This year we have begun our yearly theme of “Increase” at 9th & Main. What a great theme to consider for us as we endeavor “to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4.3). It is vitally important for us to keep in mind who gives the increase in our lives and in the lives of all men. That would be God our Father through Jesus Christ our Lord (1 Cor. 3.6). He is the One who makes us abound in everything (2 Cor. 8.7). He is the One who desires us to abound in the work of the Lord (1 Cor. 15.58). He is the One who wants us to do His will, so we will not stumble or fall away (2 Pet. 1.10).

Brethren, we should ask God to help us to increase in our communication with Him in prayer. We should pray for an increase in this area for many reasons. Just as the disciples asked the Lord to increase their faith (Luke 17.5), we should ask God to increase our desire to communicate with Him more in all things. Good brethren, God’s beloved, let us remember the words of the inspired penman Paul when he said, “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men…” (1 Tim. 2.1). We must be reminded of the words of Solomon and the necessity of our world being influenced by the righteous” “Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people” (Pro. 14.34). May we increase our communication with God about this great nation we are in!

Friends, we should ask God to grant us an increase in our compassion towards others, especially for those who spitefully use us and persecute us (Matt. 5.44). Our prayer life for those in our lives is important to keep in mind. Why? Because we are to imitate our Master and Lord in this manner of living. Paul would tell the brethren at Rome these words: “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5.8). Our demonstration of love should reflect what Paul told the brethren to do: “Repay no one evil for evil… If your enemy is hungry, feed him… For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head” (Rom. 12.17-20). May the God of heaven increase our zeal to do His will and be more like His Son in this area of life.

Beloved, may our prayers to God be more in line with increasing our desires to be, “Biblical People”, “Romans 12 type Christians”, “Christian Graces type Saints” and the like. So what is meant by such language? We should consider asking the Father:

·  to help us be more transformed in the mind through His beautiful and blessed word (Rom. 12.1-2)

· to make increase in our lives to be conformed to the image of His beloved Son (Rom. 8.29)

· to understand the need to be part of a great membership, who seek to cling to the good and love to demonstrate great affection to the brethren (Rom. 12.9-10).

Again church, we should seek God’s influence in our lives through His Divine word to be “Christian Grace type Saints” in this perilous time we are in. Peter instructed the brethren by inspiration to add to their faith (2 Pet. 1.5-11). Friends, we should seek to increase, abound and grow in these areas of life as well. Can we imagine growing so much in these areas of life that we know without hesitancy that we are going to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matt. 25.21)? We have to see the benefits of being “Christian Graces type Saints” and seek to help one another see spiritual increase and growth in their lives as well.

Finally brethren, we can ask God to increase our love and respect for Him and His beloved Son. How can we fulfill this in our lives? Let’s consider our love for each other in how we seek to worship God in songs, hymns and spiritual songs (Col. 3.16). We can show this by simply singing when everyone else is and not being overly concerned with how we sound. These words edify, comfort and build us up in the most holy faith. What a blessing to know our God can be loved and respected in our worship to Him through His beloved Son (1 Pet. 2.5). Our God deserves our honor and respect and we should give Him what is due with our lives and homage.

In conclusion, we need to communicate with our Father in heaven daily. We should seek opportunities to show our love and respect to Him and live lives worthy of the gospel. Let us remain prayerful and vigilant in our daily living and seek to walk according to the Spirit as we add the Christian graces to our lives. Let’s allow God to give the increase in our lives as we communicate with Him about being more like His Son to the glory of the Father. May God richly bless us all.