BEHIND JESUS

TEXT: Acts 18:28

SUPPORTING TEXTS: John 1:1–14; John 4:8, 24; Philippians 3:3

OBJECTIVES

At the end of this teaching, participants should be able to:

1. Understand that God is Spirit and that He has revealed Himself to humanity through Jesus Christ.

2. Recognize the humanity and divinity of Jesus Christ, and understand why God manifested Himself in the flesh.

3. Explain why Jesus is the only way to salvation and why human religion, morality, or religious tradition cannot save man.

4. Defend the truth that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and God manifested in the flesh, using Scripture.

INTRODUCTION

Acts 18:28 (KJV):

“For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.”

The subject of Jesus Christ goes beyond what can be seen physically. To understand Jesus, we must look behind Jesus—behind His humanity, His earthly appearance, His birth, His ministry, His death and resurrection—to discover who He truly is.

The Bible teaches that God is Spirit:

John 4:24 (KJV):

“God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”

God is also love:

1 John 4:8:

“He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”

Love cannot be seen with the physical eyes, and the Spirit cannot be seen with the physical eyes. Yet both are real.

QUESTION

Have you ever physically seen love? Have you ever physically seen a spirit?

Although you cannot see love itself, you can see the manifestation of love through actions. Likewise, God, who is Spirit, made Himself known to humanity through Jesus Christ.

John 1:14 (KJV):

“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us…”

Jesus is therefore the visible manifestation of the invisible God.

Colossians 1:15:

“Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature.”

1. GOD MANIFESTED HIMSELF THROUGH MAN

God revealed Himself through the human life of Jesus Christ so that humanity could know, believe, and receive Him.

John 1:14:

“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us…”

Jesus did not merely come to teach people about God. He came as God manifested in the flesh.

1 Timothy 3:16:

“God was manifest in the flesh…”

Jesus showed mankind what God is like through His character, words, works, compassion, holiness, power and love.

2. THE BREATH OF MAN IS LIMITED

Man's physical life is temporary. The breath of man is dependent upon God.

Isaiah 2:22:

“Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?”

James 4:14:

“For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”

Man's life is limited, but God's life is eternal.

3. THE LIFE OF GOD IS ETERNAL

God does not depend upon another source for His existence. He is the eternal God.

John 1:4:

“In him was life; and the life was the light of men.”

John 11:25:

“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life…”

1 John 5:11:

“And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.”

The eternal life of God is revealed to humanity through Jesus Christ.

4. THE CHARACTER OF MAN IS CORRUPTED BY SIN

Humanity, because of sin, cannot become its own saviour.

Jeremiah 17:9:

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked…”

Romans 3:23:

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”

Man therefore needs salvation from outside himself.

5. THE CHARACTER OF GOD IS GOOD

God is holy, righteous, loving and good.

Psalm 100:5:

“For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.”

Psalm 145:9:

“The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.”

Jesus demonstrated the goodness and character of God among humanity.

Acts 10:38:

“…who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.”

6. MAN CANNOT SAVE HIMSELF — JESUS SAVES

Religion cannot save man. Human wisdom cannot save man. Good works, by themselves, cannot save man.

Ephesians 2:8–9:

“For by grace are ye saved through faith… Not of works…”

Salvation is found in Jesus Christ.

Acts 4:12:

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

The God whom humanity could not physically see came near to humanity in Jesus Christ—and Jesus saves.

THE REASON GOD MANIFESTED HIMSELF IN THE FLESH

1. SO THAT WE COULD SEE HIM

God became visible through Jesus Christ.

John 14:9:

“He that hath seen me hath seen the Father…”

Jesus is the revelation of the invisible God.

Colossians 2:9:

“For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.”

2. SO THAT WE COULD TOUCH HIM AND KNOW HIM

John testified that Jesus was physically real.

1 John 1:1:

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes… and our hands have handled…”

The apostles did not proclaim an imaginary person. They witnessed, heard and physically encountered Jesus Christ.

3. SO THAT WE COULD FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM

Jesus did not merely appear to humanity from a distance. He lived among people.

1 John 1:3:

“…that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us…”»l

Jesus also fellowshiped with His disciples.

Matthew 26:30:

“And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.”

He ate with them, walked with them, taught them and fellowshipped with them.

4. TO REVEAL THE POWER OF GOD THROUGH THE FLESH

Jesus demonstrated God's power through miracles, healing, deliverance and authority.

John 2:11:

“This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory…”

Acts 2:22:

“Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs…”

His works revealed what was behind the humanity—the divine nature and power of God.

5. TO EXPERIENCE HUMANITY AND IDENTIFY WITH US

Jesus experienced hunger, thirst, weariness, sorrow, rejection and temptation, yet without sin.

Hebrews 4:15:

“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities…”

Hebrews 2:17:

“Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren…”

He understands what humanity experiences.

6. TO SHED HIS BLOOD FOR OUR SALVATION

The ultimate reason for His manifestation was redemption.

Matthew 26:28:

“For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”

1 Peter 1:18–19:

“…ye were not redeemed with corruptible things… But with the precious blood of Christ…”

Jesus came to die for the sins of humanity and rise again.

1 Corinthians 15:3–4:

“Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day…”

YOU CANNOT GET GOD CHEAPLY

Gold does not usually lie openly on the surface. It must be sought, discovered and refined.

In the same way, we must look beyond the outward appearance of Jesus to understand who He truly is.

Jeremiah 29:13:

“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.”

Behind the soil, there may be gold.

Behind the humanity of Jesus, there is the revelation of God.

Jesus appeared as a man, but He was more than merely a man.

John 10:30:

“I and my Father are one.”

John 20:28:

“And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.”

The Messiah was hidden behind the humanity of Jesus until He was revealed to those who believed.

ANY SPIRIT THAT DENIES JESUS CAME IN THE FLESH

The Bible gives a serious warning concerning any teaching that denies the incarnation.

1 John 4:2–3:

“Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God…”

Jesus truly came in the flesh.

He was not merely a spiritual appearance. He was genuinely human while being divine.

WHY ACTS 18:28 IS IMPORTANT

Acts 18:28:

“For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.”

Apollos and the early Christian preachers had to convince the Jews from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah.

Many Jews expected the Messiah to establish an earthly political kingdom and deliver them from their enemies. They struggled to understand the manner in which the Messiah would first come.

Jesus did not come first as an earthly political ruler. He came as the suffering Servant who would deal with the deeper problem of humanity sin.

Isaiah 53:5:

“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities…”

His kingdom is ultimately spiritual and eternal.

John 18:36:

“My kingdom is not of this world…”

Luke 1:32–33:

“…the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever…”

Therefore, Jesus did not fit the people's expectation of what the Messiah should look like, but the Scriptures testified concerning Him.

PRACTICAL EXAMPLE: WHY PEOPLE STILL REJECT JESUS

Even today, many people reject Jesus because they do not understand what is behind the Gospel.

Some see religious hypocrisy, fanaticism, scandals, poor leadership or people who claim Christianity but do not demonstrate Christ-like character.

But the failure of people does not invalidate Jesus.

We must distinguish between Jesus Christ and the imperfections of people who claim to represent Him.

Hebrews 12:2:

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith…”

Our faith must ultimately be placed in Christ, not in imperfect human beings.

Some people look to God for survival, prosperity, longevity or protection but do not truly know Him.

They may place their hope in religious traditions, human philosophies or personal beliefs while rejecting God's saving grace.

But the Gospel points us back to Jesus.

THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY TO GOD

Jesus made this clear:

John 14:6:

“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

Peter also declared:

Acts 4:12:

“Neither is there salvation in any other…”

Jesus did not merely claim to know the way. He declared Himself to be the Way.

His resurrection became one of the greatest proofs of His identity.

Romans 1:4:

“And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.”

The Christian faith is therefore not founded merely on human philosophy but on the person, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

CONCLUSION: WHO IS BEHIND JESUS?

Behind the humanity of Jesus is the divine revelation of God.

Jesus is the Word who became flesh.

John 1:1–3:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him…”

And then:

John 1:14:

“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us…”

Jesus is the image of the invisible God.

Colossians 1:15:

“Who is the image of the invisible God…”

The fullness of God dwells in Him.

Colossians 2:9:

“For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.”

He existed before Abraham.

John 8:58:

“Before Abraham was, I am.”

He is one with the Father.

John 10:30:

“I and my Father are one.”

Thomas called Him God.

John 20:28:

“My Lord and my God.”

And the Father Himself speaks concerning the Son:

Hebrews 1:8:

“But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever…”

Therefore, when we look at Jesus, we must look beyond the physical appearance of the man and understand the divine truth revealed through Him.

Jesus Christ is the Word made flesh.
Jesus Christ is the revelation of God.
Jesus Christ is the Messiah.
Jesus Christ is the Saviour.
Jesus Christ is the Way to the Father.
And in Him is eternal life.

FINAL CHALLENGE

Do not stop at what you see on the surface.

Look behind Jesus.

Look beyond His humanity and discover His divine identity through the Scriptures.

John 20:31:

“But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”

The goal is not merely to know about Jesus. The goal is to know Jesus, believe in Him, and receive the salvation and eternal life that are found in Him.

Mystery of the Living God's Church

Preface

In every generation, people have wrestled with the same questions: What is the true Church? Where can it be found? Who belongs to it? These questions are not new, yet they remain as urgent today as they were in the days of the apostles.

We live in a world filled with countless groups that call themselves “churches.” Each has its own teachings, traditions, and practices. Each claims to represent God. Yet, when we look closely, we see division instead of unity, contradiction instead of harmony. This raises a profound mystery: if there is one God, why are there so many churches?

This Chapter, Mystery of the Living God’s Church, is written to guide the reader into the heart of that question. It is not a work of human speculation or denominational defense. Rather, it is an exploration of the Scriptures themselves, where God reveals the truth about His Church.

The Gospel ahead will uncover the Church as the Body of Christ, the blessed Bread of life, and ultimately, as Christ Himself. We will see that the true Church is not a building, an institution, or a human organization, but a living reality founded, owned, and sustained by Jesus Christ.

Part One:
What Is the Church of God?

The Question of Many Peoples
In every city, town, and village, one cannot help but notice the multitude of groups that call themselves “churches.” Each belongs to a different denomination or religious movement, each with its own teachings, traditions, and ways of worship. Yet, despite their shared claim of serving God, they do not walk together in unity.

Every group insists on its own truth. Every group defends its own doctrine. And though nearly all of them speak about God, they do not agree with one another. This reality raises deep and troubling questions in the hearts of many:

- How many churches does God truly have?
- What exactly is a church?
- Which one is the true church?
- Who is the owner and builder of the church?
- How can we find the true church?

These are not small questions. They go to the very heart of faith and salvation. To answer them, we must turn not to human traditions or institutions, but to the Word of the Living God.

The Church as the Body of Christ
The Scriptures reveal that the Church is not a building, a denomination, or an earthly organization. Instead, it is described as the Body of Christ.

- Colossians 1:18 — “And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning, the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy.”
- Ephesians 4:4–5 — “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism.”

The Church is one body, with Christ as its Head. Believers are united to Him and to one another as members of this living body. This is the first great truth: the Church is not many, but one.

---

The Church as Blessed Bread
The Scriptures also reveal another mystery: the Church is represented as bread.

- Matthew 26:26 — “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’”

Here, bread symbolizes the Body of Christ. Since the Body is the Church, the bread also represents the Church. Before giving it to His disciples, Jesus blessed the bread—showing that the Church is blessed food for His followers.

Thus, the Church is not only the Body of Christ but also the spiritual nourishment of His disciples. It is food for the soul, blessed and given by Christ Himself.

Jesus Christ Is the Church
The mystery deepens further: Jesus Himself declares that He is the Bread of Life.

- John 6:35 — “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”
- John 6:48 — “I am the bread of life.”

If the bread is the Body, and the Body is the Church, then the Church is Christ Himself. He is the foundation, the head, the life, and the very substance of the Church. To understand the Church is to understand Christ. To belong to the Church is to belong to Him.

The Rock and the Builder
Jesus confirmed this truth when He spoke to Peter:

- Matthew 16:17–18 — “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”

Notice: Jesus says “my church”—singular, not plural. He is the builder, the owner, and the foundation. His Church is not a man-made institution but a spiritual building established on the Word of God. And it cannot be destroyed by the powers of hell.

Entering Into Christ (the Church)
How then does one enter this true Church?

1. The Key Understanding
- Jesus Christ is the Church. To enter the Church is to enter the Son of God (1 John 5:20).

2. The Gift of God
- John 3:16 — God gave His Son as a gift. A gift is not earned; it is received. Salvation is not by human effort but by grace.

3. The Truths of Salvation
- The world did not ask for the Son, yet He came to save.
- The world was unbelieving, yet salvation requires faith in Him.

4. Christ the Way
- John 14:6 — Jesus is the only way to the Father.
- John 5:24 — Hearing His Word and believing brings eternal life.

→ Hearing the Word → Faith → New Birth → Entry into God’s family.

5. The Family Picture
- Just as you did not choose your earthly family, you do not place yourself into God’s family. Christ Himself brings you in (John 10:16).

6. The Blood of Christ
- Ephesians 2:13 — We are brought near by His blood. It is His blood that places us into His Church.

7. The Great Truth
- Christ is revealed.
- The Word is heard.
- Faith is born.
- By His blood, we are placed in Him.

Summary of the Mystery
- The Church is the Body of Christ, with Christ as its Head.
- The Church is blessed Bread, spiritual food for His disciples.
- The Church is Christ Himself, the Bread of Life.
- Jesus is the builder and owner of His one true Church.
- Entry into the Church is not by human effort but by faith, new birth, and the blood of Christ.

Therefore, to belong to the Church is to belong to Christ. To understand the Church is to understand Him. To be born again.

THE CHURCH IS A DWELLING, NOT A PLACE YOU GO

“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” — John 5:24

• If you read and understand the Gospel, you will see that you do not “go” to church — rather, you dwell in it.
• The Church is an eternal dwelling place.
• You do not put yourself into this Church; you are placed into it by God.
• You are taken out of another church(Kingdom of Darkness-Death), which belongs to Satan, and transferred into the true Church of Christ. (John 5:24)

This is what Jesus meant when He said you have passed from death into life.

───
Placed Into Eternal Life
• You are placed into this Church through faith in Jesus Christ (John 3:16).
• This Church is the true life, and it exists forever.
• To be in the Church is to be in Christ — a spiritual reality, not a physical location.

───
Do Not Be Mistaken
• If you say you “go” to church, you misunderstand.
• The true Church is not a building you visit, but a spiritual dwelling where you abide forever.
• These are things that happen in the Spirit, not in human structures.

───
Summary
1. The Church is eternal, not temporal.
2. You are placed into it by faith, not by human effort.
3. The Church is the dwelling of eternal life in Christ.

Let’s Grow Together in Faith, Wisdom, and the Grace of Jesus Christ

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Our BIBLE TRIVIA ANSWER for today is............................

According to Acts 18:23, which regions did Paul travel through as he strengthened the disciples?

The Answer: B. Galatia and Phrygia

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Are You an Intentional Christian?

By Pastor Joseph Clark

Life does not simply happen to us. At least, it should not. There are circumstances we cannot control. There are things that happen to us that we never anticipated, and there are seasons when we have little choice over what comes our way. But within all of that, God has given us something extraordinarily important:

The freedom to choose how we will live before Him.

We should never be content merely to hope that our faith is genuine. We are called to deliberately follow Christ, deliberately obey His Word, deliberately love others, deliberately serve, deliberately grow—and deliberately bear fruit. The Christian life is not a spectator sport.

Let me be absolutely clear: we are not saved by our good works. The Bible teaches that salvation is by grace through faith, not something we earn through religious accomplishments or our own efforts. We cannot purchase forgiveness by doing enough good deeds. We cannot impress God into saving us.

Paul writes:

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works.”

Ephesians 2:8–9

Amen.

But sometimes Christians stop reading there. The very next verse says:

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Ephesians 2:10

Notice the order. We are not saved by good works. We are saved for good works. Works are not the root of our salvation; they are supposed to be the fruit of our salvation.

That distinction is absolutely essential. A person does not become a Christian because he produces fruit. Rather, because he has been brought into Christ, his life should increasingly begin to produce fruit.

I have observed that some Christians use the “by faith, not works” argument as a cop-out to justify a lazy, fruitless walk.

Jesus Himself said:

“By their fruit you will recognize them.”

Matthew 7:16

He did not say, “Don’t worry about fruit because you believe.” He said:

“Every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.”

Matthew 7:17

There is a dangerous misunderstanding that can sometimes enter Christian thinking. A person says, “I am saved by faith and not works.” That statement is true. But then he concludes, “Therefore, it doesn’t matter whether my life produces anything.”

That conclusion is not biblical.

James puts the matter bluntly:

“Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

James 2:17

James isn’t teaching that we purchase salvation by our deeds. He is teaching that genuine faith is living faith.

If I tell you that I have a fire burning in my house, but you enter the house and find no heat, no light, no flame, and no evidence whatsoever of fire, you would have good reason to question my claim.

In the same way, if someone claims to belong to Christ but deliberately refuses to grow, refuses to obey, refuses to serve, refuses to love, refuses to forgive, and refuses to bear any spiritual fruit, we should not simply congratulate that person by saying, “Well, you’re saved by faith, so none of that matters.”

Jesus never taught such complacency.

Consider one of the most sobering statements Jesus ever made. In Matthew 7:21–23, Jesus describes people who will stand before Him on the day of judgment. They will say that they did things in His name. And Jesus will say:

“I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!”

Matthew 7:23

That should cause every professing Christian to pause.

Jesus did not say, “You weren’t sincere enough.” He did not say, “You didn’t perform enough religious deeds.” He said, “I never knew you.”

The issue is ultimately relationship with Christ.

Likewise, Jesus gives a similar warning in the Parable of the Ten Virgins. Some of the virgins were complacent and unprepared for the bridegroom. When he arrived, they were shut out of the wedding feast. The warning is unmistakable: we must not live carelessly or presume upon the grace of God.

A person can say the right things, use Christian vocabulary, attend church, perform religious activities, and even speak about Jesus—and yet not actually belong to Him.

This is why we should never merely sit back and say, “I hope my faith is genuine.” We should examine our lives. We should pursue Christ. We should repent when we sin. We should seek holiness. We should love our neighbor. We should forgive. We should serve. We should pray. We should study God’s Word. We should proclaim the Gospel. We should bear fruit.

Not because these things purchase our salvation—but because Christ has saved us and called us to live differently.

Our fruitfulness should also be expressed through obedience to Christ’s Great Commission.

Jesus said:

“I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last.”

John 15:16

That is not passive language.

Go. Bear fruit.

Christ did not save us so that we could sit comfortably on the sidelines of Christianity. He called us into a life of purpose.

Jesus also said:

“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”

John 15:8

There is that word again: fruit.

Fruit is evidence of life.

Wake Up and Bear Fruit

Do you see what is happening in this fallen world today?

Paganism. False religions.

They are boldly, deliberately, and intentionally seeking to influence and claim the hearts and minds of people throughout the world.

Our answer should be bold, fruitful evangelism!

Wake up!

Use your God-given gifts in any way you can to share His Gospel.

An apple tree doesn’t produce apples in order to become an apple tree. It produces apples because it is an apple tree.

Likewise, Christians don’t perform good works in order to become God’s children. We bear fruit because, through faith in Christ, God has made us His children.

This brings us back to our central question:

What are you going to do with the life God has given you?

You cannot choose every circumstance. But you can choose whether you will trust God in those circumstances.

You can choose whether you will forgive.

You can choose whether you will serve.

You can choose whether you will encourage someone who is discouraged.

You can choose whether you will open your Bible.

You can choose whether you will pray.

You can choose whether you will share your faith.

You can choose whether you will repent.

You can choose whether you will obey Christ when obedience is difficult.

You can choose whether your Christianity will be merely something you claim—or something you deliberately live.

Paul told the Philippians:

“Work out your salvation with fear and trembling.”

Philippians 2:12

Paul did not mean, “Work for your salvation.” He was writing to people who were already Christians. The meaning is that the salvation God has worked into your life should be worked out in the way you live.

Your faith should become visible.

Your character should change.

Your priorities should change.

Your relationships should change.

Your choices should change.

Your life should increasingly resemble the Christ you profess to follow.

There is a difference between saying, “I hope I’m a faithful Christian,” and saying, “By the grace of God, I will deliberately seek to become a faithful Christian.”

The first can become passive.

The second is intentional.

What Will You Do With What God Has Given You?

Do you remember the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14–30?

Are you the servant who was given one talent and buried it in the ground rather than using it?

To that servant, the master said:

“You wicked, lazy servant!”

Matthew 25:26

The judgment concludes:

“And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Matthew 25:30

Or are you the servant to whom the Lord will say:

“Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”

Matthew 25:21

Let me pause and ask you right now:

Is this message off-putting to you? Does this message offend you?

If so, ask yourself: Why?

Why does God’s Word—and a message consistent with His Word—bother you?

And don’t misunderstand me: you cannot manufacture spiritual fruit through human strength.

Jesus said:

“Apart from me you can do nothing.”

John 15:5

Fruit comes from abiding in Christ.

But abiding in Christ is not passive indifference.

We choose to remain close to Him.

We choose obedience.

We choose repentance.

We choose prayer.

We choose service.

We choose faithfulness.

We choose to say yes when Christ calls.

In the Parable of the Talents, one servant received one talent and buried it. He did not steal it. He did not destroy it. He simply did nothing with it.

When the master returned, the servant had an excuse. But the master condemned him.

Why?

Because what had been entrusted to him was intended to be used.

There is a warning here for Christians who have been given time, abilities, opportunities, spiritual gifts, knowledge, and resources but deliberately refuse to use them for God’s purposes.

God did not give you your life merely to consume it.

He gave you a life that can be offered back to Him.

Jesus also told of a fig tree that was not producing fruit. The owner came looking for fruit and found none. The tree was occupying valuable ground, but it was not fulfilling the purpose for which it existed.

That should make us think.

What is your Christian life producing?

Are people encouraged because you know Christ?

Are people helped because you serve?

Are people forgiven because you have learned to forgive?

Are people hearing the Gospel because you are willing to speak?

Are people seeing Christ in your conduct?

Are you becoming more patient?

More loving?

More humble?

More truthful?

More generous?

More courageous?

More obedient?

Has God given you talents or resources such as public influence, good oratory, conversational skills, a good computer, social media, or other online tools?

Use them for Christ.

Do you enjoy Christian podcasts, Christian articles, or Christian music?

Share them online with others.

Do you know someone who is in need or grieving?

Be present to them.

Let them know you are praying for them.

Pray for them!

Make a prayer list and pray daily.

Pray for this fallen world.

Reassure others of the coming of Christ.

Use whatever God has entrusted to you to advance His Kingdom and proclaim His Gospel.

What fruit is your life producing?

You Don’t Have to Be Famous to Be Fruitful

You don’t have to be famous to be fruitful.

You don’t have to preach to thousands.

You don’t have to write books.

You don’t have to stand behind a pulpit.

A mother raising her children in the faith can be fruitful.

A man encouraging a discouraged neighbor can be fruitful.

A Christian visiting the lonely can be fruitful.

Someone praying faithfully for another person can be fruitful.

A believer forgiving an enemy can be fruitful.

A Christian refusing to participate in gossip can be fruitful.

Someone quietly giving to help another person can be fruitful.

Fruitfulness isn’t necessarily spectacular.

Sometimes the greatest Christian fruit is produced quietly, where only God sees it.

Jesus said:

“Your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

Matthew 6:4

Your life will not be perfect.

You will fail.

You will sin.

You will sometimes become discouraged.

You will occasionally make terrible decisions.

But don’t confuse failure with fruitlessness.

A fruitful Christian is not a perfect Christian. A fruitful Christian is an obedient Christian who keeps turning toward Christ.

When he falls, he gets back up.

When he sins, he repents.

When he fails, he seeks God’s grace.

When he becomes discouraged, he keeps walking.

When God opens a door, he walks through it.

When Christ calls, he responds.

That is deliberate Christianity.

So don’t merely sit back and hope that your faith is genuine.

Pursue Christ.

Don’t use salvation by faith as an excuse for spiritual laziness.

Bear fruit.

Don’t try to earn God’s love through good works.

Serve because you have already received His grace.

Don’t live as though your life is something that merely happens to you.

By the grace of God, choose to make it count.

Jesus said:

“By their fruit you will recognize them.”

And He also said:

“I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last.”

The Christian life is not about earning salvation.

It is about living out the salvation you have received.

So get up.

Pray. Believe. Repent. Obey. Serve. Love. Forgive. Speak. Give. Go.

Create content.

Share content.

Practice charity.

Use your talents in any way you can to share the Kingdom of Christ and reach pagans, non-believers, and those who do not yet know Jesus Christ.

Bear fruit.

You have been given one life.

Don’t merely wait to see what happens to it.

With Christ, deliberately choose what you will do with it.

And may your life bear fruit—not for your own glory, but for the glory of the One who saved you.

In Jesus’ name, I pray.

AMEN. AMEN. AMEN!

The Remnant Bible Academy
Are you ready to move beyond a Sunday sermon and build a rock-solid biblical foundation? Join Remnant Bible Academy and transform your study of God's Word.
100% Free Access: Enjoy full access to all courses at zero cost.
Learn on Your Schedule: Self-paced learning means no deadlines or pressure—fit deep study right into your busy life.
Strong Biblical Foundation: Gain a clear, structured understanding of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation.
Comprehensive & Prayerfully Curated: Dive into engaging courses specifically designed to strengthen your faith and biblical knowledge.
A Fellowship of Believers: Connect, share insights, and grow alongside fellow disciples in our student-only community.
Deepen Your Faith: Develop a solid Christian worldview to navigate culture, morality, and life with confidence and spiritual clarity.
https://remnantbibleacademy.com/

The Remnant Bible Academy
Are you ready to move beyond a Sunday sermon and build a rock-solid biblical foundation? Join Remnant Bible Academy and transform your study of God's Word.
100% Free Access: Enjoy full access to all courses at zero cost.
Learn on Your Schedule: Self-paced learning means no deadlines or pressure—fit deep study right into your busy life.
Strong Biblical Foundation: Gain a clear, structured understanding of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation.
Comprehensive & Prayerfully Curated: Dive into engaging courses specifically designed to strengthen your faith and biblical knowledge.
A Fellowship of Believers: Connect, share insights, and grow alongside fellow disciples in our student-only community.
Deepen Your Faith: Develop a solid Christian worldview to navigate culture, morality, and life with confidence and spiritual clarity.
https://remnantbibleacademy.com/

Bible Trivia — August 16

Question: According to Acts 18:23, which regions did Paul travel through as he strengthened the disciples?

#LordsbookDailys #BibleTrivia #Acts1823 #BibleQuiz #GetInTheWord #DailyInspiration #FaithOnline #GrowInFaith #StrengtheningDisciples

DAILY BREAD FELLOWSHIP

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Today’s Scripture

John 2:2 (ESV)

“Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples.”

Opening the Scriptures

Yesterday we entered a wedding celebration in Cana. Today John gives us another simple detail: Jesus and His disciples had been invited.

Nothing miraculous has happened yet.

Jesus is simply present among ordinary people during an ordinary event in their lives.

Yet the disciples who came with Him were beginning an extraordinary journey. They had left their former lives to follow Jesus, but they still had much to learn about the One they were following.

Soon they would witness something at this wedding that would deepen their understanding of who Jesus truly is.

For now, they simply went where Jesus went.

That is a simple but important picture of discipleship.

Living God’s Word Today

Following Jesus does not mean inviting Him into selected areas of our lives while keeping control of everything else.

Christ is not a guest whom we welcome when convenient and ignore when His presence interferes with our plans.

He is Lord.

The disciples were learning that following Jesus meant going where He led them. That same principle remains true for us.

We follow Christ when His Word agrees with what we want, and we follow Him when His Word confronts what we want.

We follow Him in church, but also in our homes.

We follow Him when people are watching and when nobody sees us.

We follow Him when obedience is comfortable and when obedience costs us something.

There is another important warning here. Inviting Jesus into our lives does not mean that He has come to fulfill all our personal desires. At Cana, Jesus was not present to become a servant of human wishes. What would soon happen would reveal His glory and His divine authority.

That distinction matters.

Christianity is not about adding Jesus to the life we have already chosen.

It is about surrendering ourselves to the Christ who calls us to follow Him.

The disciples did not yet understand everything about Jesus.

Neither do we.

But discipleship begins with trusting Him enough to follow.

Today, do not merely ask Christ to accompany your plans.

Open His Word and ask whether your plans are following His will.

Question for Today:
Are you asking Jesus to follow your plans, or are you willing to follow His?

Respond: “Lord Jesus, I will follow You.”

Daily Verse — August 16

Acts 18:23 (NKJV)
“After he had spent some time there, he departed and went over the region of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.”

#LordsbookDailys #DailyVerse #August16 #Acts1823 #StrengtheningDisciples #FaithJourney #BibleInspiration #GrowInFaith

God Is Faithful, Even While You Wait (Lamentations 3:22–23)

Waiting is not easy.

We live in a world where we want everything immediately.

Instant messages.

Instant information.

Instant results.

But God doesn't always work according to our timetable.

Sometimes you pray, and the answer doesn't come when you expect it.

You ask God for an opportunity, but the door remains closed.

You pray for healing, direction, provision, or a breakthrough, yet you continue waiting.

And eventually you may begin asking:

“God, have You forgotten me?”

No.

He hasn't.

The Bible reminds us:

“Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”

God's faithfulness doesn't depend on how quickly He answers.

He is faithful while you wait.

Think about the people in Scripture who had to wait.

Abraham waited for God's promise.

Joseph endured years of hardship before seeing God's plan unfold.

David was anointed king but still had to wait for the right time.

The Israelites waited for deliverance.

Even Jesus' disciples had seasons where they didn't understand what God was doing.

Waiting doesn't always mean God is doing nothing.

Sometimes God is preparing you.

Sometimes He is preparing the situation.

Sometimes He is protecting you from something you cannot see.

Sometimes He is teaching you to trust Him rather than the outcome.

And sometimes, we simply have to accept that God's wisdom is greater than ours.

That can be difficult.

We want answers.

God may give us peace before He gives us explanations.

We want the destination.

God may teach us something important on the journey.

We want the door to open.

God may be asking us to trust Him while it remains closed.

Don't allow waiting to make you forget God's past faithfulness.

Look back.

Remember the prayers He has answered.

Remember the doors He opened.

Remember the times He protected you.

Remember the moments when you thought you couldn't make it, yet somehow God carried you through.

Those memories can strengthen your faith for today's waiting season.

And while you wait, keep doing what God has already called you to do.

Keep praying.

Keep serving.

Keep learning.

Keep working with integrity.

Keep loving people.

Keep reading His Word.

Keep trusting Him.

Don't put your entire life on hold while waiting for one prayer to be answered.

God can work in your life right now.

There is purpose in today's season too.

Maybe your waiting season is developing patience.

Maybe it is deepening your faith.

Maybe it is preparing you for an opportunity you aren't ready for yet.

Maybe God is teaching you that your identity is found in Him—not in what you receive from Him.

Whatever the reason, don't give up.

Your situation may change tomorrow.

It may take months.

It may take years.

But God's character doesn't change.

He remains faithful.

And the greatest evidence of His faithfulness is Jesus Christ.

God did not leave humanity without hope.

He sent His Son to make a way for us to be reconciled to Him.

If God was faithful enough to provide salvation through Christ, you can trust Him with the rest of your journey.

So if you're waiting today, take a deep breath.

Pray again.

Trust again.

And remember:

God has not forgotten you.

Your waiting season is not wasted when you place it in God's hands.

What are you waiting for God to do, and how can you choose to trust Him while you wait?

#GodIsFaithful #Lamentations3 #TrustGod #WaitingOnGod #FaithOverFear #GodsTiming #ChristianYouth #JesusSaves #ShareJesus #DailyFaith #Lordsbook #JMSM #KNKA