Feed My Sheep (Sep 26)

A couple of weeks ago, Jim preached a sermon about the fruit and the seed of the Spirit. He took a look at the reason that we harvest our crops - to put away in the storehouse the fruit of what we've labored all summer to raise. There are two things that we gather - the fruit and the seeds: the fruit so that we can survive the winter with something to eat, and the seed so that next spring we have something to plant in order to have another crop. The sermon was a blessing and I'm sure it touched many hearts. (You don't have to miss out – Listen here: http://christourrock.net/sermons/100912.mp3) Something that he mentioned during the sermon caught my ear. Often times we describe the fruit of the Spirit as evidence of having the Holy Spirit in our life, in other words: evidence of being a true Christian. We often liken it to an apple tree. If a tree makes apples, you know for sure that it is an apple tree. If it doesn't, it either isn't an apple tree or it isn't producing like it should. If a person has the fruit of the Spirit, then you know they're a Christian. If they don't, then they either aren't a Christian, or something is wrong in their heart. But Jim expanded to see another angle that the fruit is something that is produced to sustain us (and also to provide seed in order to grow more and more). He went on to say that the fruit produced by the Spirit in us will be used to feed and nourish other Christians. For example, if the seed of the Spirit is in me, God's love will be produced in my life. That love that is in my life will touch your spirit and help you. Think about that for all of the different fruits that are mentioned: joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance...the Spirit's fruit produced in one will feed another!

John 21:17
Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

I guess I had never thought of that aspect of the fruit of the Spirit before (although I often teach about God's heart and God's word in you reaching out and affecting others). But Jesus said to feed His sheep. And Paul says to encourage, comfort, and build up one another.

1 Thessalonians 5:11-15

11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. 12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves. 14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feeble-minded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. 15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

I guess the way I see it, if you feed someone, you're helping them out. You're getting them nourished so that they don't starve, wither away, and die. You're also giving them the fuel that they need to work and do stuff. Everything we need to grow and live and be strong to do his work comes from God, but sometimes he sends it to us through the fruits produced in someone else. And sometimes he sends it to someone else through the fruits produced in our lives. So go and receive from God. Allow Him to change your heart and fill you with His Spirit. Give God the glory and go out there and feed His folks.

Colossians 3:16

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Hebrews 10:24-25

24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Proverbs 12:18

There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

Ephesians 4:29

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

(Oh, and by the way, Scriptures don't just talk about going out and encouraging and building up people. They also talk about exhorting and rebuking. But I don't see that as a contradiction. It's still feeding God's people. Remember when mom would make you sit at the table until you finished your peas [or other vegetable of low regard]? Or remember when she made you take the gross cough syrup or other medicine? You needed those things for proper nourishment and health.)

Separated (Sep 5)

Are you separated from God? Do you feel as if He's left you? Do you feel a distance? Do you wonder what has happened?

Isaiah 50:1-3

1 Thus saith the LORD, Where is the bill of your mother's divorcement, whom I have put away? or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away. 2 Wherefore, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinketh, because there is no water, and dieth for thirst. 3 I clothe the heavens with blackness, and I make sackcloth their covering.

Is it a fault of God's that you have been separated? No, it is because of your own sin. Do not blame anybody else. Do not say that God was unable to keep you or failed you somehow. God is great. He is able to keep. He is able to save. He is not weak; He is mighty.

Isaiah 50:4-11

4 The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned. 5 The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back. 6 I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. 7 For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed. 8 He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is mine adversary? let him come near to me. 9 Behold, the Lord GOD will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up. 10 Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God. 11 Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow.

It is time to stand strong. It is time to return to God and put our trust in Him. It is time to be open to hear His word and follow His leading. Stay with God. Strive to grow in faith and grace. Do not be satisfied to distance yourself any longer. Wake up; be alive again. Rejoice in God's saving and keeping power! Hold fast to your faith and stand strong in the Lord.