series art

Multiply

I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. JOHN 17:3-4 ESV

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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” MATTHEW 28:18-20 ESV

“Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it. Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and immediately it sprang up, since it had no depth of soil. And when the sun rose, it was scorched, and since it had no root, it withered away. Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. And other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.” And he said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” MARK 4:3-9 ESV

The sower sows the word. And these are the ones along the path, where the word is sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them. MARK 4:14-15 ESV

And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: the ones who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy. And they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away. MARK 4:16-17 ESV

God’s grace secures my faith, but my growth secures my life

Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. EPHESIANS 4:15-16 NLT

And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. 2 TIMOTHY 2:2 NIV

And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. MARK 4:18-19 ESV

The fruitful life is a daily choice

So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. MATTHEW 6:31-33 NIV

But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold. MARK 4:20 ESV

Multiplying my life is not easy, but it’s simple

For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel. EZRA 7:10 ESV

You know how we lived among you for your sake. You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering… And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. 1 THESSALONIANS 1:4-8 NIV

I will cause your name to be remembered in all generations; therefore nations will praise you forever and ever. PSALMS 45:17 ESV

I must take personal responsibility for the mission of God

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Get away from distractions and find a quiet place to calm your heart and clear your mind to better hear God’s words to you. Take some slow, deep breaths to help you relax and focus your attention. When you are ready, begin by examining your life: Are there any “thorns” that are growing in your life? Confess these to God right now, asking Him for the strength to guard the gates of your heart. Ask Him to help you choose to daily pursue a fruitful life instead. Next, think about multiplying your spiritual life into the lives of others. Ask God to enable you to picture what it looks like to multiply your life in others and have each of these people repeat the process for others and have this continue again and again. Take a moment to experience how you feel about this happening. Talk to God about your feelings and how you can cooperate with Him to make this vision a reality for you. Ask Him what step He wants you to take this week to be used in this discipleship ministry and take that action. Close your time by thanking Him for some of the most important things He has taught you, and ask Him to give you opportunities to share these life-changing truths and practices with others in the future.

Discussion Questions

  1. What types of things do you see people relying on for stability during tough times?
  2. Read Mark 4:20 (NLT). When has there been a time when your “deep roots” in God helped sustain you through difficult times?
  3. Read 2 Timothy 2:2 (NLT). We are not meant to follow Jesus alone. How has growing alongside other people empowered you to grow more than simply on your own?
  4. Spiritual growth is a daily choice. Who is helping you, and who are you helping grow in the essentials we have covered throughout this series so far?
  5. Next Steps: Pray for the Holy Spirit to help you see the areas in which you can grow in living missionally. Take personal responsibility this week to help someone else in their faith journey. Take notes on the small or great changes in those you have invested in.
  6. Jesus didn’t just save us; He wants to send us. To learn more about Sandals Church Global Engagement, and to find out more information about serving on a short-term mission trip, visit https://sandalschurch.com/globalengagement.