"You Can Do It"

       Hello everybody, my name is Dean Davis and this is “Multiply,” the podcast that

provides a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters.

Some of the most amazing words that Jesus ever spoke were directed to his

disciples in a moment of confusion. After nearly three years of constant on-the-

job training, Jesus’ disciples still didn’t understand who He was. John 14 tells

us about Thomas’ confusion concerning Jesus' destiny. Verse 8 relates Philip’s

confusion about Jesus’ relationship with God the Father.

In that moment of his disciple's confusion, weakness, and vulnerability, toward

the end of their Savior’s earthly life, Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, whoever

believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even

greater things than these because I am going to the Father. And I will do

whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”

Amazing! Jesus said that his confused disciples would do greater works than He

did if they would only believe. We all know the works of Christ: He healed the

sick, raised the dead, freed people oppressed by the devil, confronted self-

righteous religious leaders, and announced the Kingdom of god to thousands all

across Palestine. These are great works. But Jesus said his disciples would do

greater works if they would only believe.

The words of their Leader must have seemed preposterous to the disciples.

They know who they were, confused, fearful followers of a Rabbi whom they

did not fully understand. How could they do greater works than he?

Even so, Jesus encouraged them. Against all odds, Jesus encouraged them. In a

moment when things looked bleak, He believed in them. By faith, Jesus saw

what they could do. Jesus encouraged his disciples: “Very truly I tell you,

whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do

even greater things than these because I am going to the Father.

I’m sure as you my brothers and sisters look at your disciples you see and hear

some of the same indications of confusion and fear that Jesus heard from

Thomas and Philip. Sometimes you may be tempted to ask yourself, “What will

my disciples ever accomplish?” Take care in that moment; don’t give in to

despair. Instead, speak a word of faith and encouragement. Tell your disciples

in their moments of doubt, “You can do it. God is with you. Don’t give up.

Keep trusting Jesus. You are going to accomplish great things.”

I remember when I was about 23 years old. I was a student in a Bible seminary.

I was certainly not the most gifted student and not the most eloquent. I

wondered what my future would hold. But some trusted men in my church told

me that they believed I would do great things. I could hardly believe their

words, but I took heart. As I think back on their words over 50 years later, I

have to say that God has done amazing things in and through my life. This is

not because I’m great. It’s because He is great and He is good. So, encourage

your disciples. Tell them that if they believe, they will do greater works than

they can ever imagine today.

This is Multiply, and I’m Dean Davis asking, “Who will you share this

encouraging word with today?

#EncouragementForVillageChurchPlanters #GreaterWorks #John14

Pray for Those You Empower

    Hello, this is Multiply a podcast to encourage Village Church Planters and leaders. I am Brad Snowden and today I would like to look at one aspect of the life of Jesus. The Lord had a distinct relationship with His disciples. He taught them, encouraged them, and empowered them to use what he had given them to fulfill the plans and purposes of the heavenly father. 

 The very fact of being a follower of Christ is humbling enough but then we hear a His prayer for us in John 17 it is even more humbling. Christ showed us a way that we should walk and his example not only for our own lives but also how we are to treat and respect, brothers, and sisters in Christ.

 In John 17 the very last moments of Christ’s life here on this earth we find his attitude full of prayer full of desire for our heavenly father to instill into us everything that he was. Jesus wanted for his twelve disciples and still wants for us today is to be empowered by His Holy Spirit-to be His witness. We are on this earth to encourage each other and pray for each other. We see over and over in John 17 Jesus praying for his disciples, knowing how they would be used for the kingdom of God after he was gone. He not only prayed for his disciples, but he prayed for those that would be affected by the good news in which they were going to preach and live out before them. Oh, if we could comprehend the power of praying for our disciples and the generations touched by those prayers. I wonder even in my own life, how many times I think of that generational impact. The disciples that the Lord has given me the privilege of helping, encouraging, and walking beside how many they would touch through the power of the Holy Spirit. Wow! When you think about it... generations, the older we get the more generations can be touched or at least that can be our prayer. Jesus prayed for his disciples. 

Oh, what a victory. His prayer was for all of us to be in one mind and one heart with Christ: One with our disciples as we share, encouraging + touching their lives and allowing God to shape them into being disciple-makers themselves and the multiplication goes on and on. It was Christ's heart in John 17 to pray for his disciples; what power comes in prayer, let us not shrink back from the privilege of praying for our disciples. Praying for one another praying that God would simply have his way. Even long after we are with Him and that example can continue to minister the good news of Jesus Christ. Oh, that we could have that heart, that we could be blessed in knowing that the Lord hears our prayers and our disciples are changed by them. What a blessing and what a privilege it is that Christ has given us this example in John 17 for fruitful ministry pouring into our disciples and it starts with prayer. 

This has been a word of encouragement for Village church planters. Lord bless you as you pray! for your disciples. Who will you share this with today?

Be Kind to Your Disciples

 

    Hello everybody, my name is Dean Davis and this is “Multiply,” the podcast that

provides a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters.

When we take a moment to observe leaders, we often see two kinds: Those

who use others to advance their own career, power, and authority and those

who build others up as they work together to achieve goals. In the world we

expect to find leaders who take advantage of those they supervise. But it is

always disheartening when we find abusive leaders in the Church. Yet, we have

to admit, some Christian leaders use people to get ahead rather than serving

them and building them as they give supervision.

Jesus warned us about such leaders. One day when he saw his own disciples

fighting for power, “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.”

What could be more clear? Jesus expects his disciples to lead others the way he

led them. Jesus was a great teacher; he spent a lot of time teaching his

disciples. Jesus was a great organizer. He organized his own ministry and that

of his followers. Jesus demonstrated spiritual power by healing the sick and

casting out demons. But all of this was done with kindness. You remember the

words of Jesus. He said to his disciples some of the kindest words ever spoken,

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you

rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in

heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden

is light.”

As disciple-makers, we call our disciples to live up to a high standard. We

expect them to repent of corrupt ways of living. We expect them to work hard

in their service to Christ and his Church. We expect them to forgive others

when they are offended. We expect our disciples to devote time to prayer,

fasting, and study of the word of God. We call our disciples to live up to a high

standard. But that does not mean that we should be harsh with them.

Jesus said, “I am gentle and humble in heart.” Jesus gives rest for the souls of

his disciples.

What about you? Do your disciples know you as a kind man or a harsh man; a

kind woman or a harsh woman? When you call on your disciples to work hard,

do you also make sure that they have time to rest and recover? When you

correct the behavior of your disciples, do you also remember to give words of

encouragement and hope? You can be kind and still be a strong leader. You

can be kind and still achieve great things. The Holy Spirit wants to help you.

So, my word of encouragement today is “Walk in the Spirit; express the fruit of

kindness. Don’t lord it over you disciples, rather, serve them in kindness. As

you do so, God will be glorified, your disciples will be strengthened, and

together you will achieve great things.

This has been Multiply and I’m Dean Davis asking, “Who will you share this

encouraging word with today?

#EncouragementForVillageChurchPlanters #Kindness

Listen To Your Disciples Reports

     Hello everybody, my name is Dean Davis and this is “Multiply,” the podcast that

provides a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters.

If you have been planting and multiplying churches for more than 3 or 4 years,

you have taken on big responsibilities. In the beginning you could focus on

prayer walking, finding persons of peace, and sharing the Good News in homes

and cell groups. But now your responsibilities have grown. You spend more of

your time casting vision, training others, organizing events, and overseeing the

planting of multiple churches in multiple locations.

It’s likely that you feel somewhat removed from the joy and excitement of

direct evangelism and disciple making with brand new Christians. You’ve taken

on greater responsibility and your people are grateful for the work you do, but

the truth is, you are somewhat removed from the growing edge of the

Kingdom.

In times like these you need to take care. Guard your heart. Make sure your

compassion for the lost does not decline. Guard your heart. Make sure you trust

God daily for provision and wisdom, power and favor and grace. Guard your

heart, make sure you do not boast in your own strength; boast in the Lord and

in his mercy and kindness.

As you plant more and more churches and delegate more and more

responsibility to your disciples, one way you can guard your heart is to listen

carefully to your disciples’ reports. Jesus did. When he sent the apostles out to

minister, he listened to their reports upon their return. Matthew 9:10 tells us,

“When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then

he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called

Bethsaida.”

As you know, listening is more than just hearing. When we listen, we pay

attention. When we listen, we seek to understand. Jesus listened to his

disciples’ reports and we should too. We need to let them tell their story in

their own words. We need to ask open questions to increase our understanding

and theirs. We need to be patient as they speak. By doing so, we show respect

for men and women who are working and being stretched as they make

disciples and plant churches. We gain insight and understanding about matters

we have not seen first-hand. We gain wisdom so that we can coach our

disciples well. And our disciples gain wisdom as they reflect on their ministry

experience.

So do what Jesus did. Take time to listen to your disciples’ reports. As you do

so, both you and your disciples will be strengthened. As you listen with

empathy your hearts will be joined together. God will be honored and you will

become a stronger team. As you listen, the Lord will lead you forward together

with greater faith, wisdom, and vision.

This has been Multiply and I’m Dean Davis asking, “Who will you share this

encouraging word with today?

#EncouragementForVillageChurchPlanters #ActiveListening

Give Your Disciples Significant Responsibilities

    Hello everybody, my name is Dean Davis and this is “Multiply,” the podcast that

provides a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters.

Delegation of ministry responsibility is a big part of church leadership. And

delegation of ministry responsibility is also a big part of making disciples. So,

please take a moment right now to answer these two simple questions,

 When I am working with my disciples, do I often give them

responsibilities that are too big for them to handle? Or,

 When I am working with my disciples, do I often give them

responsibilities that are very simple and easy for them to handle?

If you want to pause this recording while you think about those two questions,

feel free to do so.

These two questions are really important. If we give our disciples

responsibilities that are too big for them to handle, they will get frustrated. If

they don’t know what to do or how to do it, things won’t turn out well. Even if

they know what to do and how to do it but just do not have the time necessary

to do what you have asked them to do, big problems can arise.

On the other hand, sometimes your disciples are ready to take on big tasks and

carry out great responsibilities. But if you fail to recognize their ability and

their availability, bad things will happen. They will get frustrated; they may

begin to doubt their own abilities. They may even leave you and look for places

where their skills and gifts will be better put to work in God’s Kingdom.

So, what guidelines should we follow when it comes to delegating responsibility

to our disciples. Here are five guidelines that help me.

1. Cast a big vision.

2. Pay attention to your disciples’ abilities, gifts, and skills.

3. Give your disciples responsibilities that stretch them slightly.

4. Constantly affirm what they do well.

5. Patiently help your disciples learn from their mistakes so they will be

stronger next time.

The VCP vision of a church in every African village by 2050 is big. So is the

Great Commission to make disciples of all nations. Share these visions often

and well. Then, remembering your disciples’ gifts and abilities, give them

significant responsibilities that stretch them, cause them to pray, and make

them find creative solutions. Always affirm what goes well. Gently correct and

instruct for greater effectiveness next time.

My brother, my sister, follow Jesus’ example. Give your disciples significant

responsibility. If you do so, you will be blessed, they will be blessed, and

God’s grace will be released in amazing ways!

This had been Multiply, and I’m Dean Davis asking, “Who will you share this

encouraging word with today?

#EncouragementForVillageChurchPlanters #Delegate

Steward Leadership - Parable of the Unjust Steward Part 3

 

        This is Chuck Rapp with Multiply, a podcast to provide a word of encouragement for village church planters and leaders. 

Today we continue our series on steward leadership, and we complete our study of the parable of the Unjust Steward. 

A steward is defined as “someone who manages resources belonging to another person in order to achieve the owner’s objectives.” In our context, we are managing resources provided by the Lord for our Village Church Planting work. 

In my previous podcasts, I introduced three themes in this parable

• Stewards must give an account.  

• The shrewdness of the steward and the commendation from his master

• The criticality of faithfulness in both small things and in our stewardship of resources

An important principle that Jesus is trying to is convey that it is much better to be a just, or trustworthy, steward rather than an unjust one. Don’t be confused by his commendation of the unjust steward.  We addressed that issue in our previous podcast. The unjust steward saw his master’s resources as a means for his own personal enjoyment and advancement. Instead, Jesus wants His followers to be trustworthy and righteous stewards. 

Jesus explains today’s principle in verses 10 and 11. 

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?

This reminds me of our study of the parable of the talents in Matthew 25.  If we are faithful in small things, we will be entrusted with more.  And, if we can’t be faithful with earthly wealth, which isn’t even ours to begin with, then how can we be entrusted with the “true riches” of God’s Kingdom? 

The key point of Jesus’ application is verse 13.  “No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” (see also Matthew 6:24). If God is our Master, then our resources – our time, talents, and treasure - will be at His disposal. The faithful and just steward whose Master is God will employ all that he or she is, and does, to build up the kingdom of God.

On the other hand, those who love money more than God and who are merely seeking to get paid or get rich and are not prioritizing God’s eternal kingdom. 

In our next episode, we will continue our study of steward leadership. This has been a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters and leaders.

Steward Leadership - Parable of the Unjust Steward Part 2

    This is Chuck Rapp with Multiply, a podcast to provide a word of encouragement for village church planters and leaders.  

Today we continue our series on steward leadership. One author defines a steward as “someone who manages resources belonging to another person in order to achieve the owner’s objectives.” In our context, we are managing resources provided by the Lord for our Village Church Planting work.  

In my previous podcast, I introduced three themes that I see in this parable

· Stewards must give an account.  

· The shrewdness of the steward and the commendation from his master

· The criticality of faithfulness in both small things and in our stewardship of finances

In this episode, we address the steward’s shrewdness and the praise for this that he received from the master. We read in verse 8.  “The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly…”  What is that all about?  

This parable does not seemingly make much sense in many ways.  Why would the rich man – the master – commend a servant who wasted his goods and then discounted others’ debts to him?  The key to understanding Jesus’ story is that it is not about master and servant relationships. Rather, it is about how to handle money correctly.  

On a quick side note, it occurs to me that the actions of the unjust steward caused others to join with him in his dishonesty. Our faithful stewardship – or our failure in this – has an impact upon others.  

As we consider why the master complimented the unjust steward, we must first realize that he was not applauding the man’s dishonesty. Instead, it was because he realized how the dishonest steward used (or misused) his access to resources to proactively prepare for his imminent judgment and to secure his future.  

Verses 8 and 9 elaborate on this point.  “For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light.  I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.”  

A principle that we can take from these comments is that Jesus encourages us to be generous with our possessions in this life so that we can further the gospel and gain friends for eternity. This is similar to his teaching on wealth in the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus exhorted His followers to lay up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19–21).

If we understand the principle that everything we own is a gift from God, then we realize that God is the owner of everything and that we are His stewards. As such, we are to use the Master’s resources to further the Master’s goals.  

In our next episode, we will continue our study of steward leadership and the parable of the Unjust Steward.

This has been a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters and leaders.