A Super-Seeded Faith [Mt 13:18-23] There are two main characters in this parable that Jesus shared – the Seed and the soil. The Seed is the Gospel of His Kingdom; and it remains the same throughout. The soil, representing the human heart, is of four varieties – the hard (compacted) soil; the rocky soil; the thorny (weedy) soil; and the good soil. Oh, and there’s one more character who is briefly mentioned in the very beginning - the Sower. This is Christ Himself. It is also anyone who chooses to represent Him – those who have been redeemed are now summoned by Him to go out into all the world sowing His Seed of the Gospel. At first glance, Jesus seems to be illustrating four levels of faith. He’s not. He’s describing four types of responses to the Seed that is sown. The First Soil represents hearts that are too hardened to receive the Seed. They ‘hear’ God’s Word, but make no effort to understand it because they have chosen not to accept it. The Second Soil represents hearts that ‘hear’ God’s Word and immediately react with joy. But because they are merely about emotions (feelings), they do not seek to develop any kind of spiritual depth. Instead, they choose to stay on the surface of God’s love and blessings. When the trials of life come and opposition rears its ugly head because of their “decision” to follow Jesus, there’s no spiritual depth that they can tap into when their faith is challenged. This is why they quickly fall away. Jesus’ parable of the wise and foolish builders captures this principle [Matt 7:24-27; Lk 6:46-49]. The Third Soil represents hearts who hear The Word and eventually they “become” unfruitful. Become is a very important word. They may have ‘become’ spiritual (for a time), but then they allow themselves to ‘become’ overwhelmed with and by the treasures of this world. As a result, they ‘become’ void of any thoughts of eternity and finding joy in a future life in glory. The deceitfulness of wealth has ‘choked’ the Seed that had been planted so that no spiritual fruit could be produced. This Greek word for “choke” is a gardening term depicting a bunch of weeds overtaking a garden of flowers and eventually taking over their source of nourishment and sustenance. A better way of saying it is – any spiritual life has been sucked right out of them. This can happen when one who has heard the Gospel chooses to dwell more upon the ‘cares’ of this world instead of the riches of a new life in Christ now and in glorious eternity. The Fourth Soil represents a ‘real faith’ in Christ and in the Gospel message of His Kingdom. This is a genuine, spirit-induced and fruit-produced kind of faith – one that hears, understands, and receives God at His Word. And as a result, bears real and everlasting spiritual fruit. When anyone seeks to understand God’s Word and devotes himself to living it out, spiritual fruit will be produced and revealed in his life. Luke, in his parallel version, also adds this -- But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance. [Lk 9:15] A heart that has truly accepted The Seed which the Sower has sown will cling to it tightly and never let it go. Not only does he bear fruit, but he does so with a continuous devotion [Acts 1:14]. This is real faith. This is a super-seeded kinda faith.

God’s Kind of Leader I came across this writing from the late Scottish Baptist evangelist, Oswald Chambers, a few years ago. He was a godly man and a true biblical shepherd who left this world at the young age of 43. It was through the efforts of his dear wife that many of his writings were circulated and later compiled into devotionals. Many, like me, have been greatly blessed by his book My Utmost for His Highest—a devotional based on his preaching and teaching to students and soldiers during WWI. Below is his biblically based list of personal questions and comments—criteria for a true leader in Christ’s church. Oswald Chambers’ Questions and Comments Have you ever broken yourself of a bad habit? To lead others, one must be master of oneself. Do you retain control of yourself when things go wrong? The leader who loses self-control in testing circumstances forfeits respect and loses influence. He must be calm in crises and resilient in adversity and disappointment. Do you think independently? While using to the full the thoughts of others, the leader cannot afford to let others do his thinking or make his decisions for him. Can you handle criticism objectively and remain unmoved by it? Do you turn it to good account? The humble man can derive benefit from petty and even malicious criticism. Can you use disappointments creatively? Do you readily secure the cooperation, respect, and confidence of others? Do you possess the ability to secure discipline without resorting to a show of authority? True leadership is an internal quality of the spirit and requires no external show of force. Have you qualified for the beatitude of a peacemaker? It is much easier to keep the peace than to make peace where it has been shattered. An important function in leadership is reconciliation—the ability to discover common ground between opposing viewpoints and then induce both parties to accept it. Are you entrusted with handling difficult and delicate situations? Can you induce people to happily do legitimate tasks they normally wouldn’t wish to do? Can you accept opposition to your viewpoint or decisions without taking it as a personal affront? Leaders must expect opposition and should not be offended by it. Do you find it easy to make and keep friends? Your circle of loyal friends is an index of the quality and extent of your leadership. Are you unduly dependent on the praise or approval of others? Can you hold a steady course in the face of disapproval and even a temporary loss of confidence? Are you at ease in the presence of your superiors or strangers? Do your subordinates appear at ease in your presence? A leader should give an impression of sympathetic understanding and friendliness that puts others at ease. Are you truly interested in people—of all types and races—or do you show partiality? Is there a hidden racial prejudice? An anti-social person is unlikely to make a good leader. Do you possess tact? Can you anticipate the likely effect of a statement before you make it? Do you possess a strong and steady will? A leader will not retain a position for long if he is vacillating. Do you nurse resentments, or do you readily forgive injuries done to you? Are you reasonably optimistic? Pessimism is no asset to a leader. Are you in the grip of a master passion, like Paul, who said, “This one thing I do”? Such singleness of motive will focus all one’s energies and power on the desired objective. Do you welcome responsibility? I’d like to add just one more thing. These qualities are evident even before one is chosen to lead in Christ’s church. Godliness that has been produced as a result of one’s full surrender to Christ as Lord is what marks the one whom God Himself has chosen to lead. While no one will ever reach the level of spiritual perfection here on this earth, The Spirit-filled and Spirit-led leader will allow The Spirit of God to produce the fruit that reveals God’s kind of leader. – Pastor Damon

Christ's Representatives

Church Growth God’s Way [Acts 2:42] They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. What does it take to become a community of believers who are united in truth and in deed? What does it take to become a healthy body of believers who want to do church God’s way? The answer is here in this one verse – four components the early church focused on in order to become a healthy body that continued to grow. Here they are: Teaching (Doctrine) Fellowship [koinonia] Communion [a service] Prayer [a pouring out] What was the result can be seen in the following verses [Acts 2:43-47]. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe [God’s power was at work]. The apostles performed many signs and wonders [God authenticated their/ His message.] All those who had believed were together and had all things in common [God unified them]. ‘Church’ was a place where believers came together and had all things in common. And what happened as a result of that? They began selling their property and possessions and shared them with those in need. They worshipped together in the temple and together in their homes [Communion]. They ate together genuinely and with gladness. They were praising God wherever they went. Verse 47 tells us two amazing things many church growth experts seem to miss: They were (continuously) having favor with all the people [even unbelievers]. The Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved. Their love for each other spread out into the community to where those outside the church were also affected and amazed. In Jn 17:23, Jesus prayed the following prayer to The Father-- “May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that You sent Me and have loved them even as You have loved Me.” Scripture teaches us that it is inward growth that leads to outward growth. It also reminds us that outward growth is not our doing! Who added to their number daily those who were being saved? There’s even another component that indirectly was very evident – the apostle’s leadership. The congregation of believers continually devoted themselves steadfastly persistently, consistently, with conviction, unwaveringly, unfalteringly, loyally and faithfully to the apostle’s teaching. That was and still is the responsibility of the flock. The responsibility of the apostles (leaders, shepherds) was to uncompromisingly teach the truth according to God’s Word, which means to teach it as Jesus Himself did. Jesus was and is about truth…the whole truth. The Holy Spirit Himself is called The Spirit of Truth? Many times (in Scripture), Jesus expressed these 5 words – I tell you the truth. We are called to proclaim the truth…God’s truth! As Paul directed young Timothy – Preach The Word! [2Tim 3]. It’s all right in here in this one verse – how to do church, how to be the church, how to grow as the church. Together, let’s be the church that Christ created!

Looking Ahead Last week, I introduced the upcoming weekly studies for our Sunday and Wednesday gatherings. Below is a brief overview of each study so we can all know what to expect over the next couple of months. Sunday Mornings – The Book of Acts Theme: Being the Church Christ Created To tell God’s story! It is His-Story of the Gospel…told His way for His church! Together, we will seek God’s purpose and process for how HE wants His church to function. Sunday Evenings – Revelation 1–3 Theme: The Revelation of Christ [from and about Him]. Jesus is the main character in His-story. Jesus Christ in His glory – who He is; what He is able to do; and how HE is worthy of our worship. Revelation is viewed by many as a mystery. It’s not! It’s an unveiling of a mystery! It’s not just a book about end time events (those don’t happen until chapter 4)! The Book of Revelation… Reveals Jesus in His glory (Transfiguration) – as He was before; as He is after; as He is now – on His throne! Reveals God’s warning to His church of the danger of sin…and our need for His correction Reveals the end of human history…as Christ (The Messiah) comes in glory to set up His earthly reign Reveals the ultimate victory of Christ over all opposition – human and demonic Reveals the new heaven and the new earth…and the eternal joy of all the saints Wednesday Evenings – Job 1–2 Theme: Letting God be God Subtheme: Answering life’s toughest questions Job is the oldest book in Scripture. Chaps 1-2 reveal to us how we are to fear God and shun evil (just as Job did). The rest of the book reveals (at times) how God will and does allow us to suffer. God will also allow Satan opportunities to test our love, devotion and commitment to Christ. Thus, we must learn to accept our suffering and allow it to draw us closer to God and who HE is. It is our choice to not question and blame God – doing so, causes us to wander further away. This study will be heavily “inspired” by Ray Stedman’s book – Let God Be God. I’m excited for what God has in store for us through these powerful studies. Let's come ready to learn, grow, and be transformed. Pastor Damon May 14 Psalm 101, Pt 3 May 18 Morning: Acts Intro Evening: Revelation Intro Wednesday, May 21 Job Intro May 25 Morning: Luke 24:45-46 Evening: Rev 1 May 28 Job 1

2025 Vision [Prov 29:18]  Where there is no vision, the people perish; but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. [KJV] Through the years, Prov 29:18 has been used in order to help establish a particular vision for ministry. While it is wise to do this, in its proper context, this verse can communicate to us something far deeper. Literally, the Hebrew word for vision means: divine revelation; prophesy; a word from God. With this in mind, a better way to state the first part of this verse is: Apart from The Word of God , the people perish. That’s a terrifying truth! Another important word in the beginning of this verse some translate as perish . Its literal meaning is: to be loosed ; to go one’s own way ; without restraint . Some modern translations have chosen to translate this verse with a heavy emphasis on without restraint . For instance, the New Living translation translates the verse this way -- When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. While this can be true, the NLT does seem to go more the extreme route. The Amplified Bible takes these two important Hebrew words and carefully translates Prov 29:18 this way: Where there is no vision [no revelation of God and His Word], the people are unrestrained. This proverb is very similar to how the author of Judges sums up his entire book-- In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes [Jdg 21:25]. When there is no recognized authority, most will choose to live however they want – unrestrained . Isn’t this one of the overall issues that we all deal with in our Christian walk? How are we to walk in a way to where God and His Word are our overall authority? Simply, we must allow Him to be. We cannot follow His Word properly unless we seek to know it fully. That’s why the second part of this verse says – But blessed is the one who keeps the law. To be ‘blessed’ by God is more than just happy (as most translations translate it). It is receiving God’s very best – His precious presence and the confidence that comes with knowing that He is pleased with and by how we live. As Gotquestions . com states – “We are blessed when we keep God’s directives . ” To begin the process of seeking God’s vision for Judson in 2025 and beyond, let’s lay our groundwork in and from God’s Word. Who does God say that HE says He is? And who are we to be (as His church)? The oldest book in Scripture is the book of Job. In the first two chapters, The Spirit of God reveals to us how we are to fear Him and shun evil (just as Job did). The rest of the book reveals that (at times) God will allow us to suffer and will also allow Satan opportunities to test our love, devotion and commitment to Him. As a result, we must learn to accept our suffering and allow it to draw us closer to God and who HE is instead of choosing to question and blame Him, which causes us to wander further away from Him. The last book in the Bible is Revelation. The first chapter of this book describes to us Jesus in His Divine state. The next two chapters are God’s letters of judgment to His churches, and the remaining chapters outline God’s judgment of the world. Yes, Jesus is returning to get us (His church). Yet, Scripture reveals the main reason He will come again is to judge; and His judgment begins with His church [chs 2-3]. In order to prepare us to discern what God’s overall vision is for us at Judson Baptist, it is necessary to know what it means to be “His” church. This is the theme of the book of Acts. We are taught how the church was born and how it grew. And in this, we are given our “duty” as redeemed Christians – to be the church Christ created. ‘Be’ must come before ‘say.’ We must first be what we are called to proclaim . Here is what I am proposing for our weekly studies (3 total) - - Sunday mornings -- the book of Acts (beginning with Lk 24) Sunday evenings -- Rev 1-3 Wednesday evenings -- Job 1-2 Pastor Damon

Luke 15:11-32

Judge Not? [Mt 7:1-2]