What Is the Biblical meaning of the Church?

"Church" is the translation of the Greek term "ekklesia", which literally means assembly, congregation, or meeting. In the New Testament it is used to identify the group or community of believers in Jesus Christ.

An important to note also that in the New Testament the Church is not referred to any building, temple, chapel, or any meeting place. 

In Acts 8: 3 we read that Luke the writer of the book of Acts distinguished the church from a building (house)

Acts 8:3 As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.

The term always referred to the Christian assembly and was used for both the local community of believers and the overall collection of Christians.

Church as a local community:

Revelation 1:11 saying, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last," and, "What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea."

Revelation 2:1 "To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:"

Church as a universal collection of believers in Jesus Christ:

Acts 20:28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church [a]of God which He purchased with His own blood.

Colossians 1:18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

1 Corinthians 12: 28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.

Believers Response to Trials, James 1: 2-4

James 1:2-4  (NKJV)
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces [a]patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be [b]perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

1 Peter 1:6-7
6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been [a]grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,

One of the things that the student fear in school are the exams or tests.
I'm sure that most of us can relate to that, and it's not a pleasant experience specially if you fail despite the great effort in studying.

In real life that unpleasant experiences of the student having exams are magnified multiple times.

Trial is defined as test of the performance, qualities, or suitability of someone or something.
Trial is a formal examination of evidence before a judge, and typically before a jury, in order to decide guilt in a case of criminal or civil proceedings.

A true believer of Jesus Christ will respond to various trials with pure Joy.
In the Bible, joy means the happiness based on the character of God and not based on the circumstances.

Christians are joyful in trials because God is faithful and He has a good purpose of allowing it.

Romans 8:28
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

John 16:33

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

1 John 5:4-5

4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—[a]our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

James, reminded the believers to treat any kinds of trials as joyful experiences because it will result in the glorification of God and a changed character.

One of the purpose of trials in a believers life is to test our faith.

Genuine faith in Jesus Christ means that our faith will be: 

1. Tested
The process in which we can determine or judge properly the truth from error and real from imitations.
E.g. The teacher will give test to the students to determine the lessons learned.
The judge will test or tried the accused to determine if guilty.

The same truth is also applied to our Christian faith. God will test it to prove it's genuineness.

1 Peter 1:7
7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,

Trials teach us what we are; they dig up the soil, and let us see what we are made of.
- Charles Spurgeon

Sorrows and trials are like the sand and grit that polish a stone.
- G. V. Wigraw

2. Always produce good works or fruits of the Holy Spirit.
When we're undergoing trials, we pray for our needs and sometimes God's timing is not as we expect therefore allowing us to cultivate or exercise patience, one of the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-25
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 [a]gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Those times when you feel like quitting can be times of great opportunity, for God uses your troubles to help you grow.
- Warren Wiersbe

I think Christians fail so often to get answers to their prayers because they do not wait long enough on God. They just drop down and say a few words, and then jump up and forget it and expect God to answer them. Such praying always reminds me of the small boy ringing his neighbor's door-bell, and then running away as fast as he can go.
- E.M. Bounds

Trials should not surprise us, or cause us to doubt God's faithfulness. Rather, we should actually be glad for them. God sends trials to strengthen our trust in him so that our faith will not fail. Our trials keep us trusting; they burn away our self confidence and drive us to our Savior.
- Edmund Clowney

As I look back over fifty years of ministry, I recall innumerable tests, trials and times of crushing pain. But through it all, the Lord has proven faithful, loving, and totally true to all his promises.
- David Wilkerson

Jesus Walks on the Sea - Matthew 14:22-33

Parallel verses: Mark 6: 45-52, John 6: 15-21

22 Immediately Jesus [a]made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. 23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. 24 But the boat was now [b]in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.

25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.

27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, [c]“Be of good cheer! [d]It is I; do not be afraid.”

28 And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”

29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw [e]that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”

31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.

33 Then those who were in the boat [f]came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”

After the feeding of the five thousand which was a great miracle that many people witnessed, Jesus sends the crowd away and went to the mountain alone while His disciples immediately got into the boat, but still many stayed and was determined to set him up as a king of the Jews that would liberate them from the Roman Empire.

John 6:14-15, Then those men, when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.”
15 Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone.

God's plan is to set-up a spiritual kingdom in the heart of the believers and not a worldly (military and political) kingdom which the Jews expects of the Messiah.

Application: 

1. Christians are not exempted with problems and sufferings. Verse 24.

Sometimes in our Christian Life we feel that God is far away or unwilling to help us in struggles (financial problems, pressures in life, and our weaknesses)with the people around us and even to ourselves. 

We feel like we're isolated and God seems to be silent.

In fact, Christianity is a victorious life of many trials and sufferings, yet God allows these unpleasant things to come into our lives for different reasons. One reason is to test our faith in Him, resulting in the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

Therefore we should  embrace our trials positively because of the good outcome it produces in our lives, no matter how hard or painful the experiences.

James 1:2-4, My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

2. God's perfect timing is not the same as ours
Verse 25, That's why we should not loose our heart if our prayers are not answered right away or the way we expect it.

Sometimes we pray for immediate response from God because we need it urgently, and no response from God, no signs of our prayers being granted and we feel discouraged and loose hope.

Remember the story of Lazarus, He was informed about the condition of Lazarus, But Jesus waited 3 more days after Lazarus death because He has a great plan, making sure that Lazarus is really dead and stinky, because He would resurrect Lazarus that some of the people there would believe in Him to the Messiah.

Isaiah 55: 8-9, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.

3. Our God is the God of the impossible. Verse 25-27.
God is able to do great and mighty things in the life of the believer.

God is above all trials and difficulty, defying the natural laws that He establish just to full fill His plans 

4. Have faith and focus in Jesus and not on our circumstances.

Hebrews 12:1,2Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares, Mat. 13:24-30

The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares
24 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; 25 but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. 26 But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. 27 So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’ 28 He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’ 29 But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.”

"Tare" is probably meant a sick kind of wheat or the darnel "false wheat" growing mostly in Palestine, which grows with resemblance to a real wheat but doesn't produce a grain. Another plant called American cheat (chess) that greatly resembles also to a real wheat. The grain of chess is smaller, the taste is bitter and has a strong soporific poison that causes dizziness if eaten.

These false wheat "Tare" plants are left to grow together with the real wheat until harvest, because there roots are intertwined that plucking the tare will kill the wheat.

Jesus explains the meaning of the parable in Mat. 13:36-43
1. The sower of the good seed is Son of Man (Jesus Christ)
2. The field is the world.
3. Good seeds are the sons of the kingdom.
4. Tares are the sons of the wicked one (devil).
5. The enemy is the devil.
6. The harvest is the judgement of God at the end of the age.
    God will separate the righteous from the ungodly. God will send the ungodly to hell (Mat. 13: 42-43)
7. The reapers are the angels.

Application:

Wherever the gospel (message of salvation) is preached, some people will get saved, these people have heard and believed the gospel of Jesus Christ. They've in trusted their eternal destiny to Jesus's sacrifice on the across 2,000 years ago.

Ephesians 1:13-14
13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who[a] is the [b]guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

And wherever God's people and works are, the enemy (the devil) is always active in preventing and destroying God's plan and purpose.

John 10:10
10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

And this is a reminder to all God's children that we have a real enemy and we have to be vigilant in our walk with God. Being vigilant means to study the word of God consistently, pray without ceasing, never give up meeting one another (ministry works) and do the things that glorify God.

1 Peter 5:8
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

The enemy can attack God's people at anytime, like a hungry lions seeking a prey to eat.
Lions prey on animals that are weak, sick, inexperience or simply slumbering.

When Christians are slumbering in their spiritual walk with God (verse 25), the enemy can enter to destroy God's work in many ways such as:

- Introducing false (unbiblical) doctrines that creates a false hope or assurance of eternal life.
- Hindering the ministries ability to expand or grow.
- Unconfessed  sins in the lives of the believers.
- Does not promote true spiritual growth and repentance.

The Parable of the Leaven, Matthew 13:33

Matthew 13:33 (NKJV)
The Parable of the Leaven
33 Another parable He spoke to them: “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three [a]measures of meal till it was all leavened.”

Luke 13:20-21
The Parable of the Leaven
20 And again He said, “To what shall I liken the kingdom of God? 21 It is like [a]leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures[b] of meal till it was all leavened.”

The central theme of Jesus's parables is about the kingdom of heaven (Gospel).

What is leaven?
1. Typically used to raise the dough, such as yeast.
2. A pervasive influence that modifies something or transforms it for the better.

Yeast are single-celled microorganisms that are classified, along with molds and mushrooms, as members of the Kingdom Fungi.

Yeast normally are use in food industries, particularly in baking bread, where it is used to raise the dough. A small amount of yeast can double the size of the dough. Depending the kind of strands the yeast have, determines the particular usage.

The usage of yeast in the bible are mostly in negative sense, we read that:

1. God commanded the Israelite's not to use yeast as leaving agent for their breads.

Deuteronomy 16:3 You shall eat no leavened bread with it; seven days you shall eat unleavened bread with it, that is, the bread of affliction (for you came out of the land of Egypt in haste), that you may remember the day in which you came out of the land of Egypt all the days of your life.

2. Jesus talks about yeast referring to false doctrine.

Matthew 16:6-12
6 Then Jesus said to them, “Take heed and beware of the [a]leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.”
7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “It is because we have taken no bread.”
8 But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you [b]have brought no bread? 9 Do you not yet understand, or remember the five loaves of the five thousand and how many baskets you took up? 10 Nor the seven loaves of the four thousand and how many large baskets you took up? 11 How is it you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread?—but to beware of the [c]leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12 Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the [d]doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

1 Corinthians 5:6-8
6 Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? 7 Therefore [a]purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed [b]for us. 8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

But in this parable, Jesus used leaven (yeast) for a good purpose.

The gospel, the word of God is compared to a yeast, because of it's penetrating and spreading nature.

The gospel reaches the conscience, pierces the heart, enlightens the understanding, informs the judgement and over all changes the person in all aspects of life. From a single person the gospel can spread to the whole family, neighbors, cities, organizations, societies, nations, races, and the whole world.

 Hebrews 4:12
12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Acts 2:40-42
40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this [a]perverse generation.” 41 Then those who [b]gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ [c]doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

1. God has called us to be the bearer of the His gospel.
If you're a christian then it is expected for you and me to spread the gospel. We are to be the salt and light.

Matthew 5:13-16
Believers Are Salt and Light
13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

2. God can change the heart of stone to flesh.
Therefore we should not worry if someone we shared the gospel but didn't respond as expected. Because only God can change the heart of man and when. We're only sower of the seeds (gospel) and God is the only one who can make it grow.

1 Corinthians 3:6-8
6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. 8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.

3. The gospel convert lives because the Holy Spirit enables it.

Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel [a]of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

Some of the Scribes and Pharisees Asked for Heavenly Sign, Matthew 12:38-42

Matthew 12:38-42 (NKJV)
38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered, saying, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.”
39 But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here. 42 The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here.

During Jesus earthly ministry, He performed countless of miracles, as a sign and proof that He is the Messiah mentioned in the old Testament, yet despite the many miracles the religious leaders at that time still wants a heavenly signs to prove Jesus claim of being the Messiah or Savior.

How ironic, that the religious people at that time, who keep the word of God, who knew all about the coming Messiah didn't believe in Jesus supernatural miracles, the signs and wonders he performed. 

Some of the scribes and Pharisees have seen Jesus performed miracles and heard about His teaching yet they refused to believe.

This is the first instance, that some members of the religious groups (Scribes and Pharisees) demanded a sign to prove that Jesus was indeed the Messiah. The second time was mentioned in Matthew 16:1.

God uses miracles as a sign to validate His chosen messenger or prophet.
In the old testament, God sent down fire from heaven that consumed Elijah's offering and altar (1 Kings 18: 36-39). God provided Moses miraculous signs (Plagues) to free the Israelite from the Egyptians (Exodus)

The Apostle Paul in the new testament, performed miraculous sign, when he raised the dead in (Acts 20:7-12)

Jesus knew their heart and motives despite their kind and respectful request, to show them sign from heaven. 
In Matthew 16:1 The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven.

Jesus used two familiar story from the old testament

Jesus didn't grant their request at that time, but a sign will be given similar to what happened to Jonah.

Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of big fish which was a miracle by God (Jonah 1:17). Jonah was saved from drowning at the sea and also he was redirected to his calling, to preach to the people of Nineveh. It was indeed a great miracle for Jonah to be alive after 3 days in the fish's belly. 

Scientifically you will die inside the stomach of any animals not only for lack of oxygen but the stomach acid that will dissolve even bones.


A similar miracle that from Jonah that Jesus will reveal later on, That is the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ "Son of Man", and it will be the greatest sign from heaven.

Jesus died on Friday was buried in a limestone tomb made of rock hewn from the side of a cave, a large underground chamber "heart of the earth", three days after, on Sunday, He rose from the grave.

When the people of Nineveh heard Jonah's warning of their coming destruction they believe Jonah's message and put their faith in God by fasting and praying. When the message brought to the king, he arose from his throne and laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth and sat in ashes, the king also created a decree that all people including animals should fast and pray as well (Jonah 3: 6-7)


People of Nineveh believe in Jonah's message and the God of Israel despite the lack of knowledge and understanding, in comparison with the Scribes and Pharisees in Jesus time, A chosen people by God and have a deep understanding about God in knowledge and practice, and eye witness of Jesus's supernatural miracles, yet didn't believe in Jesus, who is greater than Jonah.

The queen of Sheba from a very far kingdom visited the wisest King in History, Solomon just to hear his words of wisdom. The queen recognizes that Solomon is a great king and his wisdom is a gift of God.

Jesus Christ is King of kings, Lord of lords and Prophet of prophets, He is the source of prophecy and wisdom.

In Application:

1. How many miraculous signs do we need to experience before we believe that Jesus Christ is the Messiah or Savior, that the old testament is referring to? 

Every book in the bible, from Genesis to Revelation points to a single theme Jesus Christ finished worked the "Gospel"

Most of the time, we criticized for the things that we actually don't know? Like the bible, the Christians, etc. If we only study and understand scripture then we will see a different truth that the world can't understand. So instead being a critical about the bible, get hands-on, study and research about the bible to know the truth.

I remember a story about a man, who saw a person Snorkeling at the shallow water of the sea. The wondered why waste time looking down at the bottom of the sea? The looker begun to asked questions and the person snorkeling said, "I'm seeing amazing things" pertaining to fish and corals.

The moral of the story, if don't get wet and dive underwater then we will not see the real beauty of the sea, the corals, variety of fish and other marine life. We have to get wet, hands-on, dive or snorkel to see the real beauty of sea.

The same moral we can apply in God's word the bible, if we're only looking at the believer's life, we're just looking at the cover of the bible, the beauty, majesty and power of triune God is revealed if we study and apply it in our lives. 

If we want to experience that, we have get hands-on and not just on-looker.

2. Are the miracles we see daily not enough as a proof that God even exists?

1. The moment we wake up each morning is a genuine and marvelous miracle.

2. The free air that we breath every second, imagine if God will turn it off for a couple of minutes what will happen to us?

3. A single cell from both parents will develop into a baby inside the womb of the mother, such a complex process and perfect timing and order are involved.


4. The earth rotates on its own axis every single second, imagine the earth shift it's axis?

5. Other endless miracles daily....

If you're struggling today with unbelief about some truths of the bible, then pray about it, ask your local pastors, research online resources to help you and encourage to believe in Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior.

Spiritually Immature, Hebrews 5:12-14, Hebrews 6:1-3

Hebrews 5:12-14
12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the [a]oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are [b]of full age, that is, those who by reason of [c]use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Hebrews 6:1-3 
Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to [a]perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this [b]we will do if God permits.

"Bonzai trees are cute, but not in Christian life."

Paul admonished some Hebrew people who were a believer of the Lord Jesus Christ for a long time, yet they lack spiritual maturity. It follows the idea that they've surely mature in their spiritual walk  (In handling the word of God and practice) since they've been a Christian for a long time, and the expectation that they'll be able to handle or teach the word of God.

But instead, the opposite happens, they became stagnant and backward with their spiritual growth that even the basic christian doctrines needs to be repeated over again and thus unfit to handle or teach the word of God.

In a believer's life, spiritual growth is expected, the same with our physical body we experience growth continually, given we are healthy.

In order for Paul to drive home his point, he used the illustration of a natural baby who first drink milk as it is unable to digest solid food, but later in the baby's life it matures and is able to eat solid food as the body needs more nutrients for growth. 

Same is true with our spiritual life, we also need food to grow, and the food for spiritual life is the word of God, Jesus Christ (the word, the bread from heaven).

John 6:32 Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven.

Started a baby in the Christian faith, we didn't know about the different teachings and doctrines of the bible (God's word). At first, we only need spiritual milk (basic teachings of the bible) and must progress to eat solid food (advance teachings and doctrines and be able handle the word of God effectively).

1 Peter 2:2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow [a]thereby,

How we can we grow to maturity in our faith?

1. We should not only read the bible but study it!
It should be our desire and zeal to continue learning God's word night and day, mastering the basics and never stops learning and applying the word of God.

Joshua 1:8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Studying the word of God on a daily basis will help us discern better between good and evil.

Acts 17:11 These were more [a]fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.

2. Food is important for physical growth. Word of God is important for spiritual growth.
Paul's message is not only for us to continue growing in faith, but more importantly the food that makes us grow spiritually, and that is the word of God. 

Jesus Christ puts it above importance over the physical needs.

Matthew 4:4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”

John 6:35 And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.

3. Maturity in Christianity never stops.
Even if we memorize the whole bible, God can still give fresh revelation, wisdom and knowledge from His word, and it will never run out.

Paul considered to be the greatest theologian, blessed beyond measure with heavenly revelations and wisdom, yet he never claimed to have fully matured in the faith, because he knows that God is an endless source of wisdom and knowledge.

Philippians 3:12-13, 
12 Not that I have already attained,[a] or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have [b]apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,

Christians are called to be a discipler, there is a time to be a listener(student), but there should always be a time that Christians will be the talker(teacher).

But every Christian should always be a student of the bible (God's word). 

A Tree Known by Its Fruit, Matthew 12: 33-37

Matthew 12:33-37

33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. 34 Brood[a] of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 A good man out of the good treasure [b]of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. 36 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Part of Jesus's response to the Pharisees's claim of Him casting out demons by Beelzebub, the ruler of demons.

He gave a perfect illustration of consistency, a good source gives out good results. An analogy, that a good tree bears good fruit else if it's a bad tree it will bear bad fruits. Looking at the kind of fruit the tree bears you will know the condition of it's tree.

Since, the outcome of being set-free from demonic influence is a good thing, Therefore, It is rightful to think that the giver of such miracle of healing is of good nature. 

In verse 35, Jesus pointed out another example about treasures. Our heart is like a treasure box, if we store good treasures then we expect to get good things out of our treasure box.

Jesus the 2nd person of the triune God is the source of goodness, the source of all good things.

James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Psalm 34:8 Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

Psalm 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.

Nahum 1:7

The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.

Applying the rationally, Jesus actions (fruit) are good, therefore His nature (tree) is also good and He should not be judge to as bad or evil, The Pharisees judged Him contrary to His very nature.

The Pharisees's hearts are evil as their actions and words to Jesus have shown.

Plotting evil things against Jesus by associating His works that of the devil.

Verse 34 Brood[a] of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

John the baptist and Jesus called the Pharisees a "brood of vipers" or "family of vipers", they were pointing out that these men are like vipers (a kind of snake). 

Snakes by nature are cunning and mostly deadly. Snake or serpent in the bible is associated with the devil as seen in the story of the fall of man at the garden of Eden.

The Pharisees at the time of Jesus, were hypocrites (Matthew 23:15); They were blind leaders of the blind (Matthew 15:14); and their hearts were full of murder (John 8:37).

Another details about  "brood of vipers" is seen in Matthew 23:33 Serpents, brood[a] of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell?

Farmers usually burn their fields to prepare for the next planting, as the flames rages the snakes comes-out from their dens to escape but eventually burn in the process.

In verse 36, Jesus gives a warning that we should be careful of the words we say against others.

Words are powerful, it can create or destroy life, encourage and cursed.

1 Peter 3:10 For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.

Proverbs 18:20-21

20 From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled; with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied. 21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

James 3:6-10

6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of [a]iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of [b]nature; and it is set on fire by [c]hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the [d]similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.

The Bible makes it clear. You will be held accountable for every idle word out of your mouth.

Like any good judge will take note of every word of the testimony, and these very words will have an impact in determining the outcome of case, the judgement depends on every words spoken by the accused, victim and witnesses.

Application:

1.  After the fall of man to sin, our nature was corrupted from good to bad.

On God's perfect judgement, Man's very nature is bad, and it can't expect any good to come out.

But there's a hope, in verse 33, that it is possible to have a good fruit, by making the tree good! and the only way is through Jesus Christ. 

The moment we hear the gospel and respond by believing or accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit regenerates our spirit, creating a new heart.

This new nature has now the ability to do good things for God's purpose and Glory.

2 Corinthians 5:17
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here!

2. Storing good treasures in our hearts by meditating God's word and putting them into practice.

Psalm 119:11
Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.

Matthew 6:20
"But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal;

3. Discerning false teachers and doctrines by the fruits we see. We can by God's word and guidance. 
In this day and age, many will come and perverse the word of God with evil motives and will deceive many, that's why it's very important to study God's word to check teachings and doctrines for error.

1 John 4:1-3
1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess [a]that Jesus [b]Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.

Matthew 24:24
24 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.

2 Timothy 4:3-4
3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

What is God's Will for My Life? 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18

1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

A common question you hear to most believers, What is God's will for my life?
The Bible provides us with some general answers to that question, one of it can be found our passage 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18

1. Rejoice always.
As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we are called to be joyful in every kind of situation or circumstances. This joy doesn't come from the world like the pleasures of sin mentioned in 
Hebrews 11:25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the [a]passing pleasures of sin,
Rather it that comes from the heart, as part of the gift of the Holy Spirit Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

The joy of the world is fleeting, circumstantial and hollow, but the joy of the Lord is abundant, enduring and everlasting 
Isaiah 35:10
10 And the ransomed of the Lord shall return,
And come to Zion with singing,
With everlasting joy on their heads.
They shall obtain joy and gladness,
And sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Paul already mentioned a similar passage in the book of Philippians encouraging the believer to always rejoice, pray and be thankful in everything.
Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

And there are lots of reason to rejoice in the Lord.

1. Our salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 1: 1-6
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love.

Romans 5:11
And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

Psalm 16:11 (ESV)
11 You make known to me the path of life;
    in your presence there is fullness of joy;
        at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

2. Pray without ceasing.
Is being consistent with prayer in any circumstances. We should pray in times of difficulties and in times of abundant and blessings.

3. Everything give thanks.
We should cultivate a heart of gratitude towards God for everything in our life, family, friends, work, school and even our enemies who needs the love of God. 

We should not grumble or be proud of what God has accomplished in our lives.