HEZEKIAH MAN OF THE HOUR

 

HEZEKIAH MAN OF THE HOUR  -  2 Chron. 31:20-21

 “And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was good and right and truth before the Lord his God. [21] And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and he prospered.”

Hezekiah was a remarkable king, used by God to rescue Jerusalem from the Assyrians and bring reform and revival to Judah. He was known for his God-honouring prayer life, a remarkable miracle, and a tragic choice.

Seeking God’s heart – Whenever Hezekiah served the house of God – he seek God and did it with all his heart.

Hezekiah’s name means “God has strengthened.” He is mentioned in many biblical passages. His story unfolds in 2 Kings 16:20-20:21 and 2 Chronicles 28:27-32:33, and again in Isaiah 36:1-39:8. He is mentioned throughout the Old Testament in Proverbs 25:1; Isaiah 1:1; Jeremiah 15:4; Jeremiah 26:18-19; Hosea 1:1; and Micah 1:1.

A) 1. HEZEKIAH DID WHAT WAS RIGHT

2 Kings 18:1-3 – “In the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, Hezekiah son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign. 2 He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years. His mother’s name was Abijah daughter of Zechariah. 3 He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father David had done.”

So many kings was before him – they provoked the Lord to anger by serving idols when the Lord had said to them not to do.

Many kings before Hezekiah did not tear down the high places of worship that they burned incense as a nation.

Hezekiah’s godliness was in direct contrast to his father’s wickedness. King Ahaz was an evil, idolatrous king. During the reign of Ahaz, the people of Israel said they feared God, but simultaneously they practiced idolatry (2 Kings 17:33). Hezekiah was the 13th successor of David, reigning in Judah’s southern kingdom. He reigned for 29 years—approximately 715-686 BC—beginning at age 25  (2 Kings 18:2)

2. HEZEKIAH REMOVED THE HIGH PLACES OF FALSE WORSHIP - 2 Kings 18:4

“He removed the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. He broke into pieces the bronze snake Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had been burning incense to it. (It was called Nehushtan.”

In addition; Israel had neglected the House of God. Many of the Temple vessels used in worship had been given as gifts to the King of Syria. The Temple had been defiled and Ahaz had the doors nailed shut (28:24).

Following the death of Ahaz, Hezekiah became king. He was grieved at what he had witnessed, and he was determined to change things. He started to remove the high places broke the bronze snake Moses which was a symbolic act to look to God but it became an idol of worship to them. 

3. HEZEKIAH CLEANSED THE TEMPLE - 2 Chronicles 29:3-5

³ In the first month of the first year of his reign, he opened the doors of the temple of the Lord and repaired them. ⁴ He brought in the priests and the Levites, assembled them in the square on the east side ⁵ and said: “Listen to me, Levites! Consecrate yourselves now and consecrate the temple of the Lord, the God of your ancestors. Remove all defilement from the sanctuary.

The next thing Hezekiah called the priests and the Levites together and cleansed the Temple. He opened the doors of the temple for the Lord and repaired them. He asked the Levites to consecrate themselves and remove all defilement from the temple.

Likewise our temple must be cleansed by the blood of Jesus and consecrate to Him.

4. HEZEKIAH TRUSTED IN THE LORD -  2 Kings 18:5

Hezekiah trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him.

Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel. No king of Judah was like him, either before him or after him. 6 He remained faithful to the LORD and did not turn from following Him; he kept the commandments that the LORD had given Moses.… The bible says “Trust in the Lord and Proverbs 3:5-6

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

5. HEZEKIAH KEPT THE COMMANDMENTS - 2 Kings 18:6

6 He held fast to the Lord and did not stop following him; he kept the commands the Lord had given Moses.

Hezekiah was one of a kind among the kings of Israel “for he held fast to the Lord.”  Among all of the kings, godly and ungodly, he is singled out for this lifestyle. Let’s look at what that means. Some synonyms for “hold fast” are: adhere to, carry out, embrace, and live by. “Holding fast” in the Bible literally means to hold your position, or fix your gaze and not lose sight of.

To hold fast means to be tightly secured or anchored to something. Are you anchored to the Lord? If so, the storms of life my toss you to and fro a bit, but you don’t wander from His side when they do.

 If you are tightly secured to Him, the world may get your attention but it cannot woo you from His hold. It means while you might be tempted, you hold fast and don’t give in.

The Rewards of Holding Fast to God

The Bible says that wherever Hezekiah went out, he prospered because God was with him. And then it notes that he would not serve the king of Assyria. This means he would worship God only, and not bow to an earthly authority that threatened him.

7. HEZEKIAH PROSPERED - 2 Kings 18:7

 The Lord was with him; he prospered wherever he went.

Because of Hezekiah’s faithful trust in the LORD, God blessed him thoroughly. It fulfilled a long-standing promise to David and his descendants: if they obeyed God, their reign would always be secure (1 Kings 2:1-4).

For us, today, that means that we need to make sure we don’t have other idols that rule our affections. And it also means we get to enjoy the benefits of holding fast to God.

Whenever He sends us out and we follow Him, He will prosper us. That prosperity might not be earthly riches, but they will be heavenly

8. HEZEKIAH AGAINST THE KING OF ASSYRIA - 2 Kings 18:7b

And he rebelled against the king of Assyria and did not serve him.

He rebelled against the king of Assyria and did not serve him: At this time Assyria was mighty enough to completely conquer the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Yet the kingdom of Judah stood strong, because God blessed the trusting and obedient king. Later he gave gold to make peace with the king of Assyria.

9. HEZEKIAH SUBDUED THE PHILISTINES - 2 Kings 18:8

⁸ He subdued the Philistines, as far as Gaza and its territory, from watchtower to fortified city.

He subdued the Philistines: Hezekiah also found success in subjugating Judah’s aggressive neighbours. He worked for a strong, free, and independent Judah.

10. HEZEKIAH SPREAD HIS LETTER BEFORE THE LORD - 2 Kings 19:14

14 And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the Lord, and spread it before the Lord. 15 Then Hezekiah prayed before the Lord, and said: “O Lord God of Israel, the One who dwells between the cherubim, You are God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth.”

In prayer or any letter of threat or accusation – lay before the Lord spread it before the Lord. And ask God to intervene your case.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart lead not to your own understanding and in all your ways acknowledge Him and he will lead your path and He will answer your prayers.

B) THE PRAYERS OF HEZEKIAH

1. Hezekiah spread his letter before the Lord – 2 Kings 19:14-19

2. Hezekiah was diagnosed with a terminal illness. God added the king’s life by 15 years.
3. Hezekiah’s prayer of Thanksgiving

 (Hezekiah king of Judah after his illness and recovery wrote a poetic song of praise & thanksgiving) – Isaiah 38:18-21)

Hezekiah’s Song of Thanksgiving - Isaiah 38:18-21 

C) HEZEKIAH HUMAN WEAKNESS

Ø   The Applications in life. We must start well and ends up well.

Ø   Hezekiah was proud and showed his riches to the King of Babylon.

Ø   2 Kings 20:14-19 – Hezekiah showed all his riches and treasures to the King of Babylon. Because of greed never showed everything you have to a foreigner.

HEZEKIAH HUMAN WEAKNESS - 2 Kings 18:16  

Ø  ¹⁶ At that time Hezekiah stripped the gold from the doors of the temple of the Lord, and from the pillars which Hezekiah king of Judah had overlaid, and gave it to the king of Assyria.

What Are Some Human Weaknesses?

The Ten Most Significant Human Weaknesses

1. Cowardice 

2. Selfishness

3. Pride 

4. Lack of concentration 

5. Distrust 

6. Impatience 

7. Suspicious 

8. Envy 

9. Resentment 

10. Stubbornness – one of the worst human weaknesses.  Stubbornness comes along with pride and arrogance.   

 OUR PRAYER

Heavenly Father, in every work and service of the house of God, we can do it with all our hearts.

We will walk right and do right with you and trust you in all things.

We will worship you and hold fast to your Word of Truth.

You will prosper us and subdue all our enemies in our faith. Help us to pray like Hezekiah with humility and in honour to Your Name.

Help us to overcome our human weakness and sin by the power of your Spirit. We thank you for your salvation and healing.

In Jesus Name! Amen.

 

                 

 

THE MIRACLE OF THE WINE

 

THE WEDDING AND MIRACLE OF THE WINE - JOHN 2:1-11

A) Wine - The Symbol of Joy - Psalms 104:15

“wine that gladdens human hearts, oil to make their faces shine,
  and bread that sustains their hearts.”

a)   The Joy of the Lord

Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

b)   Jesus is Your Joy

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. ~ Romans 15:13

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. ~ Philippians 4:4

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. ~ Romans 14:17

These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. ~ John 15:11

B ) Wine A Symbol of Transformation

The message of turning the water into wine is not only the transformation of nature but also lives.

1. What is Spiritual Transformation?

Transformation entails the meaningful, deep changes within individuals as they are touched by the Holy and as they mature in their experience of and expression given to their faith.

The Spiritual Transformation - Spiritual Transformation takes place at two stages in a person’s life:

Stage 1: Moving from Death to Life by salvation through faith in Jesus Christ and His atoning work on the Cross of Calvary.                                            (John 3:16-18; Ephesians 2:1-10; Romans 10:9,10)

Stage 2: Growing from spiritual immaturity toward spiritual maturity through life-long discipleship.  (Ephesians 4:13, 2 Timothy 2:2; 2 Peter 3:17-18)

C) Water to Wine – A Symbol of Celebration

‘Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the cheaper wine when the guests are drunk,’ he said. ‘You have kept the good wine until now!’ - John 2:10

"You have saved the Best for the last" This is I called it  "The Wine of God’s Outpouring Spirit" saved for the last days.

D) Wine is the symbol of the Holy Spirit

They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine.’ (John 2:7-9a, NIV)

Matt. 9:17 “Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.”

1.The Bible Associates New Wine with the Holy Spirit.

Wine is symbolic of the Holy Spirit and Jesus spoke of it in association with the move of God (Matt 9:17)

The Holy Spirit cannot work in old ways or system sometimes.  We need to put new wine into new bottles. New bottles are change by the Spirit. And our Christian faith and life are preserved for better use. 

In the last days outpouring of the Spirit will be so powerful that it will blow our minds if we try to understand it.

2, The New Wine of the Spirit means

i. New Wine mean it’s Time for the Harvest.

The Bible associates new wine with the harvest.
‘Then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and olive oil.’ (Deuteronomy 11:14. NIV)

A harvest from God is abundant. And He has promised a day of overflow; one in which the harvest and new wine will be plentiful. “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when the reaper will be overtaken by the plowman and the planter by the one treading grapes. New wine will drip from the mountains and flow from all the hills…” Amos 9:13 NIV

ii. New Wine Means the New Move of God is Coming,

Wine is symbolic of the Holy Spirit and Jesus spoke of it in association with the move of God (Matt 9:17).

In the New Testament, observers and writers compare and contrast the infilling of the Spirit to drinking wine.

‘And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit’ (Eph 5:18 KJVS, see also Acts 2:13)

What God has for us is distinctive for right now; it is a particular anointing for this new era. A new wine from Heaven! But let’s be aware—that which is ‘new’ tastes different.

iii. New Wine Speaks of Renewed Love and Intimacy with God.

“Take me away with you—let us hurry! Let the king bring me into his chambers. We rejoice and delight in you; we will praise your love more than wine. How right they are to adore you!’ (Song of Songs 1:4 NIV)

There are frequent references to ‘love like wine’ in the Song of Songs.

In the new wine season, the Spirit is wooing you. Hear God say, ‘I am calling you to intimacy with Me. And in that place, I will be your greatest delight’. I believe the Lord is saying, “There is a new wine—a move of My Spirit—that has reserved for this hour that is coming.”

E) What do we learn from this miracle?

If we take a close look at the biblical account of the wedding feast at Cana, we can learn three important lessons:

1. Marriage is a sacrament,

2. God wants to pour abundant favour upon your marriage, and.

3. Obedience is the key to receiving your blessing.

The Servants Obeyed …

Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washing, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus told the servants, ‘Fill the water jars with water.’

So they filled them up to the very top. Then He told them, ‘Now draw some out and take it to the head steward,’ and they did.

Obedience is the key:  Fill the water pots – Your life needs to fill up with His wine. We drink the Holy Communion cup represent His wine. Your life needs to fill up with Living Water. We are all dry pots used up by the world too much that we forget God to be used by Him. God wants to use us and fill us.

F) What Do We See Here?

1) We See Honor

Some say Jesus did this miracle simply to appease his mother. Or, as some have put it, he obeyed her to honour her.

2) We See Authority

In changing the water into wine, Jesus demonstrated his authority over all things down to the molecular level.

3) We See Power

Changing water into wine requires demonstrating power over time and space. Wine requires many processes that cover a long period of time. Jesus has power over quality and quantity.

4. We See More

We can see more by diving deeper into these:

·         Jesus is a bridegroom and the marriage supper of the lamb. Jesus is the vine.

·    At the last supper, the wine represents the blood of Jesus that cleanses us inside and the wine of Holy Spirit that satisfy us.

·         Jesus was told “you have saved the best till now” the new covenant is a better covenant based on better promises. God will always give the best to us. God’s best wine is coming! We can never under estimate God’s power and blessings. God is never short of fun and funds

Prayer: “Heavenly Father, help us, O God, to shed the old wineskins of things that no longer serve us or our ministry to our new members or to your Church. Break us out of brittleness that keeps us resistant or complacent. May we instead be renewed and expanded by the joy of your presence surprising us in new ways.   Lastly, O God, may this blending be a blessing to your people and your creation. May the wine of our lives outpoured be your love as gift to all.In Jesus Name, Amen! ”

Benediction

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. -  Romans 15:13

THE LEADERSHIP OF MOSES

Moses is revered as the greatest prophet and teacher. According to the book of Exodus, he was born in Egypt to Hebrew parents, who set him afloat on the Nile in a reed basket to save him from an edict calling for the death of all new born Hebrew males.

God made a covenant with the Israelites at Mount Sinai and delivered the Ten Commandments to Moses, who continued to lead his people through 40 years of wandering in the wilderness until they reached the edge of Canaan. He died before he could enter the Promised Land.

Moses was one of the greatest leaders of the Old Testament.  He led the people of Israel out of Egypt through the desert.  Moses responsibility as the Leader fell into five areas:

1. Intercessor Prayer
2. Biblical Instruction
3. Providing Qualified Leaders
4. Handling Conflicts 
5. Bringing Spiritual Breakthrough

1. Moses as Intercessor - Exodus 32:30-33

30 The next day Moses said to the people, “You have sinned a great sin. And now I will go up to the Lord; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.” 31 So Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Alas, this people has sinned a great sin. They have made for themselves gods of gold. 32 But now, if you will forgive their sin—but if not, please blot me out of your book that you have written.” 33 But the Lord said to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against me, I will blot out of my book.”

1. Moses as Intercessor

Isaiah 59:16 says, “the Lord wondered that there was no intercessor”, no one to intervene.

1. An intercessor is one who intervenes between God and others, whether individual, church, community or nation.
2. Intercession is the slow painful process of waiting on God and haring from God, spending time in His presence and being still before Him.
3. Intercession is not only spending time with God and understanding God, but it is allowing God to put within us a spiritual burden for the congregation and for the vision.

2. Moses Teaching The Word of God

a. Exodus 18:19-20  (Jethro the priest of Midian)

19  Listen now to me (Jethro) and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people's representative before God and bring their disputes to him. 20 Teach them his decrees and instructions, and show them the way they are to live and how they are to behave. (Read 2 Timothy 2:15)

3. Moses Providing Qualified Leaders

Ø  Moses was instructed to select a particular kind of person to stand with him and help bear the load of leadership. These were to be able men. - 2 Sam. 17:10

Ø  Moses picked men who fear God –men who revered God. These men were to have a healthy respect for God and live a holy life.

Ø   Moses was to provide leaders that could  respect and trust. He choose men of truth, men not moved by financial gain. He looked for men who had the spirit of wisdom. - Exodus 18:21

Ø  These were to bear the burden of the people with Moses imparting his spirit upon them – Num. 11:17-25

Quotations

•      When God called a man to leadership, He calls him to do His Work and not the work of other men.

•      Leadership is an art of getting things done through people.

    4. Moses Handling Conflicts

God gave Moses the ability to handle the conflicts in the nation of Israel.

Not all conflict are negative.  See the positive side.

1. Conflict strengthens our character.
2. Conflict makes us examine and purify our motives.
3. Conflict reveals faults and flaws in ourselves and in the church.
4. Conflict teaches us spiritual endurance and spiritual carefulness.
5. Conflict even sometimes jolt us into the will of God.

     5. Moses Bringing Spiritual Breakthrough

The spiritual advancement of any group depends upon leaders capable of lifting up the rod and breaking through the obstacles at hand. The key is to move the people forward.

The following scriptures show the rod ministry (authority) at work:

1. To open a way where there is no way. – Exo. 14:16
2. To release water in the wilderness, refreshing the people of God. – Exo.17:5
3. To secure victories in the heat of warfare. – Exo. 17:9
4. To provide food for the flock of God. – Micah 7:14
5. To believe in signs and miracles from God. – Exo. 4:17

     5. A Spiritual Breakthrough

•      Israel needs a spiritual breakthrough.  A breakthrough is a victory that removes longstanding obstacles and releases the people of God into a new realm of spiritual blessings and freedom.

•      Moses lifted his rod (God’s authority) and divided the obstacles.

•      With God’s anointing on our rod we will break through every problems and obstacles before us.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father help us to pray like Moses – we desire your great presence in our midst. Lord, help us to seek your face and intercede for the people around us for salvation. We ask for your divine favour and power to do your will in every circumstances of our lives.Help us to know you more and more of your love and the sacrifice of Jesus for us. In Jesus Name, Amen.

THE BENEFITS OF SEEING THE LORD

 

THE BENEFITS OF SEEING THE LORD

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. – Matt. 5:8

The first thing we learn from this beatitude is that Jesus is concerned with our heart. It is not enough to clean up our act on the outside.

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. -1 Corinthians 13:12

As a maturing believer, I have a burning desire to see and hear God more accurately. I often ask to know more of God. Sometimes I hear from you readers asking the same questions: How do I know what God wants me to do? How can I be sure I will see Him guiding me, or hear Him leading me? I want to know Him, but I have difficulty in seeing Him!

What are the benefits of seeing the Lord? Let us find out some here in the Word of God. 

1)  1.  Seeing the Lord brings Conviction. – Job 42:5

4 You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak. I will question you, and you shall inform Me.’ 5 My ears had heard of You, but now my eyes have seen You. 6 Therefore I retract my words, and I repent in dust and ashes.”…

Isaiah 6:5-6 “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”

6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”

2)  2.  Seeing the Lord brings Salvation – Exodus 14:13 NIV.

13 Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance (salvation) the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. Salvation in Greek also includes healing, deliverance, peace and prosperity to you.

3)   3.. Seeing the Lord brings Deliverance – Mark 5:6

“But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped Him”

 6 When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. 7 And he cried out with a loud voice and said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me.” cried out the demonic man spirit living in the tomb.  8 For He said to him, “Come out of the man, unclean spirit!” Verse 15 Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind.   Evil spirit and unclean thoughts will disappear when you worship and see the Lord in the Spirit.

4)  4.  Seeing the Lord as the Object of faith – Hebrews 2:9

“But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.”

Hebrews 12:2 KJV

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

5)  5.  Seeing Jesus the Lord brings Joy – John 20:20  NIV

“After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.”  The joy of the Lord is your strength.

6)  6.  Seeing the Lord brings pre-eminence to Him. – John 1:36

35 The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”

Isaiah 6:1 - In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. 2 Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one cried to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!”

7) 7.  Seeing the Lord to be like Him – 1 John 3:2

”Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.”

Let us ask God to give us a desire and passion for Him – opening our eyes to see Him as never before and thus transforming our lives and character in this world.  Let us bring the glory and power of Jesus to this sinful and sick world.

May the Lord bless you and your family, Amen.

 

 

 

JESUS CHRIST THE SEED IN US

JESUS CHRIST THE SEED IN US

Everything is in the SEED. Jesus came into this world as the SEED that gave life to the world. Our Lord Jesus is especially represented by three Old Testament characters: Adam, Abraham and David, Jesus Christ is the Seed of the Woman, the Seed of Abraham and the Seed of David. – Gen. 3:15; Matt. 1:1

Thus we see His pain, His power, and His Promise as He relates to us racially (the Word made flesh) redemptive and royally.  The outline of the whole bible is the Word of God – the Seed.

1.   The Seed Comes – O.T.          - Genesis 13:15

2.   The Seed Dies  - Gospel         - John 12:24

3.   The Seed Lives – Acts             - Acts 2:24

4.   The Seed Speaks – Epistles     - Heb. 1:2-4

5.   The Seed Reigns – Rev.           –Rev. 11:15

Luke 8:11 ESV -  l Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

2 Corinthians 9:10 ESV

He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness

1.   1)  The Seed Comes – O.T.  - Genesis 13:15 NIV

And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”

Through the O.T. from Genesis to Malachi, the message is clear: the Seed is coming! The Messiah was to be the Seed of the Woman who would destroy the works of the devil. To Moses, He was the mighty Prophet; to Isaiah, the Servant of Jehovah; to Malachi, the Messenger of the Covenant. The one message of the Old Testament is that the Seed is coming!

2.   2) The Seed Dies  - Gospel  - John 12:24 NIV

24 Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.

It says here the seed dies – as Jesus dies for the world and as it dies, and as a single seed it produces many seeds. (sons of God)

The Seed came but He came to die! Matthew, Mark, Luke and John all attest to His death.  The Father planted the Son in the earth, that He might reap a family of sons in the image of the Firstborn (Rom. 8:29). This mighty harvest is the Church, the joy and expectation that was set before the Saviour.  In the Gospel the Seed dies!

3.  3)  The Seed Lives –  Book of Acts   - Acts 2:24  New International Version

24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.

In the early Church, the Seed lives! The resurrection of the Lord Jesus was the keynote of the apostles’ doctrine.  The life of the risen Christ was the first concern of God for His infant Church. The baby had structure, but those bones were soft. Most importantly, the baby was alive, and its life was His life. So in the book of Acts, the Seed lives!  Jesus lives and resurrected in the presence of His disciples.

The Resurrection of Jesus is not a just a Historical event. Resurrection is a living person, Jesus himself – He said, “I am the Resurrection and life.” Resurrection is a daily living reality – Jesus himself is resurrected in us. In Him we live and breathe. Our identity is in the power of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

4.   4) The Seed Speaks – Epistles     - Heb. 1:2-4  NIV

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.

From Romans to Jude, the Seed speaks!  Men such as Peter, Paul and John were among the apostles who gave us the letters of the New Testament. In them, we can hear the heart of Jesus, the Chief Apostle.  Out of the abundance of His heart, He has spoken to us.  Throughout the book of epistles, the Seed speaks!

5.   5) The Seed Reigns – Revelation        – Rev. 11:15

15 Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”

In the Old Testament the Seed is coming. In the Gospel, the Seed dies. In the book of Acts, the Seed lives. In the epistles, the Seed speaks. And in the Revelation, the Seed reigns! So He comes, He dies, He lives, He speaks, He reigns!

He has come, He is here, alive and well on planet earth. He is in His holy Temple, for God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts. - Gal.4:6

Most people are waiting to do something great in the Kingdom of God. They talk about it, dream about it, wish for it. But still nothing happens in a man’s life until he moves from and old Covenant spirit to a New Covenant spirit, from a mind-set that is future tense to one that acknowledges the God of the Now.

Now is the time we are reigning with Him – Jesus. We reign in this life with Him not future.