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: Multiply 9.1 - May 2, 2010

Practice #9 – Multiply
9.1 – Being Part of the Movement

John 5:17 (NIV)
Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working.”

John 5:19-20a (NIV)
Jesus gave them this answer: “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does.”

At the end of Jesus’ ministry, the tune changed.
 
John 17:4 (NIV)
I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.
Jesus calls us to be a part of a movement of discipleship. 

What is Discipleship?
1 Corinthians 4:15-17 (NIV)
Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. Therefore I urge you to imitate me. For this reason I am sending to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.

What does that mean?
The parts of discipleship:
1.    Pastoring
2.    Accountability
3.    Modeling
4.    A Place to Play
5.    Teaching


How do I disciple?
Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

1.    Discipleship must be relational!
1 Corinthians 13:1 (NIV)
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.

2.    Discipleship must be intentional!
2 Timothy 2:2 (NIV)
And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.

3.    Discipleship must be reproducible!
Hebrews 6:12 (NIV)
We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

Practice: Serve 8.4 - April 25, 2010

        Practice #8 – Serve
8.4 – When Serving Becomes Work

  
   A.    Jesus’ appearance with His disciples had sent Martha into a tailspin   
      1.    Martha was going around in circles
      2.    Instructed the Lord to send Mary to the kitchen
      3.    Mary had chosen to sit at Jesus’ feet and learn
      4.    Martha could have been a workaholic
         a.    Probably the oldest sister
         b.    Mary was probably the middle child

3 scriptures about Mary—each time she is sitting at Jesus’ feet    
B.    The second occasion—John 11:1-6, 17-27, 28-33
      1.    Martha’s approach was one of detail—“why did you not come?”
      2.    Mary’s approach was one of worship—she fell at His feet

   C.    Martha’s second chance – John 12:1
      1.    “Martha served” – vs 2
      2.    Mary worshiped – by anointing Him
      3.    We may need passion and practice


I.    Burnout comes from forcing ourselves to do something we are not passionate about; we have a tendency to get crabby
   A.    Martha was all about the task
   B.    Service for Christ can get in the way of communion
      1.    We are a task-oriented society
      2.    Many of us are performance driven
      3.    Tasks however are very needful—sometimes even when we don’t feel like it
      4.    Ministry is full of people who will look around and complain when everything is not getting
         done.
         a.    If Jesus were coming to your house tomorrow, what would you change?
         b.    Illustration—mother asked daughter to go get the book we always read
Matthew 13:22 (New King James Version)
Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.
The cares of this world choke out our spiritual life.

II.    We may need worship as well as work
   A.    Mary’s heart longed to honor the Lord
      1.    Sitting at His feet is a safe place
      2.    Hard on Him, easy on ourselves

B.    Mary had chosen the better things
      1.    What was cooking in the living room was much more important than what was cooking in the
          kitchen
2.    When our heart is right, our hands are right

III.  Learn to get things done with the right attitude
   A.    We need a consistent place of worship and learning
      1.    Jesus had a place of prayer consistently
      2.    Paul always looked for a place to worship and pray
      3.    Maybe this is why there are so many epiphanies in the shower
  
   B.    Learn to come into His presence with intentionality
      1.    Church is not just fellowship

   C.    Devote ourselves to sit at His feet;
I Peter 2:2 as newborn babies, desire the sincere milk of the word that you may grow thereby

D.  Devote ourselves to getting His work done

Revelation 21:3-4 (New King James Version)
And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying.
There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
    1.    Jesus longs to be with us.
    2.    Honoring Him will make us feel comfortable.

Practice: Server 8.3 - April 18, 2010

Practice #8 – Serve
8.3 – People Value

Review: The mission – Luke 19:10; Our responsibility – 2 Corinthians 5 – we must take on the mission

What does God care about?
 
Deuteronomy 6:5 (New International Version)
Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

Deuteronomy 30:2 (New International Version)
and when you and your children return to the LORD your God and obey him with all your heart and with all your soul according to everything I command you today,
 
Joshua 22:5 (New International Version)
But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you: to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to obey his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and all your soul."
 
Proverbs 3:5 (New International Version)
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
Jeremiah 29:13 (New International Version)
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Joel 2:12 (New International Version)
"Even now," declares the LORD, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning."

Zephaniah 3:14 (New International Version)
Sing, O Daughter of Zion; shout aloud, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O Daughter of Jerusalem!

Matthew 22:36-40 (New International Version)
"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

Romans 13:8-10 (New International Version)
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

1 John 1:7 (New International Version)
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

Jesus tells a story about how this looks:
Luke 10:25-37 (New International Version)
On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" "What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?" He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" "You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live." But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.' "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

1.    If we are going to be on God’s mission, people have to matter.
Galatians 5:22-23 (New International Version)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
 
2.    Many people, when trying to love God, decide to study the Word.
John 5:39-40 (New International Version)
You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.
 
3.    If you are going to love God, you have to care about what He cares about.
Matthew 25:31-46 (New International Version)
When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 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.” Then he will say to those on his left, “Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.” They also will answer, “Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?” He will reply, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.” Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.

Practice: Server 8.1 - April 4, 2010 - Easter Sunday

Practice #8 – Serve 8.1 –
It’s Just Too Far-Fetched

Philippians 2:3-8 (New International Version)
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 
 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 
but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!

We can kill the reality of Jesus’ work on the cross when we try to debate worldview for worldview. The story is pretty crazy if you think about it. Genesis 1:1 (New International Version)
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
John 3:16 (New International Version)
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Luke 1:31-35 (New International Version)
You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.
Hebrews 4:15 (New International Version)
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.
Romans 5:18-19 (New International Version)
Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

Here is the crux of the story: As a result of this amazing process of events, I am supposed to be different.
John 8:36 (New International Version)
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
Romans 8:1 (New International Version)
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,
Romans 8:31-32, 37 (New International Version)
What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things…No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

So, how do we live in response to this?
Philippians 2:3-8 (New International Version)
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 
 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 
but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!

As a result of this story, we should be affected to DO certain things.

Practice: Worship 7.4 - March 28, 2010

Practice #7 – Worship
7.4 – The Living Sacrifice

Romans 11:36-12:2 (New International Version)
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen. Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

•    The parts of worship:  For the glory of the one worshipped
•    Something is offered or sacrificed or dedicated in worship
•    The things offered in worship belong to the one worshipped, not the worshipper.
Here is how we do it:1.    Know who God made you to be.Romans 12:3-8 (NIV)
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

2.    Treat other people correctlyRomans 12:9-21 (NIV)
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Paul gives us a list of what this looks like:
•    Hate Evil
•    Focus on good things (Philippians 4:8)
•    Be devoted to one another and honor each other (Ephesians 4:32)
•    Never be lacking in zeal
•    Maintain hope, patience, prayer
•    Take care of those in need
•    Hang out with people
•    Be a blessing
•    Join people where they are – the easy ones and the hard ones
•    Get along with people
•    Be humble
•    Don’t be vindictive
•    Do what is right – even if it hurts
•    Don’t be vengeful.  God will take care of it
•    Be a blessing to those whom you do not like
•    Romans 13:1-7 – honor your government
•    Romans 13:8-14 – reinforcing loving your brother and sister
•    Romans 14 – how to handle people who do churchy things different than you

This is Paul’s definition of what worship is, and according to Paul is the only logical thing that we can do in view of how good God has been to us.