When bearing fruit and growing through the gospel

“All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood the grace of God.” (Col. 1:5 NIV) 

The power of the gospel 

When you “truly understand the grace of God” you begin to grow and bear fruit. That’s the power of the gospel. It is alive and active all over the world, bearing fruit in every good work. 

Bearing fruit in every good work 

“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God…” (Col. 1:9-10 NIV)

Strengthened with all power

 “…being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have full endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.” (Col. 1:11-12 NIV)

He has rescued us 

 ”He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son…” (Col. 1:13 NIV)

We have redemption 

”…in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” (Col. 1:14 NIV)

Therefore…

“We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard about your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all the saints, springing from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you.” (Col. 1:3-6 NIV)

“Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.” (1 Cor. 2:12 ESV)

Quotes:

“Wherever Jesus has been proclaimed, we see lives change for the good, nations change for the better, thieves become honest, alcoholics become sober, hateful individuals become channels of love, unjust persons embrace justice.” - Josh McDowell

“If in preaching the gospel you substitute your knowledge of the way of salvation for confidence in the power of the gospel, you hinder people from getting to reality.” - Oswald Chambers

“There is a moral and spiritual war for the souls of Americans. And this war must be waged by preaching the Gospel, prayer, and obedience to God's Word.” - David Jeremiah