Luke 13:19 It is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.
More people are becoming Christians today than at any other time in history- including the first Day of Pentecost! In Africa, according to one report almost half the population is now Christian. The Gospel is "growing" in our day (see Acts 12:24). Even in countries where the Church was once the cultural hub, and traditional church attendance has declined, there are signs that God is renewing and reviving people into a fresh understanding Christ and His saving work. The Gospel is birthing a new generation of holy, passionate, God-fearing, Word-honouring believers!
Romans 9:6 ¶ But it is not as though the word of God has failed...
Just as the Church was birthed at a time when the population's morality was skewed, the institution of the family was challenged, organised religion had become devoid of genuine spirituality, and there was a growing economic class of slaves, we are now experiencing some of these same challenges in our day.
Acts 19:20 So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.
But the assurance of the Bible is that the Word of the Lord - The Gospel - will prevail mightily. This Gospel is not about Buddha, it's about Jesus! This Gospel is not about becoming religious, it's about surrendering to the Lord Jesus Christ as the Saviour of our souls. Each Sunday we celebrate in song, music, prayer and wonder, the God of the Gospel and enjoy His power to save, heal, deliver and bless. It is at this time we are encouraged to live out the Gospel (it affects how we treat others), to promote the Gospel (it affects how we contribute to our society) and to preach the Gospel (it affects how we love people enough to try to save them from an eternal Hell).
Around the world at the moment the Lord of the Harvest, the Holy Spirit, is directing the advance and growth of the Gospel. Even our own Valley has not escaped His attention. To God be the glory as His Church here advances His Gospel both here and abroad.
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