From Zero to OneFrom Zero to OneActs 18:1-11

Going where the gospel is not and leaving a multiplying church

• WhoWho is involved in planting the first church in Corinth? 18:1 (1-5)

• WhereWhere did the church planting take place? 18:1 (1-3)

• HowHow did Paul get started? 18:4 (2-7)• HowHow was money used? 18:5• WhatWhat was left behind? 18:8-11 (1 Cor.

1:1)

AApostles

• 1 Corinthians 1:1-2 Paul, called as an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, 2 To the church of God which is at Corinth, . . .

AApostles

• Transliterated = A – P – O – S – T – O – L – O – S

• Translated = “sent out ones”• mis·sion·ar·y / [mish-uh-ner-ee] noun, 3. a person who is sent on a mission

[Origin: 1635–45; < NL missiōnārius < missio sending away.]

αποστολος

Twelve AApostles

• Specifically named: Matthew 10:2-4; Mark 3:13-19; Luke 6:12-16; Acts 1:13

• Often called “the twelve”

Twelve AApostles

• Matthew 19:28 . . . you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

• Revelations 21:14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

“Sent-out-ones” - apostles

• Acts 18:5 But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, . . .

• I Thessalonians 3:1-2 & 6 Therefore when we could endure it no longer, we thought it best to be left behind at Athens alone, and we sent Timothy, our brother . . . But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us good news of your faith

“Sent-out-ones” - apostles

• 1 Thessalonians 1:1 Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.

• 1 Thessalonians 2:6 nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ we might have asserted our authority.

“Sent-out-ones” - apostles

• 2 Corinthians 1:19 “For the Son of God, Christ Jesus, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silvanus and Timothy—was not yes and no, but is yes in Him.”

• “preach” – “to herald” khrussw • Matthew 4:23 “proclaiming the gospel”• 1 Corinthians 1:17 “For Christ did not send me

to baptize, but to preach the gospel”

“Sent-out-ones” - apostles

• Acts 14:14 – Barnabas• Galatians 1:19 – James • Philippians 2:25 – Epaphroditus • Romans 16:7 – Andronicus and Junia • Acts 1:26 – Matthias ???

“Sent-out-ones” - apostles

Aquila and Priscilla: unofficial team members

• Acts 18:3 he stayed with them• In the Person of Peace model, Jesus told the

12 and the 70 “Do not keep moving from house to house” (Luke 10:7).

Aquila and Priscilla: unofficial team members

• Acts 18:18-19 in Ephesus • 1 Corinthians 16:19 “The churches of Asia

greet you. Aquila and Prisca greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.”

• Romans 16:3, 5 “Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, . . . also greet the church that is in their house.

Where did the church planting take place?

Romans 15:19

“so that from Jerusalem and round about as far as Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.”

Where did the church planting take place?

• “For God so loved the world” John 3:16• “… the propitiation for our sins; and not for

ours only, but also for those of the whole world” 1 John 2:2

• “not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance” 2 Peter 3:9

• Romans 10:13-15 “… how then will they call … hear … sent … beautiful … feet”

Where did the church planting take place?

How did Paul get started?

• The sent-out-one is now where the gospel is not. How did Paul start?

• Acts 18:4 And he was reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath and trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.

• Acts 15:21 "For Moses from ancient generations has in every city those who preach him, since he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath.“

How did Paul get started?

• Evangelize where the Word is sown!

10 Universal Elements of a CPM

• Prayer• Abundant gospel

sowing• Intentional church

planting• Scriptural authority• Local leadership

• Lay leadership• House or cell

churches• Churches planting

churches• Rapid reproduction• Strong, healthy

churches

How did Paul get started?

• Acts 18:6 and Acts 13:51• Matthew 10:14 "Whoever does not receive

you, nor heed your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet.

• Mark 6:11 "Any place that does not receive you or listen to you, as you go out from there, shake the dust off the soles of your feet for a testimony against them."

εκτινασσω 4 times in N.T.

How did Paul get started?

• Evangelize where the Word is sown!• Follow Jesus’ Person of Peace model.• Join the Father! He is drawing people to

Himself.• John 5:17 "My Father is working until now”• John 5:19 “the Son can do nothing of Himself,

unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner.”

How was money used?

• N.T. often mentions money in church planting– Acts 11:29; Acts 18:5; Romans 15:26; 1

Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 8:1-5; 2 Corinthians 11:9; Philippians 4:15-19

• Which direction does money flow… every single time?

• Jesus included this in the Person of Peace model.– Luke 9:3 And He said to them, "Take nothing for

your journey, neither a staff, nor a bag, nor bread, nor money;

– Luke 10:4 "Carry no money belt”

Avoid dependency

• What are the first recorded words that God spoke to people?

• One normal way God works is through multiplication.

DNA for multiplication

• Acts 19:10 This took place for two years, so that all who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.

• 1 Thessalonians 1:8 For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth

• As you move from Zero to One instill the DNA for multiplication!

What was the result of the sent out task?

• 1 Corinthians 1:1-2 Paul, called as an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, 2 To the church of God which is at Corinth,

• Acts 18:8 and many of the Corinthians when they heard were believing and being baptized.

What was the result of the sent out task?

• Acts 2:41, 47 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. . . . And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

• When the Great Commission speaks of baptizing, that would refer to CHURCHES

What was the result of the sent out task?

• First Journey – Churches in Lystra, Iconium and Antioch

• Second Journey – Churches in Philippi, Thessalonica and Corinth

• Third Journey – Church in Ephesus• Sent-out-ones go where the gospel is not,

herald the gospel joining in where the Father is at work and make disciples that are part of multiplying churches.

What have we seen in Acts 18?

• All make disciples of all nations starting new churches where there is not one, some are called and gifted as sent-out ones and they are to go where the gospel is not, to make disciples and baptize them into new, multiplying churches.

• This is the N.T. picture of the missionary task.

• Follow the Spirit’s leading to the edge where the gospel is not.

• Begin with prayer and abundant gospel sowing reaching those the Father has prepared

What have we seen in Acts 18?

• Avoid dependency to get to multiplication• Leave behind multiplying churches

What have we seen in Acts 18?