How much fruit can you expect from new Christians?

This transformed my whole ministry

How much fruit can you expect
"Which also beareth fruit...some and hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty" Matt 13:23.

When I first started pastoring, I expected everyone to produce 100 fold. It just did not happen. It shocked me. I beat myself to death wondering what I was doing wrong that people did not come to church every service, did not devour the Word of God, did not witness and on and on.

Then one day
I read Matt 13:23 and got my eyes opened. Only SOME are going to produce 100 fold. The truth is not many! How tragic. I expected more and I think God does too. I have seen thousands upon thousands produce much more than I produced

Example
 Some  thirty years ago I had the joy of leading a radical atheist to Christ. He was totally transformed from day one. He is an evangelist and has lead thousands to Christ. He has produced 100 fold and then some. The amazing thing is he had no real follow up.

God did a great job on him.

Look at Paul.
I think I know why God alone saved the Apostle Paul, and no human had a part in his salvation or service. If some person had a part, he might want to take credit and God wont allow that.

Those I led to Christ
I must say, all who came to Christ produced a lot more than I can ever take credit for. What ever you do, do not take any credit for what God alone can do and does.

Some sixty fold
Some will thrill you as they produce sixty fold. They will become teachers and workers in the church. Some will become  leaders, deacons and pastors. That is wonderful and you will rejoice and know God did it all.

Some thirty fold.
This group will be a lot larger than the 100 or 60 fold but praise God for them too. You cannot be disappointed in them. Don't take the blame that they did not produce more. In my early ministry I did blame myself and caused a lot of heart ache unnecessarily.

Now this
Here is a secret to help them produce more. Jabez, a nobody, prayed that "the hand of God might be upon him" and "God granted him his request" 1 Chron 4:10. Read Ezra 7 and 8 and see what fantastic things happened because of the "Hand of God upon them". I have learned God is still doing it today if we pray earnestly and for His glory, "that the hand of God be upon us". I have prayed it every day for years and have seen Him do it today. It humbles you beyond words. Get in on it. "Ye have not because you ask not." Ask for "the hand of God" to be upon you and your ministry EVERY DAY and see what happens through you to your utter amazement and  to His amazing glory. ABC Sumner

Enter the drawings once a day, daily, for a pack of tracts to 10 winners in the general drawing and a pack of tracts and with one book on pastoring to each winner of the pastor's drawing. .Order some tracts for yourself and your church 1-877-872-2871: http://www.sumnerwemp.com Go to Feature Section, read encouraging articles.

What to expect from those getting saved

Some reject...
"And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when you depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet" Matt 10:14. To simplify it, LEAVE THEM ALONE. Pray for them if it is someone you know. They have not rejected you but the Lord who sent you. Leave them and forget them. Go look for someone else who is prepared by God to respond. NEVER respond in a negative way.

Some say they accept but...
Take Judas for instance. He heard it all, saw it all but never caught on, was never saved. You are going to have some who say "Yes", maybe just to get you off their backs. It is not your fault. DO NOT blame yourself. NEVER. I have had my share who profess to be saved but never showed any results of salvation or fruit. We all have. Jesus knew Judas was not saved but never exposed him nor made an issue of it. Don't you do it either.

Saved ones bear fruit...
"But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit" Matt 13:23. They will bear fruit. How much differs with each person, (don't miss this part next time) but they will bear fruit. Salvation always produces good works but good works will never produce salvation. Salvation is a gift of God, "not of works lest any man should boast" Eph 2:8,9. "Faith without works is dead" James 2:20. It is not faith and works that saves but faith that Christ died for my sins paid my debt in full and rose again that produces salvation which then produces good works. "For we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus UNTO good works" not because of good works. Eph 2:10.

DON'T MISS Friday's message. It transformed my ministry! I mean that. ABC Sumner

"God bless you and thank you for such wonderful encouragement and instruction!"

" I know the Lord is using you mightily in my life to become a more effective, bold not brash witness." You and I know only God can do that. Let Him use YOU!

Enter the drawings once a day, daily, for a pack of tracts to 10 winners in the general drawing and a pack of tracts and with one book on pastoring to each winner of the pastor's drawing. .Order some tracts for yourself and your church 1-877-872-2871: http://www.sumnerwemp.com Go to Feature Section, read encouraging articles

Help them be sure they are saved

You have told them clearly, God Loves you and sent His Son the Lord
Jesus to suffer and die for your sins, paid your debt in full, was
buried, rose again and was seen by hundreds of people. They have
assured you they "understand" this and have prayed with you to receive
the Lord Jesus as their personal Savior. Now here is the way to help
them have assurance they are saved.

Would you be sure if God told you?
God said, "These thing I have written unto you that you may KNOW that
you have everlasting life" 1 John 5:13. Suppose God said, "You have
everlasting life" would you be sure you are saved?" I have done this
hundreds of times and everyone said, "Yes". Listen to what God said,
"He that believes on the Son has everlasting life" He did not say
"might have everlasting life" or "feel like he has everlasting life"
but HAS everlasting life. Do you believe the Lord Jesus as your
Savior? God said, "He that believes on the Son as his Savior, HAS
everlasting life." According to what God said, Do you have everlasting
life? VERY, VERY seldom has anyone said, "I don't know" or "I don't
feel any different." Most say, "Yes, I do." I then ask how do you know
and they almost always answer "Because God said so". That is saving
faith!

Any doubts?
If they have any doubts, go back over and give them the gospel, that
Christ died for their sins, paid their debt in full, was buried, rose
again and was seen by hundreds of people. The whole issue is, "Did the
Lord Jesus pay your debt of sin or didn't He?" Most will answer, "Why
Yes, He did." And God will give them assurance they are saved.

What about follow up? Be sure you read the next email. There is a
special promise about that.

"What you do today will outlive you and last for eternity!" WOW

Well Glory! "The work you are doing in the kingdom of our Lord Jesus
is good, continue doing it, do not give up." From one of you. THANKS.
I don't plan to give up. ABC Sumner

Pray for Celeste, she just had some serious tests. Details will be
told when we are told.