CALL FOR LABOURERS 2

The Church has failed to know and understand her primary assignment. We talk about everything the gospel has brought and we have gained through it, except the true gospel and heartbeat of the Father:- that men be saved and come unto the knowledge of the truth. The present-day church has no compassion for souls. We have ignored the real reason for our being believers. What we go through is nothing and will be nothing if only we will give ourselves to God's business. We focus more on self-preservation fretting over things we shouldn’t. This is one of the reasons we cannot be true labourers-We are SELF CENTERED, NEED-CONSCIOUS and NEED-DRIVEN. 

ONE OF THE EASIEST WAYS TO MATURE IS TO TAKE UP RESPONSIBILITIES.

When we willingly take up the responsibility of fulfilling God’s desire, our capacity is enlarged. Anyone who signs in to be a labourer has signed in for accelerated growth in all ramification. 

God has given us the privilege to undertake this task as labourers. Let's count it as such. It is important we start from what is most important, which is praying. There is a problem with our commitment if we have to be forced to pray.  Jesus didn't just ask us to pray, he gave us the prayer point. 

If you truly PRAY, you will GIVE and also PREACH. Many times¸ all we use our faith for is to RECEIVE from Him. You don’t become spiritually strong if all you do is come to church, hear the word day in and day out and you are not imparting anyone. How many have encountered Christ through you,  how many are growing in the knowledge of Him through you? 

This was the reason Jesus told His disciples that they should pray to the Lord of the harvest to send forth labourers into His harvest. “Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the labourers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into His harvest."

Matthew 9:37-38 

We have said, that, we have three types of labourers namely;

PRAYING, PAYING AND PREACHING LABOURERS 

Remember, the takeoff point is prayers. If we truly pray, in the place of prayers, God will give us the inspiration and light on how to go about winning souls, also in the place of prayers, compassion and passion for souls will well up in our hearts. 

One major trait of a labourer is WILLINGNESS. Do whatever God asks you to do willingly and gladly, that’s one way you will also receive from Christ. This was a trait of the early church. They were not forced to gather, they did so willingly. When Saul encountered the Lord, his first question was, “Lord, what would you have me do”? This ought to be the question of every true believer in Christ.

PREACHING LABOURER

Another word for preaching is proclaiming. Preaching is more than just talking, It isn’t just about preaching the gospel. It is about your whole life proclaiming and revealing Jesus. In thoughts, words, action and your entire lifestyle. As believers, we ought to allow our faith/profession in Christ to speak in every aspect of our lives. There should be no separation. We shouldn’t have a secular life different from our lives in Christ. Both should go hand in hand.

See Deut. 6:1-13. The Israelites were a shadow of the real to come and God laid out His commandment to them which was to be obeyed and not analysed. We are a type of Israelites and more is expected of us. Many times, we don’t pray as we should. If we are truly shining, we will be persecuted. You can’t deny Christ and expect His power and glory to show forth in your life. We are in a pruning season, if we interpret it correctly, we will bear more fruit but if otherwise, we would be cut off. Our attitudes and misplaced priorities hinder God in our lives.

WE ARE TO USE ANY AND EVERY OPPORTUNITY AND PLATFORM TO REVEAL CHRIST.

Acts 1:8 tells how Jesus told the Apostles to stay in Jerusalem until the Holy Ghost comes and they were to be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and unto the uttermost parts of the earth. Still, this injunction was not carried out because the Apostles and disciples continued to live in Jerusalem even after the Holy Ghost had come and God was adding to them. 

 Acts 8: 1, 4. But great persecution came that scattered them all over the places( Judea, Samaria...) Jesus had told them to go. If we do not go willingly, we will be forced to do so. The good news, however, was that, as the scattering came they went about preaching the gospel of Christ.  This scattering was pruning and thank God, they interpreted it correctly and they kept bearing fruit wherever they went.

TRAITS OF LABOURERS

- A true labourer is full of PASSION which is birth out of COMPASSION

- A true labourer is WILLING. One who does the work willingly.

Let us be labourers indeed.

CALL FOR LABOURERS

“Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people”. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." Matthew 9:35-38 NKJV

“Then Jesus made a circuit of all the towns and villages. He taught in their meeting places, reported kingdom news, and healed their diseased bodies, healed their bruised and hurt lives. When he looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd. What a huge harvest! he said to his disciples. How few workers! On your knees and pray for harvest hands!"  Matt. 9:35-38 MSG 

The first question is, if you are of Christ, as you are going about, what are you doing? As Christ gives you access to people, places, what are you doing? Jesus went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed of the devil. So you should be seen as doing what Jesus went about doing because it is what you are doing as you go about that tells who you really are. Where people are pursuing Christ, you will see peace amongst them. Let’s be reminded that what brings joy to heaven is not when you bought a car or built a house, it is when a sinner gets saved. One way to measure your spiritual state is how you feel and what you do when you see others who are not born again. The multitudes Jesus saw during His time cannot be measured with our time -the number is nothing compared to what we have now. Jesus didn’t say to pray for “members”, He said LABOURERS because members come to watch, labourers come to work.

What is this labour and what is the harvest all about?

Jesus told His disciples to pray the Lord of the harvest to send forth labourers into the harvest. This is the prayer point of Jesus expressing the heartbeat of the Father. Jesus was simply saying the disciples should pray because without them, He cannot do what He ought to do concerning the harvest. There must be harvest hands.

The harvest is all about. SOULS. “On your knees, pray for harvest hands". There are some who do not even bother about this heartbeat of the Father, for others, it was a bother, they started but possibly stopped along the way. The truth is two cannot walk together except there is an agreement. You must ensure that all those you truly love are saved. Anyone who is not born again will go to hell; self-righteousness will not take anyone to heaven.  As disciples of Jesus, in order to bring in the harvest, we must have compassion, but the church in our day lacks compassion. When you are moved with compassion, you will not need human intervention and you can’t be stopped until that vision is accomplished. If the church does not have compassion, it cannot make an impact (Jude 22). 

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise. Jesus has not come because His desire is that all men will be saved and He is not willing that any should perish.  To accomplish this task, LABOURERS must arise. The harvest is all about SOULS-turning men from darkness to light, from the power of satan to the power of God.

The need for the hour is LABOURERS. To send forth means to ENVISION and EMPOWER men for the harvest. That empowerment means when you feel intimidated and threatened, you would be bold and stand for the harvest. When men who are envisioned and empowered go into the harvest, they reap out proper souls/fruit. The reason Jesus left us here with breath in us, kept us alive and has given us strength is so that souls will be won to the Kingdom of God. You do not beg labourers to work; they go looking for work, that’s how they are sustained, it is their livelihood. They make themselves available to work. They are available to work, not coerced or cajoled. All they need to do the work is simply to give them the platform. 

A lot of us believers have still not seen our work for God like that. We give Him our leftovers (of time, resources, strength...) 

There is a definite day and time a man gets saved. Make sure your children are saved. That they grew up in church, does not mean they are saved. It is alright to ask your child over and over again if he/she is born again and they must answer until it gets to such a time whereby it truly dawns on them in whom they have believed. 

A man is only saved through Jesus. Thus it is not a title, denomination that saves a man but JESUS. Romans 10:1-9, 10-15.

The LABOURERS primarily functions in three categories and we can function in all the three.

1. PRAYING LABOURERS

2. PAYING LABOURERS

3.  PREACHING LABOURERS

The enemy’s goal is to wear us out so we would not be able to fulfill these three.

PRAYING LABOURERS. Praying comes first. There will be no power, or resources released if we do not pray. If we do not pray, nothing will happen. Praying labourers are men who have come to the point where praying is now their lifestyle. They enjoy praying, they’ve become prayer addicts.  When you are a praying labourer, you cannot be too rigid to pray. When the Apostles stayed in the upper room waiting for the coming of the Holy Ghost, praying was not a burden for them; they were together in one accord. Those who believed in Jesus were of one accord. They were a praying people birthing a prayer people “… they continued steadfastly in the Apostles’ doctrine, in fellowship, in the breaking of bread and prayers”. When you are convinced, it’s not easy to walk out of anything.

Jesus told a parable about the dubious servant who stayed true to what he believed. Here, Jesus was saying that in spite of his dubiousness and though he was going to lose his job, he stayed true to it. (Luke 16:1-13) The result is not a determinant of the actions of these sets of people but their commitment. The response of praying labourers is prayer and the centre of their prayer is the heartbeat of God. The reasons we do not see miracles happening much in our day is because we do not have praying labourers. A praying labourer is not forced or cajoled but rather it is his/her lifestyle to pray. We pray prayers that make it look like God is irresponsible. When the Apostles were threatened and beaten on account of their preaching, that did not deter them because when they gathered together, their prayer points still centred on God giving them boldness to preach the gospel. Acts 4:24-30.

PAYING LABOURER. The most expensive venture on the surface of the earth is the advancement of the gospel. The devil knows this, thus he tries all he can to hinder and stop people from giving to the work of God. A giving labourer is glad giving to the work of God because therein, he finds fulfillment. Paying labourers give with simplicity expecting no recognition. A lot of people believe money is needed for everything except the gospel. Paying labourers see giving as their LIFE’S MISSION and they give willingly without being compelled, cajoled or coerced. After Jesus resurrected from the dead, the Pharisees paid much money to the guards to lie that Jesus’ disciples came to steal His body at night. If this can be done to hinder the spread of the truth how much more do you think is needed for the spread of the gospel? When the Holy Ghost is moving upon our hearts, everyone will know by the Spirit what is expected of them. One key sign that you are a genuine believer is that you do not regard whatever you do as your covenant responsibility as an achievement but a covenant obligation. True believers respond to every covenant obligation willingly. 

 Paying labourers always want to do more. When a man genuinely encounters Jesus, he will be committed to giving as he has proposed in his heart.

The people who brought money for the gospel’s sake were not cajoled, coerced or forced. They did what they did wilfully and willingly. (Acts 2:42-45, 4:32-35) Giving is not about how much you have, it is about vision and commitment. (2 Cor. 9:6-7) We can only make out time and give money to what we believe in. The wealth transfer we talk about is not for all but for paying labourers who have the heart and who are properly positioned.

If the gospel will be preached and men saved, paying labourers must rise to take their place for these to be done.

EMBRACE GOD'S STRUCTURE

“Then God said, Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth”. Genesis 1:26

When God wanted to create the real intent in His heart, He didn’t embark on it on His own. He needed a team to carry out His original intent-it was an “US” affair. He went on to give the mandate to “THEM”. We were never wired for independence but interdependence.

When people say, “I just want to mind my business/I just want to serve God”, that’s an antichrist statement. You cannot truly be in fellowship with God and not be in fellowship with men.

When we hear the word church? What comes to mind? The church is the body of Christ; it is also known as the army of Christ and the army is made up of soldiers. Just like a soldier cannot function alone except with the army of soldiers, so also, the body of Christ cannot function alone. There are different parts in the body, each with its own unique feature, but nevertheless, each part needs the other to function effectively. However, what is common to both is STRUCTURE. This means there’s a part for everyone to fit in and it must be respected.

Sadly, we tend to have more regard and respect for human structure and less regard for the structure of God.

“For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height; to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God”. Ephesians 3:14

The terms being used in this verse of scriptures gives one a picture-that of a family-God was referred to here as Father. Thus, it gives the picture of a family, coexistence. Strength is a requirement for the journey of life. You can never come into the fullness of God in isolation no matter how much you live Him. What you know of God is as He reveals to you per time, to know more of God, you need the contribution, partnership of others to come into more of God. Daniel had a company while in Babylon, he didn’t walk alone.

Anyone who has genuinely encountered God will love the people of God. It is an antichrist spirit to believe it is only God you are in fellowship with or just with the man God sent you to. Life is about relationship. Every dealing with man is dealing with God. To come into the fullness of God, you have to fellowship with the saints. It was at the point we began to embrace strange cultures and lifestyle that are alien to scriptures, we also began to see strange culture and lifestyle creep into the church-His body.

“…There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all…When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men."  (Now this, "He ascended"; what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ…from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love”. Ephesians 4:1-16.

Looking at the scriptures above, we know that this is the structure of God. The saints cannot be equipped nor perfected without the input of these ministry gifts ordained by God. In order to play your role effectively in the body, you must give yourself to be impacted by the ministry gifts. We cannot be built up in isolation nor can you build yourself by yourself. Our unity is an internal one. Every part has a part to play, every part should know it’s connected to the body and should be supplying what it’s meant to supply. This structure must be regarded if we must get ready and prepared for His coming.

“Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you”. Hebrews 13:17.

If the scripture says to obey, obey. You mustn’t be forced to obey those God has set over you. Don’t frustrate them so they will not become grieved. And truly, it is for your benefit if you make up your mind to obey them. If you do not see beyond man, you would be at variance with God’s instruction and structure.

“Early the next morning the people went out to the wild country near Tekoa. As they were starting out, Jehoshaphat addressed them with these words: People of Judah and Jerusalem! Put your trust in the LORD your God, and you will stand your ground. Believe what his prophets tell you, and you will succeed”. 2 Chronicles 20:20 GNB.

God is in heaven and whatever God will do on the earth, it is a combination of both man and the Holy Ghost. Believe God’s Prophet-the one who has been sent by God because he has not come on his own behest but as sent by God with His word.

FAMILY FORUM

Don't miss this month's edition for anything. Prayerfully prepare to be a part and attend with expectation.

THE VINE AND THE BRANCH 3 (God's Desire)

"You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you”. John 15:16.

In the Jewish culture, one is at liberty to choose his teacher. However, Jesus clearly stated here, that it was He who chose us.

 Our becoming born again is because someone somewhere prayed for us. If we choose not to give that which we have been freely given, we are wicked and self-centred. Jesus chose us so we can bear fruit and that our fruit should remain. We were ordained for a particular purpose, anything outside that is vain.

"In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread... But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you”. (Matthew 6:9-10, 33)

 

Jesus gave them a pattern and a prayer focus. God came first and "us" (the body of believers) came second not I. This means that God comes first; He supersedes every other thing/desire. Every time your interest and God’s interest collides, God should come first. In God’s interest, the interest of “us” is met. You cannot put God’s interest above yours and lose. You cannot be a true seeker of God and not be concerned about the salvation of those who are not saved around you. The more you seek God, the more you will love men and ensure they are saved. King Solomon fulfilled Matt. 6:33 because his heart was after God and not after things. We are to seek God first, we are not told what to seek next. We must be dead to self. Often the greatest hindrance to fulfilling God's purpose is self. I, ME,  MYSELF. 

The purpose of the branch is to bear fruit, and that purpose is found in the mandate given to us. "...and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation".  2nd Corinthians 5:18.

The ministry of reconciliation has been given to us, thus we have to go and reap in the harvest of souls. Since we have been given the word of reconciliation, our purpose is to see to it that we bear fruit. We are connected to the Vine and the branch ought to bear fruit from and for the Vine. The branch remains relevant when it is performing the purpose for its existence.

We must come to that point where everything about us is translating to the desire of God, that men be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. This is the reason Jesus has not come, He doesn’t want anyone to perish. If all we are doing does not translate to souls been won for God’s Kingdom, it is vanity. We must make this our priority.

“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth”. 1 Timothy 2:1-4.

In every journey/project, the takeoff point must be prayer. If you want men rescued, you have to begin in the place of prayer. Prayer is the first and major action every true believer in Christ should take. A proof that you have prayed enough is you will have direction on what to do. Our prayers create a conducive atmosphere for the fulfillment of God's desires. Every time you see an unbeliever, your desire should be that he is saved. If we are really interceding for the lost, we will not be stuck. *You are safe and secure in the centre of God’s will*. Let us desist from being selfish and self-centred and upgrade our lives by putting God’s desire first.

Prayer

I have ears and I hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church

THE VINE AND THE BRANCH (BEARING FRUIT)

Read John 15:1-17.

“Any branch in me that does not bear fruit (that stops bearing) He cuts away (trims off, takes away ): and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit,  to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit”.  (John 15:2 AMP)

Do not glory in the past, and don't hang around those that keep talking about past glory.  The only reason the past is relevant is if it has a connection to the

present. God is not interested in anyone who is not bearing fruit. As long as you are a branch, you are expected to keep bearing fruit. We are only Jesus’ disciples if we continue… Remember,  we are to occupy till He comes.  Even in old age, the righteous shall still bring forth fruit and be fat and flourishing. 

John 15 Verses 9, 10, 11, Jude 21

“As the Father hath loved me,  so have I loved you: continue ye in my love”.  John 15:9

 We are to continue in God's love.  In these times, it’s easier not to walk in love than to walk in love. (Because iniquity shall abound,  the love of many shall wax cold. (Matt 24: 12) But, in spite of the seemly challenges, hard and wicked times, Jesus said we should abide/stay and walk in His love. The times we live in is mounting pressure on us to act contrary, to become more self-centred and focus on self-preservation, but we must stay in God's love.

The way we demonstrate our love for God is by obeying His commandments. The greatest sacrifice we can offer to God is living a life of obedience to His word. The more you love God,  the more you obey His Word,  and His word becomes the basis for your actions and everything that concerns you. Commandments are not to be debated but to be obeyed. The truth is who you truly love, you will also respect and regard.

“These things have I spoken unto you,  that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy may be full”. John 15:11 

David prayed at one time that the joy of his salvation is restored, this is because it can be lost. It is possible to be in church, yet you have lost your joy. Joy is the fruit of the Spirit. To have the joy of the Lord remain in you,  you must abide in His love. When you are bearing fruits, you are happy,  refreshed, and you live a fulfilled and productive life.  When you are not bearing fruit,  you are more critical and see all the lapses in people, groups,  church etc. The joy of the Lord cannot be found in things. 

“This is my commandments, that ye love one another,  as I have loved you” John 15:12

Jesus enjoins us to love our neighbour as He loves us.  (John 13:34) Jesus is the STANDARD for our love walk. Not even the Old Testament standard that says love your neighbour as yourself,  nor our traditions or culture. Jesus commands us to follow His steps in loving others the way He loves us.

Jesus is saying we are to love God and love one another. We are to relate with one another on the basis of God's love, unconditional love and not just on some shared interests only. Where there's love,  there's power. Love is giving and it cuts across every sphere of life. 

“Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you” (John 15:14) 

If you are not doing what God commands, you cannot be His friend.  God delights in WILLFUL, WILLING OBEDIENCE.

 If we abide in Christ and He in us, we become one with Him. Many times, we want God to bless us yet we refuse to follow His way. He’s the one who chose us. We cannot dictate to him. We are to follow Him,  He gives the job description. Everything we need stems from the Vine. We can’t exist on our own without Him. The secret to experiencing God's supernatural power is to obey whatever He tells you to do. In John 2. at the wedding in Cana,  that was the secret to the miracle they experienced.

WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU TO DO,  DO IT

SOME THINGS TO NOTE

1)    The branch is to abide, that is,  stay,  continue,  remain,  dwell... in the vine. 

2)    The branch is to give birth and bear  fruit from and for the Vine

3)    The function of the branch is to bear fruit. It is the responsibility of 

 the branch to bear much fruit.

4) The branch is to submit to purging and pruning in order to bear more fruits.

 The branch is useless on its own.  That's why Jesus said without me, you can do nothing. 

NOTHING SHOULD EVER TAMPER WITH YOUR PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD

What is this fruit we are to bear? It is the Character and Power of Christ revealed through us. 

God expects that everyone who comes in contact with you will encounter Christ through you.  The fruits are not materialistic things. It is Christ revealed.

The question is, who is becoming like Christ because of you? How many Christ is God producing through you? 

Prayer

Lord, I surrender

I receive grace to reveal Jesus to my world and generation

THE VINE AND THE BRANCH

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the husband. Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit he taketh away:  and every branch that beareth fruit,  He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit” John 15:1-2.

Verse 1- Jesus said, I am the true Vine meaning there may be other vines. Jesus is the true vine, He is the unifying factor, between man and God. God, the father is the Vinedresser, the Owner and Cultivator. 

Verse 2- Jesus was talking to His disciples here. He wasn’t talking to everybody. In other words, He was talking to the Church. We ought to be the examples, the bible that the world reads.  Jesus said every branch in me that does not bear fruit will be taken off. God is not interested in wastes. If you are not bearing fruit, you will be cast off. You are inexcusable. If you are not bearing fruit, it’s simply because you don’t want to bear fruit. If our covenant is superior, it means the standard of God for us is higher. The truth is, every branch ought to bear fruit. Every branch that bears fruit He prunes and purges in order for it to bear forth much fruit.

There’s no place for retirement when it comes to God because even in old age, they shall still be fat and flourishing, for the path of the just is as the shining light that shines brighter and brighter unto the perfect day. There is no place for one to plateau. In other to be purged or pruned, you will go through a process which is not palatable but the outcome is for your good. Nothing should cause you to come to a plateau, not age, status, influence etc. At all points, you must keep yielding to the process of God in your life. Often, when we begin to bear fruit, we expect commendations, reward and appreciation. But what the Lord does is to prune you so you can do more. No matter what God has used you to accomplish, it's not yet over. There's still more to be done. We are to occupy till He comes. 

Through the purging and pruning, whatever is corrupt, is removed. Whatever will hinder you from being productive is taken away. 

Verse 3-“Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken to you”. The cleansing agent is the word, so we must give attention to the word of God. It is the word that cleaned us up, it is still the word that will aid us to stay clean and continue being clean. It is a spiritual cleansing. And to stay clean, you must keep washing. To stay safe, sane and clean from pain, bitterness, corruption, sin etc, you must give your undivided attention to the word of God. If there’s any time to give the word attention more than ever before, it’s now. If you do not want to smell spiritually, you must give attention to the cleansing agent-the Word of God. Read the word, study it, think upon the word etc.

Every other need is settled inside the word. Giving attention to the word is much more important than giving attention to your physical outlook. You have to esteem the word more than your necessary food. The word of God is quick and powerful, sharp enough to remove every abnormal growth; it’s like a surgical instrument that can reach out and take out everything that shouldn’t be in you.

Verse 4- “Abide in me, and I in you…” Jesus told His disciples to abide in Him. This shows that there is every possibility not to abide in Him. There will be things wanting to take us from Him. In these times, there is high-level deception.  Jesus himself warned about this in Matthew 24.  People will give themselves to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. Please note, that this deception will not come from outside but from within (The Church).

The word, ABIDE means to stay, dwell, endure, be present, to remain, to stand, to tarry, to follow, to continue. We must abide, endure to the end. We are to occupy till He comes Matthew 24: 13 clearly states, that it is those who endure to the end that will be saved. 

The gospel is being corrupted with false doctrines. The gospel of once saved always saved is completely erroneous.  This grace doctrine that gives men license to live anyhow is from the pit of hell. Grace actually empowers you to live right.  Grace makes you inexcusable.

We are here on a mission to rescue souls from eternal condemnation not to promote world peace. The gospel calling for world peace, all religions coming together to pray, is from the pit of hell and it’s simply to make room and prepare grounds for the antichrist. You must resolve in your heart to be committed to the word of God and not structures or personalities. There will be rampant deception all over in these times and many will come in the name of Jesus. There is a possibility to drift off that’s why Jesus told His disciples to abide,  stay, continue, endure, dwell, follow to the end.  We are in the season of a great falling away.  We must ensure we remain connected to the vine.  We are to occupy till He comes. There is no branch that can exist on its own. Everything it needs is in the vine. 

Verse 5-“...for without me, you can do nothing. The branch cannot do without the vine.  Jesus can do without us but we cannot do without Him. We need Him more than He needs us. The branch cannot do anything without abiding in the Vine. Outside of Jesus is pain, struggling and regrets. It is only in Jesus we find fulfilment, for all things consists of Him.  Everything you do should be on the basis of God's word.  Don't reckon with your ability, but His ability. 

Verse 6- If anyone refuses to stay/abide with Jesus; he is cast off from the Vine. If you don’t abide, you cannot bear fruit because it is from Him you draw nutrients to bear fruit. The Vine does not need the branch to live, but the branch must abide in the Vine to bear fruit.

Verse 7- If you abide in Him, His interests will become your interests, His desire will be yours, and thus, whatever you ask of Him, will line up with His will. When you are abiding in Him, you will know the heartbeat of the Father such as His prayer points. God has prayer points eg Zech. 10:1, Matt. 9:37-38, Psalm 2:8, Matt. 6:10. Life is easier when God is the One giving the prayer points and this happens when you are in communion with Him. When He abides in you and you abide in Him, you begin to know what goes on in heaven that should also be done in the earth. There's no better time to be strong in the Lord. Keep following Him, press more, study more, pray more, etc.

Verse 8- The Father is glorified when we bear much fruit. As long as you are alive, God expects you to bear much fruit. Trees are known by the fruits they bear.  Now, the fruits Jesus was talking about are not material things.  Not cars, houses, money, luxurious goods and lifestyle.  The fruit is Jesus, His character, nature, power...In other words; a Jesus tree will produce Jesus fruit. Everything about you should be revealing and proclaiming Jesus. Your words, actions, lifestyle should all reveal Christ. If we truly reveal Christ, many more will come to Him through us. 

If your life is not revealing Jesus and men are not coming to Him through you, your life is a waste. Go and reveal Christ. Go and proclaim Christ.