Feeling so grateful for the words given across the pulpit this past weekend. Go forward this week knowing He’s still the God who will move for YOU. It’s almost night here — put your feet up, get some tea, and we’ll share some thoughts worthy of holding on to.
One thing cannot be denied.
When we witness and lift the name of Jesus, every intersection of society — all walks of life — will have an opportunity to find hope and be drawn by God. Wherever the gospel is preached in this world—no matter where it is—when His story is told, people are touched, hearts are changed, and God does something significant.
He can cause a wind that sweeps the land bringing deliverance (Exodus 10), or He can cause a wind (Song of Solomon 4) that blows like a breeze so that the spices may flow out, carrying the fragrance with it.
It’s coming. We’re going to see individuals and whole churches from different cities begin streaming in because wherever truth is preached (sown) and God breathes His holy spirit (water)—it WILL bring life.
Keep witnessing. Keep believing. #keepplantingseeds #therespowerworkinginyou #wedreamedofthesedays
Share this with a friend who’s not letting good seeds fall by the wayside, wither, or be choked out.
By Brother John Shepard
The way the Church, as a whole, operates so smoothly whenever we come together just doesn’t make any natural sense. How can all these people from all over the country, who see each other three or four times a year at best, mesh so well with each other?
Two Words: Kindred. Spirit.
Ephesians 4:4, there is one spirit.
Just as the natural character of a child is molded by what they are taught, or more importantly, shown during those critical learning years of childhood, our spiritual character is produced in much the same way.
He Gave What the World Couldn’t
The character of God had never been shown to this world until he sent His son to show us.
The express image of His person:
“Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.” -Hebrews 1:3
Jesus came to show, or express, the character or personality of His father. Because of this demonstration, we have an example of what this one spirit looks like, acts like, walks like, and talks like.
If you are searching for His Church, you’ll know you’ve found it by this one spirit.
You Keep Saying . . . One.
Correct. In John 13:34-35, Jesus told His disciples that by loving one another in the same manner that he loved them, or by His example, all men would know that they belonged to Him.
Today, His Church is the same. By everyone loving one another, as Christ loved us, His True Church can be shown to all mankind.
Wait. How Did Things Get So Divided?
No matter how much Jesus’ example and truth is taught, if the teaching is not put into practice, it won’t produce any results or fruit. Remember this parable in Matthew 13, Mark 4, and Luke 8??
It’s like casting good seed onto stony ground.
Go On.
Accepting this seed, or truth, is the responsibility of those who desire to take on that nature of God. It is definitely a sacrifice! After all, it’s a lot of hard work to remove all those stones to make ground fertile. But it is a sacrifice that Jesus willingly offered. Because He remained thankful to His father, Jesus considered this sacrifice more than reasonable.
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” -Romans 12:1-2
You can too!
Many already have, and many more are following Jesus’ example.
The Kind of Resilience to Know God and Keep Pressing Forward
His Church consists of people who are making the sacrifice daily to willingly accept this seed, follow His example, love one another, produce the spiritual fruit, and take on the true character of God. If we truly remain thankful to God as Jesus did, then we will also consider the sacrifice a very reasonable service for what we gain in return.
Ephesians 5:1, let’s be followers of God as dear children.
We’re Not Talking About a Oneday, Someday.
We’re talking about here and now–this is our moment. By showcasing His character in us, we are lifting Him up.
If we lift Him up, He will draw all men unto Him.
“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” -John 12:32
I’m thankful that He has shown me His Church where I can learn to take on His character, and hopefully be a light to draw others to Him.