God Produces Fruitful Faith for Faithful Hearers
What challenge, wisdom and advice would you give to men going into battle? Would you advise them that they will not die, never get hurt, comfortable, peaceful, short time frame and enemies love you? Or would you reveal to them that you are trustworthy and the advice given from you to them is just as trustworthy? Therefore, you know what to believe and do in order to enter the battle. The latter is logical, reasonable, helpful and real.
What challenge, wisdom and advice would you give to men going into battle? Would you advise them that they will not die, never get hurt, comfortable, peaceful, short time frame and enemies love you? Or would you reveal to them that you are trustworthy and the advice given from you to them is just as trustworthy? Therefore, you know what to believe and do in order to enter the battle. The latter is logical, reasonable, helpful and real.
On Mission
Jesus took the disciples through the latter process. Jesus’ mission was to glorify God in submission to the Father to make disciples and train leaders to carry on the task upon his ascension to heaven. Jesus trained the disciples by keeping them alongside during the signs, miracles, formal and informal instructions, personal relationships, and prayer. The beginning of Jesus’ ministry introduces the disciples into reinforcing himself to be trustworthy and the need for them to recognize his trustworthiness (faith, belief, trust in, confidence).
God Produces
Jesus explains that once faith (Mark 4:40) is receiving his words, it will produce what is needed for the battle (Mark 4:21-41). As bombs explode, bullets fly overhead and loud screams billow forth, they will be able to stay the course and in the battle. The battle is to continue Jesus’ mission bringing people to glorify God in meeting Jesus. Faith understands that they cannot save someone’s life, rather, Jesus does (Mark 4:26-29). No matter how much work is applied, God is the one who gives growth.
Self Assessment
Examine two things in your life and ministry: (1) Stress level and (2) Fruitfulness (disciples being made). Inappropriate high stress comes in following another ministry, someone else’ expectations, personal expectations, and lack of balance to time, teaching and training. Fruitfulness will come many times unexpectedly and in faith that God provides growth to the seed of his word. Jesus taught thousands but trained twelve to reach more. Therefore, you may be training one and teaching five. Look for genuine faith revealed through their desire to make disciples (grow and spreading faith).
To be continued …
Further Reading:
Vintage Church: Timeless Truths and Timely Methods
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This is part of the blog posts series from Missional Education on the gospel in children’s ministry.
