Multiply

First of all, Jesus portrayal of the new covenant with bread and wine shows his love for others. He was not focused on his own problems, his own pain, his own struggle. Jesus, although he was about be killed, turned his focus to his disciples and invited them to celebrate with him his covenant of grace.  What amazing love.

This word “resolved” captured my attention. What is its meaning?  What are the implications? 

However, “resolve” in our text has a much stronger meaning.  To resolve means to decide firmly on a course of action, to determine, and to come to a definite or earnest decision.  

Sometimes when we plant daughter churches we delay baptisms and the serving of the Lord’s Supper, even when there are people in the new church who have repented and believed the Good News.

There are many reasons why baptism and the serving of the Lord’s Supper to born again believers is delayed in newly planted churches.  But none of those reasons is a good one. In his Great Commission, Jesus commanded his disciples to baptize.  Why do we delay? On the night he was betrayed, Jesus broke bread and served wine saying, “Do this in remembrance of me.” Why do we delay?

Talking, teaching and explaining are good ways to help people gain knowledge. And we all need more knowledge. So, we go to schools of all types to gain that knowledge. But, the best way to train others to master a skill is to Model, Assist, Watch, and Leave. Church planting is as set of skills based on knowledge of the word of God and the will of God. Church planter, if you will Model, Assist, Watch, and Leave, you can equip and release many effective church planters!

As leaders, we need to speak with both wisdom and tact. And we need to do so not only when the situation is going
well but also when it is not. In this instance, Daniel’s very life and the lives of many others were at stake.
I would suggest that speaking with “wisdom and tact” is a joint venture between us, as Christ-followers, and the Holy
Spirit dwelling in us.

Are your disciples developing great ministry skills? Or do they step back and always try to push you forward in ministry.  If you want to lead like Jesus, sooner or later you will need to assist your disciples in ministry while you take a supporting role

The development of lives transformed does not happen by mistake or by accident. These are brought to maturity by an intentional heart to pour out unto others lives so that they both can be fruitful in God’s work. To model something well it is intentionally being seen not so that one might be lifted as something great but just the opposite. We model humility for without the Holy Spirit’s guidance we would be lost and without fruit in our own lives

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?

Sometimes we get so engaged in doing ministry ourselves, we overlook the important role of training others. But it is in training other workers that the Word of Christ goes to new places and engages new people.

My brothers and sisters, read and re-read Luke 10:1-10. Let the promises of Jesus fill you with faith to go and find persons of peace in villages without churches.  When you go in faith, God will be honored. If you keep on seeking, you will find persons of peace.  
Where is God calling you to go and find persons of peace in 2024? What family, what village will be transformed in the new year because you faithfully obeyed Jesus and went out to find persons of peace Jesus prepared to meet you?