HOW TO PLANT A CHURCH (OR DO ANY MINISTRY EFFECTIVELY)
November 15, 2021
Every follower of Christ is given one great task: to make disciples and see them trained so they too can make disciples. This is Christ’s great plan, and He has no other to build His kingdom.
A MASTER BUILDER
… was a man named Paul. Understanding his calling, he was one of the most effective disciplers and church builders in the early church. Most of the New Testament, besides the four Gospels, was written by Paul.
In Acts 20, Paul said his farewell to the leaders in Ephesus. He had come to this city, made disciples, raised leaders, and planted a church over three years. In his last encounter with the Ephesians Elders, he summarizes his ministry. This detailed account gives us a pattern for all of us to follow. It is a master class on ministry.
20 LEADERSHIP LESSONS
- Spend your time with people, night and day. (vs. 18)
- Serve the Lord with humility. (vs. 19)
- Be willing to serve with tears and through trials, even through the plots of others. (vs. 19)
- Don’t shrink from telling people everything what will profit them. (vs. 20)
- Teach people everywhere, in public and in homes. (vs. 20)
- Solemnly testify to everyone, regardless of their background or race. (vs. 21)
- Speak to people about repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Stay on message. (vs. 21)
- Be completely bound to the Holy Spirit, willing to do whatever He says regardless of what might happen to you. (vs. 22-23)
- Don’t consider your life of any account as dear to yourself. (24)
- Be completely committed to finishing your course and the ministry which you’ve received from the Lord Jesus (vs. 24)
- Understand your ministry is to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God, wherever you are. (vs. 24)
- Be innocent of all men’s blood by not shrinking back from declaring the whole purpose of God. (vs. 27-28)
- Be on guard for yourself. (vs. 28)
- Be on guard for the flock God has given to you. (vs. 28)
- Shepherd the church of God if you are called as a pastor, remembering that Christ purchased the church with His blood. (vs. 28)
- Be aware that there are savage wolves that will try to destroy the church, sometimes arising from within. They will speak perverse things, trying to draw the disciples after them. (vs. 29-30)
- Be on the alert for those who would try to harm the church and constantly admonish people with tears. (vs. 31)
- Give people the Word of God, which is able to build them up and give them an eternal inheritance. (vs. 32)
- Don’t covet anything materially, but do your work faithfully and trust God to provide for you and others. (vs. 33-34)
- Help the weak by working hard and remember that the Lord said it is more blessed to give than to receive. (vs. 35)
Regardless of where God places or you, follow these twenty instructions, relying always on God’s Spirit. By God’s grace, you will hear a “Well done” from the Father at the end of your journey!
Father, thank You for the examples given by godly men and women. Give us grace to be faithfully to the end, regardless of the sufferings we might endure. Help us settle our purpose to testify solemnly to everyone of the gospel of Your grace.
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