Good morning and welcome in everybody. Today, we are going to take a look at a passage of scripture, but before we do that, I wanted to tell you a little story.
There is a vine that is native to East Asia that was introduced to the United States in 1876 at the Philadelphia centennial exposition as an ornamental plant. This plant blooms with purple and red flowers in late summer, and is a climbing perennial vine from the pea family. This vine can grow almost 100 ft long and just one single root crown can produce as many as thirty other vines. But the most incredible thing about it, is that under the right conditions, it can grow up to 12 inches per day. It is the Kudzu, which grows so quickly that it was nicknamed… “the vine that ate up the South!”
This reminds me of the Christian Life.
When a person finally believes the truth of the Gospel, things can happen very quickly in their life. Just like a Kudzu vine, their faith can grow exceedingly, maturing rapidly in the teachings of Christ, and being filled up with a diligent and expeditious heart.
2 Thessalonians 1:3-4 (KJB) We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
The faith of the Apostle Paul grew extremely quickly, in fact it wasn’t very long after his conversion on the road to Damascus that he was already preaching Christ Jesus to the people.
Acts 9:17-22 (KJB) And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.
Have you ever noticed how a child can mature a lot quicker than other children their age? Consider their physical appearance for a moment. The rest of the kids in their classroom might only stand about four feet in height, but during summer vacation, one of the students shot up very quickly, and returned over five ft tall! Well the same thing can happen when people finally believe the Truth in Christ Jesus. They can grow so fast that it’s almost like burning a candle on both ends. This is exactly what happened in the life of the Apostle Paul, whose works were far more abundant than the rest.
Colossians 1:29 (KJB) Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
1 Corinthians 15:9-10 (KJB) For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
When God gives us strong amounts of fairh, our hearts can develop quite quickly. We can grow extremely fast, just like a newborn child who grows leaps and bounds during their first two years. Before you know it, they are already up and walking around on their own two feet. When people are filled up with faith, they will immediately begin seeking the teachings of Scripture, just like a newborn baby desires their mother’s milk quickly after their birth from the womb.
1 Peter 2:2-3 (KJB) As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
2 Peter 3:18 (KJB) But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
The Kudzu grows very fast but it also produces a lot of fruit during that period of time. Likewise, if we remain in Christ Jesus and the teachings of His Holy Word, He promises that we too, are going to have much fruit unto life eternal.
John 15:4-8 (KJB) Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
As the peoples faith increased in the early church, the disciples were multiplied, and Steven was filled up with so much faith and wisdom that they couldn’t even fight against the words that he spoke.
Acts 6:7-10 (KJB) And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.
And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.
The power of faith is incredible, because it’s like adding Spiritual nutrients to a plant in order to speed up it’s growth.
Acts 12:24 (KJB) But the word of God grew and multiplied.
Acts 16:5 (KJB) And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.
Faith is a gift from God, and when people receive it, it can turn the most wretched of men into a fervent and obedient Saint of God. Through the mercies of Christ, people can become quickly transformed and hasten to the will of God by the power the Holy Spirit. Remember that it only takes a small mustard seed of faith to grow into something really big, and when the truth of Christ is planted deep inside of an obedient heart, a new child of God can grow up very very fast, even faster than,…..
……The Kudzu Vine
Let’s think about these things for right now. We can be found on your web browser by searching, tlkjbc where you can find our diaries distributed through various platforms. We are not associated, nor affiliated with any other religious groups. You can get our entire podcast feeds directly, along with transcripts at tlkjbc.com or I suppose that you could find us somewhere up here, in the Great Northern Minnesota woods. Peace to you all, and Lord willing, we will talk with you some more tomorrow. Till then, bye bye everybody.
https://tlkjbc.com/written-sermons/
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2055335/episodes
https://www.facebook.com/share/14RHGVBBHbG/
tlkjbc.com
Note: Any copies may be printed and freely distributed among those who have no internet service. There is no AI creative involvement in my writings, and must be left intact because they are very personal to me. These are not to be sold, and are made public only for the free benefit of Spiritual knowledge to those who are genuinely seeking the will of God.
