FOR THE FAMILY- Be fruitful and persevere

FAMILY WEEKEND SPECIAL

BASICS FOR THE KINGDOM- MAKE A DECISION (II)

Your decision also covers the conditions for inheriting the kingdom. You must be involved in the service of the Lord, especially as prescribed in Matt. 22:37-39.

The first part is to love the Lord by giving yourself in worship to Him and causing your family to wholeheartedly love and worship Him. The second part involves loving your neighbor. This is the call to service: showing love to the less priviledged, using your position and whatever God has given you to benefit others; and winning souls and persevering in the kingdom journey.

(1)               Mt. 25:34-40 - There are a lot of the hungry, naked, sick, and thirsty around us. What are we doing concerning them? The church is also supposed to be involved in social services.

This sympathetic service is very crucial to our inheriting the kingdom.

Lk. 10:33-37   -   Develop a ministry of help to your neighbours.

Rom. 15:1     -  The strong (physically, financially, socially etc) are to help the weak

Jam. 1:27         -   This, God accepts as being heart of pure religion.

(2)               Make a decision to bear fruit

Your family must be such that will bring other families to the Lord by your exemplary Christian living and evangelism. The life you live, both parents and children, must bring glory to God, in order to inherit the kingdom of God, and stimulate others to seek your God.

God’s Expectations:

Jn. 15:1-2        -   As branches in the vine, fruit bearing must be our goal.

Mt. 3:8                        -   Fruit of repentance must be seen in us.

Psa. 92:13-14  -  Soul winning is for all the period of our lives. It is both for the young and old.

Lk. 13:6           - Unfruitful life disappoints Him but much more, it brings judgment and rejection (Mt. 3:10; Heb. 6:8) so be fruitful.

(3)               Persevere on this way

This has to do with one’s maturity in the spirit. It is one aspect of the Fruit of the Spirit. The journey to the kingdom requires a degree of perseverance or long suffering, but unfortunately many, today on this way, have the microwave mentality which is far from it.

Eph. 6:18         -   Be watchful to the end with perseverance.

Lk. 9:62           -   There must be no looking back.

I Kgs. 18:21    -   Never operate between two opinions. Stay put with God.

In whatever situation you are passing through, He will surely prove Himself strong on your behalf.

Hos. 6:4       -   No display of immaturity or instability. Stay put with the Lord. Teach the children that the race to the kingdom of God is a marathon, not a sprint; hence they have to be focused and be prepared to face situations squarely.

Perseverance is handled with prayers.

Eph. 6:18 says praying ALWAYS with ALL PRAYER and supplication in the spirit. Perseverance is far from the CARNAL; only for the spiritual (Rom. 8:6-8).

It is my prayer that the Almighty will help us to develop spiritually; bear fruit and make humble services for Him to inherit the kingdom.