As Harvesters, we believe in the God who gives increase. God's Spirit is teaching us how to access the Source of increase in every aspect of our lives. '…of the increase of His government and His peace there will be no end…' Listen to this sermon

Increase
Apostle Aje Pelser
2007/01/13
Harvester Reformational Church, Cape Town

Here are a few considerations about God’s increase in our lives that will give perspective on spiritual concepts of growth and progress.

It’s how you say it.
There’s “increase” and then there’s “increase”
The word is both a noun and a verb. Some prefer to think about increase as an end in itself. If you look at increase as a noun, you will probably list a few categories of increase such as: numeric; financial; influential. But what about an increase in self-control; holiness; contentment; joy and peace; righteousness – the kingdom of God in our lives? An apostolic company of people understand the process of increase and better still, the Source.

Increase starts with decrease
John the Baptist understood the principle. His whole life made way for the Messiah. If we want to see Jesus lifted high in our generation, we need to decrease and He will increase. God exalts the humble…

Let His government increase in your life
Isaiah prophesied about Christ hundreds of years before his birth.
Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
Become a citizen of a new nation, and submit to the ordinances of God’s government. The benefits of citizenship include peace, prosperity and health; right standing with God and the blessing of His holy Spirit’s presence; the power of the name of Jesus Christ and the authority accompanying it in the spiritual, Soulish and physical realms.

Study increase in the church of Acts
Note how the ministry of the Word of God coupled with prayer increased from Acts 1:8, when Jesus said:
“But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

The spreading of the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is undoubtedly the world’s longest sustained campaign of Truth that sets the captive free. The great commission has never ceased to reach generation after generation, as new disciples pledge their lives to service in ministry. Matthew 28; Mark 16.

Later in the book of Acts the Holy Spirit is poured out and the Word of God is spoken in different tongues. As Peter preaches the Word grows further and people receive the message and repent with accompanying baptism. Acts 2;3

Peter and John are arrested for preaching in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. The church quotes the words of the prophets in prayer asking God that His servants would preach the Word with all boldness, that God would stretch out His hand to heal, and that signs and wonders would be done through the name of Jesus. Acts 4:29

As the work of the ministry increases, the apostles and prophets give themselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word. Deacons are chosen to serve and hands were laid on them. The combined effect of this decision was clear: “Then the Word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.” Acts 6:7

Saul persecutes the church and Herod kills James, but the Word grows mightily and prevails. Stephen the first Christian martyr sees Jesus, the Word of God, standing in attention as the stones beat out the forgiveness of Christ “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.”

Philip preaches the Word in Samaria and multitudes heeded the words he spoke with signs and wonders following.

The Word of God confronts Saul on the Damascus Road and converts the chief opponent of the Gospel into the chief ambassador of the Gospel to the Gentiles.

Peter spreads the word to Cornelius and God’s gift is released to Gentiles, a mission another apostle would continue to his death.

God’s Word is sent on a mission through the apostle’s Paul and Barnabas.

The liberty of God’s Word is tested by those of the circumcision, contending with the new faith in Christ’s atonement. God’s Word revealed sets at liberty those oppressed with laws and traditions of men and the tabernacle of David is reinstated, where all nations can worship God in spirit and in truth like David did.

The Roman Empire begins to experience the effects of the Word of God and apostles are persecuted from city to city for preaching the Gospel. Businessmen are deprived of money from idolatry because the Word of God was preached for 2 years in Ephesus and territorial spirits are displaced.

Greek philosophers are baffled by the simplicity of the Gospel and the Word of God continues to increase through the known world. Churches are planted and letters are written to disciples about the Word of God made flesh and our Bible is formed. The Word grew through the persecution of the Roman Empire; through the dark ages to enlightenment and reformation; through wars and famines and different revolutions both political and industrial. The 20th century saw the most tremendous increase of the preached Word of God since Christ’s ascension. The world is poised to see the fruit of all that preaching in the 21st century and we are living in the end times where all things in the Word are to be fulfilled. This is the appointed time for age old prophecies to be lived out by ordinary Bible believing people. The Word is being preached to the ends of the earth and then He will come to judge the nations. Those who received His Word will rule and reign with Him forever. Those who chose to ignore the increase of His word will be cast in outer darkness, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

So – increase!
Let His Word increase in you this year, and see His Word increase in the lives of your loved ones and friends and colleagues. Increase is a noun, yes – we desire to see more souls saved, more disciples made in the image of Christ, not some denomination. Yes, we desire to see financial growth to establish this Covenant. But most of all we desire to see Christ increase in us; to see His Word increase in our lives, our families; our communities. Because this world is going to hell fast. Increase can be used to save it. Increase must also be an action. May God’s word grow mightily and prevail in us, and may we see the increase of His government in our church and community. Let al the other concepts of increase follow that as a bonus!