by J. Randal Matheny

Next Sunday, we're beginning a new work in a major city near us, called Taubaté. This city has 250,00 population, with no church there yet.

Three couples of us met there yesterday, in a home, to worship together and plan ahead. I preached on what it takes to start a congregation from Acts 2. Let me encourage you to read this chapter before continuing.

Some years ago, there was a beginning made to establish a congregation in this city. A lot was bought for future construction. But the work stopped and the beginning died. During all these years, the lot has remained empty.

We are not here to condemn that effort. We are here to consider what is necessary to our effort so that our beginning will not end like theirs.

Let us consider, then, from Acts 2, the beginning of the church of Jesus Christ, what is necessary to begin a congregation that will continue and grow.

First, there must be a message. Not just any message, but the message of Christ. Somebody must preach it. That somebody must be me.

This message, by its very nature, explains what God did in Christ and how a person may receive salvation. It includes exhortation or encouragement to act, to save oneself. Preaching seeks for a reaction, a response.

When the gospel is preached, people convert to the Lord, and God adds them to his church. Thus, a church is "born".

Second, there must be a meeting. The word church, in its active sense, means "assembly, a congregating, meeting." We are the people of God united around the table of the Lord.

The breaking of bread is the number 1 reason for our meeting (Acts 20:7). We meet on Sunday in order that Jesus may drink the new wine with us (Matt. 26:29).

In order to have a meeting, we must have a place, though that is an incidental consideration. Whether it's a building, a home, a school - any place that permits Christians to worship is adequate for the purpose.

Third, there must be a mettle, a dedication of those who preach and meet. Without commitment and consistency, little will be done.

This commitment follows the apostles' teachings and offers up constant prayer for the wisdom and power of God.

This devotion uses physical resources and money for spiritual purposes.

This mettle is not turned aside by persecution, nor broken by discouragement.

Some 10-12 years ago, two couples wanted to begin a congregation in their neighborhood. They decided to begin a study group in one of their homes. They committed themselves to meet every week, rain or shine, to share the gospel with people they would meet.

They preached, they met, they showed their mettle.

Today, they are a large congregation with elders and deacons.

Will you preach the gospel? Will you meet as a church? Will you assume the commitment to fulfill God's mission in this city? If so, there will be not only the beginning of a congregation, but great growth in God's kingdom.

That was the gist of my sermon yesterday.

Why do I share it with you?

First, to point you to the message of salvation in Jesus Christ and the need to obey the gospel (v. 38). If you haven't done so yet, believe in Christ, decide to change your life, and be immersed in water so that your sins may be forgiven.

Second, to remind you, if you are a Christian, that every person, every city, every region, needs the gospel. Preach and meet in a new place with dedication. Only in this way will everyone hear.

Third, to ask for your prayers, as one more city hears the gospel. Our resources are meager, but our determination is sharp, and, more importantly, our God is great and powerful.

We see that in the beginning of the church in Acts 2. And we believe we will see it also in the beginning of the church in Taubaté.