A. INTRODUCTION
1. An important quality. “This went on for the next two years, so that people throughout the province of Asia—both Jews and Greeks—heard the word of the Lord” (Acts 19:10, NLT).
2. Ephesus was the capital and supply connection for many by Roman highways to other important cities.
3. Several associated churches – Revelation 2 and 3: (1) Ephesus, (2) Smyrna, (3) Pergamos, (4) Thyatira, (5) Sardis, (6) Philadelphia, (7) Laodicea, also, Colossae.
4. Was Ephesus a benchmark for all churches? Need two things to reach out. (1) Transportation, (2) communication. Be able to go and be able to know and communicate in their languages.
5. Types of church planting:
a. Mission Sunday school.
b. Satellite church.
c. Multisite church.
d. Cell church.
e. Internet church.
f. Bible studies to target unevangelized areas.
6. God’s natural plan of multiplication. “Be fruitful and multiply . . .” (Gen. 1:28), i.e., plants, animals, birds, and humans. God expects a church to grow, expand and multiply.
7. Churches grow when people live natural lives with supernatural testimony (working, family, care, cooking, eating, home building, childcare, etc.).
B. JESUS DIDN’T DEFINE ORGANIZATIONAL PLANS FOR HIS CHURCH, HE DESCRIBED IT WITH ORGANIC LIFE AND MINISTRY AND GROWTH
1. His presence. “Where two or three are gathered . . . I am present” (Matt. 18:20).
2. His call. “Follow Me” (Mark 1:17).
3. His gathering. The word church ekklesia means “to call together.”
4. In His resurrection He identified with different kinds of groups, 10 disciples, 3 women, 2 disciples, a couple, 500, 7 disciples.
5. Early church. “House to house” and multitudes (3,000).
6. Church was not about organization, but Jesus’ presence, prayer, fellowship, sharing, etc.
7. Church was a launching pad for evangelism. “All . . . heard the word” (Acts 19:10).
8. Church was a powerful supernatural movement from God (not organizations), with time they worked out job descriptions (Acts 6:1-7), and plans (Acts 15:1-35).
9. Jesus gave the priority at the first. “Follow Me . . . I will make you” (Mark 1:17), you must be before you do.
C. PAUL RETURNED TO EPHESUS REPEATING HIS PRINCIPLE
“Take heed . . . to yourselves and all the flock over which the Holy Spirit makes you overseers, to feed the church of God which He hath purchased with His own blood . . . therefore, watch” (Acts 20:28, 31).
1. Take Heed. Means their responsibility to lead the flock, i.e., the church and believers.
a. By example.
b. By prayers.
c. By faithfulness.
2. Feed The Church. Means to teach and preach the Scriptures.
3. Watch. Means to protect by:
a. Protect doctrine.
b. Protect godly standards.
c. Protect both self and church.
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.
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