LOVE FROM START TO FINISH John19:25-27

LOVE FROM START TO FINISH

MARY’S STORY

John 19:25-27

25 Standing near the cross were Jesus' mother, and his mother's sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, "Dear woman, here is your son." 27 And he said to this disciple, "Here is your mother." And from then on this disciple took her into his home.

Holy Bible, New Living Translation 

MARY’S GRIEF

Everyone will experience death in their family. The lost of a mother, the lost of a father, the lost of a relative. You would think Mary the mother of Jesus would have been spared the grief. The Angel Gabriel said at Jesus conception she was highly blessed, After the age of 12, Joseph, Jesus earthly father does not appear in the narrative. So Mary had suffered the lost of her husband. 

To watch her son. Jesus die a horrible death on the cross must have pierced her heart. To add insult, to see a Roman Soldier pierce His side with a sword to make sure He was dead was shameful to her.

Mary’s fairytale life would change forever with the death of her oldest son. Jesus dying on the cross added another dimension or level of tension to her grief. Jesus looked down from the cross,  assigned John as her son and she as his mother. Mary moved into John’s home. At first glance, this 

Command of Jesus seems to ignore her other sons and daughters.

Jesus had several sisters and four brothers; Matt 13:55-56

Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joseph, and Simon, and Judas? 56 And his sisters, are they not all with us.  

MARY’S TRANSFORMATION

The question is why did Jesus think it necessary to assign John rather than her own  children? God does not tell us. But Mary didn’t see it as a problem because she did as He commanded her. God’s ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts.

There is no indication that any of Jesus' siblings were His disciples during His earthly ministry. In fact scripture indicate they thought Jesus was out of His mind

Mark 3:20-21

20 One time Jesus entered a house, and the crowds began to gather again. Soon he and his disciples couldn't even find time to eat. 21 When his family heard what was happening, they tried to take him away. "He's out of his mind," they said. New Living Translation 

Mary, being obedient to Jesus, moved into John’s home. It is probable that  Mary ’had not told  her children that Jesus was conceived in her by the power of the Holy Spirit and that He was the living Son Of God.

Point 1.  When you are grieving over the loss of a loved one, surround yourself with people who can emphasize and sympathize with you. Stay away from People who cannot understand what you are going through, especially people who are opposed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Jesus may have wanted to save Mary from the questions of his brothers and sisters of why she did not tell them the story of who Jesus was and

How He was conceived. Mary was grieving and didn’t need the family 

Tournoil that could occur.

Jesus' brothers and sister may have heard and believed the the Jewish Religious leaders' opinions about Jesus.  They knew and may have witness

The miracles he performed and may have understood only what was said about Him. 

Mark 3:22 But the teachers of religious law who had arrived from Jerusalem said, "He's possessed by Satan, the prince of demons. That's where he gets the power to cast out demons." Holy Bible, New Living Translation

Jesus may have chosen John because His Mother,  Salone was believed to be Mary’s sister and was a supporter of Jesus' ministry. John was single and never married. John’s father Zebedee was a prosperous fisherman. Living with John’s family ensured provisions and support for Mary 

POINT 2  Avoid pretentious religious folk, they change with the direction of the winds. 

There were many who came to hear Jesus speak to be entertained. They came to see the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the sick healed and demons casted out. On one occasion Jesus fed 5000

Men plus women and children with a few fish and a few biscuits. On another Jesus fed 4000.  They claimed Jesus to be the one who came in the name of the Lord, Lord save us. 

But doing His trial they joined the crowd saying crucify Him. Given a choice by Pontius Pilot, they chose to release Barabas, a known criminal who did nothing for nobody over Jesus, an innocent man who did everything for everybody. 

Mary was placed in a safe environment with believers who meditated on the Word and prayed continuously.

Point 3  Surround yourself with people of like minds, people who comfort one another.

 On the Sunday morning the day after the Sabbath a group of women joined together to anoint the body of Jesus. Early in the Sunday morning they headed to the tomb.  Mary the Mother Jesus was not with them but certainly in their hearts. 

Mark 16:1 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the (mother) of James, and Salome, bought spices, that they might come and anoint him.  

They saw an angel 6 And he saith unto them, Be not amazed: ye seek Jesus, the Nazarene, who hath been crucified: he is risen; he is not here

Mark 16:7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter,

God used the women in Mary’s circle to bring her and the disciple good news and joy. 

Point 4  Comfort one another in times of Grief  Psalms 30:5

Weeping  may endure for a night, but there is joy in the morning

For those who love the Lord, God has a message of hope. We do not 

Grieve by ourselves, but we grieve as a community.  God put us together to share grief and joy together. 

1 Thess 4:13-14

13 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died. New Living Translation

MARY’S ROLE AS THE SPIRITUAL MOTHER

Death Should not Separate us but draw us together

We should not hide our fears but share our victories. 

Mary’s role in the church as the Spiritual Mother Began 

No one knew Jesus more than Mary. She was given the message of him blessing the world before anyone else. She endured His birth, his growth into manhood, His ridicule and His death and resurrection. She had to make decisions to keep Jesus real identity secret to guard  His safety and the safety of her other children.

MARY A TOWER OF FAITH

After the death and  resurrection of Jesus, Mary could share the complete story of Jesus to the young Growing Church. Perhaps through her the true light of Jesus could be revealed. She was probably  relieved to share her story. No need to keep any secrets. No one rejoiced more in Jesus resurrection than Mary. In Him she could see the whole story of man redemption and restoration played out. Mary could share revelation from the Angel Gabriel, her conception by the Holy Spirit. She could share the

Visit by wise men from the east and the gifts given her by them. She could share the protection by God from the terror of Herod the great. 

After the death and resurrection of Jesus, all of His brothers came to Christ and became active in the Church. James became a leader in he church. What joy to Mary to see all her sons come to faith in Jesus. She had to wait many years for that day. Acts gives the conversion of Jesus’s half brothers

Acts 1:13-14

13 When they had entered the city, they went up to the upper room where they were staying; that is, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. 14 These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. 

GOD’S DIVINE INTERVENTION IN MARY

I think we have some insight as to why John was called the disciple Jesus loved. Jesus knew John’s heart and the spiritual insight and revelations of heaven and hell he would be given.  He would be obedient enough to look after Mary until her death.  

God puts people in our lives for a reason and a season. Joseph was put into the life of Mary to be the earthly father of Jesus. Mary birthed Jesus 

To make her a tower of faith and inspiration to all believers and I believe

Especially to all mothers. Mary's sons and daughters were put into her life to show all parents the differences in children and how we must rely and wait patiently on God for guidance and their growth and development.

John was put into Mary’s life to ensure love, financial support and family unity.  The other mothers were put into Mary’s life for emotional support, prayer, devotion and worship. No one can identify with a mother like another mother.

THE IMPORTANCE OF MARY IN OUR LIVES TODAY

Mary was put into our lives to show parenting is a life long commitment

That requires faith in the Word of God and confidence in all His promises. Mary’s life exemplifies real life struggles that requires us to trust God in

All situations and wait patiently on His guidance protection and provisions.

Life is but a few days but fill with many problems. In the midst of life we are given Jesus' joy and abundance of peace. Note this,because of her faithfulness, Mary didn’t have to rely on her children. God had a better plan.

A. Mary’s Humbleness

She humbly reverenced the Angel Gabriel and accepted His divine message that she would be the mother of our Lord and Savior.

It took courage to give up her plans for marriage for God’s Plan

True humility chooses God over self.

B. Mary’s Faithfulness

Araham is known as the father of Faith. Mary in my opinion should be known as the MOTHER OF FAITH. She was grateful to allow her

Body to be used as an instrument of the Holy Spirit conception

She risked being ostracized or stoned to death  by being pregnant

Before marriage. Her faith was stronger than the fear of the unknown 

She immediately began acting as the Mother of Jesus by traveling 90 to 100 miles to learn parenting and to be comforted from her older cousin Elizabeth. She faced the music by traveling back to Galilee 3 months pregnant.  God showed her favor with marriage of Joseph

C. MARY EXERCISED HER FAITH CONTINUOUSLY

Mary orchestrated the first miracle of Jesus at a wedding feast. 

She informed Jesus that the wedding party had run out of wine. 

She commanded the servants to do as Jesus commanded as He

Turned water into wine. She walked by faith and not by sight

D, MARY’S OBEDIENCE

Mary was obedient to God the Father, Joseph her husband and to Jesus. Our Lord and Savior

Mary’s obedience was the start of God’s redemptive action for mankind.  God chose a virgin teenager between 13-15 years of age to be His vessel.  Mary showed unusual maturity for her age.

E. MARY’S DISCIPLESHIP

Mary was the first disciple of Jesus and the first member of the Church. Before there ever was a church, the seed of discipleship grew in her. She was the first believer in Jesus Christ. Mary’s discipleship is poof that you are never too young to serve God.

F. MARY’S WISDOM

Mary made thoughtful God led decisions.  Her life provides guidance and moral insights for all believers. She knew when to keep things hidden in her heart and when to speak up

Her quiet strength shows how faith upholds us terrifying and uncertain moment in life.

 G.   MARY’S PATIENCE

She endured the challenges of life with calmness and complete trust

In God. Scripture records no complaints from Mary of how treat throughout Jesus lifetime. No complaints from her giving birth among animals, no complaints for the trip to Egypt to avoid the murder of Jesus by Herod, No complaints as she watched her son die on the cross. Her devotion to God the Father sustained her.

H. MARY’S PRAISE

Mary praised God for favoring her from the start of her commission. 

Luke 1:45-55 is known as her song of praise. The praise of God went up and blessings of God showered her throughout her life span.

Mary teaches us praise  before problems, praise during problems and praise after problems. Praise should never cease from your mind and lips. 

THE DEATH OF JESUS ON THE CROSS DID NOT SHAKE HER FAITH

YOU ARE A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD Acts 16:9-15

                           YOU ARE A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD

Acts 16:19-15

Acts 16:12 From there we reached Philippi, a major city of that district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. And we stayed there several days.

13 On the Sabbath we went a little way outside the city to a riverbank, where we thought people would be meeting for prayer, and we sat down to speak with some women who had gathered there. 14 One of them was Lydia from Thyatira, a merchant of expensive purple cloth, who worshiped God. As she listened to us, the Lord opened her heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying. 15 She was baptized along with other members of her household, and she asked us to be her guests. "If you agree that I am a true believer in the Lord," she said, "come and stay at my home." And she urged us until we agreed.

Holy Bible, New Living Translation 

  

FIRST CHURCH IN EUROPE

Paul and Silas were led by the Holy Spirit to take the Gospel to Europe

Acts 16:9 That night Paul had a vision: A man from Macedonia in northern Greece was standing there, pleading with him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us!" 10 So we decided to leave for Macedonia at once, having concluded that God was calling us to preach the Good News there

New Living Translation

They boarded a ship at Troas and headed to Philippi on the sea coast of Europe. God  directs His ministers to dark places to bring the light of the Gospel. God prepares the place and the people to receive His Word.

Every believer has the responsibility to influence others in the Lord

On the Sabbath day as was Paul’s custom, he went seeking a place to worship and found a group of women in a prayer meeting on the sea shore.

It is probable that there was no Synagogue there, but the Word of the Old Testament had reached Philippi. It took 10 Jewish males to establish a Synagogue. The city in the midst of Idol gods and idol temples was a dark environment, but God  allowed His Word, the Jewish Law to enter the hearts of a few.

13 On the Sabbath we went a little way outside the city to a riverbank, where we thought people would be meeting for prayer, and we sat down to speak with some women who had gathered there. 14 One of them was Lydia from Thyatira, a merchant of expensive purple cloth, who worshiped God. 

BACKGROUND ON LYDIA

The first question to ask, why did God think it was important to tell us Lydia’s occupation ? Purple fabric was a luxury commodity associated with royalty, priesthood and the elite.  The purple dye was from the secretion of shell fish (murex mollusk ) It took thousands of shells to make one garment.

Lydia was from Thyatira(modern Turkey) the city known for dying cloth. The city was on the merchant trade route, ideal for spreading the Gospel. Lydia had relocated to Philippi.

Most likely because of her position as a business owner and community

Connections, Lydia was the leader of the prayer group. Since purple was an expensive cloth,  her clients were well to do people. She did not allow her status or community connections to affect her worship and devotion to God. 

Paul sat down with the women on the Sabbath and taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We have no idea how long the meeting was or what scriptures Paul taught about Jesus but He got the attention of Lydia. God had prepared her heart to receive the Gospel. 

THE LORD OPENS THE HEART OF BELIEVERS

Acts 16:14 As she listened to us, the Lord opened her heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying. 15 She was baptized along with other members of her household, and she asked us to be her guests. 

We can teach the Gospel, but it is God who opens the hearts of listeners to receive the Word. When we teach, we never know how many seeds are planted and who will respond. But the Word  of God will never return void. 

Issiah 55:11 so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

It is the work of the Lord to send His ministers out to preach the Gospel.

It is the work of the Lord to prepare the hearts of those He chose to receive the Gospel. It is the good work of man to spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

We do not know whether Lydia was married, had children or servants. What we do know is that there were people living with her or close to her to call her household . She obviously was a strong worshiper of God for she influenced her household to accept Christ and to be baptized.

Paul and Silas started with a small group of women, but ended with a 

Larger group from Lydia’s household. We should never worry about the numbers we teach because our sphere of influence spreads well beyond

who we see. 

LYDIA’S GRATEFULNESS

Lydia was a generous and grateful woman. She persuaded Paul and Silas to stay with her. She was the first European convert and established the the

First Christian Church in Europe. She believed God, and God led her to believe in Jesus Christ. Her prayer group turned from a religious community to a Christian community.   

LYDIA’S DEVOTION TO SERVE 

Acts 16:15 "If you agree that I am a true believer in the Lord," she said, "come and stay at my home." And she urged us until we agreed.

The evidence of our Chrisian faith is found in our service to others in the name of the Lord. The text says she convinced Paul of her faith. She was insistent of her love for the Lord and her willingness to serve. She would not let Paul and Silas go away without honoring them as ministers of the

Lord Jesus Christ.

Lydia used her wealth to house the traveling ministers and to establish the first Christian church in Europe in her home. Some of us are called to be missionaries and some are blessed with income to support the church and missions. 

THE STORY OF LYDIA HIGHLIGHTS THE MAJOR THEMES IN THE BIBLE

• THE SOVEREIGN WORK OF THE LORD

• THE MISSION OF JESUS TO REDEEM MANKIND

• THE FOUNDATION OF THE CHURCH; FAITH AND OBEDIENCE

• BAPTISM, AN OUTWARD SHOW OF A SPIRITUAL TRANSFORMATION

• THE POWER OF A GIVING HEART; SPIRITUAL GIFTS

• THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST

• THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL THROUGHOUT THE WORLD

• FAITH IN ACTION; MISSIONARIES AND SUPPORTER OF MISSIONARIES.

• GOD IS NO RESPECTER OF PERSON; MEN AND WOMEN SERVE EQUALLY

• THE POWER OF PRAYER WORKS MIRACLES

LYDIA’S STORY IS A TESTIMONY TO THE POWER OF PRAYER

• LYDIA PRAYED AND THE GOSPEL WAS PREACHED TO HER

• LYDIA PRAYED AND GOD OPEN HER HEART TO RECEIVE CHRIST JESUS

• LYDIA PRAYED AND A SPIRITUAL TRANSFORMATION TOOK PLACE; FROM LAW TO GRACE

• LYDIA PRAYED AND HER HOUSEHOLD CAME TO CHRIST

• LYDIA PRAYED AND THE FIRST CHURCH IN EUROPE WAS FORMED

• LYDIA PRAYED AND NEW RELATIONSHIPS ESTABLISHED

• LYDIA PRAYED AND EXPRESSED HER GRATITUDE TO THE LORD

• LYDIA PRAYED AND HER GENEROSITY WAS EXPANDED 

• LYDIA PRAYED AND HER MINISTRY GLORIFIED THE LORD 

• BECAUSE SHE PRAYED, A NATION IN THE DARK GOT A                                                                         RAY OF LIGHT 

• SHE PRAYED AND MAY HAVE ENCOURAGED PAUL AND SILAS TO  PRAY AT MIDNIGHT IN JAIL IN PHILIPPI AND AN                                                                      EARTHQUAKE LED TO THE SALVATION OF THE JAILER

LYDIA’S ATTITUDE OF GRADITUDE

        LYDIA WORSHIPPED THE LORD

SHE WAS A PRAYING WOMAN

SHE WAS PART OF  AN ACTIVE PRAYER TEAM

SHE LISTENED TO PAUL AND SOUGHT OPPORTUNITIES  TO STUDY THE WORD

GOD OPEN HER HEART

    SHE ACCEPTED JESUS AS LORD AND SAVIOR

    SHE CONFESSED HER FAITH TO PAUL AS A  BELIEVER

    SHE OPEN HER HOME AS THE FIRST CHURCH IN EUROPE

SHE WAS A LADY OF INFLUENCE

    HER HOUSEHOLD WERE BAPTIZED

    IT IS PROBABLE THAT HER PRAYER TEAM BECAME    

    BELIEVERS

             AS A  BUSINESS WOMAN, HER CLIENTS WERE EXPOSED TO 

    JESUS

SHE HAD A HIGH CLASS CLIENTEL  

     I SUGGEST SHE USED HER INFLUENCE AND CONNECTIONS   

     TO SUPPORT THE CHURCH

ITS SPRING TIME, LETS SING AND DANCE Isaiah 61:9-11

 IT’S SPRING TIME, LET’S SING AND DANCE

Isa 61:9-11

INTRODUCTION

Isaiah was written after the Israelites was released from 70 years of Babylonian captivity. Jerusalem was

Burned to the ground and the temple was completely destroyed.  The  Israelites had been punished by the Lord for disobedience  and worship of Idol gods. 

Imagine leaving Babylon with its beautiful temples and comfortable surrounding and coming home to a

Burned out city.  The text is a message of hope, restoration and encouragement . They had to start over and  rebuild their community.  The Lord's punishment is a blessing of redemption. In terms of seasons, this

Would be a hard winter season for Israel.  Isaiah is a message of hope for a spring season.

Isa 61:9-11

9 And their seed shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which Jehovah hath blessed.

10 I will greatly rejoice in Jehovah, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with a garland, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

11 For as the earth bringeth forth its bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord Jehovah will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.

ASV

I love spring time. The winter is gone, the snow has melted and the temperature has turned warm. The trees that lost their leaves began to bud

With new leaves. The plants began to show new flowers.  They set 

Silent during the winter month waiting for warmer  temperatures to

Burst forth in an array  of new colors.  

There is a reason the tree sit dormant in the winter time , the work of God through the spirit.  The tree goes into hibernation, the leave drop off to conserve water, the  end of the limb is covered with a cork to keep out disease,  

Likewise throughout time the spirit of God  worked through the Word

Which started with Adam , expanded with Moses in the law which became the tutor until Christ came in spring time

God uses nature to show us His power, His authority and His creativity.

All we have to do is pay attention to the incremental details of every living

Plant tree and animal to know that God thoughts  are far beyond the thoughts of man, 

He spoke and all of creation came into existence. But for man who He took time to make him In His own image and likeness. Man soon fell from grace when he disobeyed God’s command. God put together a new plan to restore man to original glory.  God promised a woman's seed for redemption

 After disobedience man was cast  him into a cloud darkness

Isaiah 61:11  is the dawn of a new light for mankind. It is spring time

Seasons come and seasons go. Winter, spring, summer and fall.

I view God’s plan of redemption in seasons.  In the Fall season He promised Abram that He would be the father of many nations. 

The nation grew up in slavery in Egypt the winter season

 In the spring season God sent Moses to bring Israel through the

Red sea to freedom. Having arrived as free a nation in the desert

 Mariam,  Moses' sister organized a praise and worship team to glorify the Lord.

Man was born by the Lord from the dust of the earth

The ground is the nation of Israel. The woman seed planted is Jesus Christ. The vineyard is the Church,  Many seasons past as the seed germinated though 42  generations . At the right time the seed burst

Open from the ground through the flesh of Mary, A new spring time began

With Jesus as Lord and Savior.  

 

Isa 61:9-11

BLESSED BY THE LORD

9 And their seed shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which Jehovah hath blessed.

The Spirit of God was always active. From the beginning of creation;

Gen1:2 And the earth was waste and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep: and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

From the beginning the spirit of God energized the creative process

God uses nature to show us His power, His authority and His creativity.

All we have to do is pay attention to the incremental details of every living

Plant tree and animal to know that God thoughts  are far beyond the thoughts of man, 

He spoke all of creation into existence. But for man, He took time to make him In His own image and likeness. Man soon fell from grace when he disobeyed God’s command. God put together a new plan to restore man to original glory.  God promised a woman's seed for redemption

Gen 3:14 And Jehovah God said unto the serpent,  Gen 3:15

 I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed: he shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

After disobedience man was cast  him into a cloud darkness

God promised the restoration of man into a nation known by the world. 

We live in a state of blessedness in the Lord. We are the offspring of the woman’s seed blessed by the Lord, who is Jesus Christ

CLOTHED FOR JOYFUL SALVATION 

10 I will greatly rejoice in Jehovah, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with a garland, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

1. We were washed in Jesus Blood to be white as snow. Can’t stand before God with spot or stain

2. Salvation is a joyful time. Let’s dance to the music like Miram, Moses sister. It is the joy of the Lord

3. Salvation is a time of gratefulness

4. We are decked out with a robe of righteousness. Like a bridegroom with his special dress and like a bride adorned with jewels 

5. God clothed us with a robe of beauty for others to see evident by our ministering to others

6. The garment is a sign of our occupation and characters called by the Lord. It is us in Christ and Christ in us for us

THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD WILL SPRING FORTH IN YOU

11 For as the earth bringeth forth its bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord Jehovah will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nation

The spirit of God is active upon every living thing, plants, tree, animals, the environment and man. 

Have you ever considered what happens to the tree in the fall when they lose their leaves?   The spirit is acting upon the trees. The tree goes into hibernation.

The leaves fall off to conserve water.  The trees create a corky layer on the end of the limbs to protect them from diseases. They absorbed the nitrogen and phosphorus into their roots  for the winter season. It is the spirit that acts upon trees get them prepared for the spring season

The Spirit act upon animals to give instinct to survive. Trees and flowers to bring forth leaves and flowers at the right time. The spirit act upon the environment to cause clouds to form, water drops to collect to bring rain. Storms and winds 

Only man has the indwelling of the spirit and the ability to yield to direction and guidance of the spirit.   

God chose the time, the season and the vineyard for righteousness to 

Spring forth. A hosts of Angels sang as the seed burst forth from the earth

The Spirit of God was always active. From the beginning of creation;

Gen1:2 And the earth was waste and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep: and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

From the beginning the spirit of God energized the creative process

Isa 61:11

11 For as the earth bringeth forth its bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord Jehovah will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.

ASV

For as the earth bring forth it’s bud

There is hope for restoration for the whole earth. The bud is universal, It's everywhere.  It new mercies and new grace

As the garden causes the things that are sown to grow.  The seed has been sown Through 42 generations.  It is the power of God to maintain that which was Sown in secret  The buds on a tree or plant show forth because that are stirred up by the spirit of God.  Jesus is a gift to the world

2 Tim 1:6 For which cause I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee through the laying on of my hands.

I believe there are times when we take God’s gift for granted. When we are feeling down and depressed and all out of sorts we have forgotten the gift.

You have to make a choice to stir up the gift. It is a choice to be joyful in spite of your circumstances. It is a choice to have an attitude of gratefulness

The Lord caused His righteousness to spring forth; We don’t deserve it. Because He loves us He does it anyway.

Isa 43:19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now shall it spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

God’s got a new thing for us, His Grace and mercy is new everyday

God has made a way out of the wilderness of sin. A way out of darkness to the light. A way out of winter to spring. 

Because of this glorious gift praise will spring forth from all nations 

Isa 43:21 the people which I formed for myself, that they might set forth my praise.

This verse uses a simple but powerful image from nature:

• Just as soil naturally produces plants and gardens grow seeds,

• God will bring about righteousness (right living, justice) and praise (worship, recognition of Him) in the world.

Key ideas

1. Growth is inevitable (with the right source)

The comparison to plants suggests something organic and unstoppable. When conditions are right, growth happens. In the same way, God’s purposes—justice and goodness—will eventually flourish.

2. God is the one causing the growth

It emphasizes that this transformation isn’t just human effort. It’s something God initiates and sustains.

3. A public, global outcome

The phrase “before all nations” points to a future where this righteousness and praise are visible worldwide, not hidden or limited to one group.

SUMMARY

Isaiah 61:9-11 is a message of restoration and hope, especially for people who have experienced hardship or exile. It speaks about healing, renewal, and justice being restored.

In simple terms;

Just like plants grow naturally from the earth, this verse is saying:

God will make goodness and worship spread and grow across the world in a visible, lasting way.

2 Cor 9:2 for I know your readiness, of which I glory on your behalf to them of Macedonia, that Achaia hath been prepared for a year past; and your zeal hath stirred up very many of them.

What we do for others stirs up others to do the same. Someone is always watching.

Trees put forth new leaves and plants new flowers that are designed by God for beautification.  Jesus brings forth new mercies and new grace

That enables us to live with joy and confidences each day and serve others with an attitude of gratefulness 

God righteous bud  is Designed for believers all over the world. He provides light in a darken world and hope in the midst of troubling times

It is a massage of Restoration and Hope

God makes Good grow in a visible righteous ways 

Nothing can stop the growth.  Grass grow through concrete and rocks

God is doing something new each day

God mercy are new every day 

Growth is inevitable

Justice and good will flow, God’s plan is unstoppable

We can choose to live joyful in the Lord in the midst of trouble We are children of light in the midst of darkness