Producing a Crop

Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown. (Luke 7:8)

But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. (Luke 7:15)

What does it mean to produce a crop?

At RED we’re looking at Luke 7-8:25 this week with Jesus encountering people who come to him seeking restoration in one way or another. Indeed, the litmus test to Jesus’ Messianic ministry is the report Jesus gives to John the Baptist’s disciples concerning himself:

“Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” (7:22-23)

This section of Luke sees people desperately seeking an encounter with Jesus – God with us. These are the ones who have faith (7:9), who do not stumble because of the gospel (7:23), and who hear the word of God and persevere (8:15).

Jesus is calling us to be like these characters we meet in Luke 7-8:25. As we do this we will show others the way to meet the God who has come to us – Jesus (8:16-18).

Peace in Christ

Joel

Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

This week at RED we’re looking at Luke 5-6 as we continue through Luke’s Gospel.

This section focuses on Jesus gathering his disciples and instructing them how to follow in his ministry.

Jesus’ ministry is done in three ways in these chapters:

1. Preaching the good news (Lk 5:1)
2. Signs and miracles (5:22-25)
3. Gathering people to himself (5:27-28)

As he instructs his disciples to be like him it is interesting for us to reflect on what exactly ‘fishing for people’ is.

How do you personally fish for people?

For some people in our DARE group it focused on the first way of Jesus’ ministry: proclaiming the gospel to people they meet.

Others may seek to proclaim the gospel through signs of God’s power: praying for the sick and those in need.

Others may emphasise caring for others: loving those around them, forgiving, and being merciful.

Jesus is showing the blueprint for what his discipleship looks like: a combination of word, power, and deeds.
May we learn that we must do all three as we go about the ministry of fishing for people.

To God be the glory – Father, Son and Spirit.

Joel

The Wednesday night Dare group decided to do some homework and visualise the list of virtues that Sherwantha preached on last Sunday, as found in 2 Pet 1:5-7.

This is Nathanael Lampe’s version (based on his infatuation with Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs).

Joel

THE BELL
I KNOW WHO I AM
I am God’s child (John 1:12)
I am Christ’s friend (John 15:15 )
I am united with the Lord (1 Cor. 6:17)
I am bought with a price (1 Cor 6:19-20)
I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1)
I am a personal witness of Christ.  (Acts 1:8)
I am the salt & light of the earth (Matt 5:13-14)
I am a member of the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27)
I am free forever from condemnation ( Rom. 8: 1-2)
I am a citizen of Heaven. I am significant (Phil 3:20)
I am free from any charge against me (Rom. 8:31 -34)
I am a minister of reconciliation for God (2 Cor 5:17-21)
I have access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:18)
I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6)
I cannot be separated from the love of God (Rom 8:35-39)
I am established, anointed, sealed by God  (2 Cor 1:21-22 )
I am assured all things work together for good  (Rom. 8:28  )
I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16 )
I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3: 12 )
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13)
I am the branch of the true vine, a channel of His life (John 15: 1-5)
I am God’s temple (1 Cor. 3: 16).   I am complete in Christ (Col. 2: 10)
I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3).. I have been justified (Romans 5:1)
I am God’s co-worker (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1). I am God’s workmanship (Eph. 2:10)
I am confident that the good works God has begun in me will be perfected. (Phil. 1: 5)
I have been redeemed and forgiven (Col 1:14). I have been adopted as God’s child (Eph 1:5)

I belong to God
Do you know
Who you are?

‘The LORD bless you and keep you;
The LORD make His face shine upon you
And be gracious to you;
The LORD turn His face toward you
And give you peace…
Numbers 6:24-26

This weeks sermon is on the Good Shepherd window.
We’re basing the Bible Study on Jn 9-10, and the sermon focuses on 10:14-18.
Have a read over it before Sunday, as Joel will be preaching.