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The Big 3:

Gospel Multiplication

In Acts 8:6-8, we see at the end of that passage of ministering in the city, it says, "so there was much joy in that city." The gospel is the best way to bring more joy to Charlotte! Pastor Alex has often said that 10 churches of 500 can be much more effective than 1 church of 5000. We serve a sending God---it is His nature. He sent Jesus, who is mentioned 44 times in the NT as "sent". As disciples of Jesus, we are "sent ones".

In Matthew 28-18-20, we see that it says "Go...Baptize...Preach". All of that is pointing to the main thought of "making disciples". The church is made by Jesus who has ALL AUTHORITY IN HEAVEN. Our most basic component as a church is that the individuals within that church are making disciples.

1. Planting is FIRST a discipling enterprise and then we can see it move from addition to multiplication.

2. Planting churches is the primary strategy in the NT for fulfilling the Great Commission. There was order within the communities. It wasn't haphazard.

3. Church planting is the most effective way to reach new people.

Three strategies

A. Make one church bigger and bigger

B. Satellite campuses with a single pastor

C. Church plants as a new expression of the gospel

Some stats:

New churches are 6-8 X's more evangelistically effective than exiting churches.

It takes 3 people to produce a baptism in a church plant...95 in an existing church.

Every spiritual gift serves the larger purpose of making disciples. The gifts are varied, but the mission is the same!

But do we really need more churches?

In the next 7 years, 55000 church isn the US will close their doors.

Only 20% of churches are growing

Only 1% of churches are growing by reaching the lost

We need 7200 new churches every year just to keep pace with population growth!

Carmel has been a part of 13 church plants/replants. #14 is coming in January.

Our Ukranian partnership was started in 2014, and they have planted 27 churches!

Our goal is to plant/replant 25 churches in the next 10 years!

This only comes through the blowing of the Spirit of God and open-handed people.

To Discuss Today:

Here are 3 Habits to prepare yourself to be a part of this goal:

1. Pray for our church plants - pick a pastor to pray for

2. As you drive by churches, pray for them.

3. Habitually ask yourself if you're a part of the next plant.

4. Would you consider being a part of a church plant? What causes you reservation?

5. C.S. Lewis said, "The only way to know you are living by faith is that what you are doing for God scares you." "If it doesn't," he said, "there is no faith involved." What are you doing for God that scares you?

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The Big 3:

Gospel Generation

God delights in using ordinary people to do miraculous things to generate the spread of the Gospel. You are not insignificant because you were created in the image of God. Each of us has a purpose and unique place in His Story.

As we seek to make disciples of those nearest, our neighbors, and the nations, our Elder Body has discerned three big goals for the next ten years. Each goal is driven by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The first goal is Gospel Generation. We will seek to generate a powerful Gospel influence in this generation and those to come after us.

In Psalm 145, we see two kinds of generation. We see the generations (noun) of natural descent. We also see the generating (verb) of actions that point to the worship of God. As the psalmist proclaims in verse four, "One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts."

We are called to an active, dynamic role in the Kingdom of God. Each of us has a responsibility to "commend", "declare," "meditate on," "speak of," and "sing aloud" of the mighty and wonderful works of God. A silent Christian is not an obedient follower of Christ.

This goal within the mission of Carmel can only be accomplished when we live out an ABLE life. Abiding in Christ is where Gospel generation starts. In a fruit-bearing relationship with God, we become more aware of His love for us and God's desire for us to love one another well. As we abide in Him, we will want to build relationships and live the Gospel with everything.

How can you generate the Gospel in your generation? Right now is the first step. Steps become habits. Consider these habits for making disciples of those nearest to you:

• Wake up and pray daily for Gospel conversations. "God, what divine appointments do you have for me?"
• Choose a proactive life. "Give me eyes to see."
• Walk in the Spirit and obey Him. As you do, you will hear the whisper (or shout) of the Spirit.
• Read the Bible together with your family. Speak the Word over your family.
• Pray with your spouse daily. Commit to go on a date weekly and get away often for the purpose of strengthening your marriage.
• Pray for your kids (grandkids, kids in your neighborhood) by name daily.
• Develop a list of "10 things you want kids to know" and a plan to continually teach them. (For those without children at home, consider ways that you can "speak into" the next generation and encourage faith).

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The Big 3:

The Gospel

Over the next several weeks, Pastor Alex will be unveiling three goal for the next decade at Carmel! These goals will impact the Nearest, our Neighbors, and the Nations with the gospel. In light of that, Pastor Alex felt compelled to start this series with making sure we all had an accurate understanding of the gospel.

Romans 1:1 says, "Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God." Paul is identifying himself as a bondservant, which is a big deal for Paul. In his previous Jewish life he was a Rabbi among Rabbis. He is an apostle - one sent out and set apart. In verses 2-4 we see that the gospel is uniquely Jesus as the God-man sent to dwell among us in the flesh. Being fully God and fully perfect man, only He was able to go to the cross.

In the time of Paul, there was a "good news" gospel of cult Emperor worship. The emperor would send heralds out among the people to tell the good news of the victory that was won, or the child that had been born to the royal family, etc... The true gospel, the gospel of Jesus Christ, is more than good news! Paul is unashamedly (and dangerously) saying that it NOT about the emperor, but about Jesus.

Tim Keller says, "The gospel - is the message that we are more wicked than we ever dared believe, but more loved and accepted in Christ than we ever dared hope."

The Gospel is the good news of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and that through faith in Him we can be forgiven and reconciled to God.

In this day and age, the right definition of the gospel is more important than ever. We see a warning in Galatians 1:6-7 that reminds us to not be deceived by other worldviews and that everything else is a counterfeit.

In Romans 1:16, Paul says, "I am not ashamed of the gospel..." This could be due to the fact that enlightenment of Roman culture would have seen the gospel as a very simple message. Thankfully, even today, it is a simple, profound message of Truth and hope. We have lived in a time and region of cultural Christianity. That season is gone, which is a GOOD THING! Remember, Christians have been called names since the beginning. Welcome to the club!

1 Corinthians 2:1-5 shows us that we need the Spirit that we receive at salvation. Without the power of the Spirit, all plans are worthless. With the Spirit, amazing things happen, and we don't get the credit. What an adventure! We must have the power of God for salvation. Romans 1:17 shows us that through the Spirit, the adventure never ceases. We don't trust Christ and just stay put. We allow Him to lead us as we keep growing in the power of God.

To Discuss Today:

1. It is always good to tell the story of your salvation to someone else. Do that this week.

2. Are you "stuck" in your adventure of following Jesus? Why? Is there fear? Is there complacency? Give those things to God and allow Him to use you as He wishes.

3. Where do you see cultural Christianity fading? How does that impact your life? Why is that a "good thing"?

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