The second was the Fig. The fig tree is a sign of peace and prosperity. The fig was the most common fruit in Palestine. It was not a luxury as in some parts of the world but a staple food of the country. It was often used to indicate the health of the nation. When Israel was disobedient and would not repent, there were crop failures.

Jotham told them a parable/fable.

Greek fables used the animal kingdom, but Hebrew fables and parables used the vegetable kingdom. Although this is called a parable, it is more accurately a fable. it is only one if two fables in the Bible. The other is in 2 Kings 14:9-10 and another account of the same incident is in 2 Chronicles 25:18-19.

A fable is a short story in which animals or objects speak a story, to teach a moral or religious lesson. A parable is a short story designed to teach a moral or religious lesson. eg. The parable of the unforgiving servant. Matt 18:21-30.

The Back Story - Judges 9:7-15

Since entering into the promised land, Israel had had a series of leaders but not a King. It was clearly understood that God was their King which made them different from all the other nations, All the other nations had gods and kings. Israel had a God who was their King. After the death of Joshua, it wasn’t long before the people forsook God and served the Baals. This was to be a pattern that would be repeated again and again. When the people rejected God and did what was right in their own eyes, God would give them over to their enemies. Their enemies would defeat them and oppress them. Eventually the people would cry out to God for deliverance and God would raise up a ‘Judge’ to deliver them. They would have prosperity for a while and then they would revert to idolatry again and the cycle would repeat.

Dynamics of Early Church Part 5...

So... Are these Holy Ghost inspired "dynamics" relevant today? I strongly believe so.

We are talking Holy Spirit here... the Holy Ghost.

Remember it is... "Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of hosts." ☆ Zechariah 4:6...

When we do our 'earthly bit' the Holy Spirit does His Heavenly bit and more!!

■ (10) COMPASSION and CONCERN for each other.

They were compassionate and concerned for others and their needs. They went as far to sell and share their possessions with those who had need. ☆ Acts 2:44-45...☆ Acts 4:35.. Wow!

They knew that what they had was not theirs but God's.

■ (5) They were COMM(UNITY) minded.

The believers were comm(unity) minded, with the emphasis on unity... oneness... solidarity.

Their hearts were knit together... one passion ☆ Acts 2:44 and 46...

The Scriptures say... One body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God.

☆ Ephesians 4:4-6...

The phrase 'of one accord' is used 13x's in Acts. ☆ Philippians 2:2...

There are 15 dynamics (active characteristics) that I see at work in the Early Church in the Book of Acts... each one starting with the letter "C".

"In the beginning" the disciples tarried (waited) in the upper room in Jerusalem (as Jesus commanded them to) until they were baptized in and filled with the Holy Ghost and fire.

The Church was birthed in prayer...with 120 believers, in one accord, in an upper room in Jerusalem for at least 10 solid days... praying!

The central text I want to use is... Acts 2:42-47...

The Church of Jesus Christ was "officially birthed" about 33 AD, on the day of Pentecost, with the mighty outpouring (baptism) of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2...

In the Book of Acts, Dr Luke gives us an accurate historical and spiritual account of the early Church, detailing the mighty works of the Holy Ghost amongst the Apostles, believers and non-believers.

Interestingly, the words Holy Ghost and Spirit are used 69 x's, whereas the word Apostle is only used 31 x's in Acts.

The Church of Jesus Christ was "officially birthed" about 33 AD, on the day of Pentecost, with the mighty outpouring (baptism) of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2...

In the Book of Acts, Dr Luke gives us an accurate historical and spiritual account of the early Church, detailing the mighty works of the Holy Ghost amongst the Apostles, believers and non-believers.

Interestingly, the words Holy Ghost and Spirit are used 69 x's, whereas the word Apostle is only used 31 x's in Acts.

Communication is important to have a healthy team.

Open communication increases trust.

Trust increases ownership.

Ownership increases participation.

Good communication fosters unity. Psalm 133.

For any endeavour to succeed, you need committed people to work at it.

There is no greater endeavour than fulfilling the Great Commission.

And the Great Commission will be carried out by committed followers of Christ

Commitment is not a gift, or talent, it is a character trait.

Some people find it easy, while others find it hard. But it is something everyone can develop.

For any endeavour to succeed, you need committed people to work at it.

There is no greater endeavour than fulfilling the Great Commission.

And the Great Commission will be carried out by committed followers of Christ

Commitment is not a gift, or talent, it is a character trait.

Some people find it easy, while others find it hard. But it is something everyone can develop.

This next series of teaching builds on the Discipleship and Ministry previously given. It makes the assumption that you are growing in the basic disciplines and discovering and exercising your ministry. If you don’t have the material, a set of notes can be provided. If needed, an explanation of the notes can also be given.

We move from Discipleship and Ministry to Teamwork.

Jesus never looked for a successor, He looked for a team.

This next series of teaching builds on the Discipleship and Ministry previously given. It makes the assumption that you are growing in the basic disciplines and discovering and exercising your ministry. If you don’t have the material, a set of notes can be provided. If needed, an explanation of the notes can also be given.

We move from Discipleship and Ministry to Teamwork.

Jesus never looked for a successor, He looked for a team.