Believing Together in Multiplication

Introduction/Scripture

Romans 10:14–15 NIV

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

Romans 15:20 NIV

It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation.

Pray.

When I was called to seminary, I needed to find a way to pay for it.

As a result, a fire started inside me that I cannot contain.

“Church planting teaches two things more than any other: that God is faithful and that we must learn how to depend on that faithful God.” – Christine Hoover

Context:

1. Religious Pluralism and Pagan Worship

The Roman Empire was a melting pot, drawing together people from a multitude of conquered lands with distinct customs, languages, and religious practices. With the empire's rapid expansion came a population boom in urban centers like Rome, bringing together Greeks, Egyptians, Jews, Syrians, and other ethnicities. Each group had its own deities, rituals, and beliefs, which were generally tolerated under Roman rule as long as they did not challenge the political authority of the empire or the divinity of the emperor.

Religious plurality was the norm, and syncretism—merging various religious traditions—was widespread. People often worshiped multiple gods, including gods from different traditions. While this cultural acceptance of various religions created an environment of relative freedom, it was a conditional freedom. If any belief system appeared to undermine Roman authority, it could be met with oppression or persecution. The early Christians were at odds with Roman society because their worship of one God and refusal to honor the emperor as divine was seen as politically subversive.

Conroe and Rome

Today:

Today, our society mirrors some aspects of Roman plurality. The modern world is marked by globalization, multiculturalism, and a wide spectrum of religious beliefs. People are more connected than ever, and the internet and social media have accelerated exposure to different viewpoints, values, and lifestyles. The secularization of Western societies has fostered a landscape where people are free to adopt, mix, or redefine their religious or spiritual beliefs. In many parts of the world, religious pluralism and tolerance are seen as virtues, with people encouraged to respect diverse faiths and philosophies.

The assumption of understanding of the gospel should disappear….

So then how can they call on one they do not believe?

Evangelical

How can they believe in the one they have not heard?

Barna Research:

In the church:

New Spirituality

28% practicing Christians agree “all people pray to the same God or spirit

27% believe that “meaning and purpose come from becoming one with all that is”

32% believe in YDG YGG and YDB YGB - Karma

over 61% of Christians believe in at least one of these major ideas in New Spirituality

Secularism

Materialism: “Meaning and purpose comes from working hard to earn as much as possible so you can make the most of life” -20% Christians

Postmodernism

24% believe what is morally right or wrong depends on what an individual believes

This view believes that there is no such thing as objective truth

This is in the church, what do you think is outside of the church? This is culture bleeding inside.

How can they hear if no one has preached?

we have to share

Gospels are about proclamation, like a herald…

Dallas Willard:

Churches are not the kingdom of God, but are primary and inevitable expressions, outposts, and instrumentalities of the presence of the kingdom among us. They are “societies” of Jesus, springing up in Jerusalem, in Judea, in Samaria, and to the furthest points on earth (Acts 1: 8), as the reality of Christ is brought to bear on ordinary human life. This is an ongoing process, not yet completed today: “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a witness to all nations, and then the end shall come” (Matthew 24: 14). - Dallas Willard

How can anyone preach if they have not been sent?

Maritza

FMC has everything it needs to be a sending church

“Don’t let your church be a cul-de-sac on the Great Commission highway.” – Ed Stetzer

So we are sending to The Woodlands Hills, we already have.

Romans 15:20 NIV

It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation.

Why? Show video

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5 Million dollar goal for believing together, 10M total project.

I am excited to share with you some incredible news. God is already at work in this in a big way. There is a longtime member that desired to be a part of Believing Together and to ensure that generations have the opportunity to hear the good news of Jesus through the ministry of FMC. He desired to honor his late wife in this endeavor because of her years of faithful service to our community and to invest in multiplication because he believed the vision was worth the sacrifice. He has pledged 1 Million dollars to Believing Together. And not only that but a few others are already leading the way to bring us to 1.37M already raised.

Tonight is our Advanced Commitment Worship Event and we want to invite anyone that is ready to join us. ELT members, leaders, staff families, pastors, we will gather together for this special event to make our commitment.

Commitment Sunday for the whole church is November 17th and we will be excited to share momentum in the coming weeks leading up to that day.

Water skiing. Someone tossed me a life jacket…i needed in the boat.