Victory is Yours (Matthew 13:1-35)
Gary McManus, 11/02/2014Part of the DCC Basics series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
BE connected. . .to Jesus. . .Jesus’ church. . .God’s Word
. . .to the worship of God in Christ.
The situation of the American church. . .
. . .more people in this country than ever before
. . .fewer Christians in this country than ever before.
There seems to be little room for optimism
for the followers of Jesus Christ.
This All Saints Day we remember that 1 Corinthians
says that Jesus Christ has given US the victory. (15:57)
[DCC uses this section of Paul’s letter a statements of faith.]
Paul concludes this section of his letter with a thanksgiving
for what has already been received. . .the victory.
Victory does not come to us when we die.
Victory is ours right now. We cannot be separated
(Romans 8:35-39); we have been established, anointed
and God set his seal of OWNERSHIP on us (2 Corinthains 1:21-22).
We are confident that God’s work in us will be completed (Phil 1:6).
We are born of God and the evil one cannot touch us (1 John 5:18).
Consider our Exhibit A, the church of the Apostles
in Colossae. . . .unheralded, small, by-passed.
Yet recipients of the Apostle’s letter wherein
they are called faithful and fruitful.
(and more than once)
No where else. . .only for the Colossians.
Jesus used many FARMING parables.
They all speak of growth.
The bearing of fruit is not limited to the size of the plant.
Those who remain in Jesus will BE fruitful.
(Let’s not take it too personally. . .fruitfulness is
not success. Bearing fruit for Jesus is having more
people turn to Jesus and to turn to Jesus more.
It would be great if more people attended DCC
but the most important fruit is turning to Jesus!
Those who remain in Jesus will be FRUITFUL.
Growth always happens in these parables UNLESS
some OUTSIDE force KEEPS the seeds from growing.
( Even the weeds will grow.)
Any church tied to the gospel will not fail in its mission.
The victory is OURS in Christ.
A final footnote on the little town of Colossae. . .
Revelation 17:14. . .
What we read in the book of Revelation is a
CONFIRMATION of what we already know
to be true. . .that Christ has already won the victory.
Some day we will see it because we will stand with Jesus
Christ himself, victorious. Amen.
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