Becoming a Multiplier
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Introduction: Changing our mindset on recruiting.
Darryl Franklin - osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease) Could never play football. So he became a coach and a scout. For the last 6 years he has been a scout with the Washington Redskins. It’s his job to determine if college players (and canadian football players) have what it takes to play in the NFL.
Teams want to recruit and multiply talent so as to win championships. Companies want to recruit and multiply talent so as to make lots of money.
And this is all playing off of the first positive command given to Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden.
Now Jesus was completely different. Jesus used people who were rejected. People who had no demonstrated talent or ability. And none of those 12 disciples were the obvious choice.
26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.
27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;
28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are,
29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.
30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,
31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
1 Corinthians
Some attribute this to lack of alter calls during the service. Some say we’re not hip enough to attract the younger generation.
Some say it’s because we don’t wear suits and ties anymore that God is not pleased with us.
The truth is it’s much more simple. We’ve lost a passion for discipleship.
We’re not looking for the best and the brightest. We’re looking for:
People willing to repent and turn from their sin.
People who can be taught.
People who can teach what their taught.
People who are open the Spirit of God’s leading.
28 And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
22 And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.”
28 And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Even the most regenerate understands the idea of multiplying. It’s burned into their very nature. But it has been corrupted.
is a restoration of God’s command and encouragement in to be fruitful and multiply. This is the beginning of the return to Eden.
18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
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,
20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
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,
20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Big Idea: Be Fruitful and Multiply
Big Idea: Be Fruitful and Multiply
From the very beginning the expectation is to Multiply.
1. Grow DEEPER
1. Grow DEEPER
Explanation: (Be Fruitful) There is an assumption in Jesus’ command that those hearing have become something worth multiplying. That after spending 3 years with Jesus, making every mistake in the book and abandoning in Jesus in His time of greatest need that now, these 11 people will turn the world upside down. And the charge was there is work to be done. So what do we find them doing early on in the book of Acts? Praying and continuing to grow deeper in their relationship with Jesus and each other. Don’t neglect your own spiritual health. Not every day is game day. But every day could be game day and you’re only ready by spending time in preperation.
Illustration: At the beginning all dynasties seemed to start out as Cinderella stories. 49ers beat America’s team. Warriors used to be perennial losers. Let’s take it beyond sports. Amazon and Apple started in a garage. Bill Gates was a college drop out. Why do we watch shows like American Idol and America’s Got talent? Because we get to see ordinary people grow into superstars. But as they grow. They become hated. So did the church.
Application: Evaluate our spiritual health. Are you where you are supposed to be?
2. MULTIPLY
2. MULTIPLY
Explanation: At the core of the Christian faith is the intention to tell the world about Jesus so as to multiply the church and fill the earth with followers of Jesus. But what does this look like? Now, many in the church have been content to stop at vs. 19 with baptism. If we can baptize them, they get to go to heaven. But then we never see them again. Baptism is the beginning of a spiritual journey for a young believer. It is the outward sign of their inward change as they turn their back on their sin and the world, and embrace the path of following Jesus. It’s beautiful. I remember my baptism. I remember the baptisms and those of people God has given me the privledge of baptizing them. I have 2 daughters that I pray I’ll have the honor of baptising some day, but not until they profess saving faith in Jesus.
Now Jesus was completely different. Jesus used people who were rejected. People who had no demonstrated talent or ability. And none of those 12 disciples were the obvious choice.
26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.
27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;
28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are,
29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.
30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,
31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
28 And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
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,
20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Illustration: But here is where things get messy. People tend to recruit the best players for the team. The ones with the most talent, ability and upside. If they are already a polished player with “Experience” all the better because we don’t have to train them. Now Jesus was completely different. Jesus used people who were rejected. People who had no demonstrated talent or ability. And none of those 12 disciples were the obvious choice.
26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.
27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;
28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are,
29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.
30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,
31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
Application: Are you a multiplier? Who in your life might God be leading you to share Jesus with? What about not forcing your religion on someone.
Can I tell you about Jesus?
Read through the book of John together and discuss over coffee once a week.
Pray constantly for them!!!
Lead in to Jesus!
3. Lean into JESUS
3. Lean into JESUS
Explanation: I believe that what Jesus was asking those 11 disciples to do was monumental. It would take the heart of even the most seasoned extrovert. Here is the beauty of what Jesus was saying. It wasn’t on them. They were just a vessel.
6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.
17 I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies,
Gen 22:
is a continuation of God’s promise to Abraham. And as far as I know that plan had been in works for thousands of years by the time of Jesus’ command. They weren’t commanded to start a new work, but to continue God’s work; Jesus’ work. They were invited to join Jesus.
Illustration: The first day of my first job as a newly college graduate. I even had a cool title: Special Assistant to the President. He said be here by 9am. Don’t be late. So thinking that I’d be a little early, I go their at 8:45. I was one of the last to arrive. And my boss had been there for at least an hour. Already hard at work. I felt late. But he invited me to jump into the work he was already doing. He did not expect me to be his servant…which I was more than willing to do. He was expecting me to join him.
Application: You will never learn to trust Jesus until you learn that He is trustworthy. You’ll only learn that He is trustly worthy by joining into the work that He has been doing through his people for 2,000 years. It didn’t start with you and it won’t end with you. You are simply invited to jump in.
People are willing to hear and talk about Jesus. They are willing to be invited and to come to Church and then discuss what they experienced afterward. To the outside world we seem very closed off because we don’t invite people. But what if we trusted Jesus and stepped out in Faith to invite people? I promise you that we would find that Jesus has already been at work.
4. REPEAT
4. REPEAT
Reflection: Have you neglected your spiritual growth? Have you neglected God’s call on you to be a multiplier? What will you do to change that?
Reflection: Have you neglected your spiritual growth? Have you neglected God’s call on you to be a multiplier? What will you do to change that?
Conclusion: The American church has a problem. We’ve stopped multiplying. Lifeway research finds that much of church growth is attributed to membership transfer. Fewer and fewer churches are actually reaching the lost.
Some attribute this to lack of alter calls during the service. Some say we’re not hip enough to attract the younger generation.
Some say it’s because we don’t wear suits and ties anymore that God is not pleased with us.
The truth is it’s much more simple. We’ve lost a passion for discipleship.
We’re not looking for the best and the brightest. We’re looking for:
People willing to repent and turn from their sin.
People who can be taught the deep things of the Bible.
People who are willing to teach what their taught.
People who are open to the Spirit of God’s leading.
I guess it starts by asking, “Is this you?”
And then the follower of Jesus asks, “Who are 2-3 people God has placed into my life to multiply?”
9 In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.
13 And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Matthew