Small Church

Here are Dave's notes on Small Church and the audio can be heard by clicking here or going to rvwc.podbean.com and listening to the message by the same title. Check it out.

Small Church

Acts 2:42-47 (NIV)

 [42] They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. [43] Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. [44] All the believers were together and had everything in common. [45] Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. [46] Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, [47] praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Small Church defined...                  

Small churches are communities of people who have been sent out to work together to change the world for Jesus.

Small churches provide support and training for ministry.

Our ministry is reconciling people to God by listening to Him (prayer and the Word) and doing what He says by the empowering of the Holy Spirit. (fullness & spiritual gifts)

2 Corinthians 5:17-20 (NIV)

[17] Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! [18] All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: [19] that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. [20] We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. 

Support - comforting, encouraging, strengthening, and praying for one another's personal growth and ministry involvement

1 Corinthians 14:1-12 (NIV)

 [14:1] Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. [2] For anyone who speaks in a tongue* does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit.* [3] But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. [4] He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. [5] I would like every one of you to speak in tongues,* but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues,* unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified.

 [6] Now, brothers, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? [7] Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? [8] Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? [9] So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. [10] Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. [11] If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me. [12] So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.

Training - learning what a follower of Jesus does and doing it until it becomes a natural part of our lifestyle

1 Timothy 4:7-8 (NIV)

[7] Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. [8] For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

- training yourself to be godly involves learning what godliness is and learning to live it.

Hebrews 5:11-14 (NIV)

 [11] We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. [12] In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! [13] Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. [14] But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

- training to discern good and evil

Hebrews 12:7-14 (NIV)

[7] Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? [8] If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. [9] Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! [10] Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. [11] No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

 [12] Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. [13] “Make level paths for your feet,”* so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

 Warning Against Refusing God

 [14] Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. 

- trained by painful discipline from God.  The painful stuff in our lives is God's way of disciplining us as children He loves

2 Peter 2:14 (ESV)  They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children!

  - hearts trained in greed. Even evil is something we get trained in if we are working at it hard and long enough.

2 Peter 1:3-11 (NIV)

 [3] His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. [4] Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

 [5] For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; [6] and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; [7] and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. [8] For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. [9] But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

[10] Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, [11] and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Training Defined...           

γυμνάζω

Transliteration

gymnazō

Outline of Biblical Usage

to exercise naked (in a palaestra or school of athletics)

to exercise vigorously, in any way, either the body or the mind

KJV Translation Count — Total: 4x

Big Church - Practical

Shawna's notes on the practical side of Big Church opportunities and needs.  For the audio of her message click here or go to rvwc.podbean.com and listen there.

The Holy Spirit empowers believers with boldness for witness and with abilities to strengthen the church. These abilities are called spiritual gifts because they are given by the Spirit of God.
Today I want to talk about these abilities in the context of big church.  

The primary purposes of our big church gatherings are worship, teaching and celebration.  Dave covered this on the last two Sundays.  In order to help us to focus on these things on Sunday, there are a bunch of other things that take place behind the scenes in preparation for this gathering. Much like how you would prepare if you were having people over.  You would get things ready for when they arrive. Today we’re going to look at some of the behind the scenes work and spiritual gifts.

Ephesians 4:11-16 says that God gave apostle, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers to prepare God’s people for acts of ministry (service).  These people are often visible when we gather, and because of that, we often see them as doing front line ministry or ministry that is more important than others. But they are not the only people with things to do in the context of big church. There is a place for many.

This verse clearly says that these people are to prepare God’s people for works of service.  It is all of God’s people who are front line ministers.  If anything these guys are at the back of the line, preparing people and sending them out. They are not superstars, they are servants.

This is shown in Romans 12.  The Bible uses many different metaphors for our relationship with each other and our role in family of God.  In this context he uses body parts, in another he uses family and so on...but they all show our connectedness and our interdependence.

3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

This is why we must use our gifts and abilities-because we belong to each other.  Just sitting in the gathering week after week is not an option - we each have a function. God has something for us to do.  If we are not using our abilities to strengthen the body, then what is stopping us?  If we feel stopped by fear, hangups from your past church backgrounds, apathy, or anything else, we need to realize that is not of God. Fear is from the devil. The opposite of fear is joy and love. Sometimes we have to step out in order to overcome fear and apathy.  If God is telling us it is time to do something, we need to listen and obey and trust that he will take care of that. Quit making excuses because when we join the family, we belong to others.  We no longer belong to ourself. 

Paul goes on to look at how we serve.  Have you ever seen people serving and they act as though they are having a root canal or something?  Will serving always be easy, nope. But when God is involved, there should be joy, peace and love in it. 

6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Paul says that ministering is really about our heart and we need to do it with all we have and not be lazy.  He says take responsibility for what you have been given.

There are ways in this body that are behind the scenes.  No one  usually sees those who clean the building, but the Big Church has been served by having a clean place to gather. No one sees you but your heavenly Father does. And he sees your heart as your doing this act.  

This year our driveway has taken a beating.  On May 24th @ we will be meeting to do some outdoor maintenance. Please see Dave Clark if you are going to help with this.  There are so many ways you can serve and use your gifts in Big Church

Media - At the back you can help with sound/media shout.  You can also work on the website and other methods of communication. If you have technical abilities and would like to develop new things please see me or Mike.

Kids - You can teach and work with the kids downstairs. This is less behind the scenes because teaching is a focus with Big Church.  If your would like to help see Katrina

Cleaning - as already mentioned.  Join a cleaning team or even organize the teams. There will be an inside spring cleaning day too in June TBD. Please see me.

Counting the money and working in the office. See CANDACE or MICHELE

Coffee Time - Creating an environment for celebration.  Relaxing, inviting, hospitable. See RACHEL

Please do not think that just because someone is already doing something that there is no room for you.  There is room. we belong to one another and we need to take the abilities that God has given us, and be serious about putting it to use.

And why do we need to be serious about it?

Let’s go back to the top Romans 12:1-2: Romans says  In view of God’s mercy, present your bodies as living sacrifices.  Holy and pleasing to God because this is your reasonable act of worship. Present all that you have to God. The Father gave us everything.  He sent his son to die for us.  And then the Son Jesus gave his life for us.  Submitting our bodies to God is our reasonable act of worship because of all he has done for us.  

Over the next few weeks, we’re going to talk about small church which is going to be exciting, but this week pray.

The assignment for this week is to meditate on is Romans 12 and ask, what does this mean for me?

Big Church - Part Two

The notes from today's message are below but there is no audio or video for today. My apologies.  But here are the scriptures and a few notes for you to read and meditate on.

Big Church Part Two - Sending

Big church is the corporate gathering which helps to equip disciple makers and sends them into the world. We do this by fostering unity and maintaining focus through worship, teaching and celebration.  This is what happened in the early church.

Something I forgot to mention last week as a foundation for Big Church and also for Small Church...

Ephesians 4:11-16 (NIV)

[11] It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, [12] to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up [13] until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

 [14] Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. [15] Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. [16] From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

 

First thing we do in Big Church Gathering

Worship - communion with God, generous giving, and ministry.

Second thing we do in Big Church Gathering

Teaching - communicating truth upstairs and down.  Listen and apply what is taught.  Also help with Kids Time

2 Timothy 2:23-26 (NIV)

[23] Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. [24] And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. [25] Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, [26] and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

It is extremely important to listen to what is taught. Jesus spoke of the stubbornness of the Pharisees and teachers of his day when he said this to them...

Matthew 23:33-39 (NIV)

[33] “You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell? [34] Therefore I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify; others you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town. [35] And so upon you will come all the righteous blood that has been shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berekiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. [36] I tell you the truth, all this will come upon this generation.

 [37] “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. [38] Look, your house is left to you desolate. [39] For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.*’”

Third thing we do in Big Church Gathering

Celebration - sharing the stories of what God has done  

There is nothing more encouraging than a story of what God has done...

Acts 15:1-4 (NIV)

 [15:1] Some men came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the brothers: “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.” [2] This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question. [3] The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the brothers very glad. [4] When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them.

They reported what God was doing through them. They told about people being saved and this made the brothers glad.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)

[11] Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Why we do what we do in Big Church Gathering. It's all about...

Sending - from our Big Church Gathering we send you out locally and globally. 

Jesus told a story about sending people out....

Matthew 22:1-14 (NIV)

 [22:1] Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: [2] “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. [3] He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come.

 [4] “Then he sent some more servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’

 [5] “But they paid no attention and went off—one to his field, another to his business. [6] The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them. [7] The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.

 [8] “Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. [9] Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’ [10] So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, both good and bad, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.

 [11] “But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. [12] ‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ The man was speechless.

 [13] “Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

 [14] “For many are invited, but few are chosen.”

Those who were chosen were those who responded to the invite and had proper wedding garments.

Workers for the Harvest - we are sent into the world.

Matthew 9:35-38 (NIV)

 [35] Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. [36] When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. [37] Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. [38] Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

There are people who need the Lord. They need to see Him and know Him. And we are the very reflection of God to this world.  Remember how Paul said it....

Ephesians 3:7-11 (NIV)

[7] I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power. [8] Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, [9] and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. [10] His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, [11] according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

We are a reflection of God for this world.

2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV)

[18] And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect* the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

REVIEW

Worship is communion with God, generous giving, and ministry

Teaching is communicating truth - upstairs and downstairs

Celebration is sharing what God has done

Big Church - Part One

Big Church - Sending
Click here for the audio messages on PodBean.  Scroll down to the previous post for the notes from the introductory message of this series.

Big church is the corporate gathering which helps to equip disciple makers and sends them into the world. We do this by fostering unity and maintaining focus through worship, teaching and celebration.  This is what happened in the early church. 

Acts 2:42-47 (NIV)

 [42] They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. [43] Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. [44] All the believers were together and had everything in common. [45] Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. [46] Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. (Big Church) They broke bread in their homes (Small Church) and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, [47] praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

We need to gather corporately.  Here is why...

Hebrews 10:23-25 (NIV)

[23] Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. [24] And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. [25] Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

First thing we do in Big Church Gathering

Worship - communion with God, generous giving, and ministry. This includes such things as pre-service prayer, singing to the Lord, listening to teaching, teaching (Kids Time), generous giving, and sharing testimonies of what God has done in our lives.

Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)

 [12:1] Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual* act of worship. [2] Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

This means we give our whole selves to God in worship. Nothing is held back. God is not an option in life. He is Life.

Hebrews 12:18-29 (NIV)

[18] You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; [19] to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, [20] because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned.”* [21] The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”*

 [22] But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, [23] to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, [24] to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

 [25] See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? [26] At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.”* [27] The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.

 [28] Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, [29] for our “God is a consuming fire.”*

Worship is giving God first place in all of my life and expressing to Him my love, joy, thanksgiving, and awe.  Worship is both personal and corporate.

Listen to David's instruction about worship given to the people of Israel when the ark of the covenant had been brought back into Jerusalem....

1 Chronicles 16:7-12; 23-36 (NIV)

 [7] That day David first committed to Asaph and his associates this psalm of thanks to the LORD:

 [8] Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; 

make known among the nations what he has done.

 [9] Sing to him, sing praise to him; 

tell of all his wonderful acts.

 [10] Glory in his holy name; 

let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.

 [11] Look to the LORD and his strength; 

seek his face always.

 [12] Remember the wonders he has done, 

his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced...

[23] Sing to the LORD, all the earth; 

proclaim his salvation day after day.

[24] Declare his glory among the nations, 

his marvelous deeds among all peoples.

[25] For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; 

he is to be feared above all gods.

[26] For all the gods of the nations are idols, 

but the LORD made the heavens.

[27] Splendor and majesty are before him; 

strength and joy in his dwelling place.

[28] Ascribe to the LORD, O families of nations, 

ascribe to the LORD glory and strength,

[29] ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name. 

Bring an offering and come before him; 

worship the LORD in the splendor of his* holiness.

[30] Tremble before him, all the earth! 

The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved.

[31] Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; 

let them say among the nations, “The LORD reigns!”

[32] Let the sea resound, and all that is in it; 

let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them!

[33] Then the trees of the forest will sing, 

they will sing for joy before the LORD, 

for he comes to judge the earth.

[34] Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; 

his love endures forever.

[35] Cry out, “Save us, O God our Savior; 

gather us and deliver us from the nations, 

that we may give thanks to your holy name, 

that we may glory in your praise.”

[36] Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, 

from everlasting to everlasting.

 Then all the people said “Amen” and “Praise the LORD.”

Worship God with praise and thanksgiving - OT story of war 2 Chron 20

2 Chronicles 20:1-30 (NIV)

 [20:1] After this, the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites* came to make war on Jehoshaphat.

 [2] Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom,* from the other side of the Sea.* It is already in Hazazon Tamar” (that is, En Gedi). [3] Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. [4] The people of Judah came together to seek help from the LORD; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him.

 [5] Then Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the temple of the LORD in the front of the new courtyard [6] and said:

 “O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you. [7] O our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? [8] They have lived in it and have built in it a sanctuary for your Name, saying, [9] ‘If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.’

 [10] “But now here are men from Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, whose territory you would not allow Israel to invade when they came from Egypt; so they turned away from them and did not destroy them. [11] See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession you gave us as an inheritance. [12] O our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.”

 [13] All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood there before the LORD.

 [14] Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite and descendant of Asaph, as he stood in the assembly.

 [15] He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's. [16] Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. [17] You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.’”

 [18] Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the LORD. [19] Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the LORD, the God of Israel, with very loud voice.

 [20] Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the LORD your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.” [21] After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his* holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: 

“Give thanks to the LORD, 

for his love endures forever.”

 [22] As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. [23] The men of Ammon and Moab rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another.

 [24] When the men of Judah came to the place that overlooks the desert and looked toward the vast army, they saw only dead bodies lying on the ground; no one had escaped. [25] So Jehoshaphat and his men went to carry off their plunder, and they found among them a great amount of equipment and clothing* and also articles of value—more than they could take away. There was so much plunder that it took three days to collect it. [26] On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Beracah, where they praised the LORD. This is why it is called the Valley of Beracah* to this day.

 [27] Then, led by Jehoshaphat, all the men of Judah and Jerusalem returned joyfully to Jerusalem, for the LORD had given them cause to rejoice over their enemies. [28] They entered Jerusalem and went to the temple of the LORD with harps and lutes and trumpets.

 [29] The fear of God came upon all the kingdoms of the countries when they heard how the LORD had fought against the enemies of Israel. [30] And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side.