Practice: Multiply 9.3 - May 16, 2010

Practice #9 – Multiply
9.3 – Back to Basics

Acts 2:42-47 (NIV)
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Everyone likes the idea of being a part of a movement of God. Few are willing to do what it takes.

What did the early church have that we need to key in on?
1. They were devoted to the right things
“They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer…”

What were the Values of the early church?
• Kingdom Minded (This brought about a sense of urgency)
• Others Centered (This caused them to live a generous lifestyle)
• Focused on Growth (Both personally and corporately)
• Serving God Gives Life (They sold out to God’s agenda)
• Reproducing Disciples who Disciple (Constantly meeting, praising God, and growing)

Genesis 11:5-6 (NIV)
But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower that the men were building. The LORD said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.”

2. The Apostles preached with power.
“Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles…”

Acts 4:32-33 (NIV)
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all.
God intends for preaching to have power and affect:

Ephesians 4:11-13 (NIV)
It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

3. God Added to Their Number Daily
“…And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

1 Corinthians 3:5-8 (NIV)
What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but
God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.

John 6:44 (NIV)
No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.

Practice: Multiply 9.2 - May 9, 2010

Practice #9 – Multiply
9.2 – 5 Phases of Discipleship

Review last week:
• Spiritual Growth is defined by our ability to be in real, authentic, spiritual relationship.
• Discipleship has 5 parts: pastoring, accountability, modeling, a place to play, and teaching
• Discipleship must be: relational, intentional, and reproducible

How do we assess someone’s spiritual maturity?
Matthew 6:5-8 (NIV)
And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Jesus’ measuring rod:
Matthew 20:25-28 (NIV)
Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

5 Stages of Spiritual Development:
1. Spiritually Dead
Ephesians 2:1-3 (NIV)
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.

To them, Jesus gives one call every time:
“Come follow me…”

2. Spiritual Infant
John 3:3-5 (NIV)
In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” “How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.”
To them, Jesus gives this call:
“Come follow me, and I will make you fishers of men…”

3. Spiritual Child
Hebrews 3:12-13 (NLT)
Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. You must warn each other every day, as long as it is called “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God.
To them, Jesus gives this call:
“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few…”

4. Spiritual Young Adult
Galatians 5:13-14 (NLT)
For you have been called to live in freedom – not freedom to satisfy your sinful nature, but freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
To them, Jesus gives this call:
“I am sending you out…”

5. Spiritual Parent
2 Timothy 2:2 (NLT)
You have heard me teach many things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Teach these great truths to trustworthy people who are able to pass them on to others.

To them, Jesus gives this call:
“You will be my witnesses…”

Practice: Give 5.3 - January 17, 2010

The Blessing of Giving

Introduction
Warren Hiersche tells of “America’s Greatest Miser, Hetty Green”

Acts 20:34-35
Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I have not coveted anyone's silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Acts 20:34-35 (Da Jesus Book, Hawaii Pidgin)
You guys know dat I wen work fo all da stuff me an my friends need. I do all dat fo show you guys dat by dis kine hard work we gotta help da guys dat no stay strong inside. I rememba wat da Boss Jesus wen say, “Da guy who give, he stay mo good inside den da guy who get.”

“Givers sleep well
takers eat well”

I.    Giving is a blessing to the recipient

  a.    Provides a sense of nurture emotionally – literally make them happier

    i.    Pidgin translation: “. . . feel mo good inside . . .”

    ii.    The Elder worth honor –

I Timothy 5:17
The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.

     iii.    The gift of a quilt

  b.    Provides nurture physically

    i.    Needs are met

    ii.    Careful not to enable

    iii.    Rich are to share

I Timothy 6:17-19
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

  c.    Blessing to Jesus

Matthew 25:34-40
Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?” The King will reply, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”

II.    Giving is a blessing to the giver when motives are right

  a.    Opposite (hoarding)

  b.    Philanthropists

  c.    Re-affirms our worthfulness

    i.    Dissipates selfishness

    ii.    Bolsters self esteem (“mo good inside”)

III.    Givers are blessed when nothing is expected in return

  a.    We are tempted to give in order to get back

    i.    Jesus: “Don’t let your left hand know . . .”

Matthew 6:3
But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,

    ii.    Mature leaders stop expecting to be rewarded for their giving

  b.    Generosity of God’s people are how the less-fortunate are taken care of

    i.    Haiti . . . Hospitals – food banks – care centers

   ii.    James 1:27
        Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

    iii.    Ephesians 1:22-23
        And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
 
Why God is counting on us to be givers:
1.    Caring for the less-fortunate
2.    His church is cared for and is empowered to reach the world
3.    He knows we will experience joy that comes from giving
4.    We allow the world to see Jesus’ compassion

January 10, 2009 - Practice: Give 5.2

Practice #5 – Give
The Pursuit of Sovereignty

Luke 12:13-34 (New International Version)
Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”  Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ Then he said, ‘This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I'll say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” ’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ “This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.” Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Some Questions to ask of this passage:
1.  Is it wrong for this man to want his inheritance?
Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.

2.  Why does Jesus call this greed?
Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

3.  What is the cure for greed?
Jesus tells a story about what it looks like from God’s perspective to not trust in the Sovereignty of God…
 
God blesses a certain man:
Luke 12:16-17 (New International Version)
And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ ”

The man has to figure out how to handle God’s blessing:
Luke 12:18-19 (New International Version)
Then he said, “This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I'll say to myself, ‘You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.’ ”

The man doesn’t trust in God’s Sovereignty:

Luke 12:20-21 (New International Version)
But God said to him, “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?” This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.

Then Jesus makes a promise for those who do trust:
Luke 12:22-34 (New International Version)
Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

When we are givers, we never have to worry about having enough.  When we are hoarders, we always worry and never have enough.
 
Leviticus 26:3-17 (New International Version)
If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees of the field their fruit. Your threshing will continue until grape harvest and the grape harvest will continue until planting, and you will eat all the food you want and live in safety in your land. I will grant peace in the land, and you will lie down and no one will make you afraid. I will remove savage beasts from the land, and the sword will not pass through your country. You will pursue your enemies, and they will fall by the sword before you. Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand, and your enemies will fall by the sword before you. I will look on you with favor and make you fruitful and increase your numbers, and I will keep my covenant with you. You will still be eating last year's harvest when you will have to move it out to make room for the new. I will put my dwelling place among you, and I will not abhor you. I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people.  I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt so that you would no longer be slaves to the Egyptians; I broke the bars of your yoke and enabled you to walk with heads held high. But if you will not listen to me and carry out all these commands, and if you reject my decrees and abhor my laws and fail to carry out all my commands and so violate my covenant, then I will do this to you: I will bring upon you sudden terror, wasting diseases and fever that will destroy your sight and drain away your life. You will plant seed in vain, because your enemies will eat it. I will set my face against you so that you will be defeated by your enemies; those who hate you will rule over you, and you will flee even when no one is pursuing you.