Why should we plant churches?

Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

1. It is perhaps the best way possible to evangelize the world

• Matthew 28:18-20 basically commands us to plant churches

• We have to make disciples

• Baptize

• Teach and all of this happens best in a local church

• It is the only way to leave something living that will keep on living and doing the work after you leave

• In a church we multiply what we are doing. What you are doing you train others to do the same

• The media or the evangelist will not be able to disciple and unite the faithful for their growth, and to follow through on the one another commandments

2. Church planting seems to be the Biblical pattern especially in the book of Acts

• Paul when to the chief cities and there he planted churches

• He went to the largest city in the region Acts 16:9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. 12 And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.

• He planted churches in these cities Titus 1:5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:

• The majority of his letters were written to churches or leaders of churches which would appear to show the importance of the church

3. The plan of God was Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the uttermost

1. It is easier to give birth than to raise the dead

2. Every new church gives opportunities for more leaders

3. New churches challenge other churches to examine themselves

4. There is a passion and emotion in a new church that is rarely seen or has diminished in a mature church

5. There are still thousands of cities where there are no churches and the gospel is not preached clearly

6. A new church motives its pastor and members to get busy trying to get the work established but after several years they get comfortable with the new reality

7. A new church forces us to think in others, new people, which we have often forgotten to do!