31/05/2026 - Matthew Destry

The Roman historian Pliny the Younger once wrote to Emperor Trajan trying to explain these Christians. He said “they were accustomed to meet on a fixed day before dawn and sing responsively a hymn to Christ as to a god, and to bind themselves by oath… the contagion of this superstition has spread not only to the cities but also to the villages and farms.”

They spread everywhere. Because the early church did not primarily see itself as a place people attended. It saw itself as a people who were sent.

We gather to be formed. But we exist to be sent.

Acts 13:1–3

“Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.”

John 20:21 “Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.’”

Point 1: The church is called to form people, not just gather crowds

Point 2: Sending flows from spiritual depth

Point 3: Multiplication requires generosity and courage

1/ What does this mean for us personally?

“Sending” does not begin when you move overseas or plant a church. It begins Monday morning.

2/ So what does this mean for us as a church?

It means every person in this room has a role in the sending story. Some will go. Some will give. Some will lead. Some will pray.