News & Stories

Key Biblical X Factors / X Equals Multiplication

August 22, 2006

A look at the Acts of the Apostles from the perspective of the multiplying church . . .

Ten Behaviors of Multipliers

1. Wait for the Holy Spirit’s Power
2. Trust God to Provide
3. Anticipate Victories Emerging from God’s Control
4. Expect and Discern Divine Appointments
5. Observe and Join what God is Doing
6. Stand Strong Even in the Face of Opposition
7. Praise First - In and Out of Adversity
8. Build Bridges to the People
9. Empower and Release Your Best People
10. Relentlessly Focus on Bringing People to Christ and His Kingdom

Key Biblical X Factors - The Behaviors
The first four behaviors (wait, trust, anticipate, discern) are consistently found in multipliers. These four behaviors are all about becoming aligned for God to do His work. Behaviors five thru seven (observe and join, stand strong, praise first) begin the transition into horizontal activity while maintaining a clear eye on God. The final three behaviors (build bridges, empower and release, and relentlessly focus) are deliberate focused activities resulting in fulfilling God’s purpose and commission to be His multipliers all over the world.

Behavior 1 - Wait for the Holy Spirit’s Power
Acts 1:4 - Initial instruction from Jesus himself to WAIT

• Significance of His final words on Earth
• Significance of power to the previously powerless
• Significance of active waiting (see 1:14, 15, 16-26 & 2:1)
• Significant lessons from some who tried it without THE power (Acts 19:13-16)

Bottom line . . . God’s power is not token. It is not a power occasionally available. It is not a power to be fooled with. Spiritual warfare, especially in church multiplication is real. Therefore, it is critical to wait to be empowered by the Holy Spirit! Satan will aggressively work to thwart your progress. He knows it will lead to the taking of his territory.

Don’t miss the activity surrounding the word WAIT.
WAIT did not, and does not mean be idle!

Behavior 2 - Trust God to Provide
TRUSTING can be described as the activity of WAITING

Acts 1:8-8:1 - The earliest days of the church

• Trust God by exercising prayer (see 1:14, 4:24)
• Trust God by hearing from God while together (see 2:1, 46)
• Trust God by learning through the Apostles’ teaching (see 2:42)
• Trust God by allowing Him to reveal Himself (see 5:29)

Acts 16:6 and 19:10 - God’s very specific hand of direction

• The Holy Spirit keeps Paul and companions from Asia
• Now the people of Asia hear the good news

Acts 5:1-11 - The antithesis . . . the couple that did not trust God to provide

• In succession Ananias and Sapphira keep something back for personal security
• They lied to Peter, perhaps they lied to themselves

Bottom line . . . the early church leaders always had their antennas high. They listened to God and they trusted Him for specific direction.

Today more than ever we need to hear from God and receive His direction.
This concept of trust is not easy. The sooner we acknowledge that whatever is of God cannot be stopped, the sooner we will trust Him to multiply the church.
One more note—holding back is not a good option.

Behavior 3 - Anticipate Victories Emerging from God’s Control
Acts 8:1-8 - God leverages bad intentions for His purpose

• In fact God allowed the persecution to serve as a catalyst
• In fact the believers were spread throughout Judea and Samaria (see 1:8)
• In fact a growing healthy Jerusalem church becomes a multiplying church
• In fact opposition repeatedly leads to multiplication like gas on a fire (12:1-19)

Bottom line . . . Like a Judo fighter, God flips the outcome using the weight of the opposition to His advantage and to the advantage of building His kingdom. Anticipating victory means we will trust God’s perspective. When difficult times come—look hard for the Lord’s hand. With the exception of Berea, city by city throughout Acts opposition arose after the preaching of Christ. We should not be shocked by its presence today.

As was the case in Acts, adversity often comes in theological packages. In Acts 9:32 through chapter 10 the Lord brings theological clarity regarding the extent of the gospel to include Gentiles. Tension around that issue continues until closure is established in Acts 15. But the bottom line point again, God was victorious in extending the gospel to all nations, yet without compromising of the message. Honoring God’s Word on theological matters can and should result in seeing victories emerging from God.

Multiplication attracts opposition and God leverages all of this for His purposes.
The result is victory . . . anticipate victory.

Behavior 4 - Expect and Discern Divine Appointments
Acts 5:16-39 - Gamaliel keeps a divine appointment

• The appointee may or may not be aware that God is present
• Here God uses a person
• Somewhere God may use a gift
• Other times God may use a circumstance

Acts 8:26-40 - Philip’s irresistible divine appointment

• In this case the appointment came about from listening to God
• In this case the recipient of the appointment was searching for God
• In this case the appointment was successful because Philip knew the scriptures
• In this case Philip was on the move for God and his activity put him in great shape to learn about and meet the appointment

Bottom line . . . Divine appointments can come from the most unexpected places. Proper alignment with God enhances the probability for the occurrence. Again, the first four behaviors are about becoming aligned for God to do His work. WAITING, TRUSTING, ANTICIPATING and EXPECTING. Next, God moves us closer to critical strategic active behaviors.

The church multiplier properly aligned with God is now confident to observe and go with what God is doing.

Behaviors five thru seven (observe and go, stand strong and praise) begin the transition into horizontal activity while maintaining a clear eye on God.

Behavior 5 - Observe and Join What God is Doing
Acts 9:1-31 - Saul in the middle of a firestorm of God’s activity

• God was doing something and chooses Saul
• God was doing something and Saul gets on board
• God was doing something and many couldn’t figure the logic of Saul the messenger

Acts 17:16-17 - Paul was waiting in Athens for Silas and Timothy

• From here on out Paul was tuned-in to his target people
• Paul adjusted his approached in a culturally different environment
• Paul demonstrates a God-given sensitivity

Bottom line . . . Henry Blackaby’s Experiencing God is life-change thinking. Henry’s profound and practical thinking is an observation of intentional and effective ministries. These ministries get to know God, observe what He is doing and go with it! Saul saw the light and followed it. Paul who once followed and watched Jesus closely took a strategy out of the Lord’s playbook and connected with people where they were. Church multipliers walk with one eye on God and the other straight ahead.

The best multipliers don’t get so lost in activity that they miss the circumstance. They have good timing. They are moving.

Behavior 6 - Stand Strong Even in the Face of Opposition
Acts 5:40-6:1 - Many examples of standing strong with a great result

• Beaten with a whip and told to shut up they rejoiced and then proceeded to proclaim that Jesus is the Christ
• The number of disciples was increasing

Acts 7:59-60 - Stephen’s word and strength launch world missions

• In full recognition of the consequence Stephen proclaimed Jesus is the Christ
• Stephen offered forgiveness for he did not hold his life as important as theirs

Bottom line . . . Pain was not a deterrent. Doctors tell sufferers to try and focus on something other than the pain. Stoning is a most painful way to die. Stephen’s last thought was his focus . . . “Lord, don’t hold this sin against them.” Redemption for all, this is what he lived and died for. For the beaten and killed, their diligence and persistence resulted in the rapid multiplication of the church.

Consider this . . . Few believers are seeing persecution like the Chinese believers. Few places are seeing the multiplication of believers like China.

Church multipliers are more influenced by the eternal than preoccupied by the temporal.

Behavior 7 - Praise First—In and Out of Adversity
Acts 3:6-10 - The crippled beggar can’t hold back

• Peter and John gave the great gift of healing in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. The man couldn’t help but praise God
• Sometimes praise results from a blessing

Acts 16:22-30 - Strip me, beat me and throw me into prison

• No matter, we will keep praising God
• Sometimes praise results from adversity
• God gave applause to this praise and loosened the chains
• Net result, lives are changed and people are encouraged

Bottom line . . . Always start with Praise . . . Praise First! The Jerusalem church was added to and power increased daily on the strength of worship. A healed crippled man can’t help but worship and the door is opened for thousands to come to Christ. Two physically beaten, yet spiritually alive prisoners sing praises and walls fall down.

Church multipliers recognize that praise is potent. God receives it and deserves it. He lives in this praise! He multiplies in the environment of praise.

The final three behaviors are deliberate, focused activities resulting in fulfilling God’s purpose to be His multipliers all over the world. They require a boldness that grows out of all of the behaviors already considered.

Behavior 8 - Build Bridges to the People
Acts 10:1-29 - Peter sees a new paradigm

• An uncommon Roman soldier sought God
• An uncommon message comes to Peter
• An uncommon ministry request confronts Peter
• An uncommon change of lives comes from the Holy Spirit

Acts 11:18 - Wonderment in Jerusalem

• Church leaders praise God in amazement
• Even the Gentiles are granted repentance unto life
• We are now way outside the box

Bottom line . . . Following traditions can be valuable. But GOD is always creative! Here’s another key to multiplication . . . listen even if you think you know better!

Being immovably certain of how we should minister will blind us to incredible opportunities. A bold step outside of Peter’s ministry box was like a bold step outside the boat. In this case the church was and is multiplied like never before.

Behavior 9 - Empower and Release Your Best People
Acts 6:5-7:60 - Stephen, once among the unknown

• He was once a second-stringer
• Now he is given a new leadership role in the Jerusalem church
• He is a man full of grace and power released to speak in the synagogue about Jesus
• Until now only the Apostles were speaking for the church

Acts 13:1-3 - Saul and Barnabas, the best and brightest

• The Holy Spirit gives the command
• The Holy Spirit sends people out to do His work
• The Holy Spirit is immediately obeyed by the Antioch church
• The Holy Spirit initiates the ultimate . . . churches multiplying churches by empowering and sending their best

Acts 13:5 - John Mark is empowered to help Saul and Barnabas. The great reproducible model of empowering others while being empowered yourself

Bottom line . . . our churches are filled with people who given the opportunity, equipping and blessing will impact the world and multiply the church. The Holy Spirit is not shy to ask for the best. The church at Antioch continued to thrive.

Multiplying churches are the residual of multiplying leaders.
Who says so? The Holy Spirit says so!

Behavior 10 - Relentlessly Focus on Bringing People to Christ and His Kingdom
All of Acts - Every chapter gives witness to preaching Christ and His Kingdom. It all begins with the final command of Jesus, “You will be my witnesses . . .”

• Peter gets it started in the first five chapters
• Stephen carries chapters 6 and 7
• Philip steps up in chapter 8
• Saul gets started in chapter 9
• Peter again in chapter 10
• Barnabas in 11
• Herod can’t stop it in 12
• Barnabas and Saul in 13
• Paul and Barnabas in 14 and 15
• Silas joins Paul in 16
• Paul continues from 17 to the end of the book

Acts 20:24 – Paul’s words . . . “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.”

• Relentless
• Focused

Bottom line . . . the players were many. The message was one. In almost every city the preaching of Christ was followed by persecution. Yet Christ was relentlessly preached. Opposition slowed nothing. In fact it was like gasoline on the fire. Relentlessly remember the main thing . . . bringing people to Christ. This is the X factor that gives purpose to all the rest that we do or think.

This is why we multiply leaders. This is why we multiply churches.

And you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. - Jesus

CAMP KATRINA UPDATE #16 January 28, 2006

February 1, 2006

Editor’s note: God continues to provide, bless, and expand His Kingdom through the compassionate outreach of hundreds of Alliance volunteers and benefactors. Pastor Don Young gives another breathtaking account of God’s Divine intervention in the rebuilding of Waveland, Mississippi. 
 
To all of our partners in blessing: 
     It is such a blessing to help these dear people, and all of you are such a huge part of every blessing. It would be impossible to do what we are seeing done without you…so THANKS! 
     Let me give you some updates. First, Pastor Jimmy will be moving to start a church near Nashville, Tenn. in the coming weeks. He has done a tremendous job in directing the overall ministry of Camp Katrina. Many have felt his pastoral heart, and we will miss him terribly. However, God doesn’t close one door without opening another. Pastor Art and Pat Baruffi from Vineland, New Jersey, will be replacing Jimmy as of February 12, 2006. This team brings to Camp Katrina unusual skills:

 
• Art has a background in construction and rebuilding. He has been involved with construction and development for many years. His family owns and operates a construction company. This will allow us to streamline our rebuilding operations at Camp Katrina. We will be able to have a better handle on the rebuilding jobs simply because of his expertise. 
• Art is also a pastor. He will continue the fine work of Pastor Jimmy with the volunteers. Art will also be able to begin the discipleship ministries needed among the many who have prayed to receive Christ during these past 20 or so weeks since the storm hit. 
• Art will be coming with his wife, Pat. She brings to the ministry an added dimension that has been so needed, a woman to minister to the needs of women. There have been so many needs in this area. Pat will be able to love on these gals and demonstrate to them the love of Jesus. What an answer to prayer! 
• Both Art and Pat are an extension of the Vineland C&MA Church in Vineland, New Jersey. This great church is sending Art and Pat down to Camp Katrina as part of their staff for a six-month period to help in the rebuilding effort. What a demonstration of partnership! This represents just a part of what the entire Metro District of the C&MA has done over the past 5 months. They have sent tons of goods, tens of thousands of dollars, and hundreds of volunteers since early September. 
• They also bring with them two very capable men to work with them in construction. This will allow Art and Pat to focus on Discipleship Ministries. Shannon Lenox, a C&MA young man from Wisconsin, has signed on for a year to help with the efforts as well. He will help Art in the scheduling and finding of work.  
• Art will return one week a month to New Jersey to share with the church family what God is doing and gather continued prayer support.

 
     Do I hear someone out there shouting, “PRAISE GOD!” I thought so. Now for some great stories for you to share with your friends and families:

 
• Last week a team came to Camp Katrina and brought with them a doctor who wanted to “Volunteer” for a week with them. On this team was a former football player with the New York Giants. Sometime during the middle of the week, after days of working, praying as a team, blessing people, etc, this doctor friend said, “I don’t have what you have, I need to have it.” Well you can guess what happened…right on! The football player led this guy to the Lord. What a testimony. That night he shared with the entire volunteer crew, his salvation experience. He came to help “save” people from their mess, and in reality, God saved him from his mess. Please pray for him. His name is Dave, his wife is not a believer, and he is extremely concerned for her salvation.  
• A few days ago, I was in Waveland, meeting with a team that returned to see if they could “bless” a church and help in the rebuilding process. They had in mind to find a church that was destroyed and then ask their church to help in the rebuilding. Well instead, God led them to an African-American Church that had just missed the destruction, all around this church, other buildings were completely gone…but God spared this little church. The Pastor, Rev. Allen Jenkins, is a very godly man who desires to be a light in the darkness around him. He needed work done on his church to complete the construction in order to minister effectively in the area. Well, he now has it. Between what we at Genesis Church and CLC are doing, and this Church group from New Jersey, Pastor Jenkin’s Church will now be completed, and he will be able to work full time in the church for the next year. This will allow him to focus on church growth and not try to drive 60 miles a day doing a second job. God is so good. 
• We also have funds to completely rebuild Miss Ellen’s house. Remember my last update? Miss Ellen is the 85-year-old black lady that is blind. She lost her home in the storm and is living in a FEMA unit. She has no family, but the family of God. And as you well know, that family is large. We will begin rebuilding her home very shortly as teams and permits get in order. Funds came in from several sources to finance this effort. I’m sure some of you are getting happy about now!!! 
• Last, at least for this update, remember that team from New Jersey that came seeking a church to help. Well, you are gong to love this… while they were here, they returned to visit a home they had helped to clean up several weeks prior. They wanted to visit the man who was blessed by their visit and was so close to receiving Christ several weeks ago. This time when they arrived, they went out to lunch, and continued their conversation about Jesus. Several hours later, this man, said, “Ok, I’m ready to pray now!” He then called his 17 years old son, who was visiting him, told him the story of his conversion. The son said, “Great Dad, I was saved not long ago as well.” Some of you are probably jumping on tables now, that’s OK. We all can rejoice over what God is doing. The team leader told me by phone of this mans conversion experience, and then he added…Pastor Don, “The truth is, we didn’t just come down to look at a church that needed help, we also came to check on this man who we helped weeks ago, and look what God did!” 
  Partners, we are living in tremendous days. Days of opportunity and blessing. I want to again thank you for everything God has allowed you to be a part of during these past 5 months. You see…God is building His Kingdom. When we follow His agenda, the King gets glorified and we get blessed. It doesn’t get any better than that!

 
     Here are a few Prayer request:

 
• Pray for the transition between Pastor Jimmy and Pastor Art. 
• Pray for the new church plant in Tenn. That Pastor Jimmy will enjoy the anointing of God over this ministry and many will find Christ. 
• Pray for Art’s wife, Pat, that she will find strength for the ministry among the many women who so desperately need her help. This is a big transition for her and she needs God to touch her physically as well. 
• Pray for the much needed discipleship training. That we will be able to locate these new Christians and get them started in follow-up classes.  
• Pray for wisdom in the timing of starting a new church. Pray that God would raise up the needed leadership team for this church plant. 
• Pray for the health and safety of the many volunteers who come to camp Katrina to work, we have need for more skilled labor as the re-building process demands more expertise. 
• Pray for the volunteers that come. We need them to continue to have a servant spirit. Some will need to stay back and cook, clean the camp, maintain the equipment, etc. Not everyone can go out to the job sites. 
• Pray that the churches that send teams will honor and understand the age limits for volunteers. There are reasons that the age limits exist. Not to limit volunteers, but to protect them and also limit our exposure to liability. 
• Pray for a much-needed Warehouse of 20,000 sq, ft, or more. This is a must if we are to store the equipment and materials needed for re-building. 
• Pray for Pastor Rick Long of Christian Life Church and Pastor Don Young of Genesis Church, as we continue to provide general oversight of this relief effort. We both have growing churches that demand our time and energy and yet we cannot leave this ministry behind. There are too many people that need help.

 
     Again thanks for your love and sacrificial giving. Continue to Pray, come and visit us, and stay awhile…we will leave the lights on for you. 
 
     In His Love, 
 
     Pastor Don Young 
     Genesis Church