Investing Deeply for Kingdom Returns

• “Peter, James, and John sought every opportunity of coming into close contact with their Master, and their desire was granted. Of all the Twelve their relationship to Him was closest. John could be satisfied only with a still near intimacy, and this he obtained.” Education, 86

Since our capacity to deeply invest is limited, how do we determine who we will focus on? (5 Min)

Where to Invest?

Divine Appointments

Divine AppointmentsDefinition: A divine appointment is a providential meeting orchestrated by the Holy Spirit for the clear intent to bring two people together.

Compare Acts 8:26-40 (Ethiopian & Philip) & Acts 10 (Cornelius & Peter)

In pairs or triads: (10 min)

What can we learn about divine appointments?

Identify 3 key insights (write them down)

Jesus Invested Deeply

Jesus chose twelve disciples and invested deeply in three as well as Mary, Martha and Lazarus.

“At the home of Lazarus, Jesus had often found rest...here He found a sincere welcome, and pure, holy friendship. Here He could speak with simplicity and perfect freedom, knowing that His words would be understood and treasured.”

Desire of Ages, 524

Opportunity Relationships

Demoniac

Woman at Well

Nicodemus

Zacchaeus

In Pairs or Triads: How did Jesus decide who to invest in one time versus those He chose to be “with Him”? (10 Min)

Align With God:Seek God’s AjendaJesus chose His disciples after fasting 40 days in the wilderness.

Decision Requires Spiritual Discernment: Ask the Holy Spirit to show you who to invest in deeply.

Pray For Laborers--Matthew 9:38

2 Timothy 2:2 “entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.”

We need to invest ourselves into those who have potential for broad influence.

Iron Sharpens IronIron Sharpens Iron

Sometimes God will send people for us to journey with, for the purpose of deepening

OUR character.

Paul & John Mark

David was deepened by Saul’s presence.

Joseph and his brothers

Instill Value

Most members feel inadequate when they compare themselves to professional pastors.

From the Floor: What can you do to overcome this obstacle? (2 Min)

From the Floor: What effect does this have on a person? (2 Min)

• When selecting people to disciple look for signs of passion, urgency, and high spirituality.

• Lisa: “I haven’t done a Bible Study”

• Passion

• Urgency

• High Spirituality

• Passion for lost people

Investing DeeplyWhat type of investment do you make in that person?

Lisa

Time: drive 1 1/2 hr in rush hour traffic on Tuesday to attend her weekly meeting

Suport: many long phone calls, encouragement, confidence, affirmation

Did Jesus find these three qualities in Mary?

Dividends PaidStudy Group of 25 Young Adults

A Potential Church Planter & Plant

A Potential Sunday Church becoming SDA

A confident inspirational speaker & soul-winner

God has worked providentially to provide her opportunites to speak to groups

Other leaders are being inspired to imitate her group

Gary Blanchard VideoGary spent two years developing Joe Goodrich

Now Joe travels the globe doing soul-winning

Other soul-winners are developed

Adelfo

Invested deeply in his life/ministry.

Desire was to become a full-time pastor.

Offered several choices.

Chose to remain as a lay-pastor in Houston because of the support he felt.

Adelfo baptizes 25 people a year and pastors a congregation of 140.

A strong youth-filled church with majority of attandants are under 30.

Raul

Weekly home study group

Attendance grew to 45 attendants

Felt convicted to plant a church

Divine appointment: offered to support

He prayed for one year, offered to support

Six months later:

Holy Spirit urged me to call him, “Now”

“Wow, pastor, you wouldn’t believe what just happened!”

RaulPrayed for God to convict all his leaders

Prayed for an affordable location

Opening Sabbath 82 in attendance

Call for commitment: 43 signed up

Evangelistic Meetings: 15 baptims and PF

Reached Company Status in 6 months

NCD Score 78

StevePassionate, Commited, High-Lid

Met Through God-Sized Project:

Relocate Academy in eight months

Purchase $3-5 million property with no money

Close on Property, Remodel & Move-In within 90 days

Anglo Church Plant opportunity appeared

Holy Spirit said, “Wait”

Prayer: 6 weeks later leader manifested

Full Disclosure• Jesus shared all with His closest disciples

• Mt. of Transfiguration: “tell no man” Mt. 17:9

• “Everything I have learned...I have made know to you.” John 15:15

• “Who do you say I am?” Luke 9:20-21

• Jesus took the inner three only to Mt. Of Transfiguration, Jairus’ dead daughter, Garden of Gethsemene.

• To Peter, James, John, and Andrew were revealed the signs of His coming.

The Disciples Invested Deeply

Barnabas was led to Saul & John Mark

Paul was led to Timothy, Luke, Silas

Luke & Theophilus

Others?

When “Yes” Means “No”

When we decide to mentor or focus on one person we are saying no to the opportunity to mentor another.

When we accept a member who is obnoxious we are saying no to those who will be driven away by their toxic personality.

When we invest our time in a project, we are saying no to other potential projects.

Choose wisely!

Magnetic North

It is critical to stay true to the mission of soul-winning as the highest priority.

In Pairs or Triads: (5 Min)

What can be the result of investing in the wrong person at the wrong time?

In Pairs or Triads: (5 Min)

How do you think it can affect a leader who is not given the position?

When Jesus Said, “No”

Read Mark 5:1-20

Why did Jesus decline His request?

Minds were closed to Jesus that this man could open.

Go tell your family what great things God has done for you. Mark 5:19-20

What was the eventual impact?

When Jesus returned to the area later He was received and many souls were saved.

Coaching NetworkCoaching NetworkNetwork AtmosphereNetwork Atmosphere

LeadershipLeadership AccountabilityAccountability

TransformationTransformation SupportSupport

TrustTrust VulnerabilityVulnerability

Team Spirit Team Spirit Prayer Prayer

Spiritual GrowthSpiritual Growth InterdependenceInterdependence

CoachingCoaching ResourcingResourcing

Often we wait for Great Opportunities to come while daily Small Opportunities parade by.

God blesses us according to our faithfulness in the small things.

Growth is a matter of faithfulness.

"For Biblical stewards, God has also prepared the right relationships, the people in whom we are to invest ourselves. Biblical stewards are Christians who learn to be who they are according to their spiritual gifts, but also manage their relationships with others whom God has brought into their lives.

Kingdom Builders

Kingdom Builders• God has done all the preparation,

and we manage what and with whom he has prepared! We are not kingdom climbers but kingdom builders, managing the grace gifts and the relationships he has given. We build what he gives, with whom he gives it." Knocking Over The Leadership Ladder, p. 60

God’s Purpose

• “The effort to bless others will react in blessing upon ourselves. This was the purpose of God in giving us a part in the plan of redemption.” Steps To Christ, 79

The Greatest Joy

• He has granted men the privelege of becoming partakers of the divine nature and in their turn, of diffusing blessings to their fellow men. This is the highest honor, the greatest joy, that it is possible for God to bestow upon men. Those who thus become participants in labors of love are brought nearest to their Creator.”– Steps To Christ, p. 79

Who should you be investing in deeply?