"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

Assurance of Salvation

ASSURANCE OF SALVATION
 

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

provides a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters.

I spoke today with a brother serving Christ in a West African country. He told

me that he had asked over 1,000 people if they knew where they would spend

eternity after they died. Of the 1,000 people he asked, many of whom

attended church each Sunday, only seven reported that they knew they would

live eternally with Christ because of what He had done for them. The rest

reported that they were not sure where they would spend eternity or that they

knew, in fact, that they would spend eternity in hell. My brother was quite

concerned that many who were going to church did not have assurance of

salvation in Christ.

So, my word of encouragement today is that we can live in this broken world

knowing for sure that we are children of God, joint heirs with Christ, forgiven,

justified believers who have a new and eternal life in Christ. We need not fear

death or hell.

I found assurance of salvation when I was 13 years old. I have lived in that

assurance for the last 55 years. Here is how I found it. I told a brother in Christ

that I wasn’t sure that I was a Christian. He opened his Bible to 1 John 5:10 and

read these words to me:

Whoever believes in the Son of God accepts this testimony. Whoever does not

believe God has made him out to be a liar, because they have not believed the

testimony God has given about his Son. And this is the testimony: God has given

us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever

does not have the Son of God does not have life.

Then the brother asked me, “Dean, do you have the Son of God in your life?” I

thought for a moment, and then I said, “Yes. I have trusted Jesus as my Savior.

He lives in me.”

Then the brother read again from 1 John 5:11, 12: “God has given us eternal

life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life.” Next, he asked,

Dean, do people who have the Son of God in their lives have eternal life? I said,

“Yes.” Then he asked me, “Do you have eternal life?” I said, “Yes, I have Jesus;

I have eternal life.” Then, the brother confidently told me, “Dean, you can go

from this place and never doubt that you are a child of God, a Christian who

has eternal life.” And do you know what? I did go from that place with full

assurance that I am a child of God and that I have eternal life. I have

experienced many fears since that time. But I have never been afraid of going

to hell or being separated from Jesus. I have him and He has me.

Do you have assurance of salvation in Jesus Christ? You can. Do your disciples

have assurance of salvation in Jesus Christ? They can too. Please, without

delay, share with them the wonderful truth about assurance of salvation from

God’s word found in 1 John 5:10-12.

I’m Dean Davis, praying for a church in every African village and that each

person in those churches will live daily with full assurance of the saving

presence of Christ in them, the hope of glory.

#EncouragementForVillageChurchPlanters #AssuranceOfSalvation

The Trademark of God's Leaders - Nehemiah Willing to Confront

 

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 the leadership qualities of Nehemiah. There is so much we can learn – and seek to follow – from this Old Testament leader. 

Today’s episode focuses on portions of chapters 5 and 13.  

In chapter 5, verses 1-6, Nehemiah writes about the complaints he received regarding taxes and the financial despair of some of the people.  Verse 7 says “I pondered them in my mind and then accused the nobles and officials….” 

Godly leaders think things through and then take action; when it is necessary they are willing to confront others.    

The narrative continues in the same direction.  Verse 9, “So I continued, “What you are doing is not right.  Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our Gentile enemies?””  “But let the exacting of usury (or lending money at unreasonably high rates of interest) stop!” (5:10b)  

Nehemiah was willing to confront wrong behaviors. This has been a point of failure for many leaders over the past 3 millennia.  Think of King David who suffered from this character flaw in his own family.  Godly leaders must be willing and able to appropriately, directly confront improper behavior.  

Those who were wealthy responded in a desirable and appropriate manner.  “We will do as you say.” (5:12b)  “And the people did as they had promised.”  (5:13b).  Godly leaders are persuasive.  If one reads the full account in 5:1-12, we see that Nehemiah laid out the situation plainly and explained his rationale.  It is particularly important for leaders to do this when it is necessary to confront.  People need to not only the WHAT of correction but also the WHY.  

Finally, we jump ahead to chapter 13 where we see Nehemiah take strong action.  He warned, rebuked, and commanded.

• He warned vendors against selling food on the Sabbath. (16)

• He rebuked the nobles for not honoring the Sabbath. (17)

• He ordered the city gates be shut during the Sabbath (19)

• He warned merchants not to spend the Sabbath eve night sleeping by the city wall. (21) 

• He commanded the Levites to purify themselves and guard the gates in order to keep the Sabbath day holy. (22)

• He rebuked those who had married foreign women.  (25)

Good and godly leaders must be willing – and able – to confront others when the situation warrants such action.  However, I would advise against beating and pulling out the hair of others; don’t follow Nehemiah’s example on these things in 13:25.  

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

Thank God for what he has done - 90 Days of Prayer & Fasting

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters Church Planters, Greetings. I am Pastor  Douti  Claude, VCP director. I am sending you this message as part of “Multiply,” our podcast that gives a word of encouragement to church planters.

Dear brothers, I would like to invite you this morning to thank God for which he has done. In our 90 days of fasting and prayer that we had begun, for almost three months, God has done many things: winning souls, delivering people… miraculous things have happened. There is reason to recognize the benefits of God, to say a big thank you to God. I exhort you to prayers of gratitude. Here, in 1 Timothy 2, verse 1 and 2, the apostle Paul says “I exhort therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men; for kings and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior.” There you have it, the apostle Paul speaks of all kinds of prayers and supplications or giving of thanks. I will insist on giving thanks. We must be grateful to God and give thanks to Him for all that He has done.

God has done many things among us. There have been testimonies. Today, I would like to bring you to thanksgiving, not to always ask, but to take the time to also thank God. The great King David recognized this. In Psalm 103, he spoke to his soul, to his interior, his innermost being, saying, “Bless the Lord, O my soul!” “Bless the Lord, O my soul!” “Bless the Lord, O my soul!” “Let all that is within me bless his holy name!” “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” He cited all that God does in his life. It is a form of recognition that God loves, that God appreciates.

In the Bible, there were lepers that Jesus sent out, he asked them to go and throw themselves into the water and they were healed. And there was only one who came back to Jesus out of 10 lepers. Jesus appreciated his gratitude, he asked him "Oh really, and the others, weren't they healed?" He said "of course", but where are they? And there, Jesus spoke another word over him, a word of special blessing because of his gratitude. The Bible no longer speaks of 9 lepers who left. Was their healing perfect? Did the leprosy come back harder than before? We don't know that. But without gratitude, it's not good before God. God needs our gratitude, thanksgiving for everything he does for us. I myself sometimes snatch money out of my children's hands when they don't know how to say thank you. "Thank you" is important.

I want to encourage you, dear church planter brothers, dear church planter sisters, you know what we experience in church planting: Going from place to place, we work among the robbers, among the criminals, among the fetishists, among the sorcerers, people who bewitch us, who do everything. But God heals us, he delivers us from all these things. And God touches the hearts of people so that they give themselves to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Oh, it's wonderful. Let us recognize the goodness of the Lord, the benefits of God. And let us say thank you to Him. So, let us learn again to say thank you with thanksgiving for all that God has done for us during these 90 days of prayer, fasting and church planting that are still ongoing. Dear church planters, it is within the framework of "Multiply".

May the Lord bless you wherever you are.

Shalom, shalom. Do everything to share this word of recognition, of thanks with someone else around you. Amen.

Take A Disciple With You - 90 Days of Prayer and Fasting

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

provides a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters.

Village Church Planting is a ministry that is characterized by rigorous training

over a long period of time. For four years, first generation church planters

participate in classes in a VCP training center. In the training center they read

and study the Bible, they consider and practice new ministry skills, and make

plans to share the Good News, makes disciples, and start new churches. But as

wonderful as training in the Village Church Planting training center may be, it

is not sufficient. Don’t get me wrong. I love VCP trainers and the learning that

takes place in the training center. But it’s just not sufficient. To learn how to

plant churches you need to observe church planters at work. Let me repeat

that, “To learn how to plant churches you need to observe church planters at

work.”

So, when you go out to do the work of church planting, take a disciple with

you. When you prayer walk, take a disciple with you. When you speak to the

chief, take a disciple with you. When you tell Bible stories, take a disciple with

you. When you pray for the sick, take a disciple with you. When you teach one

of the seven basic commands of Jesus, take a disciple with you.

Jesus taught his apostles to go out two by two (Mark 6:7). He told the 72 to go

out two by two (Luke 10:1). But why did Jesus insist on team ministry? Why did

he continually teach his followers to go out in pairs as they went to ministry

and spread the Good News? I think there are several reasons. 

It was a safety measure. Two people travelling together are safer than one. 

They are safer from attack and less vulnerable to accident or sickness.

Two people ministering together have stronger faith than a person ministering

 by himself. Together they agree in prayer, and this agreement brings blessing. 

Jesus said, “Truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything 

they ask for, it will be

done for them by my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 18:19).

So, by taking a disciple with you, your safety increases and your spiritual power

through faith in Christ increases. Those are reasons enough to always take a

disciple with you when you go to minister. But there’s more! When you take a

disciple with you as you minister, you are accomplishing two goals at the same

time.

 You are ministering to others and you are training your disciple. He or

she observes you as you prepare for ministry. Your disciple observes you,

listens to you, and sees how you do your work. He or she can then ask you

questions to find out why you do what you do in ministry. This observation and

conversation is hugely beneficial to the disciple and to you. This is where real

learning takes place. When your disciple observes you ministering in the power

of the Holy Spirit, the ideas and concepts and information discussed in the

training center become real in their heart and mind. So take a disciple with you

when you minister. Train your disciples to also take their disciples with them

when they minister. As you do so, your ministry will be strengthened and a new

generation of Christian workers will be developed.

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

encouraging word with today?

#EncouragementForVillageChurchPlanters #FastAndPray #2By2

Tell Bible Stories - 90 Days of Prayer & Fasting

 

Hello, good morning dear church planters brothers and sisters!

I greet you in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is your servant, Pastor Douti Claude VCP director. This morning, I would like to speak to you on the topic, "Telling Bible Stories." As you know, the Bible is a collection of stories. Many of God’s stories concern God and men. For a better understanding of what I am going to say and to be effective in telling God’s stories, you can read:  "Train and Multiply" Term 1, on page 65-02 to page 65-38.

 

 You will have all the information on how to tell God’s stories; but briefly, I would like to tell you that Jesus Christ, Who came as the Son of God, Himself told God’s stories and He encouraged us to do so, to tell the stories of God.

 In Matthew 28, verses 19 and 20, Mark 16, verse 15, Jesus encourages us to go and preach the good news to all creation. He talks about going and making disciples of all nations in Matthew. And clearly, it is Bible stories we must tell people. So, who should tell God's story? It is we, as disciples of Jesus Christ. And to whom should we tell it to? It is to the creation, to everybody that God has created: to every human being who is on this earth, everybody should hear the Word of God that Jesus Christ called the Good News, the Gospel. So, dear brothers and sisters, I would like to encourage you to read more of this book and see the instructions on how to tell a story and why to tell God's stories, the Bible stories.

 

As You know, in our societies, people love to listen to stories. And you know that God's stories seem to be harmless stories, they don't attack anyone, they don't criticize others. And sometimes God's stories are funny, but they are also cautious. And they are sweet to listen to. We have to know how to present them to others. We have to know how to present them to others very briefly, very precisely, truthfully. 

So, to keep your promise, you have to prepare the story, often by using little drawings, things called storyboard, creating a storyboard, where when you're telling the story, you can remember the key points, the important parts of the story, so that the story should be lively, as it's true, and moving. I encourage you to be very prepared when you're choosing a story from the Bible. There are many stories in the Bible, and when you choose that story that you want to tell, be very well prepared, be specific, and be able to hold your audience so that that story bears fruit. And to those that you're speaking to, that you may have people who will listen to you and receive the word of God into their hearts.

 Dear brothers and sisters, may the grace of God be upon you, and be multiplied to you. Learn and practice telling God's stories.

God bless you.

The Trademark of God's Leaders - Nehemiah - A Planful Leader

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 the leadership qualities of Nehemiah, the Old Testament leader who

organized the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. In this episode we focus first upon chapter 2, verses 7 and 8.

“I also said to him, “if it pleases the king, may I have letters to the governors of Trans-Euphrates, so that they will provide me safe conduct until I arrive in Judah? AND [emphasis added] may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the king’s forest, so he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple and for the city wall and for the residence I will occupy?” And because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the king granted my requests.”

I am very much impressed with how planful Nehemiah was. Notice how he had thought through his

series of requests to King Artaxerxes.

o He asks for time off from his responsibilities as the king’s cup bearer

o He asks to go to Jerusalem

o He asks for letters of safe passage. The distance from Susa to Jerusalem was 1365

kilometers; this was not a short trek.

o He asks for the provision of timber for building the temple, the city walls, and his home.

After four months of prayer, Nehemiah knew the details of what was needed, and he had a plan. I

would suggest that we as leaders need a similar approach. Jesus illustrated this is the parable about

counting the cost. “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate

the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able

to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’ (Luke 14:28-30)

In our next episode we will discuss how Nehemiah was also a visionary. I find his combination of being

both visionary and planful to be somewhat unique. We will discuss this further in our next podcast.

I also observe one additional important leadership behavior in verses 11 to 16. Upon his arrival in

Jerusalem, Nehemiah carefully assessed the situation. He inspected the condition of the walls. Once

more he sets a helpful example for us; he does not rush into the situation trying to fix it. Rather, he took

the time to gather the necessary information before taking action.

May we be like Nehemiah, leaders who hear from the Lord and develop a plan.

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

The Trademark of God's Leaders - Nehemiah An Inspiring Visionary Leader

 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 the leadership qualities of Nehemiah, the Old Testament leader who led the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem.  

We continue the story in chapter 2 as we observe two more leadership characteristics. These are qualities that we want to imitate.    

We read this in verses 17 and 18. “Then I said to them, "You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace." I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me. They replied, "Let us start rebuilding." So they began this good work.

* Nehemiah was a visionary leader.  He and those with him saw the reality of the wall in ruins.  Yet, unlike others, Nehemiah saw the potential, the possibility of a rebuilt wall.  Visionary leaders are able to see “into the future”, to envision what others cannot see AND to communicate the possibilities in a convincing way.  This leads us to a second leadership quality.

* Nehemiah was an inspiring leader. The wall had been in ruins since King Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem 152 years before, when he knocked down the walls and burned the city’s gates. Nehemiah, appealed to the Jews’ sense of cultural identity and pride.  “Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace."  Nehemiah knew the right – the most effective – motivational appeal to those living in Jerusalem.  He was successful in this appeal; our text simply says, “So they began this good work.”  

I mentioned in our prior podcast that I believe that Nehemiah has the rather unique combination of visionary gifting as well as a strong ability to plan and organize.  I do not see this very often. More frequently the Lord uses a team of leaders with skills and giftings that complement one another.  

Personally, I am stronger in planning and weaker with visionary things.  (That said, I am more likely to recognize a visionary opportunity as being from the Lord because those ideas do not come “naturally” to me.)

In the context of our VCP ministry, vision and planning occur more often in this team context.  You see, Director Claude Douti and VCP Architect Dean Davis have visionary giftings, and we complement one another and work together to refine and implement vision.  

Nehemiah was an inspiring visionary leader. May we seek the Lord for this gifting. And may we work in teams with those who have complementary skills and giftings in order that God’s work and His Kingdom may be advanced.      

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

Daughter Church Planters Make Disciples

 Hello this is Multiply a podcast to encourage village church planters and leaders I am Brad Snowden. When I was a pastor one of my most treasured events came about when parents wanted to dedicate their lives to raising a baby after God’s word. It was exciting to know that if the parents followed through with what they were saying that another generation would be devoted to following Christ and His word. These parents were not out there on their own but the body of believers would help hold them accountable for the pouring into these young hearts the truth that would help them to grow. When we look back at the Old Testament generational thought was very important to the community. It is the same when we are talking about daughter churches a generation and the activity of the daughter church should incorporate the same teachings and the first generation church plant. One of the greatest models for a church planter to follow is the 7 basic commands of Christ.  Repent and believe, Baptize new believers, Love God and neighbor, Partake of the Lord’s supper, Pray and meditate on God’s word daily, Give, Make disciples

One of the core pieces to God’s road map for every church planter is to disciple- disciple makers. I believe as we allow God to help us our focus can be on the hearts in whom we disciple so they can experience the passion for disciple making. This is so needed in our daughter churches as the work grows so that there is a healthy church body. We must learn that what God has given for us to use in every church planted no matter what generation it is.  The 7 basic commands of Christ is a proven blessing for all church planters and making disciples is a command from Christ. 

Matthew 28:19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ..." 

It is my prayer that we rejoice with the church planters who are planting daughter churches as they realize the joys of a new generational church plant founded upon tools God gives and truth in His word. We rejoice with you as you make disciples in the next generation church plants that will change lives. This has been a word of encouragement for village church planters. Who will you share this with today?

The 3 Circles for Daughter Church Planting

 Hello everybody, my name is Dean Davis and this is “Multiply,” the podcast that provides a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters. 

Have you ever shared the Good News of Jesus by drawing three circles?  What was your experience as you drew the circle describing our broken world and told the story of how our world became broken when we rebelled against God? How did people respond when you asked them “How have you seen brokenness in our world?  What was their response when you asked them how they have seen glimpses of God’s original design for our world?

I love the Three Circles Gospel Presentation. It tells God’s big story in a very simple way. Its simplicity is wonderful.  But you can expand on any part of the story as needed.  I love to expand on the part of the story that is told as we draw the third circle, the one with the cross in the middle. This circle tells the story of God’s love for our broken world. This circle conveys the story of sinful men confronting our Savior. This is the story of his victory over sin and death. This is the story of Jesus and his love. What a great story!

Have you ever used the Three Circles to invite a person to turn from their rebellion against God and put their trust in Christ? I have. What a great privilege. What a great joy when a people understand the Good News and then put their trust in Christ!

Did you know you can share the Three circles with a group of people? You can draw them on a large sheet of paper or use a stick to draw the circles in the sand where everyone can see.

One of the greatest privileges for a Christian is to be sent out by his or her church to find persons of peace and start a new church. Who are you preparing to go out and start a new daughter church?

Sooner or later, when a church planter finds a man or woman who is hungry for God, the church planter will want to share God’s big story. One of the best ways to do this is by using the Three Circles.  We often draw and explain all three circles in just five or 10 minutes. But, we can also use the Three Circles to slowly explain God’s big story over several days or weeks.  When people understand, then you can invite them to turn back to God and crown Jesus as the Lord of their lives.

As you send church planters to new villages to proclaim the Good News and start new churches, help them become skilled in telling God’s big story illustrated by three circles.  God will be with them. He will shine his light into the darkness. He will use their words to draw people to himself. God himself will bring hope and salvation to that new community. This has been “Multiply.” And I’m Dean Davis asking, “Who will you share this encouraging word with today?

To learn more about The Three Circles, follow this link:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1TgXHd6yOWqIL3NstaVz7INW_sU6LGaSc?usp=sharing 

#EncouragementForVillageChurchPlanters #ThreeCircles #God’sBigStory

Tell God's Story

 Hi there, my name is Dean Davis, and this is a word of encouragement for

village church planters.

The Bible tells the story of God’s interactions with people. Like all good

stories, God’s story has a beginning, a middle, and an end. As a village church

planter, it will be important for you to learn the individual stories of the Bible

as parts of one big, wonderful story. When we learn God’s big story from

beginning to end, we understand it much better than if we just hear

disconnected parts of the story.

But if we are to tell God’s big story, we must tell the beginning of his

interactions with people, the problems that arose in those interactions, and

the way God has addressed those problems and will resolve them.

In the Bible, God’s story starts with the eternal God creating the world and

people. In addition to people, God’s story involves Satan, demons, and angels.

God’s story tells about Adam and Eve’s disobedience. It describes the suffering

that resulted from their separation from God. God’s story emphasizes God’s

plan to bless all nations on earth through Abraham and his descendants.

It tells how Jesus, the Son of God, came into the world, just as the prophets

foretold. It communicates that Jesus came to save us from our sins. God’s story

relates Jesus’ teaching and shows his loving actions, which brought healing and

deliverance from the power of demons. It tells of Jesus’ death, burial, and

resurrection.

God’s story includes stories about groups of Jesus’ followers called churches. It

tells how people started churches among many nations. God’s story has an

ending, which we have not yet experienced. The last part of God’s story

includes Jesus’ second coming and the final judgment of people. That

judgment will result in some people experiencing eternal death separated from

God and others receiving eternal life in the presence of God. God’s story is

powerful. Its power changes lives.

As a Village Church Planter it is important for you to know God’s story well.

So read you Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Watch the Jesus Film in your

local language. Get to know God’s story very well. As you begin to understand

God’s big story better and better your faith will grow and you will gain wisdom.

Tell God’s story to others. God’s story is a love story from beginning to end. It

is a story which is full of tragedy, but it is also a story which is full of hope.

When the people you’re helping follow Jesus understand God’s big story, they

will be strong in the face of adversity. They will be courageous in the face of

difficulties and challenges. They will be bold witnesses for Christ. You are a

village church planter. There are few ministry activities more important than

the telling of God’s story. So learn it well and even more importantly, tell it

well.

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

#EncouragementforVillageChurchPlanters #BibleStoryTelling

The Trademark of God's Leaders Series - Faithful Over a Long Duration

 

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

As we begin a new year, I want to begin a new series. In this episode and the next several, I want to look at some of the leadership characteristics of the Old Testament prophet Daniel.

Daniel and his friends Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were some of the first Israelites deported to Babylon following the fall of Judah. In chapter 1, verse 4, he is described as a “young man;” he was probably a teenager at the time.

His was undoubtedly a difficult situation.

 His nation had been disobedient to Jehovah,

 Consequently, they had been defeated by the Babylonians

 He and others were deported from Jerusalem to Babylon, a distance of more than 1400 kilometers

 He did not know the language or customs of the Babylonians

And yet … scripture makes no mention of Daniel being in despair. There is no record of any complaints. His is certainly an example for us to follow.

However, in this podcast I want to focus upon something else that greatly impresses me about Daniel … his complete faithfulness to the Lord over a very long period of time.

The Bible, and historians, record that the fall of Jerusalem occurred in 605 BC. Shortly thereafter he began a three-year training period for service under King Nebuchadnezzar. Years later he served under King Belshazzar, and even later he continued to serve in the King’s court; this time under Darius.

Daniel 9:1 makes reference to the first year in the reign of King Darius, and, again, historians tell us that this took place in 539 or 538 BC. Let’s do some quick math. Daniel, a foreigner, and a Jew, served approximately 66 years under three Babylonian kings!

How is this possible? I believe that chapter 6, verses 4-5 provide the explanation.

“At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. Finally, these men said, “We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God.””

Daniel was faithful in his work (trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent), and he was faithful to his God (to the point of being thrown into a den of hungry lions).

As we begin a new year, I want to encourage us to be faithful like Daniel. Be faithful over a long period of time. Press on in the King’s service. Demonstrate trustworthiness. Avoid negligence and corruption. Let us honor God in all we are and in all we do.

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

Ambassadors and Church Planting

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

provides a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters.

As a church planter, you have been taught the Four Seed Sower tools. You

know that the reason we make disciples of Jesus is because we are new

creations in Christ and we are his ambassadors. This is the plain teaching of 2

Corinthians 5:17-20.

As a church planter, you have carried out the role of ambassador for Christ very

well. You have gone to a village without a church and talked with the chief and

the elders. You have made friends among unbelieves and introduced them to

the King of Kings, our Lord Jesus. Not only have you introduced people to King

Jesus, you have helped them learn to love him and obey him. You did all this

as you planted a new church where no church had ever been before. You are

to be commended. The work you have done in planting a church is done by

very few Christians. Your brothers and sisters in Christ are grateful for you

work as an ambassador for Christ. God job!

But sometimes we church planters take on the role of ambassador so well that

we don’t feel the need of additional ambassadors. We say to ourselves, “I am

a good evangelist, I will evangelize. I am a good teacher, I will teach. I am a

good leader, I will lead.” Our observations of ourselves are accurate. We are

good evangelists, and teachers, and leaders. We are good ambassadors of

Christ. But our King Jesus wants and needs many, many more ambassadors. It

is our job to not only evangelize and teach and lead, it is our job to train and

equip more ambassadors for Christ.

One of the most important activities you can ever carry out as a follower of

Jesus is to teach your disciples to effectively use the Four Seed Sower Tools.

Teach them to make a relationship map showing the people they know who are

far from God. Teach them to share their 15-second testimony with ease. Help

them learn to ask, “Do you have a story like this?” Help them to listen well and

show respect. Train your people to draw and explain the Three Circles with

confidence and ease. Help them lead people to Christ and teach them to obey

his Seven Basic Commands.

As you train your people to use these four tools, you will be training new

ambassadors for Christ. Some people you train will lead a few people to Christ.

Some will start a cell group. Some will plant a church. And some will multiply

churches. You never know who will be a great ambassador until you train many

people in the basic skills of an ambassador.

Would you take a moment now to name five people you need to train in the

Four Seed Sower Tools? Your nation will be blessed because you did.

#EncouragementForVillageChurchPlanters #SeedSowerTools

#AmbassadorsForChrist

God With Us

 

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

In just a few days, the world over will be celebrating Christmas.  Like many of you, my family and I will read together the Luke chapter 2 account of Jesus’ birth.  

Today, I want to focus our attention on another Gospel account of Jesus’s arrival here on earth.  In chapter 1, verse 14, the apostle John wrote “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”  I love the way that the Message paraphrase puts it.  “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.”  “… he moved into our neighborhood” … not to some faraway place; Jesus came and dwelt among us!

The fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophesy more than 700 years prior came to pass.  He wrote, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”  God with us.  God among us!  Prophesy fulfilled!  

There are many compound names of God in the Old Testament.  One of my favorites is “Jehovah Shammah,” meaning “the God Who is there.” This is found in Ezekiel 48:35 referring to the heavenly city in the millennial Kingdom.

Jesus came and lived on earth more than 2000 years ago. We celebrate this historic event this week. This was in the past.

Jehovah Shammah, the God Who is there, will be present in the heavenly city in the future.  We anticipate His presence as we look toward His earthly reign.

But, in the present … right now (!), God is with us as well.  Today.  This very day and every day.  

John 14:17, in the Amplified Version says, “the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive [and take to its heart] because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He (the Holy Spirit) remains with you continually and will be in you.” [emphasis added]

This was Jesus’ promise in the preceding verse (16).  “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever.”  Two chapters later, in John 16:7, Jesus reiterated this message to his followers. “But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.”

Jesus, Messiah, Savior … came to earth and dwelt among us.  We celebrate His Advent.   

Holy Spirit, Advocate, Counselor … is the present “God with us” as He dwells within us.  

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

One Another Series - Care For One Another

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

This year, in these podcasts, I am focusing upon the “One Another” scriptures found in the New Testament as viewed through the lens of leadership.  

Today’s verse is 1 Corinthians 12:25 which reads in the New International Version, “so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.”  The English Standard Version (ESV) puts it this way.  “[T]hat there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.”

Other translations mention “equal care” or “same concern” for different members of the Body.  

The broader context of this text is unity and diversity in the Body.  The Corinthian church certainly had its issues, and factions and leader favorites possibly topped the list.  [It was in chapter 3 that Paul noted that some in Corinth followed him while others preferred Apollos.]   

As leaders and spiritual overseers, we set the example for unity within the Body of Christ.  I’ve heard it said that before one is qualified to be a leader, he or she must first be a good follower, and I believe that this is true. 

One website mentions some characteristics of good followers. Here are some of my favorites from that list.  These are traits that I seek to model personally and what I desire to see in VCP leaders and followers.  

• Have their egos under control

• Are team players

• Willing and able to think for themselves and not simply give assent to everything they are told (we use an idiom for this in my country; we are not looking for “yes” men or women)

• They carry out assignments with energy and assertiveness

• Are self-motivated and take initiative

• Passionate about their work and the people they serve

Paul instructs us that one way that leaders protect unity within the Body is by demonstrating “equal concern” or the “same care” for one another.  There is no place for preferential treatment or favoritism.  

Elsewhere, James has something similar to say.  “My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.  Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves… ” (2:1-4a)  

May we as leaders set the example by sharing equal concern for one another.    

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

Proverbs To Live By Part 1

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

provides a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters.

The book of Proverbs is like no other in the Old Testament and similar only to

the Book of James in the New Testament. The book of Proverbs is a collection

of sayings gathered by King Solomon. And it has a very clear purpose. The

Proverbs were published by Solomon so that those who read and hear them

could gain wisdom and receive instruction in prudent behavior.

Solomon wanted to give “prudence to the simple.” But who are the simple,

and what is prudence? I used to think that the simple were the uneducated or

those who lacked intelligence. But that is not who Solomon is talking about

when he mentions the simple. Simple people are those who are undecided.

They do good sometimes and they do evil sometimes. They don’t know what

they should do. Another name for the simple is double-minded. They are not

sure about what they believe so they are easily led astray. In contrast, wise

people, prudent people, know what is right and do what is right.

Solomon did not want the people of his kingdom to be simple and we as church

planters do not want the people of our churches to be simple. But we have to

admit, being simple and double-minded is the normal human condition. Just

look at the very beginning of human history. Eve was simple. She didn’t hate

God. She did not love evil. But she was easily led astray by the serpent and his

lies. Adam too was simple. When his wife offered him the fruit that God had

said he must not eat, Adam simply took it and ate it. Our simple-minded

ancestors lacked wisdom when they disobeyed God and the negative

consequences of their poor decisions affect us to this day.

So, how can the Proverbs of Solomon help villagers who are simple? How can

proverbs help those who are undecided about doing what is right come to

choose the right path?

Proverbs are best appreciated by slow reflection. Proverbs are designed to

shape our character. One of the best ways to allow proverbs to convert us

from being simple to being wise is to memorize them. Proverbs that are

memorized are available for our meditation when we are traveling, and when

we are resting. Such meditation on a memorized proverb prepares us for those

times when we face hard decisions. But pity men and women who face hard

decisions, but do not have wisdom stored up in their heart. They may get lucky

and do the right thing, but in all likelihood, their simple ways will lead to

foolish decisions and consequently loss, suffering, and shame.

So fill your heart and mind with proverbs. Teach them to your church members.

Quote them often. Let their wisdom transform your people from simple to

wise.

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

encouraging word with today?

#EncouragementForVillageChurchPlanters #Proverbs

One Another Series - Be Kind and Compassionate to One Another

 This is Chuck Rapp with Multiply, a podcast to provide a word of encouragement for village church planters and leaders. This year, in these podcasts, I am focusing upon the “One Another” scriptures found in the New Testament as viewed through the lens of leadership.

Our verse for today’s podcast is once again from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. In chapter 4, verse 32, in the New International Version we read “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” The Message paraphrase adds further description. “Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.”

In this brief verse, Paul gives three admonitions and instruction how we can live out this command.

1. “Be kind” – According to Galatians 5:22, “Kindness” is a fruit of the Holy Spirit in our lives. As the Holy Spirit’s presence in our life grows – and as we increasingly yield to His direction – it is inevitable that our level of kindness to others will increase. This is a work of the Spirit combined with the yielding of our will to Him. As we are “conformed to the image of Christ,” (Romans 8:29), we become able to “make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk.” Our conversation with one another becomes uplifting and encouraging.

2. “Be compassionate” – One dictionary defines compassion as a “sympathetic consciousness of others; distress together with a desire to alleviate it.” Compassion goes far beyond pity. A compassionate response to others not only sees their need; it also manifests a desire to alleviate the circumstances that are troubling them. In the body of Christ, as we interact with one another, we are called to minister to their needs. I encourage you to do a study on the life of Jesus when it is recorded that He had compassion for people. In nearly every instance, scripture demonstrates that He took action … and so should we.

3. “Forgive one another” – Sometimes this is much easier said than done. I like the way this is expressed in the Message. “Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.” We are to forgive one another “quickly.” If we fail to do this, if we choose to hang on to an offense, bitterness can take root in our lives, and the relationship will suffer damage. We are also to forgive one another “thoroughly just as God in Christ forgave you.” One author says this, “Forgiveness reflects the character of God, and we are most like God when we forgive those who offend us.” May we as leaders set the example in these things.

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

Character Development Part 2

 

Hello, this is Daneille Snowden with Multiply; a podcast to encourage village church, planters, pastors and Christian leaders.

As we continue to talk about character development, especially in God’s people, we will read Romans 8:28  “All things work together for good to them that love God to them who are called according to his purpose."

The definition to development is to work out possibilities, growth, and be usable as we change gradually. To Build Up.

As God’s children continue to grow and learn as Christians, we learn that there are times when the Lord adds to our lives, and times things in our lives are stripped away. This includes moments of brokenness, and growth.

Reading this, my mind turned back years ago when I made bread with my children. In the baking process; we would add yeast to our flour, next: we would WORK or kneed the yeast into what became now a dough mix, as we watched it change completely!

We observed as we worked the dough with our hands, the flour and yeast was transformed as a gas was created that made the bread rise. And to COMPLETE this development; the bread was placed in the oven to bake. We were left with nutritious, delicious bread! Thus, not only changed (developed) what was once flour and yeast, how it became a loaf of bread that was a blessing to many.

We pray that in all things that we bring glory to God, and make a difference in people’s lives. It comes with a cost, a lot of time, and endurance: as God works all things out within us; what we today define as character development.

This is Multiply, will you share this podcast with others?

Thank you, and God bless!

One Another Series - Be Likeminded Toward One Another

 This is Chuck Rapp with Multiply, a podcast to provide a word of encouragement for village church planters and leaders. This year, in these podcasts, I am focusing upon the “One Another” scriptures found in the New Testament as viewed through the lens of leadership.

Our verses for today’s podcast are Romans 15:5 and 6. In the New King James Version we read, “Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus,   that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

In this scripture, the Apostle Paul is appealing to Christ-followers to demonstrate unity, and he mentions two ways in which we are to do this.

 With one mind we glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. We also

 With one mouth glorify Him.

Let us explore how we do this and how leaders set the example.

“With one mind” we agree to agree on the essentials of the Christian faith. In VCP, we require that partner denominations agree with the Apostles’ Creed and the Lausanne Covenant. There are many other doctrinal positions that our partners may take; these, we feel, are the essentials.

“Unity” does not mean “uniformity”. We agree on the essentials, but we do not mandate all doctrinal positions. That would be impossible. Think with me for a moment of the analogy to a sports team. Each player, each position has a different role, and they compete together for a common goal.

Secondly, he says that with “… one mouth we glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Think for a moment with me of the global Church as a large choir. We are practicing for a heavenly worship service. There are several musical parts, and the objective is that we sing in harmony with one another. We worship with one voice, with one mouth, and our worship pleases the Lord.

Humanly speaking, what happens when someone is off-pitch, out of rhythm, or singing the wrong lyrics? It is discordant, confusing, and sometimes even painful to listen to. Paul has something like this in mind. Leaders set the example by living in unity and harmony with others in the body of Christ. We are not competitors; we are on the same team, and we need to demonstrate that.

In 2022, I was in Tanzania with VCP Supervisor Peter Baraka where I witnessed a beautiful example of this. In meetings in two different cities, we saw (in each place) over 20 bishops come together in friendship. They enjoyed one another, and they celebrated together God’s goodness to all.

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

Spiritual Gifts: 1 Corinthians 13

 

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

provides a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters.

Have you ever been to a wedding where the pastor or a friend of the bride or

groom read from 1 Corinthians, chapter 13? This chapter, known as “the Love

Chapter,” is one of the most famous texts in the whole Bible. Even non-

Christians read it and comment on it. And why not, everyone wants and needs

selfless love.

But as a Village Church Planter, you have been taught to read the Scriptures in

their context. So it is important to understand the context of 1 Corinthians 13…

and its not about weddings!

The context of 1 Corinthians 13 is all about spiritual gifts. In 1 Corinthians 12,

the Apostle Paul teaches about speaking gifts and gifts that demonstrate great

faith. Then, in 1 Corinthians 14, he clarifies how prophecy and speaking in

tongues can best be used. But right in the middle of a long teaching about

spiritual gifts and how to exercise them, Paul writes the most beautiful

exposition on sacrificial love that has ever been written.

  He says, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is

not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily

angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but

rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always

perseveres.”

But why? What does any of this have to do with spiritual gifts? The answer

comes in the first verses of 1 Corinthians 13:

“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a

resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.  If I have the gift of prophecy and can

fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move

mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the

poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love,

I gain nothing.”

Do you notice all the references to spiritual gifts? Gifts like speaking in

tongues, prophecy, word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, and giving?

These amazing supernatural gifts are meaningless without love; meaningless.

So if you want to use your gifts in a meaningful way, make sure you are filled

with love. If you want your spiritual gifts to bless hundreds and thousands of

 people, humble yourself and ask God to fill you with his love, the kind of love

that is moved to sacrifice and humility and lifting others up. Paul teaches that

if you exercise spiritual gifts without love for others, you gain nothing. But if

you exercise your spiritual gifts with the pure, self-giving love that comes only

from God, you gifts will bless oh so many people in oh so many ways.

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

encouraging word with today?

#EncouragementForVillageChurchPlanters #SpiritualGifts