27th Mar 26 | 16:08
Studies by Book
02 Acts 12 20-25 THE WORD OF GOD GREW 15 Acts 12 24 God’s word must grow in us
📖 Acts 12:20-25
15 – Sat, 08 Feb 2025 – *God’s word must grow in us* - _Acts 12:20-25_ – THE WORD OF GOD GREW – _Colossians 01:09-10_
_Acts 12:24 But the word of God grew and multiplied._
The word of God grows and multiplies by fruit-bearing happening in the lives of God’s people, who feed on His word. _Colossians 1:4-6 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of *your love for all the saints*; (5) because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of *which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel*, (6) which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, *and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you* since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth;_
The fruit-bearing that must happen in the lives of God’s people is the love among us. _Ephesians 5:2 And *walk in love, as Christ also has loved us* and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma._
Let us be reminded once again that a tree does not consume its own fruit, but bears fruit for others. Fruit-bearing is, therefore, all about being a blessing to others. To be a blessing to others, we must carry in us the life of Christ, for He did not live for Himself, but gave His life for us.
_Philippians 2:5-8 *Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus*, (6) who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, (7) but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. (8) And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross._
It is only when we die with Christ that the life of Christ will be manifested in us. _II Corinthians 4:10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body._ / _II Timothy 2:11 This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him._
*The word of God teaches us to die with Christ*. This is what it means to be a disciple of Christ.
_Luke 9:23-24 Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. (24) For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it._
There is no place for the ‘self’ in following Jesus. This is an ongoing lesson in life since the desires of the self will be exhibited in different ways. We will tend to think that what we are giving in to is nothing so serious. It is a simple desire that we like to fulfil, but in this relationship with Jesus, there is no place for the self.
The earlier we deny the self and be crucified with Christ the richer we will be in our discipleship and fruit-bearing. _Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; *it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me*; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me._
Paul explains to us what it means for the word of God to grow and multiply. _Colossians 1:9-10 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask *that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; (10) that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God*;_
The word of God reveals to us the will of God. The deeper we study and understand God’s word, the more clarity we will have about the will of God. _Psalms 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path._ / _II Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, (17) that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work._
The renewal of our mind takes place as we yield to His word. _Ephesians 4:23-24 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, (24) and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness._
It is in and by our renewed mind that we prove the will of God. _Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, *that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God*._
As God’s word grows and multiplies in us, our lives will cause the light of God to shine around us. _Philippians 2:15-16 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,(16) *holding fast the word of life*, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain._
```Let us labour that God’s word must grow and multiply in our times.```