Multiply – The 4 P’s – Purpose, Pursuit, Passion, Priorities
By: Pastors Rodney & Adonica Howard-BrownePublish date: 08/19/2018
Foundation Scripture:
For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Mark 8:36 KJV
1. In Order to Multiply, You Need an Avenue.
a. Your job; your work; your daily endeavor.
b. Everyone needs to work.
c. 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12
d. What is your job; your calling; your function?
e. What is your purpose?
f. What is your passion?
2. Purpose.
a. Our purpose must be linked to eternity.
b. The first purpose of every believer is souls.
c. We are ambassadors of the Kingdom of heaven.
d. 2 Corinthians 5:18-20
e. So, everything we do, on a daily basis, should involve the souls of men and their eternal destinies.
f. This is important, because it should be the driving force behind everything that we do.
g. Here at The River, Revival Ministries International, and the River Bible Institutes, it is our DNA.
h. Luke 19:10
i. To follow Jesus, and be a disciple of His, we must obey the Great Commission – which is to go into all the world and preach the Gospel.
j. This is not the great suggestion.
k. This is not a task to be left up to the few, or the lone evangelist, or the great pastor.
l. But every believer – everyone who names the Name of Christ.
m. The only thing we can take with us, when we leave this earth, is people.
3. Pursuit.
a. Our daily pursuit must come out of our purpose.
b. We work so we can earn money – not just to survive or cover our expenses – but so we can obey the call of God.
c. To fund the gospel through our tithes and offerings, support missionaries, plant churches, build bible schools, take care of the orphans and the widows, help the poor and the needy, and reach a lost and dying world.
d. Money enables us to do things and go places that we could not, without it.
e. Proverbs 18:16
f. Proverbs 31 talks about the virtuous woman.
g. She is industrious and her husband is known in the city gates – he is a respected leader in the community.
h. We are to take our talents and multiply them for the King.
i. Jesus said, “Occupy till I come” (Luke 19:13).
j. However, there are dangers – if you don’t assess everything through your purpose – you’ll go off course.
4. Motivation.
a. The love of money is the root of all evil.
b. 1 Timothy 6:10
c. The devil comes with temptation through the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.
d. 1 John 2:16-17
e. Remember, he took Jesus to a high mountain and offered Him the kingdoms of the world.
f. Matthew 4:8-10
g. So, the believer needs to have a governor installed inside him/her, which is the Word of God – that will make straight paths for his/her feet.
h. They need to be under the control of the Holy Spirit, to where they are constrained or released by Him.
i. Acts 11:12
j. Do not allow pressure from the outside to influence your choices.
5. Temptation.
a. The Word, ‘lust,’ is not used only in relation to seduction or sexual perversion – it is ‘an intense pressure to do.’
b. The love of money is the lust for fame; fortune; for possessions; for wealth.
c. The pursuit of these things – if left unchecked and not brought under the control of the eternal purpose of God – has led many astray.
d. Through the love of money, many have: “erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” (1 Timothy 6:10)
e. Because of wrong pursuits, many get sidetracked or have become shipwrecked.
f. Because of greed, they begin to cheat and deceive others.
g. Proverbs 11:1
h. By the anointing and by the Word we build a firm foundation; so that we can be faithful, trustworthy stewards.
i. Remember that it is the Lord our God who gives us the power to create wealth, to establish His covenant (Deuteronomy 8:18).
6. Passion.
a. We must ask ourselves why we are doing what we are doing.
b. If we have no eternal purpose, our passion will be for temporary pursuits.
c. But if there’s an eternal purpose, what we are doing now – in our daily life – will bring forth fruit even 100 years from today.
d. We want to hear these words when we stand before the Master: “Well done good and faithful servant, well done.”
e. The problem is that people have selective hearing – they hear what they want to hear.
f. When it comes to making money, the driving force of passion should not be covetousness or greed.
g. We are motivated by a different force.
h. We allow God’s Word and the power of the Holy Spirit to guide our every step.
7. Priorities.
a. The only way for us to keep everything in line, is for us to make sure that our priorities are in order.
b. God first.
c. Family second.
d. Ministry and/or business third.
e. Souls.
f. The River at Tampa Bay Church.
g. HOJ’s.
h. Evangelism and outreach.
i. Funding the end-time harvest.
j. This has to be our DNA.
k. We cannot allow our priorities to get out of order.
l. It will take discipline and the fruit of the Spirit to stay in line.
m. Ask God for wisdom today – He’ll give it to you freely.
n. Stay humble and be teachable.
o. Learn from people who are successful – not by the world’s standards, but by Heaven’s standards.
p. Our prayer for you is that the Lord would guide you, raise you up, and multiply you – for His glory.