There are some truly beautiful things happening at Revolution Church Sacramento right now. We are able to introduce the idea of what a small, organic church plant looks like to some that thought it was going to be like a big grand opening, conversations and relationships are forming, some great word is being spoken, music at an amazing level is being performed and hundreds of people from around the world have personally committed to pray for this new ministry in addition to over 1,800 churches praying with us through our time in the One Prayer series. It really is a special and rewarding time for me!
I feel that there is a great unity amongst us at the moment to give our all and see how God uses this time and who he connects us with. Philippians 1:1-4 describes my feelings about us as a church right now:
- 1If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
I really feel as if we are one in spirit and purpose. Waiting to see how things go forward in regards to our vision for the city. It’s an exciting time to be in ministry!
Continuing on in Philippians 2, Paul talks about humility in verses 3-4:
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3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Humbleness and humility is something we strive for in ministry, yet it is often difficult to find. It is too easy to take pride and credit for giving a great sermon, growing a large church, helping homeless families get placed into homes, etc. That is definitely something I appreciate about our people. We started in a home group setting as a gathering of people that didn’t take pride in our gifts. Even to the point of down-playing them at times. Through a spirit of humbleness, things have come together to work in an amazing way. A lot of things that would need to be spoken of at length in other churches just flows naturally for us. No one is bigger than any other, even to the point of running out to the street and waving our Revolution Church Sacramento signs and letting people know where we are.
Above all else, having a humble spirit and the willingness to do what it takes for the sake of people coming to know Christ Jesus eternally is one trait I would not fluctuate on in assembling a team. Especially our Revolution Team as we seek to connect with those outside of the church and ignorant of the gospel of good news. It has to be about others and not about our own desires. We must love God and love others selflessly.
Some key phrases in the remainder of Philippians 2 are:
- 13for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
- 14Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16aas you hold out the word of life
- 20I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. 21For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 2 is a reminder to us that we should imitate Christ’s humility and rejoice always that we are in God’s will who is doing a good work through us for his good purpose. Planting a church, while sometimes tough & challenging can lead to the rewards of knowing that people came forward to share life with us and through God in us came to know Christ on an eternal level. There is no greater reward on this earth than that, which really is only an extension of our faithfulness and perseverance in sharing the gospel with those whose paths we cross through the divine nature of God’s universe.
Related posts:
- Church Planting & Philippians: Final Thoughts
- Church Planting & Philippians 1
- Church Planting and Philippians 3
- Church Planting & Philippians 4
- Church Planting: Perceptions
Tags: church planting, philippians 2
Dave, I’ve gotta say, you’ve become a hero to me, though we’ve never met face-to-face. Charisma gets some guys some instant notoriety, but humility and sincerity take us across the finish line. I so appreciate you stepping out in faith to lead your young church the way you do. As Paul said, “I pray for you as often as I think about you.” Keep it up!
Brandon: Wow…talk about humbling. You just about made me cry with that comment. I appreciate you and your support for our ministry more than you may know. Your prayers buoy us and your encouragement keeps us focused on the finish line. Much love to you friend! We couldn’t even be at the point of diiscussing our second public preview service without people like you standing alongside us. Wow, I am very moved right now.