RUSSELL SANDERS

11-19-2025

THE GREATEST PROPHET

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In Luke 7:28 Jesus said, “…there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist.” Why would he be called the greatest prophet? It is because John was introducing the Messiah, Jesus, to the world. Others had prophesied of the Messiah, but John was actually introducing him in the flesh. No other Old Testament prophet was given that honor to introduce God, in the flesh, to the world.

Luke 7:28b goes on to say, “…but he that is least [as a believer] in the Kingdom of God is greater than [John the Baptist].”

We, who are the redeemed in Christ, have the highest elevation in heaven, even above the angels who cannot sing the song of the redeemed.

We, who are the redeemed of Christ have a higher position in heaven of all the prophets before John. There is no higher position of honor than to be called “The Redeemed of Christ” in heaven. We shall be called “Sons of God.” [1 John 3:2.]

HELEN SANDERS

11-19-2025

HOW TO BE FRUITFUL

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The Apostle Peter had a very close walk with Jesus. He loved Jesus and when he failed him at the trial and crucifixion, he was full of godly sorrow. Jesus restored him because he truly repented.

He learned so much during the three and a half years that he walked with Jesus. He wrote two letters teaching others how to live righteously.

In 2 Peter chapter one he gives instruction on how to grow in Christ [the anointed one] and tells us if we do certain things that we will never be unfruitful or barren in our walk with the Lord. They are:

1.     Be a partaker of the divine nature of the Lord through salvation.

2.     Be diligent about adding to your faith virtue, which means living a life set apart for Jesus, choosing to not sin.

3.     Add knowledge which comes through studying the scriptures and allowing the Holy Spirit to lead you into all truth. [John 16:13]

4.     We then choose to live a life of temperance, which is a Spirit-controlled life, surrendering our will and emotions to the leading of God and not our own will.

5.     Then we choose patience in our lives, giving grace to others when they fail us, and learning that patience brings peace.

6.     Godliness follows, which means we choose our words and actions carefully to reflect the light of God and not the darkness of the world.

7.     Then comes brotherly kindness, which means we treat others with respect and love that flows from God into us and out to them.

8.     Then the greatest of all is love. Others will know we are Christians by our love, not our giftings or how much money or following we have.

1 Peter 1:9 tells us, “But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.” 

These eight virtues do not happen in us overnight, but it should be our life’s goal to walk in them. As we are filled with the Holy Spirit and not filled with self, we can become fruitful and never barren in following Jesus.