A Weekly World Wide Word of Encouragement to those in the Ministry
PRAISE GOD IT’S MONDAY!
A WEEKLY ‘WWW (world-wide word) OF ENCOURAGEMENT’
TO THOSE IN MINISTRY
A FREE service, currently connecting with Christian leaders from 3,000 denominations and ministries, in 70 countries.
Issue No: 1156 Published: 11 Dec 2023
A REVELATION OF....... HOLINESS
REVELATION OF....... HOLINESS
PARABLE OF THE SOWER
NB: For a detailed explanation of this parable, see 'A Revelation of… The Parable of the Sower.' at wwj.org.nz MORE FREE DOWNLOADS
That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 He who has ears, let him hear.” (Matthew 13:1-9)
Jesus spoke to His followers in parables. The parables contained 'hidden' messages that were, and still are, applicable to believers. Unbelievers do not understand them.
This parable was one of the few Jesus explained, which shows its importance. In the following verses Jesus explained the differences between the types of soil. Crucially however, he left meaning of the final part, the real point of the parable 'a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown', for the Holy Spirit to reveal to us.
The main point of the parable was this. Although all the 'Christian' seed is sown in the highly fertile good soil, some produces a 30-fold crop, some a 60-fold crop and the remainder, a stupendous, 100-fold harvest. So the real question is, “What causes or determines the differences in the harvest?” Here, Jesus is saying not all Christians are the same, but that some bear more fruit, or grain in this case, than others. This is the ‘Kingdom’ truth He was truly revealing.
Viewing cropping in the natural, we can see that of the four elements that make a crop successful, two can be immediately ruled out. For it is all good seed. And the 'soil' is of the same fertility for all the ‘Christian Harvest.’ So that leaves two remaining requirements of ‘Crop Care’ and ‘Acts of God.’
Acts of God, or circumstances beyond our control, of God making some more fruitful than others, has a certain appeal as an explanation. Personal responsibility for our actions, or often, inaction, is absolved. It's always convenient to blame our lack of performance in life on God. Although it's true that the ‘Gifts of the Spirit’ are given out in differing quantities and type as God pleases, we all have equal opportunity to develop the ‘Fruit of the Spirit’ in our lives! We decide to produce a 30 fold, 60 fold or 100 fold harvest. Yes, the harvest in this parable is about fruit, not gifts.
This leaves the one remaining element of ‘Crop Care.’ Here the analogy with the natural breaks down a little. For instead of the farmer in the natural looking after the crop to achieve an even result overall, in the spiritual we, the seed, are individually responsible for the production of our own fruit. We must fertilize and water, that is to nurture, the spiritual seed planted in us at the time of our salvation, to produce our 30, 60 or 100 fold crop.
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1:2-4)
Yes, it is the development of the Fruit of the Spirit in our life that brings us to maturity, that determines of the size of our spiritual harvest. It is through the development of the Fruit of the Spirit in our lives that we can attain a 100-fold crop, the picture of holiness.
SUMMARY
Jesus made the point that not all would attain holiness. For many will limit themselves to 30-fold or 60-fold harvests. But to grow to maturity, to come to holiness, a 100-fold crop is required. Therefore holiness is not desired or attained by all believers.
FROM THE WORD
THE BEAUTIFUL WORDS OF JESUS
Sickness and Death of Lazarus of Bethany (John 11:1-16)
Jesus delays, then returns to Judea, to the dismay of the disciples.
“Lord, your close friend is sick.” When Jesus heard the news he said, “The end result of this sickness will not be death. Through this God’s glory will be revealed so that the Son of God may be glorified.”
“Aren’t there twelve hours in a day?” “If you walk during the day you don’t stumble because you can see where you’re going by the light of this world. But if you walk during the night you stumble because you have no light.” After telling them this, he said, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I’m going to go there and wake him up!”
“Lazarus is dead. For your sake I’m glad I wasn’t there, because now you will be able to trust in me. Let’s go and see him.”
Jesus Comforts Mary and Martha (John 11:17-37)
The sisters of Lazarus, after Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days.
“Your brother will rise again.”
‘In the resurrection’, they replied.
“I am the resurrection and the life. Those who trust in me will live, even though they die. All who live in me and trust in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
Upon arriving in the village.
“Where have you laid him?”
Jesus Raises Lazarus (John 11:38-44)
From the dead.
“Remove the stone,”
“Didn’t I tell you that if you trusted me you would see God’s glory?”
“Father, thank you for listening to me. I know you always listen to me. I said this because of the crowd standing here so that they will believe that you sent me.”
“Lazarus, come out!”
“Unbind him and set him free,”
(Continued next week)
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*DAVID"S DOODLINGS
Enjoy some of David's sayings here, plus 1300 more on the website at.....
'THE WORDS OF JESUS' REMAIN AVAILABLE FOR PDF DOWNLOAD
Join the many who have downloaded the 'The Words of Jesus'. I am sure you will be blessed by it, as I have been.
One key element here is the setting out in chronological order (as far as it is possible to do so) our Lord's words drawn from all the Gospels, and the elimination of repetition between Gospels.
You may be surprised by the different perspective this presentation gives you both in understanding of His life and ministry, and in achieving a closer relationship with Him.
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DAVID'S DOODLINGS
686. Perseverance is keeping running the race with feet blistered by the problems of life.
687. Perseverance is wading through the mire of life, confident of reaching our eternal heavenly home.
688. Perseverance is walking through the valleys before ascending to the mountaintops
689. Perseverance is retaining hope when all seems hopeless.
690. Perseverance is '
' forgiving one more time
' one more prayer.
' going on when others are giving up.
' picking yourself up once again.
' loving that little bit extra.
' just one more step.
' serving one more time.
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CARTOONS FROM TOON FEVER
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'LAUGHING AT OURSELVES
Another laugh or three for you today
Many more on our website below. Also many, may, many more under these categories on our website, wwj,org,nz Look under the heading MAINLY LAUGHS. Choose from.....
THIS WEEKS TUESDAY TEACHING.....
THIS WEEK: A REVELATION OF... DIVIDING THE WATERS (part 2)
We commence our look at the crossing of the Red Sea and its application to today's church.
LAUGHING AT OURSELVES
***Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves for they shall never cease to be amused***
436. Ignorance results in..... Poverty!
A collector of rare books ran into an acquaintance who told him he had just thrown away an old Bible that he found in a dusty, old box. He happened to mention that Guten-somebody-or-other had printed it.
"Not Gutenberg?" gasped the collector.
"Yes, that was it!"
"You fool! You've thrown away one of the first books ever printed. A copy recently sold at auction for half a million dollars!"
"Oh, I don't think this book would have been worth anything close to that much," replied the man.
"It was scribbled all over in the margins by some clown named Martin Luther."
QWIK QWIP: “A friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart.
437. Pay Up Or Else
The minister arose to address his congregation. "There is a certain man among us today who is flirting with another man's wife. Unless he puts ten dollars in the collection box, his name will be read from the pulpit."
When the collection plate came in, there were 19 ten dollar bills, and a five dollar bill with this note attached: "Other five on payday."
438. A True Story - Pin it Where?
My pastor quoted a poem in his sermon about giving your love to the living, and the last lines were: "If you have roses, bless your soul, Just pin one in my button hole." Well, so many people loved the poem and wanted a copy, it was printed in the church newsletter.
However, a gremlin got into the typewriter, and it came out: "If you have roses, bless your soul, Just pin one in my bottom hole."
439. Pastor/Thief?
A local newspaper article announcing the arrival of a new pastor and apparently "part time thief" read: "A lifelong commitment to ministry has brought Brother Carter to us. Carter will take the pulpit next Sunday."
Download the book 'Laughing At Ourselves' in PDF format at LAUGHING AT OURSELVES One of the most comprehensive sources of Christian Humour on the Net with 800 sermon fillers for your entertainment and use at ..... https://www.wwj.org.nz/content/wwj18p47.pdf
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A DAVID MUSING
I think most will agree the world is not getting a better place to live in. From increasing temperatures, whatever the cause, to wars in Isael and Ukraine and smaller ones in many other places.
Because of climate change, cyclones seem to be becoming more frequent and intense. Moral standards are declining over most of the world.
From a Christian perspective, such things and more, are the promise of end times by Jesus.
Many people are seeking a huge end time revival. Sadly, the Bible does not say rather, a great falling away in the church, which in the Western world we are presently seeing.
So, is it all hopeless? No, and again, no!
For those who remain faithful in their walk with Jesus, He will reward us with the badge of overcomers, to whom is promised heavenly rewards.
Will you join me in staying faithful, whatever the cost, even martyrdom?
David Tait
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ABOUT US
WALKING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES is a non-profit, non-denominational, Bible based ministry located in Hastings, New Zealand. A ministry dedicated to developing discipleship, fostering unity amongst God's people to achieve the Great Commission, and in doing so, preparing for Christ's return. It is securely based upon the foundational principles of the Apostles Creed while recognising the wide and rich diversity of beliefs amongst Christians in other areas. In accordance with the Lord's direction, materials produced by the ministry are available, free of charge, to genuine enquirers upon request. The ministry is solely funded by donations, as the Lord provides. A list of materials available (plus some fun!) is obtainable and freely downloadable from our website
wwj.org.nz or by contacting us as follows.
Walking With Jesus Ministries
P O Box 2
Webuye 50205
Kenya
Email: enquiries@wwj.org.nz
Web: wwj.org.nz
Our role is to bless and encourage those in ministry while promoting co-operation and unity of direction amongst the body of Christ, as emphasised 3 times by Jesus in His longest prayer, immediately prior to His arrest and crucifixion. "... so that they may be one as we are one." (John 17:12, 21, 23-4) Our website is currently being developed to encourage your participation one with another, to share resources, and to enable you to promote events and items of interest to the body as a whole - and have a smile while doing it!
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