Church Growth God’s Way

 Church Growth God’s Way

It is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring. (Romans 9:8)

Picture the Old Testament Abraham as a pastor. The Lord says, “I will bless you and prosper your ministry.” But the church is barren and bears no children.

What does Abraham do? He begins to despair of supernatural intervention. He is getting old. His wife remains barren. So he decides to bring about God’s promised son without supernatural intervention. He has sex with Hagar his wife’s handmaid (Genesis 16:4). However, the result is not a “child of the promise,” but a “child of the flesh,” Ishmael.

God stuns Abraham by saying, “I will give you a son by her [your wife Sarah]” (Genesis 17:16). So Abraham cries out to God, “Oh that Ishmael might live before you!” (Genesis 17:18). He wants the work of his own natural, human effort to be the fulfillment of God’s promise. But God says, “No, but Sarah your wife shall bear you a son” (Genesis 17:19). 

But Sarah is 90 years old. She has been barren all her life, and she has already passed through menopause (Genesis 18:11). Abraham is 100. The only hope for a child of promise is stunning, supernatural intervention. 

That is what it means to be a “child of the promise” — to be born “not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:13). The only children that count for children of God in this world are supernaturally begotten children of promise. In Galatians 4:28 Paul says, “You [Christians], like Isaac, are children of promise.” You are “born according to the Spirit,” not according to the flesh (Galatians 4:29). 

Think of Abraham as a pastor again. His church is not growing the way he believes God promised. He is weary of waiting for supernatural intervention. He turns to the “Hagar” of mere human devices, and decides he can “attract people” without the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit. 

However, it will not be a church of Isaacs, but Ishmaelites — children of the flesh, not children of God. God save us from this kind of fatal success. By all means work. But always look to the Lord for the decisive, supernatural work. “The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord” (Proverbs 21:31).

Every day in the Word

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

FRIDAY AUGUST 29, 2025.

SUBJECT: GOD’S GRACE MANIFESTS AT HUMAN IMPOSSIBILITIES’

Memory verse: "Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, "Shall a child be born to a man who is one hundred years old? And shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?” (Genesis 17 vs 17.)

READ: Genesis 18 vs 8 - 14:

18:8: So he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree as they ate. 

1&:9: Then they said to him, "Where is Sarah your wife?" So he said, "Here, in the tent."

18:10: And he said, "I will certainly return to you according to the time of life; and behold, Sarah your wife shall have a son." (Sarah was listening in the tent door which was behind him.) 

18:11: Now Abraham and Sarah were old, well advanced in age; and Sarah had passed the age of childbearing. 

18:12: Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, "After I have grown old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?"

18:13: And the LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh, saying, 'Shall I surely bear a child, since I am old?"

18:14: Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son."

INTIMATION:

When we come to the point of human impossibility, God’s grace is manifested. God delivers to man such things that are impossible with man through His grace (unmerited favor of God to man to achieve the impossible). God loves us and sees our situation. Nothing is difficult or impossible with God. All He demands from us is our trust and faith in Him. When faced with an impossible situation, seek His grace to come to your aid. 

The passage we read today is about Abraham and Sarah whom God gave a child at old age. It seemed incredible that Abraham and Sarah in their advanced years could have a child. He questioned the possibility of childbirth simply because in human ability, such would be impossible for both him and Sarah since they were old. But the point is that the promise was to be the work of God, not man. It would have been impossible with man, not with God. 

In this event, therefore, both Abraham and Sarah would understand the grace of God as God worked directly in order to make it possible for Sarah to have a child. The child was given through grace, not through the works of man. Abraham, the man God considered righteous because of his faith, had troubles believing God’s promise to him. Despite his doubts, however, Abraham followed God’s commands and received the seemingly impossible promise by God’s grace.

Isaac came forth as the result of God’s grace, not by the parental planning and work of Abraham and Sarah. The conception of Issac was miraculous in the sense that Abraham and Sarah were past the age of child beating. Therefore, the promise was the result of grace. 

It is noteworthy that even people of great faith may have doubts. When God seems to want the impossible done in your life, and you begin to doubt His leading, be like Abraham; focus on God’s commitment to fulfill His promises to you, and then continue to obey.

It was impossible for us to save ourselves from the clutches of sin and Satan, but God did the impossible. He sent His Son, Jesus, as a propitiation for our sins. He paid the wages we owed; Jesus gave His life of inestimable value for our lives of sin that are completely worthless, so that we may live. 

He saved us by grace through faith in Him. His grace is always available to the believer to do the impossible. God is personally involved in the life of a believer, and nudges him or her to ask for His power to help, even in impossible situations.

Now, one may ask, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” Asking the question this way reminds you of the obvious answer which is, “Of course not!” This question reveals much about God. Therefore, as a child of God, make it a habit to insert your specific needs into the question, such as, “Is this day in my life too hard for the Lord?” “Is this habit I’m trying to break too hard for the Lord?” “Is the communication problem I’m having too hard for the Lord!” Of course not! Then trust completely in His power (grace) to come to your aid in that specific situation.

Trust doesn’t come easy. Instances abound in the Bible on this: It wasn’t easy for Moses to believe that him and his people, the Israelites, would escape Egypt, even after God spoke to him from a burning bush. But he trusted God (Exodus 3 vs 1 - 4; 20). It wasn’t easy for David to believe that he would become king, even after he was anointed. But he trusted God (First Samuel 16 vs 1 - 31). It wasn’t easy for Jeremiah to publicly buy land already captured by the enemy, but he trusted God (Jeremiah 32 vs 6 - 15). It wasn’t easy for us to believe that God can fulfill His “impossible” promises either, but we must trust Him. God, who worked in the lives of biblical heroes, will work in our lives, too, if we will let Him.

Prayer: Abba Father, You are God of the whole heavens and the earth. By You all things consist. There is nothing difficult or impossible with You. Endue me with the spirit of absolute trust and commitment to You in all things. Give me the grace to aid me in any impossible situation I find myself, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

Six Things It Means to Be in Christ Jesus

 Six Things It Means to Be in Christ Jesus

[God] saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began. (2 Timothy 1:9)

Being “in Christ Jesus” is a stupendous reality. It is breathtaking to be united to Christ. Bound to Christ. 

If you are “in Christ” listen to what it means for you:

In Christ Jesus you were given grace before the world was created. Second Timothy 1:9, “He gave us grace in Christ Jesus before the ages began.”

In Christ Jesus you were chosen by God before creation. Ephesians 1:4, “[God] chose us in [Christ] before the foundation of the world.”

In Christ Jesus you are loved by God with an inseparable love. Romans 8:38–39, “I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

In Christ Jesus you were redeemed and forgiven for all your sins. Ephesians 1:7, “In [Christ] we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses.”

In Christ Jesus you are justified before God and the righteousness of God in Christ is imputed to you. Second Corinthians 5:21, “For our sake [God] made [Christ] to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

In Christ Jesus you have become a new creation and a son of God. Second Corinthians 5:17, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” Galatians 3:26, “In Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.”

I pray that you will never grow weary of exploring and exulting in the inexhaustible privilege of being “in Christ Jesus.”

Everyday in the Word

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY AUGUST 28, 2025.

SUBJECT : LET HOSPITALITY BE YOUR SACRED DUTY!

Memory verse: "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.” (Hebrews 13 vs 2.)

READ: Genesis 18 vs 1 - 5:

18.1: Then the Lord appeared to him by the terebinth trees of Mamre, as he was sitting in the tent door in the heat of the day.  

18:2 So he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing by him; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the ground,  

18:3: and said, “My Lord, if I have now found favor in Your sight, do not pass on by Your servant.  

18:4: Please let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree.  

18:5: And I will bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh your hearts. After that you may pass by, inasmuch as you have come to your servant.” They said, “Do as you have said.” 

INTIMATION:

Hospitality is an act of reception and entertainment of strangers or guests without reward or with kind or generous liberality. Speaking biblically, hospitality is treating strangers and friends alike. It is welcoming one another into our homes and lives. Hospitality is a sacred duty. It is a constant and consistent theme throughout the Bible. 

God commanded the Hebrews to remember their exile and oppression in Egypt and allow it to motivate hospitality to foreigners: “The stranger who dwells among you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 19 vs 34.)

Jesus’ advice that you should do to others as you would have them do to you is a command of hospitality. (See Matthew 7 vs 12.) The Scripture in First Peter 4 vs 9 is specifically about Christians allowing Christian workers, traveling ministers and fellow followers of Jesus to stay in their homes as they traveled. “Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.” It also highlights a general biblical principle to love one another sacrificially, as serving one another is akin to serving Christ. (Matthew 24 vs 34 - 46.) Therefore, being hospitable is tantamount to serving Christ.

In the passage we read today, Abraham was eager to show hospitality to these three visitors. In Abraham’s day, and even this day, a person’s reputation is largely connected to his hospitality—the sharing of home and food. Even strangers were to be treated as highly honored guests. Meeting another’s need of food or shelter still is one of the most immediate and practical ways to obey God. It is also a time-honored relationship builder. We like Abraham, might actually entertain angels. This thought should be on our minds the next time we have the opportunity to meet stranger’s needs.

Christian hospitality focuses on the quests’ needs, such as a place to stay, nourishing food, a listening ear, or just acceptance. A Christian has no excuses for not being hospitable. Hospitality can happen in a messy home. It can happen around a dinner table where the main dish is canned soup. It can even happen while the host and the guest are doing chores together. Don’t hesitate to offer hospitality just because you are too tired, too busy, or not wealthy enough to entertain.

Some people say they cannot be hospitable because their homes are not large enough or nice enough. But even if you have no more than a table and two chairs in a rented room, there are people who would be grateful to spend time in your home. Are there visitors to your Church with whom you could share a meal? Do you know single people who would enjoy an evening of conversation? Is there any way your home could meets the needs of traveling missionaries? Hospitality simply means making other people feel comfortable and at home.

Hospitality is a lost art amongst many people today. We should do well invite more people for meals—fellow church members, young people, traveling missionaries, those in need, visitors. This is an active and much-appreciated way to show your love.. in fact, it is probably more important today. Because of our individualistic, self-centered society, many lonely people wonder if anymore cares whether they live or die. If you find such a lonely person, show him or her that you care! 

Prayer: Abba Father, give me the grace to be hospitable to strangers, guests, and neighbors. I know that in doing this, I am serving You, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

Forgiven for Jesus’s Sake

 Forgiven for Jesus’s Sake

For your name’s sake, O Lord, pardon my guilt, for it is great. (Psalm 25:11)

In knowing what is right, God does not consult any authority higher than himself. His own worth is the ultimate value in the universe. Therefore, for God to do what is right means acting in a way that accords with this ultimate value. 

The righteousness of God is the infinite zeal and joy and pleasure that he has in what is supremely valuable, namely, his own perfection and worth. And if he were ever to act contrary to this eternal passion for his own perfections, he would be unrighteous — he would be an idolater.

How shall such a righteous God ever set his affection on sinners like us who have scorned his perfections? But the wonder of the gospel is that in his divine righteousness lies also the very foundation of our salvation.

The infinite regard that the Father has for the Son makes it possible for me, a wicked sinner, to be loved and accepted in the Son, because in his death he vindicated the worth and glory of his Father.

Because of Christ, we can pray with new understanding the prayer of the psalmist, “For your name’s sake, O Lord, pardon my guilt, for it is great” (Psalm 25:11). The new understanding is that, because of Christ, instead of only praying, “For your name’s sake, pardon my guilt,” we now pray, “For Jesus’s name’s sake, O God, pardon my guilt.” 

First John 2:12 says, “I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake,” referring to Jesus. Jesus has now atoned for sin and vindicated the Father’s honor so that our “sins are forgiven for his name’s sake.”

God is righteous. He does not sweep sin under the rug. If a sinner goes free, someone dies to vindicate the infinite worth of God’s glory that the sinner defamed. That is what Christ did. Therefore, “For your name’s sake, O Lord” and “For Jesus’s name’s sake” are the same. And that is why we pray with confidence for forgiveness.

Every day in the Word

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 27, 2025.

SUBJECT: WHY SATAN TEMPTS US!

Memory verse: “Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.” (Luke 4 vs 13.)

READ: Genesis 3 vs 1 - 8:

3:1: Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Had God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

3:2: And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden;

3:3: but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat of it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’”

3:4: Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die.

3:5: For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

3:6: So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of the fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her; and he ate.

3:7: Then the eyes of both them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves coverings. 

INTIMATION:

Temptation is Satan’s invitation to give in to his kind of life and give up on God’s kind of life. It is often the combination of a real need and a possible doubt that creates an inappropriate desire. At one time Satan had been a glorious angel. But in pride he rebelled against God and was cast out of heaven. As a created being, Satan has definite limitations. Although he is trying to tempt everyone away from God, he will not be the final victor. Satan will be finally crushed by one of the woman’s offspring—the Messiah.

Satan tempted Eve and succeeded in getting her to sin. Ever since then he is busy getting people to sin. By deceiving Eve that she ‘will not surely die,’ (the first lie recorded in human history) he identifies his deceiving nature (John 8 vs 44). However, Eve eventually died a spiritual death with Adam. Satan tempts man with being a god who is dominant over all things.

Satan appealed to Eve’s lust of the flesh (“the tree was good for food”), lust of the eye (“pleasant to the eye”), and pride of life (“desired to make one wise”). The temptation resulted in her action to commit sin. Adam and Eve were created as free moral individuals, just as we are, and were placed in an environment wherein they could be tempted because there was an opportunity to sin, just as we are. The same ploy Satan used on Eve he has continued to use on us till date. 

Notice what Eve did; she looked, she took, she ate, and she gave. The battle is always lost at the first look. Temptation often begins by simply seeing something you want. You will always win over temptation if you run away from those things that produces evil thoughts (Second Timothy 2 vs 22). Adam and Eve got what they wanted; an intimate knowledge of both good and evil. But they got it by doing evil, and the result was disastrous. The restrictions God gives us are for our own good, helping us avoid evil. You don’t have to do evil to gain more experience and learn more about life.

Satan tempted Eve by getting her to doubt God’s goodness. He implied that God was stingy, strict, and selfish for not wanting Eve to share His knowledge of good and evil. Satan made Eve forget all that God had given her, and instead, focus on what God had forbidden. We fall into trouble, too, when we dwell on what God forbids rather than on the countless blessings and promises God has given us. The next time you are feeling sorry for yourself over what you don’t have, consider all you do have and thank God. Then your doubts won’t lead to sin. 

We must realize that being tempted is not a sin. We have not sinned until we give in to the temptation. To resist temptation, we should adopt the following guidelines: (1) Pray for strength to resist, ask God in earnest prayer to help you stay away from people, places, and situations that may tempt you. (2) say no when confronted with whatever you know is wrong, (3) run, sometimes literally, from temptation, (4) memorize and meditate on portions of Scripture that combat your specific weaknesses. At the root of most temptation is a real need or desire that God can fill, but we must trust in His timing, and (5) find another believer with whom you can openly share your struggles, and call this person for help when temptation strikes. 

Self exaltation leads to rebellion against God. As soon as we begin to leave God out of our plans, we are placing ourselves above Him. This exactly is what Satan wants us to do. Prepare yourself for the attractive temptations that may come your way. We cannot always prevent temptation, but there is always a way of escape (First Corinthians 10 vs 13). If we attempt to meet life’s challenges with human effort alone, we will find the pressures and temptations around us too great to resist.

You may have strong faith, but you will also have areas of weaknesses—and that is where temptation usually strikes. Strengthen and protect yourself where you are weak because a chain is only as strong as it’s weakest link. Also, it is easier to resist temptation if you have thought through your convictions before the temptation arises. We get into trouble if we have not previously decided where to draw line. Before such situations arise, decide on your commitments and what to do. Then when temptation comes, you will be ready to say no.

Prayer: Abba Father, You have given us all that pertains to life and godliness in Christ, and by You all things consist. Endue me with the spirit of absolute trust and commitment to You in all things. Give me the grace never to give in to the lies of the devil, and his temptations, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

Jesus Will Trample All Our Enemies

 Jesus Will Trample All Our Enemies

Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. (1 Corinthians 15:24)

How far does the reign of Christ extend?

The next verse, 1 Corinthians 15:25 says, “He must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.” The word all tells us the extent. 

So does the word every in verse 24: “Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power.”

There is no disease, no addiction, no demon, no bad habit, no fault, no vice, no weakness, no temper, no moodiness, no pride, no self-pity, no strife, no jealousy, no perversion, no greed, no laziness that Christ will not overcome as the enemy of his honor. 

And the encouragement in that promise is that when you set yourself to do battle with the enemies of your faith and your holiness, you will not fight alone.

Jesus Christ is now, in this age, putting all his enemies under his feet. Every rule and every authority and every power will be conquered. 

So, remember that the extent of Christ’s reign reaches to the smallest and biggest enemy of his glory in your life, and in this universe. It will be defeated.