ARCC Sermons

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472

October 23

The bible reading today is in John chapters 7 and 8.

“Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?”

And the Jews said to Jesus, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”

‭‭John‬ ‭8:53, 57-58‬ ‭

One more time Jesus claimed to be God. He called himself “I Am”.

Remember Exodus 3? “...Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?”

God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”

‭‭Exodus‬ ‭3:13-14‬

“Tell them “I Am Everything you need” (that’s who sent you)...” Jesus was and is the Great I Am. He was making Himself clear to the Jews...God very God...He is everything we need for life now and forever. Awesome!

“After this Jesus went about in Galilee. He would not go about in Judea, because the Jews were seeking to kill him.”

‭‭John‬ ‭7:1‬

The vast majority of Christ’s earthly ministry took place in Galilee and Judea. And the majority of his ministry in those three years took place in the Galilean triangle towns of Chorazin, Capernaum, and Bethsaida.

We just read in John 7:1 that Jesus was spending his time in Galilee. We also read that Jesus would not walk in Judea because they sought to kill him.

Was Jesus scared of the Judeans and their death threats? No. Jesus knew the Father’s timing for him to be arrested and handed over to the Romans for execution. Now was not that time.

Wow, Jesus would not be taken. Jesus would give himself as a willing sacrifice...in due time...the Father’s way...the Father’s timing...all perfect in His redemption story.

The setting of today’s reading...“Now the Jews’ Feast of Booths was at hand. For clarity, this week long festival took place in Jerusalem every year after fall harvest in September. It commemorated the faithful care of God for his people in their 40-year wilderness wandering.

The Jews would worship at the Temple giving thanks to God for his supplying all “their” needs. Jews would put up tents and makeshift housing all over Jerusalem and the mountains and plains surrounding the city of David. This was to remind them of what their forefathers went through on their way to the promised land.

“So Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, that your disciples also may see the works you are doing. For no one works in secret if he seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.”

‭‭John‬ ‭7:2-4‬

It is a very painful truth that those nearest in kin to the Savior were not believers in His divine mission...at least at first. Jesus was truly a prophet who was without honor in his own country...even among his own. That had to weigh heavily upon the heart of the Lord.

At this time Jesus’ brothers were “taunting” him. “If you truly are a prophet, get out into the world and prove it.”

Jesus’ brothers told Him to prove himself as the Messiah...on a bigger platform...in Jerusalem...the center of Judaism.

Historically, the Jews of Jerusalem looked down on the Jews of Galilee. Since Jesus did most of his miraculous works in Galilee, it gave the religious leaders another reason to reject Jesus’ claims to be the Messiah.

They believed that if he was the Messiah he would have done most of his work in front of the “right audience” instead of the lower class Galileans. These “elite” judgmental Jews of Jerusalem believed that the Messiah would do his most glorious works in Jerusalem.

Ironically they were right...but his glorious work would be different.

What they didn't understand was that Christ’s most glorious work would be done in his crucifixion and resurrection in Jerusalem in about a year.

“And then on the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”

What a glorious “gospel sermon invitation” that was. And it came down through the ages to me and to you. The spiritual thirsty were invited to come to Christ by Christ. And He would fill their hearts with living water as springs bubbling up with cool refreshing life.

O, friends, Jesus is still doing that. And He is doing that through you and me. Lord use us again to invite people to the living water...to You!

Have a great day

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472

October 22

The bible reading today is in Matthew chapter 18.

“As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.” And they were greatly distressed.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭17:22-23‬ ‭

After the Mt of Transfiguration experience, Jesus and His disciples came down off the mountain there in Galilee. Jesus told the twelve and all those gathering around them that He was heading toward death at the hands of men. And on the third day, he would be raised from the dead.

“At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭18:1‬

Friends, it puzzles me that soon after Jesus told his disciples that he was going to die in the very near future, the disciples would ask him about rank in the Kingdom of God? Apparently, some of them felt like they were in the running for “the greatest” position in heaven. Some or one must have thought that his service to Christ had earned him a high ranking in the kingdom of heaven.

“So Lord, Who’s the greatest?...which one of us will be honored at the banquet table of heaven?

“And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them...and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you be converted and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭18:2-3‬ ‭

Jesus was pointing out an “I” problem among his disciples. Not the eye that they would see-through, but the straight back letter I. Their focus was upon themselves. Their ambition was focused upon themselves and what they could rise to achieve.

The greatest in the kingdom would be the little ones...little children...totally dependent upon Christ for everything. There is no place in the kingdom for the proud and the haughty and the arrogantly self-promoted individuals. No place in the kingdom of heaven for the boastful braggart who believes that he deserves the position of greatest.

Remember when Samuel was trying to rescue King Saul from the consequences of his personal pride!

“And Samuel said to Saul, “When you were little in your own eyes, were you not the head of the tribes of Israel? Did not the Lord anoint you king over Israel?

‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭15:17‬ ‭

Now Saul was losing his kingdom because he became “great in his own eyes”...no longer humble...no longer counting on God...just himself.

God would have us “little in our own eyes” and desperately, humbly, seeking the Lord...depending upon Him for everything. And that’s why Jesus said...

“Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭18:4‬

And...“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me,”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭18:5‬ ‭

Wow...not the greatest...but the lowest...like John the Baptist said...”Jesus must increase and I must decrease.”

John got it...Lord help me and my friends in the faith get it too.

Have a great day

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472

October 21st

The bible reading today is in Matthew 17, Mark 9, and Luke 9:28-62.

Yesterday, we read these words of Jesus...“And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭9:23‬

I like David Guzik’s comments...“When the Romans crucified a criminal, they didn't just hang the criminal on a cross, they hung a cross on him. And carrying that cross always led to death on a cross. No one carried a cross for sport. If someone took up a cross, they never came back. It was a one-way journey to death.”

That’s what Jesus was walking toward in real-time. He said that if any man would follow him, let him take up his cross daily and follow him. Not the physical cross, that would be impossible...but the spiritual one.

The cross was not about self-promotion or self-affirmation. People who took up the cross knew they couldn't save themselves, but in Christ, self was destined to die and Jesus and others were to become central in our daily lives.

And Jesus continued to speak...“For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.”

Whoever will seek to save his life and not die to it in Christ, he will actually lose his life forever.

Continuing to listen...“For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭9:24-25‬

Believe Christ and gain true eternal life, or seek to gain the world and lose everything in hell forever.

“Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah...who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭9:28-31‬ ‭

We call this the great Transfiguration. Jesus shone in glory. Moses and Elijah shone in glory.

Together, they talked about Jesus’ departure from earth to heaven that was about to take place in Jerusalem.

Obviously, Peter James, and John were so amazed they could hardly look at them. What happened was the continuation of God’s glorious presence among those who believed Him.

That transfigured radiance of Jesus was God showing the disciples one more time that Jesus was king over all God’s kingdom...to the glory of God!

This would certainly give a measure of confidence to Christ’s friends as they accompanied their rabbi to Jerusalem. “This man...Jesus...knows what he is doing. He has promised that he would suffer, die, and rise again...and he is still King of Glory.

Jesus was showing his cross-bearers that the cross is not the end...“cross-bearers will be glory receivers”.

The end is the glory, the power, and the forever gracious presence of God.

I can't help but wonder about the conversation between Jesus and Moses and Elijah.

Moses to Jesus...”Are you really going to do this? I offered to be judged in place of the people, but God wouldn’t have it. I was persecuted by Ahab and Jezebel terribly. My body and spirit gave way to pain and depression. Are you sure you want to go through with this?”

Jesus to Moses...”Yes, I was born for this...without this, you would be lost and judged for your sins forever. Not my will but His will be done....”

Yes...you and me Moses...still trusting in Jesus...the perfect sacrifice for our souls. Halleluiah!

Have a great day

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472

October 20th

The bible reading today is in Matthew 16, Mark 8, Luke 9:18-27.

After Jesus raised Jairus’ daughter to life, Jesus was praying alone. Makes me wonder if he stuck around for the family celebration. I'm sure he did, for a while at least. But what is recorded is that Jesus was praying alone.

Apparently...”There’s a time for celebrating...and there’s a time for praying.” Jesus did both.

And all of a sudden, the disciples were with him. Did the disciples interrupt Jesus’ prayer time with the Father? Or...Did Jesus invite the disciples to join him in prayer? Or...Did Jesus finish his praying and wanted to talk with his friends?

Perhaps any one or all of the three were true. But one thing is for sure...Jesus, on purpose, spent time with the Father and with the disciples.

Well, Jesus asked his friends a question. “Who do people say that I am?”

Some say that you are John the Baptist...some say, Elijah. And then Jesus asked, “Who do you say that I am?”

Peter said, “The Christ...the Messiah of God!”

And then Jesus strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one, saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭9:21-22‬

Why did Jesus instruct the disciples that day not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah?

I agree with William Barclay...”Jesus knew that before they could preach Jesus as Messiah, they themselves must know exactly what that means."

The Messiah must suffer many things. The Messiah must be rejected. The Messiah must be killed. And the Messiah must be raised on the third day.

Jesus would teach them this over and over during the next 2+ years. They believed him. They needed to know why...they needed to know the beauty and the power of the gospel in order to preach it with conviction.

Oh, friends, Jesus is wanting us to preach the gospel to ourselves over and over...that picture of the good news of God is grace and hope and joy and courage to our souls for everyday obedience and every hour challenges.

Jesus...You really are Good News to us who believe You.

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472

October 19th

The bible reading today is in Matthew 15 and Mark 7.

Religious leaders came from Jerusalem to Gennesaret to accuse the disciples of Jesus concerning the breaking of Jewish tradition.

Interesting the devil uses the same ploy today. Seeking to disrupt the ministry of Christ by taking aim at his followers. Let us be alert to the schemes of the devil and trust Jesus every day to save us from temptation.

So Jesus intervened on behalf of his friends and told a parable about washings and foods. The Jewish religious leaders were there to declare publicly that those who followed Jesus, instead of them and their traditions, they were “unclean”...no longer accepted at Temple for the worship of Yahweh God.

Temple worship was huge for the Jewish people. Satan was using the Pharisees to accuse Jesus’ followers of great spiritual crimes.

I'm sure it was upsetting to most in the crowd of seekers. So Jesus got right to it. Worship was from the heart...not from practicing ritual traditions made by man.

That was a big step of faith for the Jews in the crowd. They had been brought up on those religious traditions for years and years. They were taught that those traditions were way to God.

Jesus came saying, “I am the Way...” In more ways than one, Jesus was making claim to be the Messiah. “Make sure that your heart is right with God by believing Me.

And Jesus says one more thing to seal his fate with the Jewish religious elite...“And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭7:6-7‬

Jesus was declaring out loud Isaiah’s prophesy about these religious leaders. He called them Hypocrites...religious actors...wearing masks...pretending to know God.

He said that their hearts were far from God. They attended church but their hearts were far from God. They read their bible but their heart was far from God. They prayed eloquently but their heart was far from God. They contributed money but their heart was far from God. They loved to sing but their heart was far from God.

And these were the spiritual leaders from Jerusalem. No wonder Isaiah said...they worshipped God in vain...they had not the heart to seek the Lord in worship...they were just going through the religious motions.

O Jesus, may that not be me. “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭139:23-24‬ ‭

In Your Name, I pray Jesus.

Have a great day

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472

October 18th

The bible reading today is in John 6.

Jesus was always teaching...in word and in deed. The crowds seemed to grow in number daily.

“Jesus said to the crowd..Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me,"

The crowds were made up of some new believers, but mostly “seekers”....thus Jesus said, “you are seeking me.”

Some were just “curious”. They wanted to verify what they had learned from others. Some were “thrill seekers”. They had seen miracles take place through the rabbi. It was exciting to be in that environment...so they kept attending the events. Some of the seekers were genuinely wanting to know and follow Jesus. They knew in their hearts that He was more than just a teacher. Could he possibly be the Messiah?

But Jesus judged his crowd rightly, many sought him not for eternal salvation but for a way to have plenty to live on without working.

“You seek me, not because you saw miracles befitting of God, but you seek me because you ate your fill of the loaves.”

‭‭John‬ ‭6:26‬

Jesus had all kinds of people in his crowds. However, He was looking to minister to those who wanted “him” and not just what he could provide them.

Let us listen to Jesus...Many in the crowd had traveled many miles following the rabbi Jesus...just to be there when Jesus miraculously provided another meal.

Jesus said, “Don't work that hard just for a piece of bread that doesn't last. Work for the food that “endures to eternal life”...which the Son of Man will give to you.”

So some asked Jesus, “What kind of work gets eternal life?”

Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God that receives eternal life...” that you might believe” in Him whom the Father has sent.”

Believe Me!

“For I have come down from heaven. Heaven is where I live and rule from. I'm God the son. I have come down, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. I only do what the Father and the Spirit are already doing.

And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

‭‭John‬ ‭6:38-40‬ ‭

Jesus taught that the work of eternal salvation began with his Father’s choosing. His Father’s election...His Father's gift to him. And Jesus said, “everyone given to me I will in no wise cast out of Heaven’s Kingdom.”

Did you hear the will of the Father? Everyone who looks upon the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life.

What a Destiny for believers...Eternal Life in the kingdom of heaven with Jesus, the Father, and the Spirit.

Wow...better than any dream destination that man could come up with...Thanks, Lord Jesus!

Have a great day

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472

October 17th

The bible reading today is in Matthew 14, Mark 6, Luke 9:1-17.

One more time great crowds of people gathered to listen to Jesus preach and teach. The setting is on a hill just outside Capernaum. Jesus has been teaching all afternoon and into the evening.

The disciples went to Jesus and told him as if he didn't know, that it was getting late...it was time to let them go home for supper. Let’s listen to what Jesus said.

“...Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭14:16‬

“They need not go away...” The disciples believed that the circumstances warranted action by the great crowd...” they need to go...” But Jesus said, “No, they don't.”

What was Jesus going to teach his 12 next? Perhaps...There is never a circumstance so difficult that a disciple would have to look to another rather than Jesus to handle it.

Or maybe He would teach them...A disciple of Christ must always trust in the unlimited resources of Jesus...first and last.

Or maybe He would teach them...God will often choose to work miraculously through the smallest gifts given to Him...like a lad’s lunch given to Jesus for His purposes.

What else did Jesus do that evening after the feeding of the 5,000?

He sent his disciples across the sea to the region of Gennesaret. And He went up a mountain between Capernaum and Bethsaida to pray. The disciples encountered a sudden storm on the lake with a fierce wind blowing against them.

Jesus sent them into “that storm”. It would be “in that storm” that the disciples would see Jesus in a new way. It would be “in that storm” that the disciples’ faith would be tested. And testing is not bad.

Jesus left the mountain and walked on the sea toward the struggling friends...to help them in more than one way.

A praying Savior, walking through his own storm, left his praying to aid his friends. Thank you, Jesus! You are the One that saved us too...not just from danger, but for eternal life. Thank You, Jesus...what a night.

Have a great day

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472

October 16th

The bible reading today is in Matthew 9,10.

“Now when Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭8:18‬ ‭

But before we go with Jesus to the “other side” let‘s review his ministry in Capernaum. Jesus had taught the Kingdom of God from his house in Capernaum to overflowing crowds. Those people were mainly Jews who loved the law and the prophets from Moses’ time until then. They loved to hear it and discuss it. Jesus sought to help them understand that “he” was the fulfillment of the law’s purpose and the fulfillment of the prophet’s predictions concerning the Messiah.

That same day in his home Jesus healed a paralyzed man. The next day in Capernaum Jesus healed the paralyzed servant of a Roman centurion. That same day in Capernaum Jesus healed Peter’s dying mother in law from sickness.

Jesus was teaching and serving his own community as a part of his mission. That’s a lesson that we should all learn, friends in Christ.

Then Jesus told his twelve...”Let us go over to the other side...to the other side of the Sea of Galilee.

What was on the other side? The ten cities of the Roman Decapolis was on the other side. Jesus was going from a place where the Kingdom of God was recognized and submitted to. The other side was a place that recognized Ceasar as King...and submitted to the Kingdom of Ceasar.

Wow, Jesus was taking his disciples to a place where no other rabbi would go. And why would Jesus do this? He did it in order to be a doer of his own words...”The message of the kingdom of God was powerful. Enough to change the whole world...including the kingdom of Ceasar. That’s why he went to the other side.

Would we be willing to go to the other side with Jesus? Lord help us!

Jesus ministered to the demon-possessed on the other side...a scary man of the tombs. Jesus healed his mind and body, but mainly he healed and saved his soul. That man wanted to go to Capernaum with Jesus. Jesus gave him another mission...”Go home and tell your family and friends what has happened to you this day.” And he did...and the gospel of Jesus spread on the other side. Halleluiah!

“And getting into a boat Jesus crossed over and came back to his own city. And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭9:1-2‬ ‭

What a momentous day the disciples experienced with Jesus on the other side.

“Surely, when we get home we will have some time to rest and process all that we have seen and heard.”

But that didn't happen for Jesus and his band of disciples that day. Some people were waiting on the shore near Capernaum for Jesus to return. They brought a paralyzed man to him for healing. Jesus healed the man and told him to rise and walk. And he did.

That was awesome. But there were two other things that happened that caught my attention.

Jesus forgave the man’s sin. It’s one thing to heal a body, it’s a far greater thing that Jesus healed his soul forever!

But let us not miss this...Jesus called the man, “son”. Jesus did not call anyone else, son. Only this sin-sick sinner.

Oh, the tenderness of Christ to sin and misery. That is our Savior God too. Praise his name...Jesus!

Have a great day

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472

October 15th

The bible reading today is in Mark 4,5.

When I began to read this part of Jesus’ story, a couple of things dawned on me.

First, Jesus was always on mission. For instance...a walk on the seashore became an opportunity to bear testimony to the good news of God. Did he ever have solitude?...being alone with his thoughts?...relaxing and not on stage at the insistent request of others?

Sure, Jesus rested, Jesus retreated, Jesus stole away to be by himself and recharge for the mission on which the Father sent him. But, more times than not, even those hours were interrupted with new mission demands.

Yes, Jesus was always on mission...always alert to one more opportunity to share the gospel.

The Second thing that dawned on me in this part of Jesus’ story, is how creative Jesus was in and on his mission. For instance, one day he was beside the sea of Galilee again, just a short walk from his house in Capernaum.

More and more people began to drop what they were doing and get close to the rabbi so that they could hear what he was saying.

And what did Jesus do? This time he didn't lead the crowd to a nearby mountainside. He chose another pulpit...a fisherman’s boat just cast off from shore.

There he would take advantage of the good acoustics and the beautiful, and peaceful backdrop of the sea.

Now, how creative was that?! And from there, Jesus taught the crowd onshore.

“Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it. Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and immediately it sprang up since it had no depth of soil. And when the sun rose, it was scorched, and since it had no root, it withered away. Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. And other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.” And he said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.””

‭‭Mark‬ ‭4:3-9‬ ‭

The twelve asked Jesus about the parable...about this everyday story and its spiritual meaning.

Jesus said it was intended to be a mystery, a riddle, a puzzle, something you would not understand unless God revealed it. And since he was about to reveal it, Jesus was, one more time, claiming to be God!

Most teachers and preachers use everyday stories to illustrate the truths of their message. But Jesus didn't start with a truth stated.

He started with a “doorway” to the truth. Jesus’ listeners stood at the doorway and heard him. If they were not interested, they stayed on the outside. But if they were interested, they could walk through the doorway...through Jesus, who said that he was the “doorway”...and from there into the truth behind the parable.

Jesus taught the people about a sower of seed and called him God...and called the seed that he sowed the word of God. This is what God does. He uses all kinds of farmers, all kinds of teachers and preachers, and witnesses to sow his perfect seeds of life.

That means that He could use me and you to sow the life-giving seed of his word... the word of his gospel. That’s Exciting!

Then Jesus taught about the “soils of mankind’s heart”. The hearts of some of Jesus’ hearers are like the roadway that runs beside the field being planted...very hard...not accepting the word of the gospel.

Some of Jesus’ hearers have hearts like the Stoney ground that is yet to be cultivated. The seed begins to sprout through the thin topsoil, but there is not enough root in the stones to endure the heat...the shadow of the plant soon fades away.

Then some of the hearers of Jesus’ words have hearts like thorny ground...ground filled with weeds that choke out the seed sown.

Some hearts are so filled with the interests and cares of this world, that like thorny weeds, they choke the life out of the newly sprouting seed.

Those three soils...those three hearts will never sprout into fruit-bearing spiritual lives.

But...There is the good soil. The fertile hearts that receive the words of the gospel and bear much spiritual fruit. Church rolls are filled with the 30 fold believers...they shine but not brilliantly...church pews are filled with 60 fold converts who crave the good menu of the preaching and teaching...and church ministry and mission are filled with 100 fold converts who take the initiative to serve their church in whatever way is needed.

May God produce 100 fold in his churches today.