Fertility and fruitfulness are significant themes in scripture.

But have you noticed that some of the big ideas in the Bible also have their fair share of mystery. For example why did God command Abram to be fruitful and multiply knowing full well that Sarai his wife was unable to conceive? And why does God allow people like Onan in Genesis 38 carry the capacity to reproduce even though he refused to be productive?

Fertility

In this blog we will propose five absolutes that we consider exist next to some of the ambiguities on this topic. Let’s begin by noticing the six times (6x) repeated commission in the book of Genesis to ‘be fruitful and multiply’ (see 1:22; 1:28; 8:17; 9:1; 9:7; 35:11).

Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth”

Genesis 1:28 NKJV

Absolute #1: There is a God given mandate to reproduce

Yes – this absolute absolutely first applies to the context of natural reproduction, but as we continue to look at scripture, we see that this is a foretaste – a type – of spiritual reproduction.

Think for example of what is often referred to as ‘The great Commission’:

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV

Someone is counting

If you’ve ever wondered if God cares about numbers, then consider that not only is there a book of the Bible called ‘Numbers’, but it’s clear from the record of the early NT church that someone was actually keeping tally.

Absolute #2: Our fruit matters to Jesus

Then those who gladly received his word were baptised; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them

Acts 2:41 NKJV

Our fruit matters to Jesus, and it’s important in this moment to flag that He only regards it as fruit if it remains (why not check-out John 15:16). In other words – not all that might think is fruit actually lasts.

Simply put, there are two tests for fruit that lasts:

Test #1: Fruit that remains has the characteristics of Jesus Himself.

This was the consuming passion of the Apostle Paul:

My little children, for whom I labour in birth again until Christ is formed in you

Galatians 4:19 NKJV

Fruit that lasts looks like, and sounds like and has the heart of Jesus.

Test #2: Fruit that remains is born according to the Spirit; not the flesh

Interestingly, in his discussion of the Two Covenants in Galatians, Paul references the story of Ishmael and Isaac. This plays into a very big and central theme in his writings: the discussion of works (striving) and grace (believing).

And fruit that remains can’t come from any quasi alternative source. It’s of the Spirit or not at all.

Sower believe

Looking again at the story of Abram and Sarai as they were known initially, we find a prototype for justification through faith.

Then He brought him outside and said, “Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.

Genesis 15:5-6 NKJV

Absolute #3: Fruit that remains is produced by grace through faith (not works lest any man should boast)

Perhaps to make sure this particular absolute super clear, God gave each of the three partiarchs (Abraham, Isaac & Jacob) wives who were barren.

Wow!

Let this be an abiding lesson. Fruit which remains is always birthed not by strength or by might but by the Spirit of God; the Hovering One (Genesis 1:2) whom we receive by grace through faith.

Partnering with the Maker

How incomprehensible that Almighty God would want to partner with us; to impregnate us with His abundant life that we would participate in and help populate an abundant harvest.

As a consequence of being born again, our Maker further creates within us His very DNA such that we are transformed from being spiritually barren to abundantly reproductive.

Consider the metaphorical significance of Isaiah 54 in this regard.

Sing, O barren, You who have not borne! For your Maker is your husband.

Isaiah 54:1-5 NKJV

We live in the prophetic fulfilment of this, and are invited to look up to the stars with Abraham, and see the superabundant end time harvest that is yet come in to the storehouse.

Absolute #4: There is absolutely a correlation between sowing and reaping

To again reference Paul’s writings, the measure with which we sow determines the measure with which we reap (1 Corinthians 9:6-7) and then in case we don’t get it, he reminds us just how good God actually is.

Here is a masterclass in matchless grace:

Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.

1 Corinthians 9:10-11 NKJV

Sower abide

God provides the seed by His Grace.

He multiplies the seed by His Grace.

He provides the increase to the fruit by His grace.

And He enriches us in the process by His grace.

Absolute #5: This should absolutely cause thanksgiving from us to God

Have you ever noticed that sometimes it’s helpful to see things from both sides? A dual perspective can bring a more complete understanding and we propose this is true for spiritual gifts.

Strengths and weaknesses

So in this post we publish a framework that describes the list of gifts found in the Bible in the book of Romans chapter 12. These gifts are sometimes referred to as motivational gifts or foundation gifts.

A little like it can be helpful to understand what a word means by looking at it’s opposite (or antonym), this method of teaching describes each gift in terms of both it’s strengths and also it’s potential weaknesses.

For the sake of continuity, we’ve reproduced the slides referred to at our HiveHub night on March 18th, 2023.

We hope it helps.

The gift of Insight

The gift of Ministry (serving)

The gift of Teaching

The gift of Exhortation (encouragement)

The gift of Giving

The gift of Leadership

The gift of Mercy

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Have you ever wondered why the Apostle Paul said “concerning spiritual gifts, I do not want you to be ignorant”?

You can check out 1 Corinthians 12:1 to find this reference.

The purpose of this blog is to further develop understanding on this topic.

Assessment tool

As part of this discovery process, we are making this on-line self-assessment tool available.

You can use this as a guide to discovering who God has created you to be. Your answers are confidential and can only be viewed by you. Remember this is an indicator only, and is intended to give you a framework for reflection, conversation, and prayer. Here’s a link to the tool:

Spiritual Gifts Assessment Tool

We hope it helps.

Podcast teaching

We’ve also included for you a podcast of a teaching recorded on February 18th which is Part 1 of 2 teachings on Spiritual Gifts.

The link is included below.

And why might it be an advantage to NOT be ignorant about spiritual gifts?

We put forward these reasons for you to consider:

1. God awareness – an understanding of Spiritual gifts can reveal to you more of who God is
2. Self awareness – an understanding of Spiritual gifts can reveal to you more of who you are created to be
3. Awareness of others – an understanding of Spiritual gifts can reveal to you more of who others are created to be

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Choose to follow Jesus – and then to keep following Him – and I propose to you there’s one thing for sure: you’re going to bump into mystery.

In fact mystery is the new normal in the Kingdom of God. The unexplainable; the un-usual; the miraculous; the utterly astounding.

When the Gospel of Jesus begins to permeate and to take root, then things happen that are beyond human reasoning.

This is mystery, and it’s a given!

When Jesus came to earth on that first Christmas heaven and earth collided. In His coming was seeded a juxtaposition of the natural with the supernatural that would have transformative ramifications for all eternity.

And this is what I’ve noticed: when the realm of heaven touches earth it’s always earth that gets changed; not the other way around.

Why? Can I propose to you that the Kingdom of heaven is a superior reality.

And the good news is – the government of Jesus reign is increasing!

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His mane will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward and forever.

Isaiah 9:6,7 NKJV

Relational revival

This is part 2 of three blogs in which we seek to communicate some of the values which we feel the Holy Spirit is emphasising as we approach 2023. As we reflect again on the heart of Jesus for His bride – the church – and on the nature of His redemptive design for relationships, we quickly land in the realm of mystery.

Here’s an example:

For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. For this reason a man shall leave His father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

Ephesians 5:30-32 NKJV

An apostolic family

For some years, we have sensed God impress on us as a faith community His high value on relationships – in marriages, in families, in communities, in cities, in nations and in the church.

We believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ speaks revival and transformation to each of these contexts.

Notice in the Ephesians scripture how the apostle Paul addresses simultaneously several relational realms:

• the community of believers as members of His body who become His flesh and His bones;
• a man who leaves his parents to be joined to his wife in marriage;
• the joining of a husband and wife who become a one flesh unity;
• the joining of Christ to the church in marriage who likewise become a one-ness unity

I propose to you that Paul is teaching that what is true for each relationship realm is in a measure also true for the other; in other words; each is in some way or another a demonstration of the other.

Belonging & agency

So what’s the point?

As we head toward 2023, we believe God is calling us to help build a community that is marked with relational mystery; a people who can simultaneously declare two things which are fully integrated truths in the Kingdom:

1. I belong AND
2. I’ve got agency

Another way to say this is: I belong to this community (this is my body) but I’m also released to be sent because I’ve got agency.

The thing is, in practical terms to have agency often means leaving, or at the least not being present all the time.

This happened in the early church: both because of being ‘sent’ on a missionary journey for example, and also due to ‘scattering’ because of persecution.

In each of these examples, a sense of belonging none-the-less existed and in fact flourished.

Both the relationship ‘hub’, and also those who were ‘sent’ (or scattered) from the hub thrived.

The mystery of inter-dependency

Could it be that the Ephesians 5 passage we’ve been discussing speaks to this?

The relationship between a married person and his/her parents is summed up in the scriptural phrase ‘leaving and cleaving’ (see Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5; Ephesians 5:31).

This is God’s intended design.

The married man and woman having come of age (of sufficient maturity to leave and be to married) now begin to establish a new identity. They still belong to their family of origin, but they have agency to leave and to become more fully who they are created to be in their calling as a married identity.

This is a mystery.

As we step toward 2023, could it be that that we can both leave and cleave?

‘Leave’ as we exercise agency to walk in and develop in our callings and giftings; and ‘cleave’ as we remain in relationship with the community of believers to whom we belong.

By My Spirit

We believe God is calling us to step into more mystery.

Whereby just like the graphic that heads up this blog, we can each be led by the Spirit to diverse and different places of calling and at the same time keep a unity and one-ness and a mutuality of belonging.

May it be that we experience a greater measure of personal and also collective identity; that as a community we experience both gathering (in varied forms & locations) and also sending (according to gift and calling and readiness).

Here is our working definition for you of what it means to be an ‘Apostolic Family’:

We are an organically formed, Spirit empowered, relational hub. Our focus is Jesus Christ, and we exist for the proclamation and the expansion of His Kingdom until the restoration and fulfilment of all things (Ephesians 4:10).

A working definition of an Apostolic Family by David Nathan

Feedback

We invite your thoughts, feedback and questions. Please email info@thehivechurch.com and most of all reflect with Godly imagination about being part of a community where you experience both belonging and agency.

As we open up part one of this three part discussion, let’s explain that this blog links to a video series with the same title.

Regardless of your relationship to the Hive community, we hope this content helps you. ‘Crossing over’ is a series of conversations about where we’re heading in 2023.

We believe change is coming, and we want to help you have the opportunity to engage with the change journey ahead.

Here’s 3 reasons to focus on as we discuss change:

1. Flow
2. Agency
3. Growth

Flow

Our shared story during 2022 has included the pursuit of flow. We’re talking about the flow of the Holy Spirit; the tangible presence of God; the sense of joining to where the Father is moving (John 5:19).

During 2022 we’ve learnt that sometimes there is a relationship between fear and flow; to be clear flow requires letting go and trusting and this can be triggering because it calls for us to let go.

At times this means less structure; less programme; less hurry and more space.

This has been the story for our worship nights this year.

We’re learning to make space.

Flow.

Agency

My first introduction to the idea of agency happened in my previous career as a financial planner. During this time I had ‘agencies’ with a number of Life Insurance companies.

Agents are representatives; and are empowered to transact business on behalf of the owners of the company.

This too is the manner of the Kingdom of God. As believers we are agents of the King and His Kingdom.

In 2023 we want to make room for more agency:

• for the development and the release of spiritual gifts
• for the identification and development of callings
• for body ministry

Grow

AS we look toward 2023 we seek before God that we would grow – both personally; collectively; and in our effectiveness.

In practical terms, this is briefly how we we plan to ‘make space’ for growth.

1. Venue Space
2. Heart Space
3. Expectation Space

This video explains more fully details about these growth initiatives, and you can also subscribe via thehivechurch.com to receive our email updates.

There is more

We believe there is more:

• more knitting together 
• more contributing
• more fruitfulness 
• more outworking of the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ in those parts of our inner & our outer world that are still being formed into His like-ness  
• more clarity concerning spiritual gifts
• more leading from the Holy Spirit and experiencing the anointing and the fullness of Jesus 
• more maturity and stability 
• more environment and intentionality that would shift us toward this grand vision of Ephesians 4