2nd Corinthians: There Is Nothing Like the Local Church

Scripture References: Acts 18:1-11; Matthew 16:18; Matthew 28:18-20

Intro: We conclude our series on Radiant's vision and values. Having explored beholding Jesus, obedience, surrender to the Spirit, and authenticity/risk, we now focus on being devoted to God's mission, specifically through planting churches. Why is this important? Because the local church, when working as intended, is beautiful and God's primary plan for reaching the world.

Key Points:

1. The Local Church is Beautiful: Despite imperfections, the community of believers serving, loving, growing, and extending grace is precious. It's Jesus's bride, His idea, and the hope of the world (Matt 16:18). We should value it highly.
2. Reproducing People, Not Just Programs: Being a reproducing church means more than duplicating Sunday services or top leaders. It requires reproducing believers at all levels – people using diverse gifts (tech, kids, finance, prayer, hospitality) and living out their faith authentically.
3. Church Planting as Disciple-Making: Jesus commanded making disciples (Matt 28:19-20). The early church understood planting local churches was the most effective strategy to fulfill that commission long-term.
4. Reflecting God's Sending Nature: Scripture reveals a sending God – Father sends Son, Father and Son send Spirit, God sends prophets, angels, and ultimately His Church into the world. To be like God is to be a sending people.
5. Learning from Paul (Acts 18): Paul planted the Corinthian church, leaving a fruitful ministry elsewhere because it was good, wanting to replicate it. He worked bi-vocationally ("tentmaker"), faced opposition, but persisted, trusting God's call. Planting often flows from health, not just problems.
6. God's Sovereignty Encourages Risk: Church planting involves sacrifice and significant risk. Paul was encouraged by God's word: "Do not be afraid... I have many people in this city" (Acts 18:9-10). This reminds us church planting is God's initiative, not ours. He is building His church, and His sovereign plan gives us courage to obey despite the odds.

Conclusion: We value church planting because we value the local church's beauty and potential, because it's the biblical way to make disciples, and because it reflects God's own sending heart. Though costly and risky, we step out trusting God's promise to build His church.

Call to Action:

• Embrace the vision of being a sending, reproducing church.
• Ask God how you can "reproduce yourself" by investing in others and using your gifts.
• Support church planting sacrificially through prayer and giving.
• Trust God's sovereignty; don't let fear hold you back from participating in His mission.
• Live as a "sent one" right where you are, whether "next door" or across the globe.

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