Why Gospel Multiplication?

This past weekend Pastor Rob shared the big news that Vintage Church is moving from two campuses to three campuses. Many ask “why add another campus? Doesn’t that mean more work, time, energy, and money will be needed?” The answer is a definite yes. Nonetheless, Vintage Church is multiplying to three campuses for one reason: Gospel Multiplication. Vintage Church defines Gospel Multiplication in this way: “Vintage Church is committed to our core values of living the Gospel (Truth), loving the city (Love), and being the church (Community) by multiplying individuals, community groups, and gatherings in New Orleans and beyond.”

So Gospel Multiplication begins with Vintage’s core values. If you’ve been around Vintage for any short period of time you’ve probably heard our core values of truth, love, and community before. You’ve also probably heard why Vintage exists. Our mission is to “live the Gospel, love the City, and Be the Church.” So why multiply our values and mission into individuals, community groups, and gatherings? Because if we don’t Vintage Church has little to no impact upon the city of New Orleans and throughout the world. If we do not multiply truth, love, and community we’re just a cool social club in the city with no purpose and no impact.

So why Gospel Multiplication? Vintage Church believes in Gospel Multiplication because Jesus has called his church (that’s including us) to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20). All nations includes New Orleans, Metairie, Kenner, Chalmette, San Antonio, San Diego, Mumbai, India, and beyond. So we are multiplying campuses because there are still disciples of Jesus to be made in the Greater New Orleans area.

The question then is how can you and I participate in Gospel Multiplication today. Remember, Gospel Multiplication begins with the individual. If you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior then you have a purpose and a mission. You are to live your life glorifying God by making disciples of all nations for Jesus Christ. It doesn’t matter what you do, where you live, how old you are, how many people you know, etc. God has put you in a specific neighborhood, a specific home, a specific job, and in specific relationships for a specific purpose. God has tasked you and me with the responsibility of sharing the good news of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection with anyone and everyone we come in contact with.

So how do we begin Gospel Multiplication today? Wherever you are, share the good news of Jesus with those around you. Love those around you with the love Jesus has shown us. Be the hands and feet of Jesus to those around you. When you do this you are multiplying truth, love, and community into individuals. This is Gospel Multiplication. So be the church this week. Share the Gospel with others. Love others. Multiple the Gospel into individuals.

Next week we are going to talk about what Gospel Multiplication means for community groups.