believers are able to receive the revival that God pours out and be able to do the will of God. It's the Holy Spirit who separated Barnabas and Saul. Now think of everything. This is only the beginning of Saul's ministry. But if we focus in on Saul for a moment, just think about all the things that Saul went on to do. [01:12:47] (31 seconds)


I want to tell you, this is true in the story that we read in Acts. It's true in my life. It was as I surrendered my heart, as we, my wife and I, began to pray, and fast, and lay hold of God, and seek His direction, that we responded to the calls that were set before us. [01:14:47] (23 seconds)


I want to close with this idea that planting churches expands the kingdom of God. Our scripture says, You know, often when couples are planted, when we have our Thursday night and our Friday night church planting services, it is not uncommon to see tears. It's not uncommon for the couples that are going, as they're walking up to the stage to be announced, announced and prayed for, it's not uncommon that you'll see tears streaming down their face. Why? [01:21:49] (44 seconds)


Church planting ensures that the gospel continues to expand where Christ is not yet known. I believe that the Holy Spirit in these last days, the Holy Spirit still has a plan for the United States of America. God still wants to save Americans. You know, there are places where we do not have fellowship churches. We were just looking on the map yesterday, a couple of days ago. [01:23:17] (27 seconds)


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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
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