What I want my grandkids to know - Part #5 of 5
Over the past four blogs, we
established that within the creation story, in Genesis, are concealed four
principles. Each word representing the principle, begins with the letter “R”.
We mentioned how that the purpose
that was lost in the creation story, was restored to us in the redemption
story. Or as the bible puts it, what was lost in the first Adam was restored in
the Last Adam, Jesus.
Understanding each of the 4
principles, will help us restore God's original purpose.
They will enhance and enrich our
lives. It is also reassuring to know simply why we exist, and the reason why
were created in the first place.
Okay, without further ado, let us
unpack the fourth letter ‘R’ of purpose, by reading key scripture texts
together.
Genesis chapter 1 verse 28
And God blessed them, and God said
unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth,
and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the
fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
Three words from the key verse:
1. Be fruitful means "to
bear fruit" (literally or figuratively): thought of growth and increase as
in a vine bearing grapes
2. Multiply means "to
increase" (in whatever respect): thought of numerous, as in reproducing
many more children
3. Replenish means "to
fill" or "be full of" (literally and figuratively): thought of
overflow, as water filling up a vessel
Although there are three words used,
they all speak of Adam and Eve bearing children, increasing their family, who
in turn would reproduce offspring that would populate the earth.
Psalm 127:3
Behold, children are a gift of the
Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward
Therefore, the third letter "R" of purpose is Reproduction
Gen 9:1
So God blessed Noah and his sons, and
said to them: “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth.
Gen 49:22
Joseph is a fruitful bough, A
fruitful bough by a well; His branches run over the wall
Exo 1:7
But the children of Israel were
fruitful and increased abundantly, multiplied and grew exceedingly mighty; and
the land was filled with them
Let us look at five biblical areas around the subject of REPRODUCTION
1. We are to reproduce spiritual
children
2. Reproduction is about soul winning
3. Reproduction is about church
growth
4. Reproduction is the ministry of
reconciliation
5. Reproduction is about the ministry
of labouring to gather in or reap Gods harvest of souls
6. Reproduction is achieved through
proclamation and demonstration
1. We are to reproduce spiritual
children
Abraham said "give us children
lest we die"
When Jesus speaks of reproduction, he
speaks of his spiritual children, born of the Spirit and filled with His Spirit
Galatians 3:26
For you are all sons of God through
faith in Christ Jesus.
2 Corinthians 6:18
“And I will be a father to you, And
you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” Says the Lord Almighty.
Romans 8:14
For all who are being led by the
Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
Galatians 4:7
Therefore, you are no longer a slave,
but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.
Psalm 127 was our wedding verse.
Thankfully, after losing a wee baby girl at 8 months term we went on to be
blessed with three sons of our own.
Our eldest son and his wife have reproduced
two children. We are also anticipating the other two son’s wives are expecting,
reproducing children in May and June 2020.
2. Reproduction is about soul winning
Jesus came to seek and to save
that which was lost (Lukes Gospel)
He that winneth souls is wise (Proverbs
11:30).
Daniel 12:3
3 And they that be wise shall shine
as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as
the stars for ever and ever.
Making disciples is the goal of the Great Commission
Matt 28:19,20
3. Reproduction is about church
growth
Let’s look in the book of Acts where
Luke emphasizes how the church grows numerically & exponentially.
Acts 2:47
praising God and having favour with
all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those
who were being saved.
Acts 5:14
And all the more believers in the
Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly added to their number,
Acts 6:1
Now at this time while the
disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the
Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being
overlooked in the daily serving of food.
Acts 6:7
The word of God kept on spreading;
and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in
Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the
faith.
Acts 9:31
So the church throughout all Judea
and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear
of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.
Acts 11:21
And the hand of the Lord was with
them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord.
Acts 11:24
for he was a good man, and full of
the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the
Lord.
Acts 16:5
So the churches were being strengthened
in the faith, and were increasing in number daily.
4. Reproduction is the ministry of
reconciliation
2 Corinthians 5:18-20
18 And all things are of God, who
hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the
ministry of reconciliation;19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling
the world unto himself, not puting their trespasses unto them; and hath
committed unto us the word of reconciliation
20 We are therefore Christ’s
ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We
implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
5. Reproduction is about the ministry
of labouring to gather in or reap Gods harvest of souls
Luke 10:2-6
2Therefore said he unto them, The
harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord
of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.
3Go your ways: behold, I send you
forth as lambs among wolves.
4Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor
shoes: and salute no man by the way.
5And into whatsoever house ye enter,
first say, Peace be to this house.
6And if the son of peace be there,
your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.
6.Reproduction is achieved through
proclamation and demonstration
Proclamation
Luke 4:18-19
18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath
sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and
recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,19 To
preach the acceptable year of the Lord
Romans 10:14-15
How, then, can they call on the one
they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they
have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written,
"How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
Isaiah 52:7
How beautiful upon the mountains Are
the feet of him who brings good news, Who proclaims peace, Who brings
glad tidings of good things, Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion,
“Your God reigns
Ephesians 6:15 ESV
And, as shoes for your feet, having
put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.
Mark 16:15 ESV
And he said to them, “Go into all the
world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.
Demonstration
Matthew 4:23
Jesus was going all over Galilee, teaching
in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and
healing every disease and sickness among the people
James 5:13,14
Is anyone among you suffering? Let
him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick?
Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him,
anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith
will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up.
Mark 16 :17,18
And these signs will follow those who
believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new
tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will
by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will
recover.”
Prayer of Purpose:
Thank you, Lord, that I can live life
full of purpose.
Thank you that Jesus has restored in
redemption what was lost in Adam at creation.
Thank you for helping me discover the
primary reasons why we exist and why we were created.
1.RELATIONSHIP - Deepen my
devotional relationship with you, as I endeavour to live out the great
commandment of loving you with all my heart soul and mind, and loving my
neighbour as myself
2. RESEMBLANCE - Form and
shape me by your Spirit that I may resemble Jesus. Conform my character
to the look like Jesus.
3.RULERSHIP - May my life move
on the power and authority that you have delegated to me. Help me be a
kingdom-carrier, ruling over the world, the flesh and the devil.
4.REPRODUCTION - May I be a
witness of your resurrection life and salvation. May I be an ambassador of the
good news, both proclaiming and demonstrating the gospel. Help me be a soul
winner, involved in reproducing spiritual sons and daughter, by living a
life as salt and light. Shine your light in darkened hearts we pray, turned
them to yourself, in Jesus' mighty name. Amen.
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