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The Passionate Pursuit of Church Planting

19/8/2024

Diego Lopes, working with EMF in Portugal, takes us on a journey through Romans 15:20-21, showing us that church planting work 'is a matter of the heart, a pursuit of love and purpose intertwined, and a means to honour and glorify our King.'

In the realm of theology and faith, the notion of church planting often finds itself portrayed as a duty, a solemn responsibility. Yet, as we delve into the heart of this matter, I invite you to consider that church planting is not merely a matter of duty; it is a profound expression of our deepest affections, a manifestation of our unwavering love for Christ, and an act of obedience rooted in faith. To unravel this truth, we turn to the words of the Apostle Paul in Romans 15:20-21.

I. The Apostle's mission: planting churches and Gospel ministry

In these verses, Paul reflects upon his missionary journey, which took him from Jerusalem to Illyricum, encompassing a vast territory. This journey was not a mere geographical adventure but a divine mission to establish churches and proclaim the Gospel where it had not been heard before. Paul's efforts were not in vain; he planted churches and appointed local elders, ensuring the continuation of the Gospel's ministry (2 Timothy 2:2).

Paul's deliberate decision not to visit Rome during this time was rooted in his passionate pursuit of church planting. Rome already had a church, and Paul was resolute in his commitment to bring the gospel to places where it had not yet taken root. His ambition was not driven by pride or mere purpose; it was a profound expression of his love for Christ.

2. A matter of the heart: love, purpose, and honour

Paul's declaration ‘I make it my ambition’ is far more than a simple desire for progress. It reflects the deepest affections of his being. My translation would be: ‘I fervently aspire to... ’ (v20). It would be a misunderstanding to interpret this in an anachronistic manner, perceiving it as a mere desire for personal advancement fuelled by pride. Likewise, if we were to merely Christianize the term, reducing it to a synonym for aim or purpose, we would miss its profound essence. In his choice of words, Paul conveys that his heart's deepest affections propel him toward this noble purpose.  

Preaching becomes how he fulfils this divine mission, and the ultimate goal is the magnification of the name of Christ with unparalleled glory and honour – a truly extraordinary endeavour, especially in regions where Christ's name remains unheard. His ambition is driven by love for Christ and the highest honour that could be bestowed upon his name: the proclamation of salvation and the establishment of embassies of his rule where he is not even named.

In this way, church planting becomes an intimate matter of the heart, where love and purpose converge. It is an act of love for our Saviour and a commitment to honour his name by spreading his message to the ends of the earth. Paul's example reminds us that our love for Jesus must be intertwined with the purpose of making Him known where he is still a stranger.

3. The Foundation of divine mission: Isaiah 52:15

Paul solidifies the foundation of his divine mission by referring to Isaiah 52:15. This powerful passage portrays the exaltation of the Suffering Servant, whose impact extends to distant nations. Even kings are brought to reverent silence as they witness truths previously concealed from them.

Paul employs this scripture to illustrate that the gospel is freshly unveiled and comprehended by an unlikely audience – the Church that names Christ where he is not named. His mission is driven by the certainty of the prophecy that ensures the message of the Messiah will be believed, fulfilling God's promises of salvation and bringing glory to his name.

Conclusion:

In the words of John Piper, ‘missions exist because worship doesn't’. Church planting is not just a duty; it is a profound act of worship. When we plant churches in regions where the name of Jesus is not yet worshipped, we are, like Paul, driven by our deep love for our Saviour. Can we remain indifferent to the fact that even after nearly 2000 years many countries across Europe have towns where the name of Christ is not represented by a gospel Bible-believing community?

It is a matter of the heart, a pursuit of love and purpose intertwined, and a means to honour and glorify our King.

It may sound too confrontational, but this question is unavoidable: If Christ is the centre of our affections, can we not make church planting, where he is not named, our very ambition?

Our heart will establish our duty.

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